Chapter 1

Just one month after being recognized as the biological son of the Jefferson family, my wealthy parents signed me up for The Clash of Minds, an academic game show. They tried to paint it in a positive light by claiming it was a chance for Anthony Jefferson, the son they had raised in my place, and I to get to know each other better.

I knew that in reality, they just wanted me to be the foil to Anthony to make him look good.

Sure enough, the moment the director pushed me onto the stage, a wave of undisguised snickering erupted from the audience.

Anthony laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. He turned to Charlotte Sullivan, a contestant with a PhD in physics, and remarked, "You're going to have to take it easy during the debate round later, Dr. Sullivan. A certain someone here didn't even graduate from high school, but he's expected to discuss graviton models with us. Isn't that asking a little too much of him?"

Charlotte adjusted her glasses, her eyes filled with the arrogance of a career academic. "Don't worry. I won't bother debating with amateurs. It's beneath me."

All the cameras immediately swiveled toward me. The close-up camera seemed determined to capture even the slightest hint of embarrassment on my face, then broadcast it to the entire internet for everyone to laugh at.

Meanwhile, the chat for the livestream was already running wild.

"Why did a high school dropout join an academic game show? Is he so desperate to get famous that he can't even think straight anymore?"

"I heard he's the biological son of the Jefferson family. He was raised in the countryside and has only just been brought back to the city. Well, you have to admit that money makes the world go round. All the other contestants have some kind of postgraduate degree."

"Noah Jefferson needs to get off the show!"

I ignored the comments. My focus was entirely on something the production crew had placed on stage—the reproduction of an ancient manuscript that was said to have been found in an ancient tomb.

That was the sole reason why I joined this game show.

Ryan Green, the host, did his best to smooth things over by asking Anthony to share a recent update from his life.

Anthony flicked back his carefully styled hair. With just the right amount of restrained pride in his expression, he declared to the camera, "Oh, I've got nothing much going on in my life. I've only been a bit busy lately, since I'm balancing my time between participating in this game show and preparing for my new job."

He paused, seemingly quite pleased that everyone's attention was focused on him, before slowly continuing, "Oh, I forgot to share some good news with all of you. I've already received my offer letter from the National Institute of Physics and will be officially starting my position with them very soon."

"Whoa!" A wave of envious exclamations swept through the studio.

Ryan's voice was visibly heightened by the excitement. "The National Institute of Physics? That's the most prestigious authority in physics in our country! This speaks to your exceptional talent, Anthony."

The arrogance on Charlotte's face turned into surprise and admiration. She even led the crowd in a round of applause as she said, "My apologies. I underestimated you."

Sitting under the spotlight, Anthony basked in everyone's praise and envy. His gaze seemed to wander toward me, filled with undisguised gloating and contempt.

But I simply watched him in silence, though my eyes flashed with puzzlement. As the director of the National Institute of Physics, I couldn't seem to remember seeing his name on the list of new recruits for this year.

Ryan studied me for a few seconds before swiftly going back to his cue cards to move the show along.

"Well, it seems to me that Anthony has a bright future ahead of him! Now, let's move on to the segment everyone has been waiting for. We shall begin the first challenge!"