I climbed out of the pod. My legs felt weird. Simulation hangover. The body taking a moment to remember it hadn't actually been fighting monsters in a nightmare forest.
Natalia waited by the exit. Her face held the particular blankness that meant she was processing strong emotions and refusing to let them show.
"Four thirty-two," she said.
"You saw?"
"Everyone saw. Live feed to the arena."
"How's Reyna taking it?"
"She's still in her pod. They're comparing times now."
A screen on the far wall displayed the leaderboard. My name sat at the top. Golden letters against black background.
NAKANO, SATORI - 4:32
CABANA, REYNA - 5:47
OKOYE, ISABELLE - 6:03
TANAKA, KIRA - 6:41
VALERIUS, JULIAN - 7:15
Julian's name glowed an angry red. Fifth place. Behind two Hounds and two Phantoms. The aristocrat must have been having a terrible morning.
"First event," Natalia said. "First place."
"Three more to go."
"Nike's quest."
"Nike's quest."
