Professor Flores recognized that face as soon as he stood up. It was him, no doubt, the teacher he met at Inassea University last time, the one who solved the problem that had stumped him for ages in just one look.
Silence. The room went utterly quiet.
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at Professor Flores.
Did he just call that guy “Sir”?
That young man who looked only in his twenties was actually Professor Flores’s teacher? But Professor Flores was a towering figure in the medical field of Southwest Seclela and had been studying medical theory for over fifty years. His accomplishments were renowned not only in Seclela but across the world. And yet! Such a giant in the field was addressing this nobody as “Sir” in front of everyone? What did this mean? Who was that guy? How could he earn such respect from Professor Flores?
This was madness! The crowd was feeling like their entire perception of reality had shattered, each wearing exaggerated expressions as they stared at the young man.
As for the young man, he remained still, his face calm and composed, as if this was no surprise to him.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hall looked as though he had just swallowed a fly. He felt like he was in a dream. His hand was still pressed against his face. It no longer hurt, but his head was buzzing. ‘Teacher? Professor Flores had referred to himself as that man’s student?’ Dr. Hall stared in disbelief at the surreal scene unfolding before him, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
He had never meant to go after that guy, only using him as a tool to provoke Hank, since Hank was the one who brought him here. To be honest, in his eyes, that man wasn’t even worth his attention. He was just a pawn, a weapon to attack Hank. He would’ve never thought that guy would turn out to be Professor Flores’s teacher.
Then he realized that he was done for.
He felt a deep chill in his heart, as though a gust of wind had just swept across his bald head, leaving him chilled to the core. He realized with dread that this was the end for him. With so many peers watching, no one would forget that he had offended Professor Flores. And offending Professor Flores was as good as burying his own career.
Hank was also staring at Kayden all this time. Lifting his hand to touch his cheek mechanically, he seriously questioned if he was dreaming as well, but the sensation of his hand proved otherwise. That guy, that seemingly ordinary guy, was actually the teacher of the revered Professor Flores.
Unbelievable. To Hank, this was truly beyond belief. Just moments ago, he had belittled and looked down on this man in every possible way, never imagining he’d be someone so significant.
He turned to look at his daughter but saw that Nadia was just as stunned. It was clear she had no idea either.
Of course Nadia didn’t know. How could she have ever imagined that Kayden was the teacher of the professor her father spoke of so often? She had always thought Kayden was either a race car driver or some kind of street punk.
Who would have thought he had such an extraordinary background?
She looked at Kayden, her eyes filled with both astonishment and awe. She couldn’t even find the words to describe how she was feeling.
Kayden glanced at Professor Flores, then calmly replied, “You’re being too kind, Professor Flores. There’s no need for such formalities.”
Professor Flores stood up straight and said earnestly, “No, I insist. From the moment you solved my problem, you became my teacher. I meant every word I said last time. A teacher for a day is a teacher for life. Age has never mattered to me. What I respect is your expertise. Now that you’re here, how could you be seated in such a corner? You should have called me in advance if you were coming. If you had called me, I would have arranged a special seat just for you.”
Kayden knew this old man well. He wasn’t one of those hypocrites who were only polite on the surface. Every word he spoke was genuine. However, Kayden wasn’t really enjoying being in the spotlight at such an event.
He came from the battlefield, so he’s only interested in killing and fighting. He had absolutely no interest in getting involved in these social affairs. So he said lightly, “It’s fine. I was nearby, so I decided to come by and see your lecture.”
“Sir, since you’re here, would you give a lecture in my place? I wouldn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of you.” As he said this, Professor Flores gestured in an inviting manner.
The crowd was even more stunned. Everyone stared at Professor Flores with utter disbelief. Had he lost his mind? People came to attend his lecture, yet he was asking this young man to give the lesson instead. He’s just some kid in his twenties. Forget credentials, he’d probably never even had a proper education. Everyone was trying to hold back their frustration. Who among them wasn’t an expert in medicine? Now they had to hear this guy give a lecture? Yet no one dared speak up, after all, this was Professor Flores’s teacher.
Kayden didn’t answer Professor Flores. Instead, he glanced over at Dr. Hall, whose face had darkened like he’d swallowed something extremely unpleasant.
Professor Flores caught this glance and immediately looked over to Dr. Hall. He checked the nameplate in front of him before saying with a firm tone, “Dr. Hall, please take a good look. This man here is my teacher, the one who solved the problem that I’ve been trying to solve for many decades. He is neither a worthless nobody nor is he an insult to this lecture. On the contrary, his presence here is what truly brings honor and glory to this hall.”
“Bringing your personal grudges into such an occasion, I seriously doubt how you managed to be the deputy director of your hospital. You’re not welcome at my lecture. Please leave!” Professor Flores pointed to the door, shouting at Dr. Hall without mercy.
Dr. Hall turned red with embarrassment at these words. To be criticized like that at his age was mortifying, and the most humiliating part was being thrown out by Professor Flores.
He meant for Professor Flores to kick Hank out. Little did he expect it would backfire so quickly.
He wanted to say something to defend himself, but under the gazes of the entire hall, he just left with a flushed face. This practically marked the end of his career. It wouldn’t take long for word of him being kicked out to spread throughout the medical community.
Professor Flores turned back to Kayden and continued, “Sir, you might not know this, but after attending that lecture of yours back at the university, I felt like I learned many new things. Now that you’re here, you absolutely have to go up there and share your knowledge so I can learn together with everyone. This is such a rare opportunity. Please, sir, would you do me the honor?”
As Professor Flores spoke, he bowed slightly to Kayden, presenting himself with the utmost respect.
This gesture of his left everyone in the room wide-eyed once again.