The morning mist of Bhilai still clung to the windows of the mansion when Aaryan's eyes snapped open at 4:00 A.M. He didn't waste a second. He woke Simran up, ignored her sleepy protests, and forced her into a two-hour intensive study session. He knew the Science Mock Test today was just the beginning.
After their routine, they sat for a silent breakfast. The 10 servants moved like ghosts, serving them expensive juice and high-protein meals. Aaryan ate with his usual cold efficiency, his mind already at AKPS.
THE SCIENCE MOCK TEST
The classroom was suffocatingly quiet. The teacher handed out the Science papers. Simran, who was now officially sitting next to Aaryan, glanced at him. She was a national topper, but she saw Aaryan's pen moving with a strange, calculated rhythm.
At one point, she got stuck on a complex Physics numerical. She whispered to him in a tone so low the teacher couldn't hear. Aaryan didn't even look up; he simply slid a small scrap of paper with the perfect derivation.
But then, Simran looked at Aaryan's own answer sheet. She was shocked. Aaryan had written brilliant, perfect answers for the first 50 marks. But for the rest of the paper—worth 50 more marks—he had written absolute nonsense or left them blank, acting as if he didn't understand the concepts at all.
"Aaryan," she hissed under her breath. "Why are you doing this? You know all the answers!"
"I'll tell you at home," Aaryan replied, his voice a flat monotone. "Focus on your own paper."
When the bell rang, the teacher collected the scripts. "I will announce the results tomorrow," she said. "And remember, tomorrow is the Mathematics Test. Be ready."
THE BURDEN OF THE ARCHITECT
As they walked to the luxury car after school, Simran couldn't hold it in anymore. "Aaryan, explain it to me. Why would you purposefully fail half a test? You're a genius! You explained those Quantum theories to me last night better than any professor!"
They reached the mansion and changed into comfortable home clothes. Aaryan stood by the massive window overlooking the garden. "Simran, use your high IQ for a second. If I suddenly get 100/100, I become the center of attention. I become the 'Spotlight.' The teachers will watch me. The students will envy me. And the Watchers... they will find it easier to track my progress."
"So you're staying 'Average' to stay hidden?" Simran asked, her eyes widening.
"Exactly. To be an average boy is to have zero enemies. I am a shadow, Simran. Shadows don't win gold medals."
"But you were so serious during the drive back," she noted, walking closer to him. "It wasn't just about the test, was it?"
Aaryan turned to her, his eyes dark. "No. I've been thinking about my coaching teacher. I need to find an excuse to skip coaching for a few days. I saw a vision through the System... a girl. She has a Dark Aura and a Dark System. In the future I saw, she becomes a monster who kills everyone. Even me."
Simran's heart skipped a beat. "Is she... stronger than you?"
"Currently? She is 100x more powerful than I am," Aaryan admitted. "If I don't find a way to intervene in her timeline now, she will destroy everything. This world, this school... you."
Simran grabbed his hand. "So you want to find her? Is she another girlfriend?"
Aaryan looked at her with pure indifference. "Don't be ridiculous. This isn't about romance; it's about survival. If I don't resist her growth, there will be no world left to live in."
"Okay... I understand. It's serious. You've done so much today," she whispered, leaning in. "Can I kiss you now?"
"No," Aaryan said, checking his watch. "I'm not ready, and it's time for coaching. I have to go."
"Then I'm coming with you! I'm joining your coaching from today," Simran declared.
THE COACHING SESSION
They arrived at the coaching center five minutes later. Aaryan introduced Simran to his teacher, Mam.
"Aaryan! Where have you been for the last week?" Mam asked, crossing her arms.
"I wasn't well, Mam," Aaryan lied smoothly.
Mam looked at Simran, then leaned into Aaryan's ear, whispering, "Is she your classmate... or your girlfriend?"
"She's a classmate. And a topper," Aaryan replied.
"How did an average boy like you become friends with a topper like her?" Mam asked, genuinely confused.
"It's a long story, Mam. Anyway, I have a Maths test tomorrow and I have doubts in a few chapters."
While Aaryan worked through his doubts, Simran sat silently. Mam asked her if she needed help, but Simran just smiled. "No Mam, I'm fine." Simran was secretly watching Aaryan, amazed at how well he played the role of a "struggling student" when she knew he was a God.
THE FIRST KISS AND THE SYSTEM UPGRADE
They returned home late. As soon as they entered the mansion's foyer, Simran suddenly turned Aaryan around and kissed him quickly on the lips.
Aaryan stood frozen, his eyes wide. "Simran... I told you. If you do that again, I will tell your father everything. I hope you understand the consequences."
Simran laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Go ahead! I already told my father that I'm your girlfriend. He said you're a 'good, disciplined person' and he's happy about it."
Aaryan put his hand to his forehead. Damn... even the billionaire is against me.
That night, they lay in the same bed again. Aaryan was staring at the ceiling, wondering why this girl was so obsessed with him. Suddenly, Simran spoke.
"It's because you are innocent, Aaryan. Under that cold 'Ayanokōji' mask, you have a kind heart. That's why I love you."
Aaryan's body stiffened. "How did you...?"
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: USER 'SIMRAN' HAS PURCHASED 'MIND READING MAGIC (SECRET)'.]
Aaryan immediately accessed his admin controls. "System, disable her mind-reading when it's directed at me. Now."
[SYSTEM: MIND READING DISABLED FOR TARGET 'AARYAN'.]
Aaryan turned to her, his eyes glowing with a strange intensity. He moved close, holding her waist, his face inches from hers. "Why are you so loyal to me, Simran? You could have anyone."
"Because it's you," she whispered.
For the first time since the betrayal, Aaryan let his guard down. He leaned in and kissed her—a real, deep kiss that lasted for minutes. Then, he whispered, "Go to sleep."
THE MIDNIGHT TRIAL
Simran fell into a deep sleep, but Aaryan's mind was working. He needed to know if she could survive the coming war.
System, create a 'Combat Puppet' of myself, Aaryan commanded. Give it 3x less power than my current stats. Set the environment to 'Virtual Nightmare'.
At 2:00 A.M., while Simran was dreaming, Aaryan transported her consciousness into a training dimension. He watched from the shadows.
"Let's see if your high IQ can save you when the monsters arrive, Simran," Aaryan whispered.
Suddenly, the "Fake Aaryan" appeared in front of her with a sword. The test of the Queen Consort had begun.