The first seven months at MIT had passed in a whirlwind of lectures, late-night study sessions, and intense coursework. University life was vastly different from high school—challenging, fast-paced, and brimming with opportunities.
Steven and Veronica had fallen into a comfortable routine. They attended their respective morning lectures, grabbed lunch together at the campus cafeteria, spent afternoons in libraries or research labs, and ended their days with quiet evening strolls around the MIT campus. It was a strange balance—despite the academic rigor, neither of them felt overwhelmed. MIT wasn't just about surviving—it was about thriving.
Within the first month, Steven's dorm, which initially housed only him and Isaac Cole, gained two more members.
The first was Nathaniel "Nate" Carter, a Military Science major. Nate was disciplined, tactical, and had a strong background in strategic planning and warfare simulation. He had a sharp mind and was often engaged in military-related research projects.
The second was Julius Whitmore, a Chemical Engineering student with an analytical mind. He had an obsession with creating sustainable and efficient chemical processes, always discussing ways to revolutionize industrial chemistry and green energy.
While Isaac still maintained his competitive streak with Steven, both Nate and Julius fit in well. They often engaged in deep discussions—Steven would talk about AI, Isaac would challenge him, Nate would strategize potential military applications, and Julius would come up with ways to integrate AI in chemical production.
Meanwhile, Veronica's dorm also gained a new member. Sophia Reynolds was an aspiring dancer and actress, hoping to make it big in the entertainment industry. She had a lively and theatrical personality, often pulling Veronica into impromptu singing sessions and choreographing small performances in their shared dorm room.
Despite their demanding schedules, these new friendships added an unexpected richness to Steven and Veronica's university experience.
While Steven was busy with his studies, he hadn't neglected his businesses.
SilverByte Studios had grown exponentially under his remote leadership, and with the assistance of Arthur and Arnold, he had hired an experienced professional to oversee day-to-day operations. Penelope Barnes, a highly competent and sharp-witted businesswoman, was appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of SilverByte Studios. She had an impressive background in tech startups and had previously worked in gaming companies before moving into management.
Penelope was resourceful, ambitious, and had a knack for handling corporate matters efficiently. Under her guidance, the studio had expanded and launched two new highly successful games.
Neon Drift
A high-speed futuristic racing game where vehicles could transform depending on the terrain—wings would emerge for aerial highways, wheels would morph into hover engines for water routes, and drills would activate for underground tunnels. The game was visually stunning, featuring neon-lit cyber cities, vast desert wastelands, and deep-sea circuits. The adrenaline-fueled gameplay quickly made it a global sensation.
Apocalypse Drift
A survival adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world where players navigated abandoned cities, scavenged for resources, built shelters, and battled both mutated creatures and rival survivors. The game had high-definition environmental details, an open-world design, and deep AI mechanics, making it one of the most immersive survival games on the market.
Both games had already generated millions in revenue, cementing SilverByte Studios as a leading force in the gaming industry. Steven, however, was more focused on innovation rather than profit.
While Penelope handled the business, Steven was deep in research, preparing for his first AI project—a project that would soon catch the attention of MIT's research division, the military, and even global technology firms.
Steven's AI and Decision Making class was assigned their first major project—an AI Innovation Challenge. Each student had to conceptualize and build a functional AI-driven device or system that would solve a real-world problem. The projects would be judged based on innovation, efficiency, and potential applications.
It wasn't just a project; it was a competition.
Isaac, ever the rival, wasted no time in approaching Steven.
"So, Blake, what's your plan? Let me guess—something groundbreaking?" Isaac smirked.
Steven leaned back in his chair, nonchalantly. "Maybe. You?"
Isaac crossed his arms. "I'm working on a self-learning AI for cybersecurity—a program that can detect, neutralize, and adapt against cyber threats in real-time. It'll make traditional antivirus systems look like stone-age tools."
Steven raised an eyebrow, impressed. Isaac wasn't just competitive—he was truly brilliant.
Isaac smirked. "And you?"
Steven smiled slightly. "I'm designing an AI-powered reconnaissance drone."
Isaac's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to gauge how serious Steven was. "A drone?"
"Not just any drone," Steven clarified. "It'll be a solar-powered, bee-inspired microdrone that can analyze environmental data, navigate difficult terrain, and collect real-time intelligence using multiple sensors. The AI will optimize its flight path based on terrain conditions, and all data it collects will automatically be uploaded to a secure cloud whenever it comes into contact with a network."
Isaac blinked. "So… basically, an AI-driven insect for scouting and surveillance?"
"Exactly."
Isaac whistled. "That's ambitious. But will it actually work?"
Steven grinned. "You'll see."
Steven threw himself into the project, working tirelessly in MIT's research labs. He used bio-mimicry engineering to design a lightweight microdrone, inspired by the natural movement of bees.
The drone had:
Solar-powered wings, enabling near-limitless flight time.
Miniature high-resolution cameras, capable of taking detailed images.
AI-powered flight optimization, allowing it to avoid obstacles and navigate without direct control.
Real-time cloud connectivity, uploading data whenever an internet connection was available.
Autonomous return-to-user capability, ensuring it would always come back after completing a mission.
The biggest challenge was miniaturizing all the components while maintaining efficiency, but after weeks of work, Steven had his prototype.
At the final presentation, the projects were displayed to MIT faculty, investors, and even representatives from government agencies.
When Steven showcased his AI microdrone in action—demonstrating its flight autonomy, surveillance capabilities, and real-time AI-driven analysis—it immediately caught the attention of a military research division.
After his presentation, a military official approached him.
"This technology has potential applications in reconnaissance, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. Would you be interested in government funding to further develop this project?"
Steven's mind whirred with possibilities.
"Absolutely," he replied.
When the AI Innovation Challenge results were announced, Steven and Isaac tied for first place.
Isaac's cybersecurity AI had been an immediate success, impressing investors and tech firms. Meanwhile, Steven's microdrone had drawn military interest, securing a research grant for future development.
As Steven walked out of the auditorium, Isaac caught up to him.
"You're something else, Blake," Isaac admitted, offering a handshake. "We'll compete again."
Steven shook his hand, smiling. "I'd be disappointed if we didn't."
Veronica was waiting for him outside, "So, how does it feel to have the military interested in your work?"
Steven smirked. "Like it's just the beginning."
Hand in hand, they walked across campus, their futures brighter than ever.