2

My SUV was parked in the outer parking lot of Eden Mech Academy. This highest-level military academy of the city-state stood before me like an iron fortress, and in the huge mech training ground, various armors gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight.

Today is the military academy's grand opening ceremony, and also the day I prepare to appear in a top-secret capacity.

I changed into a plain dark-colored casual outfit, deliberately keeping a low profile. Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of the venue, I could clearly see what was happening inside.

In the center of the hall, Alex stood amidst a group of senior noble students, receiving flattery like a star surrounded by admirers. He wore a brand-new, low-level protective force field exoskeleton, with the "Anthony Technology Group" logo printed on his chest. The energy patterns on the armor's surface shimmered under the lights, making it quite intimidating.

"See that?" Alex patted the armor on his chest, deliberately raising his voice a few decibels. "This is Uncle Anthony's latest protective system. It's said that even the military wants to purchase this model."

The surrounding trainees exclaimed in admiration and stepped forward to examine the so-called "latest technology."

“Alex, you are so lucky to have such a stepfather.”

"Yes, I heard that Mr. Anthony's company now monopolizes the protective equipment market in the entire city-state."

“Of course.” Alex basked in the envy of the crowd, his voice growing louder and louder. “My mother was right. That good-for-nothing father of mine was a jealous loser. He’s still eating sand in the wasteland now, he doesn’t deserve to step into this military academy at all.”

Just then, a cold yet immature voice came from a corner of the venue:

"The energy transmission line layout is unreasonable, and the protection matrix has a 0.7-second response delay. This kind of garbage won't survive more than three seconds in an S-class radiation zone. I suggest you write your will as soon as possible."

All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

It was a boy who looked to be only about ten years old, wearing a junior military academy uniform, coldly adjusting a sophisticated testing device. His movements were professional and skillful, as if these complex instruments were just ordinary toys in his hands.

This is my youngest son, Chris. He was born to my current wife, Catherine, in the wasteland. At only ten years old, he skipped grades to enter this military academy due to his exceptional talent, and was known throughout the school as the "ace junior."

Alex's face flushed instantly: "What did you say?! A little brat like you dares to question Uncle Anthony's skills?"

Chris didn't even glance at him, continuing to adjust the equipment: "The output power of the miniature fusion reactor is 2.3 kilowatts, and your toy set requires 4.1 kilowatts of energy. A third-grade math problem, do you need me to do it for you?"

The surrounding students began to whisper among themselves. Several senior students took out portable detectors, scanned Alex's armor a few times, and their expressions gradually became strange.

"This... the energy is indeed insufficient..."

"The response time of the protection matrix... there really is a delay..."

Alex sensed the change in the gazes around him and flew into a rage: "What the hell do you know?! Uncle Anthony is a city-state-certified technological genius! You must have tampered with this data!"

Chris finally looked up. His young eyes flashed with a coldness beyond his years: "A technological genius? Then why does his 'genius work' even violate the basic law of conservation of energy?"

Just then, Jessica walked into the venue in her high heels. She wore a gorgeous gown and a badge that read "Lady of the Anthony Technology Group" on her chest, her face full of condescending smugness. She basked in the fawning glances from the crowd regarding her status as the "future matriarch of a tycoon," her steps light as if she were walking on clouds.

"Alex, what's wrong?" Jessica walked over to her son and saw his furious expression.

"Mom, this brat is insulting Uncle Anthony's skills!" Alex pointed at Chris. "You have to do something about him!"

Jessica sized Chris up, her tone carrying the disdain of an adult towards a child: "Little one, do you know who you're talking to? This is a product of Anthony Technology Group, representing the most advanced technology of this era. You're just a kid; you should read more and talk less."

Chris didn't even glance at her, continuing to focus on the equipment in his hands: "Advanced? In front of my father, this level is not even as good as a wasteland scavenger."

“Your father?” Jessica scoffed. “What skills could the father of a ten-year-old child possibly have? A mechanic who repairs damaged armor? Or a scrap metal dealer?”

Chris didn't answer. His gaze passed over Jessica and looked towards the entrance of the venue.

Just then, I pushed open the door to the venue and walked in, dressed in simple casual clothes.

Alex's eyes lit up instantly, as if he had found a chance to save face.

He suddenly pointed at me and shouted to the people around him, "Look! That good-for-nothing I just told you about actually came!"

"It's him!" Alex's voice was almost a shout. "The madman who maliciously slandered Uncle Anthony seven years ago! Now he's probably shamelessly coming to the military academy to freeload or beg for mercy!"

Jessica saw me and her face showed disgust: "Ryan, how dare you show up here? This is a military academy, not a place for someone like you."

The other students started pointing and whispering; some recognized me. Whispers spread like wildfire.

"That's him? That exiled scientific scoundrel?"

"I heard that even his wife and children came forward to testify that he has mental problems..."

"What's he doing here? Does he still want to harass his ex-wife?"

Alex and Jessica walked towards me one after the other, looking menacing, ready to humiliate me completely in front of the whole school. They thought they had found my weakness, that I would be utterly humiliated in front of everyone.

Little did they know, they were walking step by step toward the judgment seat I had prepared for this grand ceremony.

Just as the conflict was about to erupt, the military academy's highest-level alarm broadcast suddenly sounded.

A piercing alarm blared throughout the venue, and all the lights went out instantly.

"Silence!" The principal's voice echoed throughout the broadcasting system, "The Eden Mech Academy Annual Ceremony is officially beginning!"

Alex was forced to stop, and everyone's attention was drawn to the podium.

A spotlight shone on the stage in the center of the hall. The principal solemnly announced, "Now, let us welcome our school's most outstanding student representative to speak. The school's top-ranked student, a genius student of only ten years old—Chris!"

Thunderous applause erupted.

Chris put down his equipment expressionlessly and walked steadily onto the stage. He gripped the microphone, his gaze piercing through the crowd and locking onto me precisely.

The entire audience held their breath.

Everyone awaited the legendary young prodigy's words. Alex gritted his teeth, Jessica frowned; they vaguely sensed something was amiss, but couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Chris's voice was calm and clear, echoing in the silent hall:

"Today, I am standing here not to give a speech."

He paused for a second, but his gaze never left my direction.

"I'm here to introduce someone."

He raised his hand and pointed directly at me in the crowd.

"A great figure who truly understands the truth of wasteland technology."

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

Chris's voice rang out again in the deathly silence:

“My father—Ryan.”