The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 5 : Why She Is There

The Dean stood at the door and looked at her. He had been briefed by his staff and had also got news of the 'incident' at Gate 3. So, he was not surprised at her looks. He then looked at Luke Jones, standing beside Dusk and his eyes widened. However, being a seasoned administrator, he quickly got his facial expression under control.

"Mr. Jones, I did not know you are acquainted with Ms. Hale! Is she under your protection?"

Dusk blushed hearing the question and her face turned pink. But Luke was pretty cool and gave a cursory wave.

"No Dean, not yet. I just happened to see her at the gate, being bullied by some students. But instead of helping her, I had the military strip search her as if she was a criminal. In an effort to rectify my error, I brought her to the office and offered to wait till her admission was over. Maybe she will forgive me and be a friend." he replied.

The Dean gave a short laugh. He knew it was an exaggeration. He had already been informed of what actually happened at Gate 3. But seeing Luke Jones being nice and friendly to her, he became cautious. He would need to keep an eye on her and ensure no one bullies her.

"Dusk Hale is a special student, a full scholarship student from the rural Arcadia Province. She has done her under-graduation study using the remote learning network set up under your Grandfather's orders." the Dean said.

"Ah," Dusk thought to herself, "So, the Dean knows who Luke's Grand-Father is ... And obviously he is powerful. He executed the emperor's order for setting up the remote-study system across the nation. Luke was just being ... modest or may be trying to play with me."

"She has studied Tech, specially VR technology, under professors from the Royal Cybera College in Regis. Her contribution to the project there has been outstanding. She is the creator behind HRT Feedback Engine ..."

"HRT? You mean Heppative Reactive-Touch?? She made it?" Luke sounded incredulous. He knew of HRT. It was in the process of changing the course of VR Training Software. He had been using some HRT derivatives in the new training simulation modules he was making for the Military. He looked at her with a new measure of respect in his eyes.

The Dean continued, "The Secretary of Education Ministry evaluated the module. An expert team studied the codes she had submitted at each stage, including iteration, correction and algorithm design. It was confirmed that most of it was done by her, with little help from her colleagues and only cursory guidance from her Professor. The Secretary ordered us to admit her as a student at Uni-Viva. The order was signed by His Highness, Lord Grant. She was above the 90th percentile, so she qualified anyway."

Dusk heard the Dean's words but could not comprehend. None of this made sense. She wrote some code for Professor Handa's Project, she did not make an engine. What is HRT? Why was this Luke looking at her like that? What was the Dean talking of? She appeared for the exam, she passed it. Why would that be required if the so-called Minister ordered her admission?

Luke looked interested. "So, since HRT is so good and popular, she would be getting massive royalty payment!"

Dusk looked at him even more surprised than before. What royalty payment?

The Dean shook his head. "No, she did not stake a claim to the patent. She does not own HRT, the Regis Cybera College does. The professor probably did not tell her that she could file a claim. On top of that, she was an unpaid intern."

Luke's face turned red. "And why didn't the Secretary ask her to claim it? This is a violation of the Emperor's Ordinances and our Directive Principals too! You cant take ignorant, unaware studens for a ride! That college could be closed over this! Now that she is your student, how do you plan to take care of it?"