First Place Was Never the Prize

Rankings Day

The lecture hall promoted ambition. Tiered rows of black seats curved toward the front like a polished amphitheater, each narrow desk wiped clean enough to reflect pale bars of ceiling light above. At the lowest level, a glass podium stood beside a blank projector screen. Adrian Vale sat in the second row. The first row was for eager students. The second was close enough to be seen, but commanded attention without begging for it.