Morning seeped into Lecture Hall 2B via high windows, catching pale glints off whiteboards and metal chairs. The seats were soon packed with freshers—new minds, new aspirations, and a subdued undertone of jitters. It was just the second week of the semester at **Bangalore Institute of Technology**, but already, things were in full swing.
Aaryan sat at center-left of the hall, with curious first-years and muted whispers surrounding him on either side. His papers were spread out before him, pen held ready, as he looked over ideas on sensor interfacing he'd been reading over the night before. He sensed the unobtrusive presence of something more—there always. Silent. Observing.
With no warning, an indistinct glow flickered into being in front of his eyes. A **translucent panel**, floating midair like a heads-up display that existed only for his eyes.
> **[Daily Sign-In Complete]**
>
> **Reward Acquired: Focused Memory Enhancer – Tier I**
> *Effect: Temporary enhancement of memory capacity and concept structuring (12 hours active).*
A small glowing icon slid into the corner of his vision and settled there, unobtrusive but constant.
He adjusted his posture. *Let's see what you've got in store today.*
Just then, the door opened, and **Professor Raghavan** stepped in with his signature hurried stride. Tall, wiry, with unkempt salt-and-pepper hair and a habit of never making small talk.
"Sit down. We start with sensor interfacing today—if you don't know what that is, just pretend and follow along," he snapped, already writing on the smartboard.
The lecture started off in the middle of the embedded sensor architecture and adaptive feedback systems. Ideas whizzed by: resistance-based detection, analog-digital conversion, closed-loop logic, real-time response calibration.
Aaryan trailed behind almost without effort, his mind clarified by the Sign-In enhancement. Each line was logical; each diagram fell into place. Sometimes a soft yellow flash would illuminate across his invisible system panel, pointing out important words or cross-referencing related information.
About halfway through, Raghavan faced the class.
"Next week, we take you through your **first Academic Assessment**, based on all that we've covered so far. Several modules, marked separately. And yes, it's counted toward your advancement and scholarship qualification. Welcome to college."
A ripple of tension swept around the room.
The professor continued his chalk-speed descriptions without skipping a beat.
At the end of the lecture, assignments were distributed and the nervous whispering filled the room. As students were packing up, some were in hushed panic, and Aaryan sat still, reading off the assignment list.
That was when the door creaked open once again, but in a leisurely manner.
Three second-years walked in, smiling like they were the masters of the universe. **Rohit Saxena**, tall and self-satisfied, overdressed, and flashed a smile at everyone. His voice pierced the atmosphere before anyone had time to register their arrival.
"Well, well. What's this? Fresh meat passing themselves off as engineers?"
A few heads turned.
Rohit's gaze settled on Aaryan. "You. I heard you're going to start your career based on second-hand components and a sympathy scholarship."
A couple of students nervously giggled. Aaryan didn't stir.
"Bet you don't even have a real laptop. Just one of those junkyard castaways with tape keeping it together." Rohit guffawed. "Must be hard, huh? Sitting in the same class as the people who really belong here."
Aaryan slowly rose to his feet, expression unruffled. He stared at Rohit—but remained silent.
Suddenly, the system flickered back into view.
> **[System Alert: Hostility & Emotional Provocation Detected]**
>
> **Main Task Created**
>
> **Goal: Rank 1 in the Next Academic Test**
>
> **Reward:**
> - ₹10,00,000 System Credits *(withdrawable to registered bank card)*
> - Learning Module Upgrade – Tier II
>
> **Time Limit: 18 Days**
>
> *Progress tracking started. Task pinned.*
Aaryan blinked. The panel retracted quietly. His heart was steady.
"You think attitude and money make you brighter?" Aaryan replied, voice steady and clear. "We'll see in 18 days."
Rohit's smirk wavered. "Can't wait, Professor Circuit Board."
Aaryan strode past him without looking back.
In his head, the wheels were already turning. The system was observing. The challenge was real. The timer had been set.
And Aaryan Verma was not going down.