"The Master clearly refused them both, but Vincent Grant still arranged another meeting through Professor Lane," Levin Sawyer said as they walked.

Professor Lane was a leading figure in Cathan and a good friend of Old Master Sloan.

Sophia Shaw didn’t know how Vincent had managed to get Professor Lane to act as a go-between overnight, but she knew he must have paid a heavy price.

Vincent was truly willing to do anything for Joanna Sherman.

’Good thing I got out in time.’

Professor Lane stood beside Old Master Sloan, pointing at Joanna Sherman. "Don’t let her youth fool you. Among her peers in Cathan, Sherman has no equal."

"Didn’t you always say you’d only take the best apprentice? The way I see it, there aren’t many in the whole world who could beat her."

"Besides, it’s not like she’s complaining about your high standards."

"Anyone else would never put up with your insane demands!"

Joanna Sherman also walked over. "Old Master Sloan, as long as you’re willing to teach, I’m willing to learn."

"I’m not afraid of hardship, and I’m not afraid of your high standards! I just want to represent Cathan and build the best rocket!"

"Cathan’s best rocket? Is that for her to build?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Levin Sawyer sneered under his breath.

"Without you, she couldn’t even launch a rocket. The nerve!"

Sophia Shaw, who had received the Master’s true teachings and was countless times more talented than Joanna Sherman, wouldn’t even dare claim she could build the best rocket.

"At least it proves she’s determined," Sophia said lightly. She didn’t want to waste any more time on Joanna, instead looking toward Old Master Sloan with a hint of concern.

’Of course, she also understood why Old Master Sloan had called them here.’

"See? The girl has so much ambition!" Professor Lane said, patting Old Master Sloan’s arm.

"I’ve never asked you for anything, but you have to agree to this. Our Cathan is just too short on top-tier talent. You have to help me with such a promising seedling."

Years ago, when her master had faced a crisis in Cathan, it was Professor Lane who had extended a helping hand, allowing him to escape unscathed and continue his research abroad.

It could be said that Professor Lane’s contribution to Old Master Sloan’s achievements today was indispensable.

Today, Professor Lane was determined to force Old Master Sloan to agree, one way or another.

Sophia and Levin Sawyer exchanged a look and, with perfect understanding, strode forward.

"Master."

"Master."

Vincent Grant was standing right next to Old Master Sloan and turned his head at their approach.

In the past, whenever he was present, Sophia’s eyes would be glued to him. But now, she didn’t even spare him a single glance.

It wasn’t deliberate; she had truly overlooked him.

Vincent’s gaze, however, fell on her immediately.

Before, she would have been either flattered or flustered, afraid she might do something wrong.

But now, regardless of his reason for looking at her, her heart was as still as water.

Old Master Sloan gestured to them. "These are my students. You say Cathan lacks top-tier talent? I think they’re doing just fine."

When Old Master Sloan said "just fine," it meant far more than merely "just fine."

Joanna Sherman’s expression changed slightly. She looked at Vincent, understanding that Old Master Sloan was still rejecting her.

Vincent discreetly patted her hand.

"Professor Lane," Sophia greeted him gracefully.

Levin Sawyer greeted him as well.

Professor Lane looked over, only recognizing Levin Sawyer.

He didn’t know about Levin’s R&D capabilities, but he was well aware of how famous Lead Aerospace was.

"Lead Aerospace is great, sure, but Stellaron is one of our Cathan enterprises too! Old Master Sloan, you’ve trained talent for Lead Aerospace, but you can’t be biased and ignore Stellaron!"

Professor Lane was clearly being shameless.

Levin Sawyer began with a smile, "Our master’s standards were raised impossibly high by his junior apprentice-sister. Ever since then, he hasn’t accepted anyone who couldn’t surpass her. It’s been many years since he’s taken a new student."

"I’m lucky I started early, or I wouldn’t have had the chance to become his student either."

Levin’s words were polite, but their meaning was anything but.

’Joanna Sherman isn’t even his equal, so what right did she have to become Old Master Sloan’s student?’

Everyone had long heard that Old Master Sloan once had a remarkable female student, but no one had ever met her in person.

Hearing Levin Sawyer use himself and that junior apprentice-sister as a benchmark to mock Joanna, the expressions on several faces changed.

Vincent’s brows furrowed and he pressed his lips together. Joanna secretly dug her nails into her palm, her face grim.

Professor Lane was about to speak, but Sophia interjected, "Why don’t we settle this with a test?"

"A test?"

Several people turned to look at her.

Clearly, a test was the fairest way.

"How would it work?" Professor Lane asked.

Joanna Sherman spoke up, "I can see that Old Master Sloan is quite satisfied with his student from Lead Aerospace. I’m willing to compete against him!"

"Good!" Professor Lane gave a thumbs-up. "See that? The girl’s got fighting spirit!"

The old professor admired students who dared to take on a challenge.

"Sloan, old friend, let’s be clear. If she wins, you can’t say you won’t take her anymore!"

"Of course."

Vincent’s expression was grim.

He seemed to want to pull Joanna back, but his fingers curled back into a fist.

Joanna nodded at Levin Sawyer. "I look forward to the challenge."

She was confident and bold.

Levin Sawyer scoffed.

’In this world, you can’t win with confidence and audacity alone.’

’You need real skill.’

He didn’t answer, looking instead to Sophia.

Sophia gave a slight nod.

’Joanna is completely unqualified to compete against me, but if I don’t agree, it’ll put the Master in a difficult position with Professor Lane.’

In the stands behind them, Justin Hughes let out a "Tch."

"That woman, Shaw, has no shame. Levin Sawyer is competing against Joanna, so why is she nodding? Acting like she’s the one competing against Joanna!"

The NASA exhibition was still ongoing, and anyone with a ticket could enter.

Justin Hughes had specifically dragged Jenson Forrest along to accompany Joanna Sherman.

Jenson Forrest didn’t respond.

Beside him, Sharon Sherman said coolly, "She’s just clinging to Levin Sawyer to show off how popular she is, isn’t she?"

Sharon’s words were harsh, but inside she was dying of jealousy.

Sophia was being pretentious, yet Levin Sawyer was more than willing to play along.

Levin Sawyer was a renowned elite, his influence in no way inferior to Vincent Grant’s.

"She’s ugly as sin! Only a guy with no taste like Levin Sawyer would fall for her!" Justin Hughes said, his face full of disgust.

"Sophia Shaw isn’t ugly. On the contrary, she’s quite beautiful."

Jenson Forrest, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

The moment he opened his mouth to praise Sophia, Sharon Sherman felt a wave of discomfort.

She had known Jenson for so long, yet he had never once called her beautiful.

"Brother Jenson, you haven’t fallen for Sophia Shaw, have you?"

Sharon was getting anxious.

If Jenson really did fall for Sophia, what would she do?

"No way! Jenson’s just like Levin Sawyer—he hasn’t been around women much, so he thinks every girl is a beauty!"

Jenson Forrest, like Vincent Grant, was the top student in their group.

At least Vincent had someone he liked. In all these years, no one had ever heard of Jenson falling for anyone.

While the people upstairs were gossiping, the people downstairs had already made a decision.

Levin Sawyer bowed his head to Old Master Sloan and Professor Lane. "Please, present the question."

Professor Lane pointed to the top of the rocket. "This is a new launch vehicle developed by NASA. You will each rely on your own abilities. Whoever can identify and clearly explain all the new technologies in its top section within two hours is the winner."

This was insider industry information, not easily disclosed. Identifying everything by sight alone was almost unimaginable.

"Alright!" Joanna Sherman was the first to accept the challenge.

Sophia, as before, simply nodded.

Levin Sawyer answered on her behalf. "We agree."

A moment later, a staff member brought over four hard hats.

The four of them put them on.

Seeing Sophia put on a hard hat, Vincent’s eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.

But after a moment, he shifted his attention back to Joanna.

The two of them arrived at the base of the massive scaffolding.

For safety, staff members fitted them with protective gear and harnesses.

"Don’t worry, I’ll assist you."

Vincent Grant said softly.

Although he wasn’t professionally trained, after more than a year of study, exploration, and hands-on practice, his skill level could match most engineers.

"No need."

Joanna Sherman coolly fastened the strap of her hard hat and looked toward Levin Sawyer. "I want to win on my own merit!"

’It’s widely rumored that the mysterious figure who helped Lead Aerospace create its legends is Old Master Sloan.’

’Levin Sawyer isn’t responsible for the core technology. Beating him shouldn’t be too difficult.’

When Justin Hughes, Jenson Forrest, and their group heard about the competition, they also came down and gathered around Joanna and Vincent.

Hearing Joanna say she wanted to win on her own merit, Justin immediately gave a thumbs-up. "Joanna is such a badass!"

Jenson Forrest, however, looked in Sophia’s direction.

Over there, Levin Sawyer had taken a hands-off approach, only helping Sophia with her climbing harness and hard hat.

Levin wasn’t worried about Sophia’s abilities at all; his only concern was her safety.

"Brother Jenson, why do you keep looking at Sophia?" Sharon Sherman cried out, annoyed. "Aren’t we here to cheer for my sister?"

She didn’t want Jenson paying too much attention to Sophia.

Jenson pressed his lips together and said nothing, pulling away from Sharon as he averted his gaze.

Sophia and Levin Sawyer started climbing up the east side.

Joanna Sherman climbed alone from the west side.

The people nearby heard there was a competition and gathered around curiously.

In no time, a dense crowd had formed beneath the rocket.

Time slowly ticked by.

Old Master Sloan and Professor Lane watched through binoculars, and Vincent Grant held a pair as well.