"The Medieval Match" by Jayson Kim: January 2026 2nd Place

I lay awake fearing Mr. Burke’s big history test tomorrow about some boring 13th century knights’ tournament that happened for 7 days in January.

When my eyes shut, I awoke on a soggy, brown field. Pitter Patter! the rain fell onto the grass. I was shocked to see a gigantic castle nearby with a piece of tattered paper on the door. I saw my classmates standing around the field, all having a similar puzzled expression on their faces! When I glimpsed the white and red flag of 13th century England and a wooden sword and shield in my hand, I knew something exciting, or terrible, was coming.

A deep, booming voice made me jump a meter high. “Read that paper on the wall.” It oddly sounded like Mr. Burke, but I was used to odd things now. We all scurried there.

‘Tis a great game, lasting a week

Competitions of all sorts, and fame to seek

If you quit or win, you shan’t be worrying

But if you lose, beware of test points disappearing.

“We’re in a game?” I asked Jake on the mud.

“It’s smartest to quit. You don’t want to lose out on test points, right?” he said.

“And miss out on fame?” I retorted forcefully.

Round 1 was jousting. Yet, we never noticed how odd it was that it all felt so real. I mean it was just a game, right? For 7 days, we did archery and other medieval things. Classmates lost precious history test points, which leads to no college and no job...scary. Like when Rowan lost a game of Marco Polo with Marco Polo.

I played well, but almost lost chess against Charlemagne before I took his queen.

On night 7, I was the only knight left. “Congratulations winner,” the voice boomed.

Immediately, a bright light teleported me to a throne. “Now what?” I asked.

“Now you are king of England forever,” it ominously said.

“What?! I don’t want that, I hate history. I want to see my family and friends again.”

“Well, wait 821 years,” and then it chuckled.