016

Two days later, he was walking with assured step towards the Advanced Mech University. He had spent even more money to buy a formal suit which he was wearing now. Because this meeting might seal his fate.

This wasn't the supreme university everyone talked about all around the city. No. This was just another university that was located in the city. That city was big and there were many youths in need of education. The supreme university didn't welcome everyone too. So, there was a need for other universities to be there. Since there was a demand, they had to offer. And that was why the Advanced Mech University was founded like a few others spread over the city.

Ron picked this one because it was the closest to his apartment.

Yesterday, he sent a manuscript letter addressed to the principal of the establishment. He wasn't stupid enough to believe a random with no background and no prior education like him could just be admitted. So, he planned something else. He would get in through the backdoor that he would create himself.

That letter was very short but contained everything that needed to be mentioned. An imaginary business owner was trying to find a university for his son who would graduate high-school in three years. However, he needed a safe and secret place due to secret matters. He didn't have much knowledge but he believed it would work. The story of the wealthy who tried to pass as average to find his real love or hide from his family's enemies were tales he often heard the older miners share.

It had been stories so they weren't real, of course. But those guys weren't the brightest and they had to base their stories on things they saw or heard elsewhere. He believed this kind of things did happen. So, he tried his luck.

In the letter, it said that the man would first send an employee there for three years to check the place and he hoped for collaboration and secrecy.

Of course, Ron wasn't naïve enough to believe that someone would agree to this for nothing. Which is why he had slipped a single gem along the letter. A bribe.

Then, he mentioned that he would send said employee the next day. That was Ron himself. It was a very shallow plan but that was the best he could come up with his meager abilities.

…

He entered the school grounds that were still pretty empty. The next semester had yet to start after all, there were still three weeks of vacation.

He went to the front office and greeted the clerk politely. She saw a man in a suit and greeted back warmly. Compared to the woman from back at the airport, it was a stark contrast. Clothes made the difference.

He told her about the reason behind his visit, that he had to meet with the headmaster and he was sent by 'Gemenore'

It was a silly name he made up the previous day. Gem and ore => Gemenore. It was a fake alias for a fake person. He hoped that it would be silly enough to the point it would work.

And it did. The clerk told him the headmaster would be there in a moment to welcome him and asked him to wait around.

Not long later, an imposing middle-aged man in a magnificent suit entered the room with a smile and walked towards Ron. Ron stood up as he arrived next to him. The man extended his hand as he said: "You must be the man sent by Mr Gemenore?"

Ron nodded as he gave the man handshake and introduced himself: "I am. Ron Morgensen is the name"

They finished the handshake and the middle-aged man motioned for Ron to follow him as he said: "Welcome Mr Morgensen, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Dean Nerison"

Dean Nerison led Ron in silence through the corridors to an elevator. They went to the seventh floor before they exited. It seemed to be a single giant room with a single desk, some sofas with a low table, a few cabinets and many bookshelves.

Dean Nerison spoke as he entered: "Welcome to my office, Mr Morgensen, please make yourself at home"

He motioned towards the sofa and Ron went to take a seat while the man went to open a cabinet and took two glasses and a bottle. He turned to Ron and asked him: "Scotch?"

Ron answered positively: "With pleasure"

It was hard for him to act and he was mostly being swept along with the waves at the moment. Fact was he never had scotch before. He never drank any alcohol in fact. He had never cared about it much until now but since he was going to have to try it, well, why not?

The dean brought the glasses as he sat on the opposite sofa. He waited for Ron to pick his glass and they cheered before sipping it slowly. Both were likely still judging the other. Ron was doing his best to remain stoic but it wasn't easy. He felt very intimidated.

Soon, the Dean stopped any pretense and went straight to the topic: "So, I wonder, what kind of man is Mr Gemenore to go so far for his son and how did he think of bribing a Dean?"

Ron gulped. This was going badly as he had expected. He didn't speak further and took out an envelope from his suit's pocket. Then, he silently pushed it forward on the table, towards the Dean.

The Dean smiled lightly as he sipped a little more from his glass. Then, he placed it down on the table and picked the envelope. He opened it to find a letter and…another small gem.