try' s brightest young minds. I found my assigned station, a clean white cubicle with a high-end c

k what we h

contemptuous sneer on her face that completely contradi

said, her voice dripping with disdain. "A

trying to knock me off balance.

to crown a genius at my expense. I felt a surge of cold anger. The plan was for the neuro-inhibitor to m

d, Sarah continued to act with the supreme arrogan

ke sure to thank you in my victory speech. I' ll mention the poo

ea that the items meant to empower her were currently being digested by Brenda, the school bully. I wondered what effects a sudd

tors, my support system. Now I saw that their protection was just a cage, designed to ke

s were complex, designed to push even the most seasoned programmers to their limits. When

ely finished the third proble

k on the second one!" a

on and frustration, one voice ros

contestants who had gathered around her. "I thought

ening, soaking in the attention. Her confidence wasn't just an act; it was absolute. It was the confidence of a cheater who thinks th

necklace, a delicate platinum chain with a single, flawless sapphire. I recognized it instantly. It was a one-of-a-k

t a new development. They had been grooming her, rewarding her

her eyes glinting with malice. She smirked, her hand going

ng everyone could hear. "I' m not just here to win. I'

y simple, unadorned one. In their eyes, the battle was already ove