A TEST

Maya’s advice echoed in Anya’s head for the rest of the day, slowly overwriting the anger and confusion with a new, more familiar feeling: the thrill of a challenge. "Debug the boy." It was a ridiculous phrase, but it was exactly what she needed to hear. She was a hacker, after all. And this was the most complex, high-stakes puzzle she had ever faced. The objective wasn't to win; it was to understand.

That night, for the first time since the competition, she logged into the forums as Nyx. Her profile was still covered in the remnants of Zero’s animated cat prank, a digital monument to her own obliviousness. She cleaned it up, deleting every last paw print until the page was restored to its usual minimalist black and white. It felt like clearing her head.

The anger was still there, simmering under the surface. But now it was focused. Maya was right about one thing: she held all the cards. But before she could play her hand, she had to be absolutely certain of the game board. She needed to confirm, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Sameer had no idea who she was. The "accidental alibi" at the coffee shop was strong evidence, but she needed something definitive. She needed to run a diagnostic.

She opened a private message window, the recipient's name glaring back at her: Zero. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. The message had to be perfect. It needed to be a test that only Sameer would react to, but in a way that Zero couldn't possibly understand. The key was their shared secret, the one thing that connected their two worlds: Starlight Odyssey.

After a few moments of careful thought, she typed out a single, calculated line. It was taunting, in Nyx’s signature style, but held a very specific, hidden meaning.

Nyx: > Nice work with that rocket key in the finals. Very flashy. Did Captain Eva’s piloting inspire that little flourish at the end?

She read it over a dozen times. It was perfect. Captain Eva was the main character of Starlight Odyssey, a hero known for her brilliant, unconventional tactics. If Sameer knew she was Nyx, he would see the message as a direct, personal accusation. He would know she had figured it out. But if he was truly clueless, the reference would make no sense. Why would his online rival, Nyx, know about his favorite obscure sci-fi character?

Her finger trembled slightly as she hit "send." The message vanished into the digital ether. The waiting was excruciating. Every second that ticked by felt like an hour. She paced her side of the room, her heart hammering against her ribs. This was it. His response would either confirm her worst fears or give her the green light for Maya’s insane plan.

Five minutes later, a notification popped up. He had replied.

She took a deep breath and clicked it open.

Zero: > How do you know about Captain Eva?

The words were stark. There was no witty comeback, no sarcastic GIF, no arrogant dismissal. It was just a question, blunt and laced with genuine, unmistakable confusion. He wasn't playing a game. He was truly bewildered. He had no idea how his two worlds could have possibly collided.

Anya stared at the message, and for the first time in days, a real, genuine smile spread across her face. It was a smile of pure relief, mixed with a dawning sense of power.

He didn't know. He had absolutely no clue.

The board was set. The pieces were in place. And Nyx was about to play a whole new kind