Cloud City University Auditorium - 10:00 AM
Dean Chen's voice carried across the packed auditorium with practiced ease.
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this very special ceremony honoring one of our most exceptional students. Today, we celebrate not just individual achievement, but the pursuit of excellence that defines Cloud City University."
Emily sat in the front row, hands folded calmly in her lap, her posture perfect. She looked serene, composed every inch the accomplished scholar being honored.
Behind her, Ming Li sat alert but relaxed, scanning the crowd with trained eyes but appearing like any other interested observer.
"Three weeks ago," Dean Chen continued, "one of our economics students participated in the National Physics Competition. We had no idea what to expect. After all, Miss Emily Smith had kept her remarkable background quite private. But what happened over those three days exceeded everyone's expectations."
