Chapter 1: Susima
A young man with a charming appearance lay peacefully on his bed, adorned in traditional Indian attire, surrounded by opulence. He possessed a strong and fit physique, exuding youthfulness. Abruptly, his eyes fluttered open, and he glanced around, feeling a sense of bewilderment.
This young man was an Indian boy residing in the 21st century. His life had been ordinary until the pandemic struck, leading to his untimely demise. The anguish his parents experienced upon witnessing him in the hospital still lingered in his memory. Overwhelmed with guilt for being unable to assist them, he carried the weight of being their sole son.
"I hope my parents find happiness and cease dwelling on my absence," he pondered, inhaling deeply to regain control over his emotions.
Suddenly, a fragment of a memory began to materialize within his mind. Although not extensive, it encompassed at least three years' worth of recollections. As he traversed through these memories, comprehension dawned upon him. He was the eldest son of Bindusara, belonging to the illustrious Maurya Dynasty and holding the title of crown prince.
His younger brother, Ashoka, would eventually ascend to the throne as the future emperor. Ashoka was both revered as a great ruler and condemned as a murderer for eliminating his 99 siblings. Similar to the enigmatic Uchiha Itachi, opinions regarding Ashoka's actions were divided, leaving people uncertain whether to praise or criticize him.
However, one undeniable fact remained—Ashoka possessed exceptional warrior skills and strategic prowess, triumphing over his 99 brothers and seizing control of the entire empire. Susima, the crown prince and his half-brother, met an untimely demise at the age of 35, sent to either heaven or hell by Ashoka's hand.
The young man felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of being born in an era where he could encounter Chanakya and glean wisdom from him. Chanakya, a revered figure, had passed away in 283 BC, granting him ample time to absorb the political acumen and profound knowledge that Chanakya possessed.
Moreover, he yearned to explore the ancient scriptures that had been lost to the ravages of time. The thought of encountering historically significant individuals who had made remarkable contributions to India filled him with joy.
He was only three years old and would begin his education at Gurukul in two years. During the lockdown, he had been studying the ancient Indian education system and was amazed by their advanced thinking. Now, he had the chance to experience it firsthand. He also remembered that his mother used to be a princess before marrying his father.
Now, he had to consider his half-brother Ashoka as well. He couldn't just ignore the situation. Historians were unsure why Ashoka killed his brothers. Some believed it was because he suspected his mother was killed by his stepbrothers, while others thought he simply wanted the throne. It was unclear.
He couldn't rely on Ashoka's mercy. Instead, he planned to use his modern knowledge to make India the first nation to embrace industrialization. He would never initiate an attack, but if his enemy attacked him, he would obliterate their lineage.
After contemplating all of this, he thought to himself, "If only I had a 'gold finger' like the main character in many novels, that would be amazing. But I don't blame God because he has given me an opportunity. I am grateful for this chance." With this mindset, he headed towards the door when suddenly an approval message appeared in front of him. It was the activation of the knowledge slave system. The message asked if he wanted to bind the system, and he eagerly clicked "yes."
With his newfound knowledge, he contemplated ways to contribute to the empire's prosperity. He decided to keep this information to himself for now, aware of the potential challenges such unconventional ideas might face in his society.
The system started, and he received three knowledge seals for one month. He also gained various information about the system, including the ability to transform people with weak willpower into knowledge slaves who would dedicate their lives to seeking knowledge. He could choose the specific field of knowledge they would research, and they would have no emotions.
Furthermore, he could monitor the progress and status of each knowledge slave. He pondered how he could utilize this system to transform death row prisoners into knowledge slaves, benefiting society and aiding its growth towards industrialization.
There was another feature known as knowledge transfer, which enabled him to share his knowledge with a slave or acquire knowledge from a slave. It functioned in both directions, and he could even transfer knowledge between two slaves.
He inquired about his parents after his demise from the system and discovered that after two years of COVID lockdown, his father won the lottery and, with the assistance of insurance, they were able to live a peaceful life.
This brought him great joy, and he remained silent for a few minutes before returning to his usual thoughts.
He had to be cautious because slavery was prohibited in the Maurya Dynasty, and he didn't want to be exposed until he became a Maharaj.
With this in mind, he proceeded to the dining room to have a meal. He found some simple dishes consisting of vegetables and fruits, which was perfect since he had been a vegetarian in his previous life.
After enjoying a satisfying meal, he made his way to his mother's room. As he approached, a servant intercepted him, while another servant went to inform his mother.
After a few minutes, the servant returned and guided him to his mother's room.
When he laid eyes on the original body's mother, he was taken aback by the beauty of ancient Indian women. He couldn't determine if it was his son's affection for his mother or simply his new body's perception.
Her name was Charumitra, and he couldn't recall having any other siblings. It appeared that he was her only son. His mother called him closer, placed him on her lap, and began asking various questions about his well-being, sleep, and other matters.
She even inquired if he desired more toys because, in her eyes, he was just a three-year-old boy.
Susima: Mother, your love warms my heart. The toys are delightful, but what I crave is knowledge. I wish to learn and understand the world around me. Perhaps you could arrange for a tutor to guide me in my studies?
Charumitra: (smiling) My precious son, you are truly your father's child. Always eager for knowledge! I shall arrange for the finest tutor to help shape your young mind. But do not forget to enjoy your childhood too, for knowledge is best acquired with a joyous heart.
Susima: (nodding) Of course, Mother. I will strike a balance between learning and play. And, speaking of balance, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you. I have been contemplating ways to contribute to our great empire and ensure its prosperity.
Charumitra: (curious) What thoughts occupy your young mind, my son?
Susima: I have learned of certain practices that align with our values and could potentially benefit society. I wish to explore these avenues discreetly, seeking your guidance along the way.
Charumitra: (thoughtful) It is an intriguing proposal, my son. But tread carefully, for our dynasty holds dear certain principles. Ensure that your pursuits align with the values we cherish. Now, let us delve
deeper into your studies and ambitions.
Susima: (grateful) Thank you, Mother. I am eager to embark on this journey of learning and growth under your guidance.