Aaryan woke up late because he had spent so much time thinking about how to tell his parents about joining the coaching center. He calculated every possibility and how they might react.
He started his daily routine and then approached his father. "Papa, I have decided on something."
"What's the matter, Aaryan?" his father, Rajesh, asked.
"For my Class 10 boards, I want to join a coaching center. Can I join, Papa? Please?"
"Why? Your marks didn't increase even with coaching in Class 9," Rajesh replied sternly. "I don't have enough money to spend on something that feels like a waste."
"But Papa, I promise I will get good marks this time."
"You don't earn money, Aaryan; that's why you don't know the value of it."
Aaryan thought for a minute or two. "I already have a part-time, work-from-home job. I earn more than ₹12,000."
He thought to himself, I've already earned more than ₹2 Lakhs, but I shouldn't tell my parents that.
His mother, Kavita, spoke up. "Why are you doing that, Aaryan? I would have convinced your father anyway. But Aaryan... you are under 18. Isn't that illegal?"
"The company said it's fine, but they told me not to tell anyone. I know, Mummy, but I have to join that coaching."
"Okay, Aaryan, you can join. Am I right, Rajesh?" Kavita asked.
"Yeah, you are right, Kavita," his father sighed.
THE PUPPET FIGHT
Aaryan went to school. There, Vicky approached him. "Aaryan, if you don't mind, can you help me? Some students are fighting against me. Can you join my team to defeat them?"
Aaryan thought about it and said, "I won't attack them. But I will tell you exactly which move to make. I will guide you, and you will win."
"Are you sure, Aaryan?"
"Yes, I am sure."
After school, at the time of the fight, Aaryan stood back to guide Vicky. He used his ability to see the future. He ordered Vicky to make specific moves. At first, Vicky hesitated, but soon he became comfortable, knowing Aaryan was helping him win. Like a puppet, Vicky followed every instruction and won the fight.
"Thanks, bro!" Vicky said. "If you ever want anything, just tell me. Also, can you do me a favor? Can you instruct me in almost every fight?"
"Yeah, I'll do that favor. But next time, use a Bluetooth headphone so I can instruct you."
"But why a Bluetooth headphone?"
"Because I don't want to stand out. I don't want to be on the front lines."
"Okay, Aaryan. Bye!"
THE SYSTEM REWARD
Aaryan went home and realized that in every fight, Vicky would now depend on him. He could easily control him and gain information about the school. He checked the System and saw a notification.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE CREATED A PUPPET.]
[REWARD: YOU HAVE GAINED THE ABILITY TO EASILY CONTROL PEOPLE.]
How is this helpful for me? Aaryan thought. Why did the System give me this kind of reward? He thought deeply about it.
THE WATCHERS
In the distance, we see two watchers. One has been watching Aaryan for a long time, but the other has only been watching for a few weeks.
"We don't know how Aaryan is upgrading and becoming so powerful," they talked amongst themselves. "If he buys that next power, he will become more powerful than me. Can you do anything to stop him? He is an ultimate glitch in reality that cannot be repaired."
Aaryan went to sleep. Even in his room, he sensed someone was watching him, but he behaved normally. Who is watching me? he wondered. And why?