Chapter Five: The Price of Genius

” Two hundred freshmen had twenty minutes to evacuate a virtual fire involving one hundred thousand people. Xu Zhilan had warned him against cognitive tests, but refusal meant forfeiting his scholarship. As the screens lit, Su Mi dropped from an air vent into the empty seat beside him. “This is Sixth Seat Han Qi’s laboratory,” she whispered. “She predicts crowds. The harder you try to save everyone, the more accurately she measures your limit.” A woman’s voice came over the speakers. “All data is simulated and corresponds to no real event.” An equation appeared. Its root landed at Central Station, 4:40 p.m. This was no simulation. The Court was using a real fire to force him to take its test.