The Artificially Genius Doctor
Deceiving Yourself

The afternoon sky on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine turned into a purple and pink gradation, replacing the bright blue that used to accompany Rudi's days. The leaves of the trees swayed gently in the twilight wind, conveying a whisper of nature that now felt so different for Rudi.

With a backpack that felt heavy on his back, Rudi walked across the campus hallway, passing other students who looked serious reading notes or discussing about lessons. His swollen, tired eyes reflected the struggle of sleepless nights and time-consuming laboratory hours of practice.

"Justie!" greet Andika, her classmate, with passion. "Ready for practicum tomorrow? He said the material was quite complicated."

Rudi smiled weakly, "I tried, Andika. But, sometimes it feels like everything is too much to deal with."

Andika patted Rudi on the shoulder excitedly, "You can get through it. Everyone here feels it. Don't forget to rest, yeah."

Finished with a short conversation, Rudi continued his journey to his dorm. Arriving at the room, he threw his body on the bed and let out a long sigh. In just a few seconds, his phone vibrated to signal an incoming call. The name "Elsa" is displayed on the screen.

Rudi quickly picked her up, "Hello, Elsa! How was the day at the Computer Science major?"

From across, the cheerful-looking Elsa in the video call replied, "Busy, of course. But there's always time for a little hacking, isn't there?"

Rudi laughed, rediscovering his spirit. "That's what I've been waiting for all day!"

The two of them engaged in an in-depth conversation about their latest hacking project. Elsa, with her black hair draped, sparkling eyes showed an enthusiasm that never faded, while Rudi, despite looking jaded, had a big smile every time discussing cyberspace.

As the hacking session progresses, Rudi discovers something unexpected. "Eh, Elsa, what is this? There's a file with my name on one of the university's servers!"

Elsa who was originally relaxed, now looked solemn, "Open, Rudi! But be careful."

Rudi opened the file and found notes about him. About her college life, her performance, and even the records regarding her relationship with Elsa.

"Who made this?" asked Rudi with a pale face.

Elsa bit her lower lip, looking anxious. "I don't know, Rudi. But we have to be careful. Someone's watching you."

Before going to bed, Rudi looked at the night sky from the window of his dorm room. The sparkling stars in the darkness of the night bear silent witness to all the restlessness and riddles that surround his life today.

Morning at the Faculty of Medicine campus always feels fresh, but for Rudi, the morning air feels heavier than usual. He had just gotten the results of an anatomical exam, and his grades were far from expected. Daydreaming, he bites off the tip of his pencil, trying to figure out a way to deal with the growing academic challenges.

In the midst of his daydream, an idea flashed swiftly in his mind. Given his ability at hacking, why not try peeking at the exam questions from previous years? Perhaps it could give him an idea of what topics are coming up often and help him better prepare himself.

In her dorm room, after making sure the door was locked tightly, Rudi turned on her laptop. Soon he entered into the university network with his sharp hacking abilities. After a few minutes of searching, he found a digital archive containing exam questions from previous years. Rudi's eyes sparkled when he saw the problems, giving him confidence that he could do better in the next exam.

However, amidst his excitement, he gets a message from Elsa. "Rudi, what are you doing?" write Elsa in a worried tone.

Elsa seemed to hesitate for a moment before replying, "Be careful, Rudi. Using our abilities for personal gain can be dangerous. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

Rudi took a deep breath, feeling torn between his desire for success and the code of ethics he should have held dear. However, his desperation won the fight in his mind. "I know the risks, El. But I have to do it. At least this time" he wrote.

Elsa did not respond, leaving Rudi with a deep sense of guilt.

With the help of these old problems, Rudi was able to improve his academic performance quickly. However, every time he got a good grade, there was a sense of unease that stuck in his heart. He felt as if he was on the brink, playing with fire, and did not know when it would burn.

When the results of the semester exam are published, Rudi gets the first rank in his class. However, his success comes at a price: doubt, guilt, and questions about his integrity as a prospective doctor.

While walking down the campus corridor, he heard whispers from some of his classmates. "How could Rudi possibly get such good grades?" "Did he cheat?"

Rudi lowered his head, trying to ignore the whisper. However, the growing guilt within him made him wonder if all his efforts were truly worth it.

Returning home for the semester break, Rudi is warmly welcomed by his family. His father, who was usually quiet and serious, this time started the conversation with a big smile. "Rudi, we heard good news from your campus" his father said, patting Rudi on the shoulder.

His mother, with sparkling eyes, added, "Your brother told me how you became a star in the faculty! Very impressive, dear."

Rudi was warmed by the praise from his parents. However, behind his smile, doubt and guilt continued to sway his mind. "Thank you, Dad, Mom. I'm just trying my best" Rudi replied as he tried to hide the doubt in his voice.

His father, with a distinctive sharp gaze, looked at Rudi. "We're proud of you, son. Keep trying hard and be honest in your every step. Remember, integrity is the most important."

His father's comment was like a knife piercing Rudi's heart. He wanted to be straightforward, tell them all about his methods, but was afraid of their reaction.

That night, during dinner with the family, the atmosphere in the dining room felt different. The chandelier on the dining table gives off a warm glow, filling the room with a comfortable feel. The sound of crickets chirping from outside adds to the peace of the night. Everything looks perfect, except for Rudi.

As everyone laughed and joked, Rudi felt as if there was a thick wall separating him from his family. At the same time, he hoped that the wall could protect him from the bitter truth.

Suddenly, Rudi's phone rang. Seeing the name "Elsa" appear on the screen, he rushed to leave the table. "I'm sorry, there's an important call" he said.

In the living room, Rudi answered Elsa's call. "Rudi, I know you feel guilty. But you have to know the consequences. It's not just about values, but about trust and integrity."

Rudi took a deep breath, "I know, Elsa. But how do we deal with all this?"

"Sometimes, admitting a mistake is the first step to correcting it" Elsa said gently.

With a pounding heart, Rudi decided to take an important decision in his life, a decision that would change everything.