Three years passed.
Aryan, now six years old, had grown into a bright, curious boy with eyes that seemed far older than his age. While other children in Vrindavan played with mud and sticks, Aryan often sat beneath the kadamba tree near the Yamuna, meditating in silence.
Not that he didn't play—he did. Especially with Krishna, who had become his closest friend.
But behind every game, behind every word, Aryan carried a secret:
He wasn't just a child of Dwapar Yug. He was a soul from Kalyug… with a system.
And today, it finally activated fully.
---
It began at sunrise.
Aryan had just helped a blind sadhu cross a rocky path. As the old man blessed him and walked away, something strange stirred inside his mind.
A golden wheel spun behind his eyes.
> SYSTEM ALERT
Karma Milestone Achieved: 100 Points
System Functions Unlocked:
– Skill Tree
– Karma Log
– Divine Quests
– Affinity Tracker
Special Feature Activated: "Prem-Saubhagya" (Blessing of Parvati ji)
> WELCOME, ARYAN.
You are now fully bonded to the System of Dharma.
Aryan gasped. His breath caught in his throat.
A faint golden interface hovered in the air before his eyes—visible only to him.
Clean. Elegant. Divine.
---
⟐ SYSTEM OF DHARMA ⟐
Level: 1
Title: Reborn Soul
Karma Points: 103
Affinities Unlocked: 1
Known Skills:
– Innocent Aura (Passive)
– Dharma Sense (Passive)
– Minor Healing Touch (Active – Locked)
Quests Available:
– "Walk Beside the Divine" (Ongoing)
– "Guardian of the Weak" (Unlocked)
– "Find the First Flame" (Locked)
---
Aryan's hands trembled.
This wasn't just some game-like interface—it was alive. Ancient. Holy.
He could feel it connecting to the world around him, responding to thoughts, values, and actions.
But one tab caught his attention: Affinity Tracker.
He opened it.
➤ AFFINITY TRACKER
1. Radhika – Bond Level: 3 (Curious Warmth)
> A kind-hearted village girl who often brings you sweets. Feels drawn to your presence.
Aryan blinked. Radhika?
The sweet, wide-eyed girl who lived two houses down and always shared her ladoos?
He smiled faintly.
> Parvati's Voice echoed in his mind:
"Dharma is not just in battles and kingships, Aryan. It flows in bonds. In love. In the purity of affection."
---
Later That Evening – By the River
Krishna sat beside him, feet dangling over the Yamuna. A silent breeze stirred the lotus petals floating past.
"You felt it today, didn't you?" Krishna said suddenly, eyes twinkling.
Aryan turned. "What do you mean?"
Krishna grinned. "The shift. The blooming of your soul."
He turned, eyes glowing softly. "The gods are watching you, Aryan. They have plans."
Aryan hesitated. "You're not... just a boy, are you?"
Krishna laughed, tilting his head. "Neither are you."
They sat in silence, the river murmuring between them.
"You'll have to make choices," Krishna said after a while. "Love. War. Dharma. You can't always have everything. But you can walk the path with your eyes open."
Aryan nodded.
> New Quest Unlocked:
"Balance the Path: Love and Duty"
Objective: Earn 2 meaningful Affinities without sacrificing Dharma.
Reward: +1 Divine Skill Slot.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to shimmer above, Aryan felt it:
This was no ordinary life.
This was a divine mission.
And it had only just begun.
---
To be continued in Chapter 4: "The Girl with the First Flame"