After the ceremony ended, the students began to scatter across the garden—some taking photos, others celebrating with their families. As for Sam Alther, he stood off to the side beneath the shade of a large tree, silently observing the crowd as if lost in thoughts no one else could guess.
Rose watched him from afar, hidden among the attendees, wearing sunglasses and a long gray coat that concealed her features. She didn't want to draw attention, but she was studying every move Sam made.
"Hmm… he seems a little too calm. Is he hiding something?"
Sam wasn't like the other students. He didn't show exaggerated joy, nor nervousness, nor even excitement. He stood firmly, as if he knew this day wasn't the end of something… but the beginning.
Leo Carter and Lucia Jennifer approached him, laughing and exchanging congratulations.
"Sam! Man, you broke every record!" Leo said, patting him on the shoulder.
Sam gave a faint smile.
"I just did what I could."
Lucia looked at him with clear admiration.
"But getting a perfect 100 in every subject? That's unbelievable."
"It takes a lot of focus… and discipline," Sam replied in a calm tone.
Rose listened from a distance, trying to analyze his voice, his posture, even his eyes.
Something about this student wasn't normal. Not just his intelligence… but his excessive calmness, and a confidence that didn't resemble that of an ordinary university student.
After a few minutes, Sam slipped away from his friends and headed toward the university's main gate.
Rose followed him with measured steps.
"Where is he going? Does he have an appointment? Or is he just trying to escape the noise?"
Sam left the garden and walked into a quiet side street.
Rose stopped at the corner of a building, watching him without being noticed.
Suddenly… Sam stopped.
He didn't turn around, didn't look back, but he spoke in a low voice:
"I know you're following me."
Rose froze in place.
She had never expected this.
Sam continued without turning his head:
"It's better if you come out now… before someone notices."
Rose raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"How…?"
She took a step forward but didn't answer.
She was trying to understand what was happening.
Sam finally turned and looked directly at her.
His eyes were steady and calm… unnaturally so.
"Who are you? And why are you watching me?"
Rose didn't speak.
It was the first time in years she felt someone had gotten ahead of her.
Rose gave a small smile, then said:
"I think… we have a lot to talk about."