Chapter 24: The Science Expo Showdown
"We came here to show what we built — not what we bought."
Scene 1: Expo Morning, School Grounds
The campus of Orion Heights buzzed like a beehive dipped in triple espresso.
Vans pulled up early. Drones hovered overhead. Bright banners fluttered in the coastal breeze as students rushed across walkways with cables, crates, tablets, and way too much duct tape.
Velmir arrived fashionably late, as usual. His sleek black school uniform was crisp, though his blazer hung open with casual defiance. In one hand he held a takeaway cup of Viara's caramel latte, steam curling around his fingers. His sky-blue hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight like a sky just before rain.
Mina stormed up the path, eyes wide with barely contained panic.
"You're late!" she hissed.
Velmir took a slow sip. "You're early. It's called balance."
Behind her, Julian dragged two heavy crates and groaned. "Less talk, more lifting. You built a phone that bends light — maybe help with something heavier than your ego?"
Velmir grinned, adjusted his grip, and took the heavier box without complaint.
Together, they walked toward the auditorium — now transformed into a high-tech battleground of light and ambition. Rows of glowing booths lined the floor. Banners flickered with digital animation. Hover projectors spun company logos and sponsor credits in the air. The whole room throbbed with the scent of heated plastic, solder, and hopeful dreams.
Above the stage, a banner stretched wide:
ANNUAL STATE HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE EXPO — 1995
Scene 2: Booth Setup & Uninvited Drama
Booth #17 was sleek. Minimalist. Confident.
A single pedestal rose from black velvet. On it sat their device: GlassReal — a transparent glass slab that shimmered faintly, as if it already contained secrets.
A floating sign hovered above:
"Project: GlassReal — A Fully Interactive Light-Based Virtual Interface Phone"
Velmir adjusted the angle of the display's internal prism. Julian was tapping at his laptop, running calibration on the gesture-recognition system. Mina popped the final cooling fan into its housing with a muttered threat and a hopeful prayer.
They were ready.
Until a voice broke through the hum.
"Well, well. Looks like the rich kid showed up with a shiny toy."
They turned.
Bryce Reicher and his crew from Tech Haven Academy stood at the next booth, arms crossed, uniforms annoyingly pressed. Their matching navy blazers practically screamed, We were born into a trust fund and taught to gloat before we could read.
Velmir didn't blink. "Hello, Bryce."
Bryce gestured toward GlassReal. "What is that? A glass sandwich?"
Mina didn't miss a beat. "Bite it and find out."
Julian added, "Why are you here again?"
"To win," Bryce replied, flashing teeth. "Our AI-controlled exo-glove syncs with neural waves. Military-grade interface. Built using StarkTech dev kits."
Velmir offered a pleasant smile. "Did you design it yourself, or just unbox it with instructions?"
Bryce's smirk wavered. "Judges don't care about sarcasm. They care about results."
Velmir took another sip of coffee. "Good. Because we brought some."
Scene 3: The Judges Arrive
Three judges approached their booth — each a symbol of industry and reputation:
Professor Lin, an innovator in biotech design and nano-med engineering.
Dr. Rivera, a tech consultant for Stark Industries.
Mr. Crosby, the no-nonsense head of science curriculum for the state.
They stopped in front of GlassReal, curious but skeptical.
Dr. Rivera squinted. "No wires? No projection dome?"
Velmir stepped forward and offered his calmest smile. "Everything runs from this. No AR headset. No hidden generators. Just light. And our minds."
He tapped the small activation node.
A soft shimmer rose. Light twisted and folded until a 3D interface floated in the air above the glass. Icons hovered, translucent but crisp. A keyboard assembled itself. A music app played. Maps rendered. Video ran.
Professor Lin leaned in, entranced. "Is this… adaptive fiber optics?"
Julian nodded. "Layered refraction. Phase-shifting micro-mirrors. And our own OS."
Mina beamed. "The processor's self-cooling. No fans. No overheating."
Dr. Rivera reached out. His fingers hesitated—then tapped. A folder opened in midair. The judges watched, transfixed.
After a long silence, Dr. Rivera muttered, almost reverently, "This… is next-gen."
Scene 4: Sparks and Rescue
A loud pop! shattered the calm. Sparks burst from the Tech Haven booth. Bryce's exo-glove sputtered violently. Smoke hissed from its base.
"Back!" someone shouted.
"The coolant loop—!" Bryce stumbled. "It's overheating!"
A judge nearby leapt back.
Velmir was already moving.
He vaulted the booth divider, dropped beside the device, and scanned it with trained eyes. "Sealed shell. No air flow. You're pumping heat into a dead end."
"Don't touch it!" Bryce snapped.
Velmir ignored him. "Julian!"
"On it."
Julian slid across the divider and redirected a cooling fan. Velmir popped the latch on the heat sink, venting a gust of trapped vapor. He yanked the power relay.
The glove fell silent.
Bryce stood there, jaw clenched. "I didn't need your help."
Velmir stood. "Then stop putting people at risk to win."
Scattered applause rippled through the audience.
The judges looked… impressed.
Scene 5: Results
Hours later, as the lights dimmed and the booths shut down, students gathered near the stage.
A hush fell as Professor Lin stepped to the mic.
"Today we saw brilliance. Innovation. And bold ideas. But the first-place award—"
A pause.
"—goes to Team Elvaris, for their project: GlassReal."
Mina squealed. Julian actually fist-pumped.
Velmir smiled, eyes searching the crowd.
At the back of the auditorium, among the silhouettes of guests and teachers, stood Viara — sunglasses perched atop her nose, hair in a neat braid, playing the role of his glamorous "cousin." She met his gaze and gave a slow nod.
Velmir whispered to himself, voice soft with pride:
"No magic this time. Just us."
✅ End of Chapter 24: The Science Expo Showdown