chapter 1
Darkness.
Then—
The universe appears.
Countless galaxies, endless stars, vast cosmic silence.
The view slowly zooms in.
A calm, slightly bored voice speaks:
> "This universe is… boring."
> "No magic. No system. No miracles."
> "Just laws, physics, and limitations."
The camera moves deeper—
Past galaxies, through glowing nebulae, across countless solar systems.
> "Humans haven't even reached Type-1 civilization yet."
> "No advanced technology. No paranormal powers."
> "Nothing exciting at all."
The view stops at one familiar place—
The Milky Way Galaxy.
Then one solar system.
Then a small blue planet—
Earth.
> "If this world ever gets involved in something bigger…"
> "I'll have to take responsibility."
> "And that sounds exhausting."
---
HYDERABAD – INDIA
The camera dives into Earth.
India appears.
Telangana.
Hyderabad — Gachibowli.
A school building.
Inside—
A classroom.
Students sit quietly as a physics teacher writes formulas on the board.
In the last row sits a boy.
NIKHIL.
Smooth jawline with a soft shadow underneath.
Expressive dark eyes—sharp, calm, and confident.
Slightly wild, thick hair.
Warm brown skin with blended tones.
High contrast along the cheeks and nose.
A soft highlight across his forehead and cheekbones.
Almond-shaped eyes with a faint glow in the lower iris.
Darker shading on the upper eyelid.
A small reflection dot that adds intensity.
Black eyes.
Neat hairstyle.
A tired expression.
The school bell rings loudly.
RIIIING—
The background voice returns—now clearly Nikhil's thoughts:
> "Ah… finally."
> "That boring physics class is over."
> "I know it depends on the student's perspective…"
> "But still—boring."
Students rush out.
Nikhil grabs his bag and walks out calmly.
In the hallway, as he walks, he senses a familiar presence—it's Aditya, his childhood friend.
Aditya speaks in a softly cheerful tone, though it almost sounds normal:
> "Are you going to play Minecraft today?"
Nikhil is about to respond—
Suddenly—
The students in the hallway freeze.
They flicker… like a glitch.
Nikhil and Aditya feel it too.
For a few seconds—silence.
Then—
Everyone disappears.
Nikhil's vision blurs.
Colors distort into multiple shifting hues.
Then—
Everything snaps back.
Everyone returns to normal.
For a few seconds, the hallway remains silent.
Many students look confused.
Some are scared.
Others glance around, trying to understand what just happened.
But within moments—
They continue as if nothing happened.
Aditya, in panic and confusion:
> "What was that…? Nikhil, did you see or feel that too?"
Nikhil's heartbeat spikes.
He can't understand what just happened.
Still, he replies calmly:
> "I don't know… let's just ignore it."
Aditya nods silently and walks toward his bus.
For a split second…
Nikhil felt like…
someone was watching him.
He look around but nothing found .
Nikhil heads home.
---
NIKHIL'S HOME
Nikhil unlocks the door and steps inside.
On the right side, there is a bed and a study table beside it.
Behind the bed, a large window.
He throws his bag aside, changes his clothes, and lies down.
Silence.
A few hours later—
The door opens.
His mother enters.
In a quiet, worried tone:
> "Did you eat anything after school?"
Nikhil replies normally:
> "Not yet, Amma. I'll eat now."
She looks at him.
> "Your final exams are coming soon. Don't get careless."
Nikhil smiles slightly:
> "I know. I'll manage."
They eat dinner together.
Simple food.
Simple conversation.
A normal life.
---
NIGHT
Nikhil lies on his bed, phone in hand.
Instagram scrolls past.
He opens a chat.
Adi (Cousin's Best Friend):
> "Bro, one day we'll start our own business."
Nikhil:
> "First survive exams."
Adi:
> "(laughing emoji) After that—games, anime, money."
Nikhil:
> "Deal."
They chat for a while.
Nikhil thinks:
"What happened today… that was unnatural… how is that even possible?
But everyone experienced it…"
He yawns.
His eyes slowly close.
---
UNKNOWN PLACE
Nikhil suddenly opens his eyes.
Silk curtains.
Golden lamps.
A massive royal bed.
He sits up, confused.
> "Where… am I?"
A blue light flashes.
A transparent screen appears before his eyes.
---
SYSTEM ACTIVATED
[Candidate System Initialized]
Name: Nikhil
Status: Candidate
Event: War of Candidates
---
STATS
Speed: F
Attack Power: E
Endurance: F
Intelligence: A+++
Potential: X
Weapon: Mystery – F
---
The screen flickers.
Nikhil stares in shock.
> "Candidate…?"
> "War…?"
" This ...is...not...normal anymore "
The system remains silent.
---
END OF CHAPTER 1