CHAPTER 89: EDWARD’S SPARK OF ANGER

After what should have been a short trip turned into a long one, Alaric returned to his room. His task of buying the batteries was done, and he placed the small bag on his desk.

His plan was to install the new batteries into his equipment right away. He had the small item already in his hand. But before he could open the battery compartment on the device, his phone vibrated. The screen lit up, showing an unknown number.

With a hint of hesitation, Alaric swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Hello, is this Alaric?" The voice on the other end sounded formal, clearly from someone accustomed to speaking in a professional manner.

"Yes, this is him," Alaric replied.

"Good, Alaric. We are calling from Northvale University. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about your work, especially regarding your recent innovative project."

"And... the rectorate would like to invite you to be a speaker at the ’Inspiration for the Youth’ event tomorrow morning. The event will also be broadcast on a national television station."

Alaric paused for a moment. He didn’t immediately agree. Various thoughts ran through his mind. "I have to speak in front of so many people? And be on national TV? This isn’t exactly my area of expertise," he thought to himself.

But on the other hand, there was a strong reason to accept the invitation. He remembered how he had struggled to walk his own path, how difficult it had been. If only someone had been there to inspire him back then, maybe his journey wouldn’t have felt so lonely.

And perhaps, his story could help others who were starting out like he had once done, encouraging them not to give up, showing them that it was possible to succeed.

Finally, with a relaxed yet somewhat formal tone, Alaric responded, "Alright. I accept the invitation. Please send me the details of the event."

The voice on the other end seemed relieved. "Wonderful. Thank you, Alaric. We will send you the event rundown and the technical details via email. See you tomorrow on campus."

The call ended. Alaric placed his phone on the desk and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. He let out a long sigh.

"Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking in front of the whole campus, and it’ll be broadcasted too. This could go wrong if I get nervous," he said, offering himself a small smile.

---

The next day, the campus where Alaric had once studied seemed busier than usual. A large banner reading "Inspiration for the Youth: Innovation and Hope" hung at the main gate. Students were bustling around, some organizing chairs in the grand hall, while others were setting up cameras and lighting.

Alaric arrived at the venue. His simple appearance, combined with the calm and authoritative aura around him, caused some students to whisper in admiration. "That’s him, right? Alaric? The one who made the nurse robot?"

A staff member approached him, greeting him warmly and escorting him to the backstage area. There, he received a quick briefing: the duration of his talk, the main theme, and the Q&A session that would follow. Alaric nodded, not commenting much this time.

When the time came, Alaric was called to the stage. The audience greeted him with a round of applause. The television cameras focused on his face, and the stage lights momentarily blinded him. But Alaric remained composed as he walked confidently to the podium.

He stood straight, gazing at the hundreds of students filling the hall, then took a brief pause before speaking.

"Good morning, everyone."

All eyes immediately turned toward him.

"I never expected to be standing here, speaking to you all. I used to be just an ordinary student who was often seen as strange because I spent so much time alone with my gadgets."

"But from that solitude, something came to life, something that now brings value to others. One of those things is the robot I recently created in collaboration with a major company— a nurse robot."

A round of applause erupted once again. Some students even took out their phones to record every word he spoke.

Alaric continued, his voice calm and steady. He shared how the idea for the nurse robot had come to him: born out of concern for elderly parents who are ill but often don’t have someone to care for them.

He told the story of the long nights spent in his small laboratory, facing failure after failure, until the robot finally began to work.

"I want young people to not be afraid of failure," he said.

"Failure is part of the process toward success. The nurse robot you hear about today had fallen and broken hundreds of times before it could stand on its own, though in a form, shape, and function different from what I had initially imagined."

Smiles began to appear on the faces of many students. Some nodded in agreement, as if acknowledging the truth in Alaric’s words.

Alaric felt something different in that moment. He, who usually worked in silence, was now giving meaning to the hundreds of eyes watching him with hope. And beyond the glare of the television cameras, he knew his words were reaching many more people outside that room.

The applause in the hall gradually subsided, replaced by a more solemn atmosphere. Some university officials, along with the rector, began to rise from their seats. They walked toward Alaric, who was still standing on stage, as the spotlight shone on him as though he were the center of the world at that moment.

The rector, an elderly man with a head of white hair, extended his hand first. A warm smile appeared on his face, one that reflected a deep sense of pride.

"Alaric, you’re truly an outstanding young man. Our university is fortunate to have students like you."

Alaric hesitated for a split second before shaking the rector’s hand. The rector’s palm felt warm and firm. Alaric lowered his head slightly.

One by one, the other officials present also approached him. Some patted him on the back enthusiastically. Words of praise flowed one after another, enveloping Alaric’s ears.

"Your hard work is incredible, son. We’re so proud of you."

"May more students be inspired to follow in your footsteps."

Some of the students in the audience even nodded in agreement, applauding once more, though their claps weren’t as loud as before.

Alaric could only smile. He felt proud of himself, but also a little burdened by the realization of the high expectations now attached to his name. When the last hand was released, the rector looked at him again, his gaze full of meaning.

"May the other students become like you, Alaric. Diligent, brave, and full of dedication."

Alaric nodded slowly, responding with a humble smile and posture.

In the corner of the room, hidden in the shadows, stood a man with a stern face and sharp eyes.

Edward. His expression alone betrayed the tension he could not hide. Every time the applause and praise for Alaric filled the hall, Edward’s jaw tightened, and his chest filled with resentment and defeat.

He muttered under his breath, "While my business is falling apart because of you... while investors have pulled their funding... you, on the other hand, seem to be dancing in the wind. All the attention is on you. I won’t let this stand."

At that moment, Clarissa approached him. From behind, she noticed the look of intense frustration on Edward’s face as he watched Alaric on stage.

She stepped closer, asking cautiously, "Edward, what are you doing?"

Edward turned briefly, his gaze still fixed on the stage where Alaric was still receiving praise from the university officials.

"Look at that! Your ex... do you see how he is now? Don’t even think about going back to him. And I won’t accept this defeat."

Clarissa swallowed nervously, standing beside Edward. She could feel the dangerous aura radiating from him. Though Edward’s focus remained on Alaric, Clarissa knew the true nature of her partner. Edward was someone who could go to any lengths to destroy or bring down Alaric once again.

Clarissa tried to read his intentions, but she couldn’t find any answers just yet. All she saw was a storm ready to explode at any moment, visible only to those who truly knew Edward’s temperament.

Meanwhile, Alaric remained unaware of the lurking jealousy from the other side of the hall. He was simply enjoying the moment, sitting back and accepting the applause with humility.

He was there to inspire, not to compete or become the target of anyone’s envy. Let alone looking for trouble with Edward or anyone else. He wants others to be motivated to become young people who bring change to the nation like him.

Clarissa glanced at him with concern, but on the other hand, she feared confronting or intervening. She knew the spark of rage burning in Edward’s heart could turn into an uncontrollable fire at any moment.