Rowan's star discovery had sparked something inside him - a renewed sense of ambition. The confirmation of Rowan 1 had not only cemented his love for astronomy but had also made him realize how much more there was to explore.
As he sat at his desk, staring at the email from the International Astronomical Union confirming his discovery, he felt an unfamiliar but welcome confidence settle in his chest. He wasn't just some kid with a telescope anymore. He had made a real contribution to science.
His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Oliver: So, star boy, what's next? You gonna take over NASA?
Rowan smirked, typing back.Rowan: One step at a time. But maybe.
He tossed his phone onto the bed and leaned back in his chair, thinking. He had options now. The science fair, his blog, and now a legitimate discovery under his belt - maybe it was time to take things even further.
Later that evening, Rowan found himself in the garage, where Jake was working on an old computer tower, wires sprawled across the workbench. His dad had always been good with technology, and Rowan had inherited that same instinct.
"Hey, got a second?" Rowan asked, stepping inside.
Jake glanced up, adjusting his glasses. "For my star-discovering son? Always."
Rowan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been thinking about what's next. Science fair is coming up, and I want to make it count. But… I kind of want to do more than that."
Jake leaned against the bench, arms crossed. "More how?"
"I don't know yet. I love astronomy, but I also love engineering and physics. I feel like I should be focusing on something bigger - maybe something that connects all of it."
Jake nodded thoughtfully. "You know, your mom and I always knew you'd be the kind of person who pushes boundaries. You're not just curious - you chase the answers."
Rowan smiled. "Yeah, well, I just need to figure out what question I want to chase next."
Jake grinned. "You'll figure it out. In the meantime, let's make sure your telescope setup is even better. No way this is your last discovery."
As the days passed, Rowan started sketching ideas for his next project. Something ambitious, something that could really challenge him. Maybe an advanced tracking system for his telescope, or a way to integrate AI into sky mapping. Whatever it was, he knew one thing - it had to be something that excited him.
One night, while tinkering with his telescope, he glanced up at Rowan 1, twinkling steadily above him. It was a reminder that the universe was vast, and his journey had only just begun.
A few days later, Rowan shuffled through the daily mail absentmindedly, expecting the usual junk and bills meant for his parents. But then, a large, official-looking envelope caught his attention. His name was printed neatly on the front, and the return address belonged to the Institute of Advanced Logic & Mathematics.
His heart pounded as he tore it open, unfolding the crisp certificate inside.
Congratulations, Rowan Evergreen! You have officially attained Mastery in the field of Logic. Your dedication and intellect set you apart as one of the youngest individuals to achieve this milestone.
He read the words twice, then a third time, his fingers tightening around the paper.
"Holy crap."
He barely had time to process it before Oliver's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Hey, did my fries come in the mail, or - whoa, what's that?"
Rowan turned, still gripping the certificate. "Dude. This is insane."
Oliver snatched the paper from him, eyes scanning over the text before whistling. "So let me get this straight - you're officially a logic genius now? I mean, we already knew that, but it's nice to have a receipt."
Rowan laughed, shaking his head. "I guess so."
Oliver smirked, handing the certificate back. "I always knew you'd end up with some nerdy superpower. So, does this mean you're, like, legally obligated to help me with my math homework now?"
Rowan rolled his eyes. "Not a chance."
But as he looked down at the certificate again, pride swelled in his chest. This was just the beginning.