In the 21st century, society held paper qualifications in high regard. A myriad of certificates and diplomas littered every individual's résumé. These were viewed as proof of competence, though they often fell short of demonstrating real-world skill or talent.
Brud found himself entrapped in this perpetual cycle of acquiring paper credentials — a necessary evil to climb the socio-professional ladder. He spent days and nights engrossed in textbooks and manuals, chasing after the next certificate, a game where the goalposts constantly moved.
His pursuits were not entirely in vain. He delved deeper into his field of expertise, constantly pushing the boundaries of his knowledge and skill. Ultimately he earned the coveted status of scholar — officially a computer scientist, armed with a multitude of certifications to validate his credentials. Yet he knew his true education was not limited to what these papers conveyed. His real lessons had been learned in the underbelly of the DarkNet — in the grit of the real world, where theory met application.