The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 67 : Another College Project

"Oh, Dusk Hale! It is such a pleasure to see you in person. We have spent so much time together in virtual world, but it is different to meet in real life. You are one student I am really proud of. You do not know how many times we have used you as an example when encouraging students to work seriously on projects." Professor Handa exclaimed.

They were sitting around a large table in an otherwise deserted fast-food restaurant in Ambrosia. Dusk wondered whether the place was empty because it was early, or the Imperial Security had blocked the access.

Dusk smiled and conveyed her thanks.

"I am sorry I delayed your flight. What time is your flight now?"

"She is taking an EPAC, so it will leave when she wants." Catherine said brightly before Dusk could stop her. She did not want to publicise this matter. She kicked Catherine under the table before remembering that the girl was a Princess and hitting her was probably treason. Catherine glared back at her, obviously hurt, but did not make a noise.

"Oh! Your parents must be proud of you." The professor commented.

"My parents do not know much of what is happening in Ci'gazze and my life here, Professor. They were, unfortunately, not in favour of me coming to the university. Anyway, please tell me what you needed to discuss."

"Ah, yes. Two things, I have a team of students who had worked on a new VR Rendering Engine. I would like to discuss that with you. The project has come out pretty well, but you see, they are students who have limited experience and expertise. Plus, we do not have the kind of high-end equipment that would allow them to improve their work. Thus, we are not able to make the progress I wanted.

"But you are now in the VR Business and you have resources the college does not. If you can speak to your investors and take over the project, it would be completed properly. The students will happily work for you, even if you do not pay them. Well, we don't pay them either. But you are a celebrity for them. And they will see their project become a success and that will help their future careers. And you will get a rendering engine that matches the quality and ability of HRT." Handa explained.

Dusk bit her lip thoughtfully. An improved VR engine is exactly what the Military needed. It would take her own team 6 months of more to make a new VR engine. If there was something already on the right path, it would shorten the time. If she finished faster, the Military would pay her company faster too.

"It sounds like something that would work for us. But I am not the decision-maker. I need to talk to the other Directors before I can commit anything." Dusk replied.

"Rosemary will approve what you say. She told me last night that she just follows your decision on all things. If you say yes, she will say yes too." Catherine pipped up brightly.

"Catherine Dear," Dusk said sweetly turning to look at her, "JUST SHUT UP, will you!"

Catherine looked hurt and about to cry, forcing Dusk to pull her into an embrace to show that she was still 'liked and loved'. Catherine had no idea why Dusk was upset when she was being praised. Rosemary had told her that Dusk was in charge, to stop her from asking constantly about coming to work at Techredulous, and had made that statement to toss the ball in Dusk's court.

Handa smiled as he heard the interaction between the two of them. He was impressed first that Dusk had progressed enough to tell off a member of the Royal Family. And he was happy to see her taking a diplomatic path of checking with her other directors, instead of instantaneous spontaneous decision-making she exhibited earlier.

Then hesitantly, he asked, "I heard you are suing a big Tech Company for misuse of HRT. Does that mean you own HRT now?"

"My company has purchased HRT, so yes, it belongs to us now, not me. Without that, our work would be difficult as the IPR would be with someone else who may or may not license it to us." She rattled off about Intellectual Property Rights, that she herself knew little about a few weeks prior. But the Professor was very much impressed.