SSS-Rank AI System: My Path from Failure to Supreme

Some of the lecturers looked visibly surprised by Alaric's confidence. One of his supervising professors, who actually knew him well, sighed heavily. As if wanting to say something, but holding back.

Another lecturer, an older man with thick glasses, finally spoke up. "Go ahead, Alaric. We won't stop you from finding the truth. But remember… until it's proven, this shadow of guilt will still follow you."

Alaric turned to him. It seemed pointless to explain anything further. This university was treating him like he no longer mattered. Like he was disposable now that he was no longer useful.

"I understand, Sir." Alaric gave a slow nod. Then, with a composed motion, he pushed his chair back and stood up. His hands adjusted the formal shirt that had gotten slightly wrinkled while seated.

All eyes followed him as he gave a small, respectful nod. "If you'll excuse me."

Alaric turned and walked out. Each step he took echoed clearly across the floor.

The room remained silent after the door closed behind him. Some lecturers exchanged uncertain looks. Confused, hesitant, and a few visibly uneasy. Doubt was starting to creep in, challenging the accusations they had just made with such certainty.

But the young man no longer cared. He would find the truth, clear his name, and prove that he was innocent.

"One more thing... I'm certain someone's behind all this. Someone set this up," Alaric whispered to himself, staring down at his fingers.

Alaric stormed out of the rector's office, his steps hurried and determined. His breathing was slightly ragged; he had been holding back the storm of emotions building in his chest for far too long.

The documents that had just been shown to him were now clenched tightly in his hand. He wouldn't let them go. They were the key to clearing his name.

He was disgusted. Part of him wanted to crumple the papers and throw them away. But those same papers held the trail he needed to follow, the clue to uncover whoever had set him up. Alaric was convinced this wasn't some random misunderstanding. Someone had planted this.

It became even clearer when he asked the lecturer and the rector where the documents had come from. They told him he didn't need to know. Already sick of the judgmental stares that followed him around campus, that answer only deepened his frustration.

He could feel it, whispers trailing behind him as he walked through the corridors. Some students lowered their heads, pretending to be busy, but their glances and hushed voices gave them away.

"Why is it so easy for them to believe this..." Alaric muttered to himself. "If they would just think rationally, they'd know. Would someone who brought honor to this campus, who helped make the recent event a success, suddenly do something that low? It doesn't make sense."

But the harsh truth was, people loved bad news more than simple truth. Truth took time to reveal itself. Lies spread faster and louder.

His steady strides took him toward a building that was still part of the campus complex: the Computer Lab. It was where Alaric often spent his time digging through data and doing analysis.

His mind was spinning with strategy, thinking through his next steps, when fate decided to throw in another twist.

Thud.

His body jolted from the impact as someone bumped into him coming from the stairs. The documents flew from his hand and scattered across the marble floor of the corridor.

Alaric let out a soft groan, rubbing his elbow where it had taken the brunt of the hit. His patience for small accidents like this had completely worn thin. Especially with all the eyes that might laugh at him if he lingered too long on the floor.

"Damn it," he hissed under his breath. He quickly crouched down to gather the papers, his heart pounding slightly as he worried that something might be damaged or stepped on.

But in the middle of his exhaustion and frustration with the campus situation, something different happened this time.

A gentle hand reached down to help him collect the scattered pages. Then came a soft voice.

"I'm really sorry. It was my fault. I was rushing and didn't watch where I was going."

Alaric paused, surprised. He looked up, curious to see who was speaking.

In front of him stood a girl with neatly flowing hair. There was no trace of the usual scorn or judgment on her face. The kind he'd grown used to seeing. She was calmly helping stack the papers and then handed them to him with both hands.

"I really am sorry," she said again, this time more quietly, as if truly feeling guilty.

Alaric accepted the papers. His heart, which had been racing from anger just moments ago, suddenly slowed. His breathing calmed. For the first time that day, someone wasn't looking at him like he was guilty. She didn't glare, didn't whisper, didn't treat him like some disgrace.

He realized something, there was no way this girl didn't know who he was. The rumors must have spread all over campus by now. But her demeanor was different. She treated him like a regular person, as if they were just two students who happened to bump into each other.

That made Alaric think, "Maybe not everyone on this campus is so easily swayed by rumors. Maybe there are still people who choose to see with their own eyes instead of blindly following what they hear."

He took a deep breath and stood up straight, his documents finally back in his grasp. The girl had already gotten to her feet, looking at him again, then offering another quick apology.

"Sorry again. I was in such a rush," she said.

Alaric gave a small nod. "It's okay," he replied quietly.

As the girl walked away, Alaric kept his eyes on her back for a moment, steadying himself. Just as he was about to continue on his way, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the opposite direction.

Alaric turned, and there he was... Edward.

He walked casually, hands stuffed in his pockets, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the kind of grin that reeked of satisfaction, like he was watching a drama unfold and Alaric was the lead actor being publicly humiliated.

As they crossed paths, Edward didn't just walk by. He leaned in slightly and whispered something right into Alaric's ear.

"I'll be waiting for your downfall, Alaric."

The venom in those words sent a surge of heat rushing through Alaric. His face flushed with restrained anger. Instinctively, he shoved Edward back a step.

"Was this all your doing?" Alaric hissed, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

But Edward's grin only widened, his expression smug. He shrugged lightly, pretending not to care.

"Not me, bro. Maybe it's just karma. You know, no one stays on top forever."

His voice was calm, but it was laced with a subtle threat, like he was planting a seed of doubt and watching it take root.

Alaric's fists clenched tightly. He wanted to retaliate. He wanted to expose Edward for the snake he was, tear off the mask in front of everyone. But logic stepped in just in time.

"Not now. If I make accusations without evidence, they'll be even more convinced that I'm guilty."

He looked away, biting back the fury boiling inside him. Meanwhile, Edward simply chuckled and walked off, full of arrogant confidence, as if he'd already won.

Alaric stood frozen, eyes locked on Edward's back as he disappeared down the hall. His chest was tight, his thoughts spinning. Edward's words weren't random, they were part of the puzzle. A puzzle that pointed to one conclusion: *Edward knows something. Maybe... he's the one behind this.*

But without proof, that suspicion would just sound like a desperate defense. It would only make things worse.

He took a deep breath, trying to let go of the anger. "Stay calm, Ric… use your head, not your temper," he reminded himself quietly.

With his documents now neatly back in order, Alaric resumed his walk. His destination was clear. He needed to get to the lab and find the truth.

As the door to the computer lab opened, a wave of cool air from the AC greeted him. The atmosphere inside felt completely different.

Several students sat at their desks, focused on their screens. Digital posters, colorful graphic layouts, and draft marketing materials filled the monitors. They were all busy working on a business marketing assignment.

Unlike the tension outside, this room was peaceful. No stares, no whispers, no crumpled paper being thrown in his direction. Just quiet concentration, interrupted only by the sound of keyboards clicking and mice being moved.

Alaric stepped in slowly, scanning the room, making sure no one was paying him any unwanted attention.

Finally, he could breathe. He took a seat and began to work, determined to uncover the truth behind everything that had happened.