Stefan Arendt stood by the window of his room overlooking the main street of Riverton, a small town no bigger than a village. A light drizzle soaked the earth, already worn from the constant passage of car tires. Every now and then, he watched pedestrians rushing against the wind, their hats drooping and their faces looking as weary as the town itself, long forgotten by the outside world. But for Stefan, this place was everything. He was born and raised here, by his humble uncle and aunt, in a house no bigger than a classroom.
Uncle John and Aunt Clara were not wealthy. They were small business owners who ran a modest grocery store at the end of the street. Still, they always tried to give Stefan the best, even if they didn't know much about the outside world—or why Stefan seemed so different from the other kids.
From an early age, Stefan had shown remarkable intelligence. In elementary school, he consistently ranked at the top of his class, although he never quite fit in with his peers. People often saw him as strange, because instead of playing soccer or riding bikes around town, he preferred thick books on mathematics, physics, and logic.
"Stefan, don't you ever get tired of reading all the time?" asked his friend Tom as they sat on a park bench one summer afternoon.
Stefan gave a faint smile. "These books aren't just about school stuff, Tom. They're about how the world works. You know, we live in a world full of secrets. And I want to uncover them."
Tom laughed, though he didn't truly understand what Stefan meant. For kids like him, life was simple: study hard, get a good job, and that's it. But for Stefan, the world was something more. He felt there was something greater than just daily routines—something out there waiting to be discovered.
After finishing middle school with outstanding grades, Stefan decided to apply for a scholarship to a prestigious university in the provincial capital. It was his only shot at changing his life, at escaping the dull town he had always known. Uncle John and Aunt Clara, even though they didn't understand much about universities, fully supported his decision.
"No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you, Stefan," said Uncle John, placing a comforting arm around his shoulder.
Stefan just nodded. He had always dreamed of leaving this town, of finding a place where he could truly grow and explore the abilities that had long been hidden inside him. Though he never said it out loud, deep down, Stefan knew he was different. Something bigger was waiting for him.
The day of the exam finally arrived. Stefan stood outside the examination hall, his eyes fixed on the bulletin board by the entrance. His right hand clenched a sheet of notes he had been reviewing for a week. His mind was racing with possibilities—would he pass? Was this the right path for him?
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was silent except for the rustle of papers and the tapping of pencils on desks. Stefan stared at the test in front of him with intense focus. The questions weren't easy, but they weren't beyond him either. He had prepared well. After a few minutes, he began writing swiftly, solving the problems one by one. When he finished, he set down his pencil and looked at the paper he had just completed.
"This is the first challenge," Stefan thought. "But I believe I can overcome it."
A few weeks later, Stefan received the letter he had been waiting for. It was an official letter from the university in the capital. When he opened it, his eyes widened in disbelief. A full scholarship—including acceptance into the prestigious Coders program—a program reserved for individuals with exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Stefan closed the letter with a rush of emotions. This was an opportunity he could not pass up. With steady steps, he walked into the living room, where Uncle John and Aunt Clara were sitting.
"Uncle, Aunt," Stefan said, his voice slightly trembling. "I got the scholarship. I got in!"
Uncle John smiled broadly and pulled Stefan into a tight hug. "You deserve this, Stefan. We're so proud of you."
Aunt Clara, who had been sitting quietly, stood up and hugged him too. "We knew you could do it. This is a big step toward your future."
Stefan felt a mix of joy and uncertainty. On one hand, it was the chance to chase a dream he had always longed for. But on the other, it meant leaving behind the only family he had ever known. He knew his life was about to change forever.