The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

3

Drakon Da Vinci
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The hallway was buzzing with students, but I barely noticed them as I walked, lost in thought. Just then, a voice that grated on my nerves cut through the noise.

"Hey, Drakon! How's the campaign going?" Renz’s tone was laced with sarcasm. The audacity of this guy. Mukha niya lang ang plataporma niya, pang-adik pa. Tarantado. Only an idiot would vote for him.

I turned, masking my irritation. "It’s going great, Renz. Thanks for asking."

He chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I’m sure it is. I mean, who wouldn’t want to vote for a nobody like you?"

A wave of anger surged through me, but I bit my tongue. This rich kid thinks he can rile me up? If I punched him, he’d definitely know my name then. But no. He’s baiting me, and I’m not giving him the satisfaction.

"I’m not a nobody," I said evenly, keeping my voice steady. "I’m a student who actually cares about this university. I’m willing to work for change."

Renz snorted. "Yeah, right. You think you can go up against me? I’m a celebrity, Drakon. I’ve got thousands of followers, captain of the basketball team, and you? You’re just a... what even are you?"

I smiled, keeping my posture calm. "I’m someone who cares enough to make a difference. And I think that’s what matters more than followers."

Renz rolled his eyes, his smirk widening. "Whatever, Drakon. You’re wasting your time. You’re not going to win."

"We’ll see," I shrugged. I wasn’t about to let him get to me. Not today.

Right then, Mrs. Johnson stepped out of her classroom, a stack of papers in hand. NTS teacher namin, backloaded si Renz ng apat na subject. Basketball is life pa. Ewan ko lang kung paano pumasa ng ibang taon.

"Alright, class," she said, scanning the crowd. "I have your exam results here. Let’s see how everyone did..."

I could feel the tension rise as she called out names and scores. When she got to mine, my heart pounded in anticipation.

"Da Vinci, 95 out of 100!" My chest swelled with pride. Tangina! Another top score. Latin honors, here I come. Salamat sa genes nina Mama at Papa—brains without the drama.

The class erupted in applause, but I couldn’t help casting a sideways glance at Renz. I mean, iboto nyo naman ako, pogi na, matalino pa. Unlike someone over there.

Mrs. Johnson continued. "Salarza, 10 out of 100."

The room fell silent, and I bit back a grin. Renz’s face turned beet red. His muttered, "Pambihira, sinigaw pa talaga," reached my ears, but he didn’t fool me. Sinisisi pa teacher? Gago, di kasi nag-aaral.

Bobo talaga tong iboboto nila? PUP’s rep is going down if this idiot wins. What’s his platform? Fan signing and free kisses? Baho naman ng hininga at ugali. Sige, engineering pa more, dude.

As the shock settled, I leaned over, whispering just loud enough for him to hear. "Hindi mo pa ginawang zero, tol."

I saw the anger flash across his face. There’s no basketball on an exam sheet, burgis. Better luck next time.

Renz glared at me, eyes darkening. "This isn’t over, Drakon," he hissed.

I smirked. "I’m not scared of you. Bring it on."

I left the classroom, still riding the high of my score. Sure, it was just one test, but it felt like a win. I could practically feel my chances getting better.

Pero, kawawa naman magiging girlfriend ni Renz in the future. They’d be dating a fool. Handsome, but dumb and arrogant. That won’t last long. Who needs looks when you’ve got no brain and no sense of decency?

As I walked down the hallway, I overheard a commotion coming from the student council room. I peeked in and found Renz in front of the council, grinning like a fox.

"...and that’s why I think Drakon is unfit to be president," Renz said, voice oozing with fake confidence. "Sure, he got a good grade on the exam, but that doesn’t mean he’s qualified to lead."

I felt heat rise to my face. So, this is his game now? Siraan ako dahil walang laban sa academics? Di mo kasalanan na ten out of hundred ka sa exam, gago. But don’t drag me down with you.

"I disagree," I said, stepping forward. "My grade shows I work hard and I’m dedicated. That’s exactly what the university needs."

The council members exchanged glances, clearly unsure. Renz had the popularity, no doubt. And some of them might have been tempted to side with him just because he was a celebrity on campus. But what does fame matter if the school suffers under poor leadership?

Anong magagawa ng kasikatan kung tanga naman? PUP prides itself on education. We can’t have this rich boy leading us into the ground.

Then, out of nowhere, Cheenie, one of the quieter council members, spoke up. "I think Drakon has a point. We need someone who’s committed, someone who listens to us."

Good to see someone here gets it. Dedication, Renz? Zero. Chasing girls? Solid 10/10.

The tension in the room grew thicker. Renz’s face had turned a deep shade of red, and I could see the anger simmering beneath his fake smile. His plan was backfiring.

Then, one by one, the other council members nodded in agreement.

"Drakon’s been working hard," one of them said.

"Yeah, we should give him a chance," another added.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was I about to win?

Renz looked like he was about to blow a fuse. But I just smiled, enjoying the moment. Ngiting-pikon siya lalo. Engineering students are always such sore losers.

"Thanks, guys," I said, tipping my head. "I won’t let you down."

The room burst into applause, and I knew I had pulled off the impossible. I’d turned the tables on Renz, and now, I was one step closer to the presidency.

But as I left the room, a thought lingered. What would Renz do next? Concede or try another dirty trick? Sabagay, he’s rich. But maybe it’s time to dig up some dirt of his own.

If he wants a fight, he’s gonna get one.

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