Beyond the Mask

Synopsis:

Ah, the sweet illusion of virtual games, where you can be a princess but still be completely insufferable. Kingdoms Eternal is home to two players, Emily and Rachel, who decide to adventure as their fictional counterparts, Eleanor and Seraphina, in a medieval fantasy game. Eleanor, a princess who loves a good book and detests cheaters, and Seraphina, a princess so ambitious that any code of ethics is more or less the same as a mirror in a ruined castle: useless and ignored.

The plot? Oh, simple: both are invited to the Masquerade Ball at Illumina Castle, where a quiz competition will decide who will be the owner of the Crystal Scepter. While Eleanor shows off her vast knowledge and charm (a rare thing), Seraphina has a trick or two up her sleeve-or, more specifically, in her luxurious accessories that are, without a doubt, more hacking than jewelry.

And of course, what would a story be without a twist? As the ball reaches its climax, a mysterious hacker decides to play hero and expose Seraphina's antics, casting her out of the game as an immoral player. What begins as a "who knows more about history and science" competition ends in an unbeatable lesson in ethics (or lack thereof) and the consequences of life in the real world.

Emily, our honest princess, discovers that perhaps real life has more to offer than the fantasy worlds she hides in. Meanwhile, Rachel, our beloved trickster, decides to learn a thing or two about cybersecurity-not because she cares about ethics, but because she now knows what happens when you play dirty.