The grand hall of San Fransokyo Institute of Technology was abuzz with energy. Students, professors, investors, and tech enthusiasts filled the vast space, moving between exhibits with awe and excitement.
Bright banners hung from the high ceilings, displaying the names of various scientific disciplines—Robotics, Energy Solutions, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Technology, Quantum Computing
At the front of the hall, a massive stage had been set up where Professor Robert Callaghan, the esteemed head of SFIT's robotics department, and Alistair Krei, the CEO of Krei Tech, stood side by side.
Callaghan, ever the composed and intellectual figure, stepped forward, his voice measured as he spoke.
"Innovation has always been the backbone of progress. The brightest minds in this room will shape the future, whether through technology, medicine, or engineering. Tonight, we celebrate the limitless potential of human ingenuity."
A polite round of applause followed before Alistair Krei took the stage. Unlike Callaghan, Krei's personality was bold, his enthusiasm almost theatrical.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight isn't just about science—it's about vision! Here at SFIT, we have some of the most brilliant young minds in the world, and I have no doubt that some of the ideas showcased today will revolutionize the way we live!"
More applause, cameras flashing as journalists captured the moment.
"So, let's not waste another second! Let the Annual SFIT Science Fair begin!"
With that, the main lights dimmed slightly, and the exhibit booths came alive—holograms flickered on, robotic arms whirred to life, and the future unfolded before the eager audience.
Aiden, Honey, and the rest of the SFIT crew had their own exhibits to present, but before that, there was plenty of time to explore the fair.
While the main cast had incredible inventions of their own, there were many other students whose projects were just as fascinating—if not more so.
The grand hall had been arranged in sections, each dedicated to a particular field of science.
One of the first projects that caught the eye was a booth run by a blind student named Felix Nakamura.
His exhibit featured a device called "EchoVision", an advanced sound-based navigation system.
Felix, a young man with short, spiky black hair and dark sunglasses, stood confidently beside his project, demonstrating how the device worked.
"Most navigation technology relies on visual data, which is useless to people like me," he explained. "But using advanced echolocation, this headset can generate a 3D auditory map of my surroundings in real time."
[A/N: An actual project that has more or less been completed by some scientists/inventors. Saw a video about it like 2 days ago]
Aiden and Honey watched as Felix walked around the space, his EchoVision headset emitting a barely audible series of clicks, similar to how bats navigate.
Whenever he approached an object, the device would relay subtle vibrations and directional audio cues through bone conduction technology, letting him "see" the world through sound.
A group of investors watched, fascinated.
"With further development," Felix continued,
"This could help visually impaired people navigate independently in ways traditional canes and guide dogs never could."
.
.
Further down, a young woman named Lena Vasquez showcased something that seemed straight out of science fiction, a machine called the "Harmonia Engine."
At first glance, the device looked like an elaborate glass cylinder filled with swirling liquid metal and a web of biometric sensors.
But what made it truly special was how it was powered.
"Unlike traditional energy sources that rely on fuel or electricity," Lena explained excitedly, "the Harmonia Engine harnesses emotional energy to generate power!"
[A/N: Inspiration from the lantern rings from DC and another inventor based fanfic I'm reading, Iron man in MHA or sum like dat]
She demonstrated by placing her hand on a biometric pad. The machine hummed softly, glowing a soft blue as it responded to her calm, focused state.
Then, Lena intentionally became frustrated—the glow shifted to red, and the energy output spiked.
"Think of it like biofeedback technology on steroids," she grinned. "The stronger the emotion, the greater the energy output.
Imagine devices that could run on human motivation, or batteries that charge based on excitement!"
The ethical implications were... interesting, but the scientific breakthrough was undeniable.
Investors took notes.
At another booth, a soft-spoken student named Yuji Watanabe introduced "ChronoWeave", an experimental self-repairing fabric designed for astronauts, firefighters, and soldiers.
"Most clothing wears out over time," Yuji said, holding up a sleek black fabric sample. "But this material contains microscopic nanothreads programmed to stitch themselves back together when damaged."
To demonstrate, he took a knife and sliced through the fabric. Within seconds, the fibers reconnected, sealing the cut seamlessly as if it had never been there.
"This could eliminate waste, reduce the need for frequent clothing production, and even protect people in dangerous environments."
Aiden leaned closer, genuinely impressed. Thinking about how he didn't this of this considering he had 2 girls now.
"You realize this would make superheroes unstoppable? No more torn capes."
Yuji blinked, looking as if the thought had never occurred to him.
"Uh... I was thinking more about sustainability and safety, but sure."
The Science fair continued in full swing.
The grand hall was filled with hundreds of projects, each as impressive as the last.
A holographic tutor that could adjust its teaching style to match the student's learning speed.
A bio-enhanced plant that could absorb toxic gases and purify the air.
A nanotech-based medical patch that could close deep wounds within minutes.
A modular robotic exoskeleton that adapted its shape to match the user's physical abilities.
The sheer level of genius on display was staggering.
=
=
After a small coffee break by the investors and students, the fair was back in effect.
The night was filled with the hum of machinery, the crackle of energy fields, and the gasps of awe from spectators witnessing the future unfold before their eyes.
Aiden wandered through the fair, alongside Honey, he couldn't help but marvel at the sheer insanity of some of the projects.
If the first round of exhibits had been impressive, then the second round was borderline madness.
At one booth, a lanky, wild-haired student named Nate Gallagher was demonstrating The Mind-Mirror, a head-mounted neural scanner that projected a real-time visualization of a person's thoughts onto a holographic screen.
"People always say they want to understand themselves better," Nate said, adjusting the electrodes on his temple. "Well, now you can literally see what's going on in your brain!"
He powered up the device, and above him, a holographic display flickered to life. At first, it showed a swirling mass of colors, like an abstract painting.
But as Nate focused, the images sharpened—pictures of equations, a half-eaten sandwich, a childhood memory of his pet dog, and-
to his horror, a mental image of the audience laughing at him in his underwear.
The crowd burst into laughter, and Nate quickly shut it off, his face red.
"Okay, uh—maybe not all thoughts need to be shared."
[A/N: Guess the movie this is from. #Hint- Jim Carrey starred in it]
"I could see this being used for therapy… or blackmail.," A fellow student commented.
Nate shivered. "Exactly why I'm keeping it far away from my mom."
.
.
.
One particularly controversial exhibit was run by Victor Brandt, a brooding young man with dark-rimmed glasses and an intense stare. His project?
"The Lazarus Chip" – A Neural Resurrection Interface.
"Every human brain operates like a biological computer," Victor explained to a group of skeptical onlookers. "And when we die, that system shuts down. But what if… we could reboot it?"
The audience murmured uneasily.
Victor gestured to a lab rat, which had been clinically deceased for two minutes. He inserted a small chip at the base of its skull, pressed a button, and—
The rat jerked upright, blinking.
Gasps filled the air.
"It doesn't bring back consciousness—just basic motor functions," Victor clarified. "But with more research, who knows?"
One horrified professor stepped forward. "You're tampering with nature!"
Victor simply smirked. "Nature has been tampering with us for millennia. I'm just returning the favor."
Even Aiden felt a chill. "Yeah… that one's getting shut down real fast."
"..."
After an hour of exploring, a voice over the intercom announced,
"Next up on the main stage—Hiro Hamada, with his project: Microbots!"
The audience gathered, curious to see what this 14-year-old prodigy had in store.
Hiro, looking surprisingly confident, walked onto the stage. His brother, Tadashi, stood in the audience, grinning proudly.
"Good evening, everyone!" Hiro began. "I'm Hiro Hamada, and I've been working on something I think you'll like."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out... a single tiny black robot the size of a grain of rice.
The audience blinked.
"This… is a Microbot."
A pause.
"Yeah, I know—it doesn't look like much. But when you combine them... they can do this."
Hiro placed the Microbot into a glass container and put on a neural transmitter headband.
The moment he did—thousands of Microbots inside the container sprang to life, moving like a fluid swarm.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"They're controlled through neuro-transmission," Hiro explained. "They do whatever I tell them to—like build structures."
He gestured, and the Microbots formed a staircase, then an archway, then a moving conveyor belt.
The audience applauded, fascinated.
"Or... transportation."
Hiro stepped onto the Microbots, and they lifted him into the air, carrying him across the stage as if he were on a floating platform.
People cheered, while investors leaned in, very interested.
"The applications are endless," Hiro continued. "Construction, medicine, disaster relief—they can be programmed for anything!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
Alistair Krei practically jumped from his seat, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Hiro, my boy!" Krei said, stepping forward. "That—was extraordinary! These Microbots could change the world!"
The audience murmured in agreement.
Krei smiled. "I want you on my personal R&D team. Work with me at Krei Tech, and I'll give you everything you need to take this to the next level."
Gasps rippled through the hall.
It was every scientist's dream—a direct offer from a tech giant.
Tadashi nudged Hiro. "Dude… that's huge."
Hiro hesitated, eyes darting to his brother. Should he accept?
But before he could speak—
Professor Callaghan stepped forward.
"I'm afraid Hiro is still a student here at SFIT," Callaghan said, voice firm. "And we encourage our students to develop their work in-house, where their ideas remain their own."
The tension in the room shifted.
Krei narrowed his eyes. "Oh? You're saying he should stay here… with you?"
Callaghan met his gaze. "Yes."
The message was clear.
Aiden watched the silent standoff between the billionaire and the professor.
Krei sighed. "Well, Hiro… my offer stands. But in the end, the choice is yours."
Hiro swallowed. "I, uh… I think I'll stay here. At least for now."
The audience applauded, and Callaghan gave a subtle nod.
But in the far corner of the room, Kayla—who had been watching closely—noticed something.
As Callaghan turned away, his fist clenched ever so slightly.
Something was off.
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