Chapter 7: A Sudden Shift
The days following Marcus’s application submission to Zenith Tech Academy passed in a blur of anticipation and nerves. He tried to keep busy, throwing himself into his studies and continuing to explore the advanced materials recommended by the "Voyage" app. However, despite his best efforts, the waiting gnawed at him. Each time he checked his email, a wave of anxiety would crash over him, leaving him restless.
On the morning of the fifth day, Marcus woke up to a familiar sense of tension gripping his chest. The sun streamed through the curtains, but its warmth did little to ease the knot in his stomach. He forced himself through his morning routine, but the thought of the impending college decision loomed over him like a dark cloud.
As he sat down at his desk, Marcus realized he needed something to distract himself. He opened the "Voyage" app, hoping it would provide a new challenge to occupy his mind. The app had become a strange comfort to him—a constant in the midst of his uncertainties.
To his surprise, the app greeted him with a notification:
APPLICATION UPDATE: Your file has been reviewed by Zenith Tech Academy. An official response is expected shortly.
Marcus’s heart skipped a beat. The app had been right about everything else so far, but how could it possibly know about his college application status? He stared at the screen, unease creeping in. Was the app monitoring his every move? The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he quickly pushed it aside. It didn’t matter how the app knew—as long as it was accurate, that was what counted.
He closed the notification and decided to dive into more of the app’s materials. He had almost exhausted the advanced high school content, and the app had begun introducing college-level concepts. He found himself fascinated by topics like data structures, algorithms, and even basic artificial intelligence. However, he also realized that without formal college instruction, there were limits to how much he could self-teach.
Just as he was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the materials, a new message popped up on the screen:
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
NOTICE: Further progression requires enrollment in a structured educational program. It is advised to seek university-level guidance to maximize learning efficiency.
Marcus sighed. The app was right—he had reached a point where further self-study could only take him so far. The advanced topics required more than just reading textbooks and practicing problems; they required a deeper understanding that only a college environment could provide.
He decided to take a break and stepped away from his desk, pacing his room as he mulled over his options. He had applied to other schools besides Zenith, but none of them excited him the way the new academy did. The idea of being part of something cutting-edge, with direct ties to the tech industry, was too tempting to ignore.
A soft ping from his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. He picked it up, and his breath caught when he saw the email notification.
Zenith Tech Academy – Application Status
His hands trembled as he opened the email, scanning the words rapidly.
Dear Marcus,
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Zenith Tech Academy’s inaugural Computer Science program. We believe you have the potential to thrive in our innovative environment.
Marcus read the email twice, a mixture of relief and excitement washing over him. He had done it—he was in. But as the initial thrill subsided, he couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty. The app had guided him so far, but now that he was on the brink of a new chapter in his life, he wondered what role it would play moving forward.
He sat back down at his desk and reopened the app. The familiar interface greeted him, and almost immediately.
Marcus’s brows furrowed. The app’s uncanny ability to track his progress, including his college application, was beginning to feel less like a helpful tool and more like something… else. Something that was deeply intertwined with his life in a way he couldn’t quite understand.
For a moment, he considered uninstalling the app, just to see what would happen. But the thought of losing access to the guidance it provided stopped him. No matter how unsettling it was, the app had been instrumental in getting him to this point. He wasn’t ready to give it up just yet.
Another ping from his phone diverted his attention. This time, it was a message from Alex, asking if he wanted to meet up later. Marcus hesitated—his mind was still swirling with thoughts of the app and his college acceptance—but then he realized that a break might be exactly what he needed. Hanging out with Alex would give him a chance to clear his head and talk things over with someone who might offer a different perspective.
He quickly replied with a "Sure, let’s meet at the usual spot," and set his phone down. A part of him was still buzzing with excitement about his acceptance, but another part couldn’t shake the lingering questions about the app.
As he got ready to leave, Marcus glanced at the tablet one more time. The app’s icon seemed to shimmer, as if it was aware of his doubts. A chill ran down his spine, but he ignored it. Whatever the app’s true nature, he’d figure it out in time. For now, he had to focus on the opportunities ahead.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, determined to enjoy the day with his friend. But in the back of his mind, the questions lingered—what was "Voyage" really, and why did it seem to have such an influence on his life?
The answers would come, he was sure of that. But whether he was ready to face them was another question entirely.