Chapter 9: The University's Biggest Competition
Monday morning arrived with bright sunshine pouring over the campus of Crescent University.
Students filled every pathway, laughing as they hurried toward their classrooms. Some carried stacks of books while others sipped coffee before their morning lectures.
Benny adjusted the strap of his backpack as he walked through the university gate.
After the excitement of Clara's birthday party, everything felt normal again.
He preferred it that way.
"Daisy!"
Benny called out, spotting his friend sitting on a bench beneath a large oak tree.
She looked up from her phone and smiled.
"Morning."
"Morning."
He sat beside her before pulling a sandwich from his backpack.
"You skipped breakfast again, didn't you?"
Benny smiled sheepishly.
"I overslept."
"I knew it."
She shook her head before handing him a carton of milk.
"You'll ruin your stomach one day."
"I'll be fine."
"You always say that."
Before Benny could reply, a loud voice echoed across the campus.
"Attention, everyone!"
Nearly every student turned toward the administration building.
Standing on a temporary stage was Professor Harold Thompson, the Dean of the School of Technology. Beside him were several lecturers and university staff members.
Curious whispers spread through the crowd.
"What's going on?"
"Why is the dean here?"
"Is something wrong?"
Professor Thompson smiled as he adjusted the microphone.
"Good morning, students."
"Good morning, Professor," hundreds of voices answered.
"I won't take much of your time."
"I have an important announcement."
The entire campus grew quiet.
"As many of you know, Crescent University has participated in the National Technology Innovation Competition every year."
Excited murmurs immediately broke out.
"The competition?"
"That's the biggest one in the country!"
"I heard companies recruit directly from there."
Professor Thompson raised a hand, and silence returned.
"This year's competition will be held in three weeks."
"The winning team will receive a scholarship worth one hundred thousand dollars."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"And..."
He smiled.
"The champion will also be offered internship opportunities with several of the country's leading technology companies."
The students erupted into excited conversations.
"That's incredible!"
"I have to join!"
"My parents would be so proud!"
Benny listened quietly.
A scholarship...
One hundred thousand dollars.
That amount could pay for the rest of his education.
It could even allow him to move into a better apartment.
Without realizing it, his fingers tightened around the strap of his backpack.
Professor Thompson continued.
"This year's competition is different."
"It will not only test programming ability."
"It will also include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and live problem-solving under strict time limits."
The excitement on campus doubled.
"Registration opens today."
"Each team must consist of four members."
"You have one week to register."
As soon as the announcement ended, students rushed toward the registration booth.
Some were already forming teams.
Others were trying to recruit classmates.
Daisy glanced at Benny.
"You're thinking about entering."
It wasn't a question.
Benny looked toward the crowded registration table.
"I am."
"You should."
He smiled weakly.
"I don't know if I'm good enough."
Daisy lightly flicked his forehead.
"Stop saying that."
"You've been fixing half the computers on campus since classes started."
"And don't think I forgot that you rebuilt Professor Lewis's laptop in less than thirty minutes."
Benny rubbed his forehead.
"I just got lucky."
"You were not lucky."
Before Benny could answer, someone suddenly called his name.
"Benny!"
He turned around.
A tall student wearing the Computer Science department jacket jogged toward him.
It was Ethan Brooks, one of the top third-year students in the department.
"I've been looking for you," Ethan said with a grin.
Benny blinked in surprise.
"For me?"
Ethan nodded.
"I want you on my team."
Benny froze.
"...Me?"
Around them, several students stopped talking and looked over.
One of the best programmers in the university...
Had just invited a first-year student to join his competition team.
The whispers began immediately.
"Why would Ethan choose a freshman?"
"Who is that blond guy?"
"I've never seen him before."
Benny looked at Ethan, completely stunned.
"I... I don't think I'm qualified."
Ethan smiled confidently.
"I've seen your work."
"And trust me..."
"You're exactly the teammate I've been looking for."