The moment Ethan's words fell, the chatter around them came to an abrupt stop.
"I've seen your work," Ethan repeated calmly. "You're exactly the teammate I've been looking for."
Benny blinked several times, wondering if he had heard correctly.
"...Me?"
Ethan nodded.
"You."
The surrounding students immediately began whispering among themselves.
"Isn't he a first-year?"
"Why would Ethan choose a freshman?"
"I've never even seen him compete."
"Maybe they're related?"
Benny shifted uncomfortably under the curious stares.
"There must be someone more qualified than me."
Ethan smiled.
"There is."
Benny looked relieved.
"But I don't want them."
"...Huh?"
"I want you."
Daisy folded her arms, hiding a satisfied smile.
I knew this would happen.
Ever since Benny entered the Computer Science department, his talent had quietly spread among the lecturers. He never bragged about his skills, but whenever a computer malfunctioned, he was the first person everyone called.
Even Professor Lewis had once jokingly said that Benny could probably teach half the department.
Unfortunately...
Benny never believed in himself.
"I appreciate the offer," Benny said politely, "but I don't think I belong on a team with seniors."
Ethan sighed.
"I thought you'd say that."
He reached into his backpack and pulled out a tablet.
"Take a look."
Benny accepted it.
On the screen were records from the university's programming laboratory.
His eyes widened.
"These are..."
"The coding exercises you've submitted during practical classes," Ethan explained.
"You finished every assignment in less than half the allotted time."
Benny looked embarrassed.
"I just typed fast."
"You also solved three questions the lecturers admitted they didn't expect first-year students to solve."
"...I was lucky."
Daisy smacked the back of his head.
"Ouch!"
"Will you stop saying you're lucky?"
Students nearby laughed.
Ethan couldn't help smiling.
"Professor Lewis recommended you personally."
Benny froze.
"...Professor Lewis?"
"He said if I wanted to win this year's competition, I should recruit Benny Miller before another team did."
For the first time...
Benny was speechless.
Professor Lewis...
The strictest lecturer in the department...
Had recommended him?
"I..."
Before Benny could answer, another voice interrupted.
"Ethan."
Everyone turned.
Walking toward them was a tall young man with neatly combed brown hair and glasses.
Behind him stood two other students wearing department jackets.
"Ethan," the newcomer said, "our team is waiting."
Ethan nodded.
"I'll be there in a minute."
The young man glanced at Benny.
"So this is the freshman?"
His gaze traveled from Benny's backpack to his worn sneakers.
He frowned slightly.
"Are you sure about him?"
"I'm sure."
The student crossed his arms.
"A first-year has never represented our department."
"There's a first time for everything."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Benny quietly lowered the tablet.
"I don't want to cause trouble."
"You're not."
Ethan took the tablet back.
"The decision is mine."
The student adjusted his glasses.
"Fine."
"But if he slows us down, don't blame the rest of us."
With that, he walked away.
Benny watched him leave before looking at Ethan apologetically.
"Maybe he's right."
"No."
Ethan's answer came immediately.
"I've watched enough people to recognize talent."
"You don't need confidence."
"You only need the courage to accept the opportunity."
Those words lingered in Benny's mind.
He remembered all the nights spent repairing old computers.
Learning programming from outdated books.
Working until dawn just to save enough money for tuition.
Wasn't this...
Exactly what he had been working toward?
Daisy smiled gently.
"So?"
Benny looked at both of them.
A nervous smile slowly appeared on his face.
"If..."
"If you really think I can help..."
"I'll join."
For a brief second, Ethan simply stared.
Then he laughed.
"Welcome to the team."
He extended his hand.
Benny shook it.
At that exact moment...
Across the campus, Professor Lewis stood in the second-floor corridor watching the scene unfold through the classroom window.
A satisfied smile appeared on his usually stern face.
"You finally accepted."
Beside him, Professor Thompson folded his arms.
"Do you really believe that boy can lead Crescent University to victory?"
Professor Lewis didn't hesitate.
"If there's anyone who can surprise this country..."
"It's Benny Miller."
Neither professor noticed...
A black luxury sedan had just stopped outside the university gates.
Inside the back seat, Nathan Cooper closed a business file and glanced out the tinted window.
His company had come to discuss sponsoring the National Technology Innovation Competition.
He had no idea...
The name he had quietly remembered days earlier—
Benny Miller—
was waiting somewhere on the very same campus.