Then a voice cut through the room.
“Is there a problem here?”
Everyone turned.
Standing at the doorway was Dr. Richard Hayes—the chief judge, a legendary engineer known for bringing water to remote communities. He had wandered away from the main hall, bored by expensive displays.
Brandon immediately straightened. “No, sir. Just looking around.”
Hayes ignored him. He walked straight to Ethan’s project, knelt down, and picked up the broken piece with surprising care.
“Half-inch pipe… reduced flow chamber…” he murmured. Then he looked up. “You built this?”
“Yes, sir,” Ethan said. “My grandfather taught me.”
Hayes studied him. “Does it work?”
“It works better than anything that needs plugging in,” Ethan replied, glancing at Brandon.
A small smile appeared on the engineer’s face.
“Good,” he said. “Let’s test that.”
Within minutes, the entire main gym was buzzing. Hayes had ordered a live competition—Brandon’s high-tech robot versus Ethan’s handmade system.
Two tanks were set up.
On one side: a gleaming machine worth thousands.
On the other: pipes and bottles taped together.
“First to pump fifty liters wins,” Hayes announced.