The heavy rain from the previous afternoon had washed the city clean.
By the next morning, bright sunlight stretched across the campus of Crescent University, reflecting off the windows of the academic buildings. Students walked through the gates in groups, laughing and discussing assignments while others hurried to avoid being late for class.
Benny adjusted the straps of his backpack as he entered the campus.
Unlike yesterday, he arrived early.
After getting home, changing out of his soaked clothes, and finishing his assignments, he had gone straight to bed.
Even so...
He couldn't stop thinking about the ride home.
He still found it strange that someone as intimidating as Nathan had offered him a lift.
"Maybe he was just being polite," Benny muttered to himself.
"Talking to yourself again?"
Benny jumped.
"Daisy!"
She laughed, holding two cups of hot coffee.
"I've been calling your name for almost a minute."
"Sorry."
"You look distracted."
Benny smiled awkwardly.
"I was just thinking."
Daisy handed him one of the cups.
"I bought yours before you could skip breakfast."
Benny accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you."
"I'll pay you back."
She rolled her eyes.
"You've been saying that for two years."
The two walked toward the Computer Science building together.
As they entered the hallway, they noticed a crowd gathered around the department's announcement board.
Students were whispering excitedly.
"What happened?"
"I heard the competition schedule is out."
"They're posting the first assessment."
Daisy and Benny exchanged glances before making their way through the crowd.
Pinned to the board was a newly printed notice.
National Technology Innovation Competition
Mandatory Team Assessment
Date: Friday
Location: Advanced Technology Laboratory
Objective: Each registered team will complete a series of programming and cybersecurity tasks under timed conditions.
The results will determine the official university representatives.
Benny read the notice twice.
"So..."
"This isn't the actual competition?"
A familiar voice answered from behind.
"No."
Ethan walked toward them with Ryan and Mia following close behind.
"This is the university's selection round."
Ryan adjusted his glasses.
"More than twenty teams registered."
"The university can only send three."
Benny's expression became serious.
"So we have to qualify first."
"Exactly."
Mia smiled confidently.
"I've been looking forward to this."
Ethan clapped his hands together.
"We only have a few days."
"From today onward, we'll practice every afternoon after classes."
"No excuses."
Ryan nodded.
"I'll reserve the laboratory."
"I'll prepare snacks," Mia added cheerfully.
Everyone looked at Benny.
He blinked.
"What should I do?"
Ethan grinned.
"You?"
"Just keep being yourself."
Ryan couldn't help but chuckle.
"And maybe stop saying you're lucky every five minutes."
Everyone laughed.
Benny rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll... try."
Just then, Professor Lewis stepped into the hallway.
The cheerful atmosphere disappeared instantly.
His sharp gaze swept over every student.
"If you're all done chatting..."
He looked directly at Ethan's team.
"...Report to the Advanced Technology Laboratory after your final lecture."
"I have prepared something much more difficult than yesterday's exercise."
Ryan sighed quietly.
"I knew he wouldn't let us rest."
Professor Lewis adjusted his glasses.
"I heard that, Mr. Carter."
Ryan immediately straightened.
"My apologies, Professor."
A few students snickered.
Professor Lewis turned toward Benny.
"Mr. Miller."
"Yes, Professor?"
"I hope you slept well."
Benny looked confused.
"...Yes?"
"Good."
"You'll need a clear mind."
With that, Professor Lewis walked away.
The four teammates looked at one another.
Mia broke the silence first.
"...Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?"
Ethan smiled helplessly.
"Because whenever Professor Lewis says something is 'difficult'..."
Ryan finished the sentence.
"...It's usually impossible."
Benny swallowed.