9. Sorry Seb, my application has already been accepted.

“I will never understand why you choose to bear their unjust treatment all the time without reporting it.” The lady asked, scanning him from head to toe, seemingly searching for another injury.

Sebastian wiped his blood-stained mouth and asked, “Do you want a polite answer or the truth?”

The lady glared at him, “What do you mean?”

“Nothing Doyenne.” He bowed

“Speak”

“If you cared about the scholarship students, you would not turn a blind eye to their suffering despite knowing about it with the excuse of it not being reported. I dare not tell you how to run your school but if you insist on mixing high society with commoners, you have to be ready to bear the consequences that come with it, including death.” Sebastian kept his head low

“Excellent! One of my best students is actually so ruthless with his words! If it were not for me, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn from the crème de la crème! What would your genius mind amount to in the face of sub-standard education?”

“With all due respect Doyenne, not all the top achievers in the world went to prestigious schools, some rose to great heights without even undergoing formal education” Sebastian still had his head low. If the Doyenne could see the anger in his eyes, she would have long frozen in fear.

“Since you are so capable, why don’t you drop out right now?” The Doyenne was angry, but her anger was more at herself than Sebastian. His words cut deep.

“A Doyenne shouldn’t be heard asking a student to drop out, if words get out, it will ruin your reputation.”

“Are you threatening me?” Her tone was dangerously low now.

“I would never. Afterall, you just saved me and I do not repay favours with wickedness.”

“It’s good you can still recognize when someone does you a favour.” She eyed him and walked away.

Sebastian sighed, exhaling all the anger and frustration.

He had always wondered why the school management never did anything to address the incessant bullying in the school, leaving the poor scholarship students to survive in a wolf’s den by themselves, despite throwing them in its center! Now, it turns out it was all some feeble attempt at protecting their pride with the rich while showing their generosity to the world by giving out scholarships to commoners.

He resented the Doyenne, but it was a mix of resentment and gratitude. He was as grateful as he was angry, for indeed without the Scholarship, he would never have had the hope of turning his life around from being a maltreated orphan with no roof over his head to someone who could potentially be important in future and for the poor, hope meant everything.

He pushed his thoughts away. Walking down the hallway, he saw a familiar figure running up to him.

“Seb, are you okay? Are you hurt? I heard some students saying they saw the police cuffing you. Was it Leonard? It was him, wasn’t it? I heard…”

“I’m fine Gavriel.” Sebastian cut off his series of unending questions. If he let him go on, he would not reach home by midnight! “You look awfully chippy today; did you make a new invention?”

“You’re still able to read me like a book!” Gavriel smiled wildly, “I finally found a company willing to sponsor my invention and fees for the Starlight competition!”

Sebastian eyed him, “And you’re just telling me about this?”

“I would have told you the day after resumption but you were not in school!” His eyes widened like he just recalled something, “speaking of which, sorry about Gramps and sorry it wasn’t the first thing I said, I always lose my train of thought when it comes to tech.”

“I know, no hard feelings. Thank you.”

“When can I go pay my respects?”

Sebastian sighed, “I’ll let you know when, some things need to be settled first.” His eyes flashed briefly with a cold glint. “Yeah, Gav, will Leonard participate in the competition too?”

Gavriel looked around, acting like he was about to reveal a big secret, “Let me tell you something Seb, God has finally smiled down on me! This is my ticket out of poverty! This competition may look like an ordinary tech competition but the winner’s invention and the inventions with the best utility actually get to be produced immediately by top tech giants at no cost! Also, top tech companies will be in full attendance and if they pick an interest in your invention, winner or not, you’re assured of a smooth life from thereon.” He sighs in wistfully and continues,

“The price money for the winner is up to ten billion, half of it is investment on the product and half of it goes to the inventor. What’s more, it gets a special licence to be sold in Country B! I am not a greedy person, I only hope even one company can pick an interest in my invention, I will have no more worries till I die!” He sighs again longingly. “With such robust benefits, do you think Leonard would miss out on such a gold mine? The world’s best technologies are developed through competitions like this if you didn’t know”

Sebastian thinks for a bit then says, “How about I sponsor you Gav instead of that company? I promise I’ll give you the best terms!”

“Sorry Seb, my application has already been accepted. What kind of person would I be if I went back on my word?”

“Come on Gav, friends are always better than unknown companies with hidden agendas”

“Sorry Seb, no can do, we’re about to finalise the contract! Wait a sec, did you just say you will sponsor me? You, not someone you know?”

“Yes, me, does that help you change your mind?”

“No! It is very suspicious! How are you able to sponsor me? Look Seb, I’m not trying to look down on you but between us, you’re poorer than me. Tell me honestly, did you win the lottery? How much is it? Remember we’ve been together through thick and thin, you cannot abandon me when fortune smiles on you.” He leans in closer

“Says the person who wouldn’t even let me sponsor his invention.” Sebastian rolls his eyes.

“Ei, you know why! Tell you what, I’ll give you some shares in my product if a company picks it up! What do you say?”

“Forget it, I don’t want free money. Did you happen to see Cecile?”

“Nope, haven’t seen her since today. Speaking of a Bellisimi Tre, Zzemona was looking for you”

“Zebby was?”

“Yup.”

“I’ll find her later.” Sebastian moves to leave but turns after some thought, “If something goes wrong, my offer is still on the table”

“Why would you want to jinx my contract? Go away you scoundrel!” Gavriel kicks the air after Sebastian turned to walk away.