Vikram stood in the room, the silence echoing the turbulence within his mind. The soft hues of an impending sunset bathed the world outside the window, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. The weight of his past, of the unspoken questions, bore down on him.
His eyes wandered to the calendar hanging on the wall, its crisp pages a portal to another time.
"2000"
He whispered, the mere digits holding the power to unravel the mysteries of his existence. A swirl of memories, both painful and cherished, played like a flickering film reel in his mind.
In the reflection of the mirror, Vikram's own gaze met his, searching for answers that remained elusive. The face staring back, once crowned with success, now mirrored a profound confusion.
"Why did Naina betray me? Why Arjun?"
"Was it money?"
"No, I don't believe Naina would just kill me for money?"
"Power?"
"But she could have just asked for it. I would have....."
He questioned the empty room, yet he could not say it confidently. The room itself seemed frozen in time, a snapshot of a moment that could define his destiny. The university surroundings outside the door, the rustling of leaves in the breeze, whispered fragments of the life he once knew. He took a hesitant step forward, as if testing the ground beneath his feet, unsure of the path that lay ahead.
As he ventured into the corridor, the murmur of distant conversations reached his ears. Students passed by, absorbed in their own worlds.
Vikram felt like an outsider, a silent observer in a play he had unwittingly become a part of. The scent of nostalgia hung in the air, mingling with the uncertainty that enveloped him. The journey back to the university seemed surreal, a second chance at a life left incomplete. Vikram grappled with conflicting emotions, the pendulum swinging between the yearning for answers and the fear of what those answers might unveil.
In the days that followed, Vikram attended classes, his mind both a participant and a distant spectator. The familiar corridors, the resonance of lectures, and the camaraderie of fellow students painted a canvas of normalcy. Yet, beneath the surface, a tempest of questions raged.
The university became a refuge and a prison, a realm where Vikram sought solace and battled the shadows of his past. Amidst the routine of lectures and assignments, he yearned for the missing fragments of his memories, the elusive pieces of a puzzle that refused to take shape.
As Vikram delved into his studies, he found moments of fleeting clarity and jarring confusion. The past, like an elusive mist, slipped through his fingers each time he thought he had it within grasp. The echoes of yesterday resonated, pushing him to unravel the enigma of his reincarnated life.
"system, status"
As Vikram was attending a class, he called his system and looked at the panel
[Host: Vikram Singh
Age: 18
Reputation: 0
Attribute:
Strength: 7 (Quantifies the strength that the host can exert) (Average human strength is 10)
Intelligence: 14 (Quantifies the intellect of the host) (Average human intelligence is 10)
Vitality: 6 (Quantifies the state of host's body) (Average human Vitality is 10)
Charm: 12 (Quantifies how much the host is attractive) (Average human charm is 7)
Skill:
Programming Ability Level 3 (119/400): ability to program a game
Mission LOCKED (unlock condition determined by system evaluation)
"Sigh... System I was to use 2 question"
[Ding~]
"Why did Naina betray me?" After waiting for a long time, he did not get any answer.
[Ding~]
[1 question remaining]
As Vikram saw the notification, he hesitated about the next question. The uncertainty of the situation lingered in the air, and he pondered the mysteries surrounding his past.
After making up his mind, Vikram asked, "Did I reincarnate into my old world?"
[No; you are reincarnated to a parallel world]
"PARALLEL WORLD?"
Vikram exclaimed loudly, drawing the attention of students and even the curious gaze of teachers. The sudden outburst echoed in the classroom, leaving an air of bewilderment among his peers. Despite receiving odd looks, Vikram smiled and reassured the concerned teachers that everything was fine, attempting to mask the chaos of thoughts within him.
As the class continued, Vikram felt the weight of his revelation lingering in the room. The sidelong glances from fellow students added to the palpable tension. Amidst the scrutiny, a voice broke through the unspoken disquiet.
"Hey, Vikram, are you all right?"
Turning to the source, Vikram locked eyes with a girl seated beside him. She bore an unassuming appearance, covered in baggy clothes with her dark hair neatly braided. Her eyes, partially hidden by bangs, held a hint of shyness. Despite her current look, Vikram sensed an underlying beauty obscured by her lack of confidence.
"Vikram, are you alright?"
Snapping out of his momentary daze, Vikram offered her a warm smile. "Aria, hey, I'm alright."
Aria heard his deep, reassuring voice and caught a glimpse of his handsome face. A crimson hue crept up her cheeks. Turning away, she stammered, "Good, you are alright... You looked like... as if your world has ended and you have no way to go."
'Cute,' Vikram thought, appreciating her genuine concern. "Sorry, something happened, and my mind was not alright."
Vikram thought about Aria's words, her concern echoing in his mind. The ordinary classroom setting suddenly seemed surreal, and Vikram found himself captivated by the simple yet enchanting presence of Aria Kapoor. As he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, his thoughts meandered through the corridors of his own uncertainties.
The air in the room felt charged with unspoken questions, and Vikram couldn't help but appreciate the delicate silver locket adorning Aria's neck.
Her small, yet slender, body was a trait that resonated with Vikram. He observed how she neatly braided her dark brown hair, which fell gracefully over her shoulder. Aria's hazel eyes, though often concealed by the bangs, carried a depth that hinted at a world of emotions beneath the surface.
As the classroom discussions continued, Vikram found himself drifting into a contemplative state. The mundane lectures became a backdrop to his introspection, and Aria's occasional glances only intensified the mystery of his newfound reality.
The teacher's voice became a distant hum, and Vikram's mind replayed the events that led him to this point. The betrayal, the questions left unanswered, and the revelation of being in a parallel world—weaved together in a complex tapestry that Vikram struggled to unravel.
Aria, sensing Vikram's distraction, leaned slightly closer, her voice a gentle whisper, "Vikram, if something's bothering you, I'm here to listen."
Her genuine concern broke through the walls of Vikram's contemplation. Amidst the chaos of his own thoughts, he was reminded for a moment that people in this new world were willing to extend a helping hand.
"Thanks, Aria," Vikram replied with a faint smile, appreciating the sincerity in her offer. As the class continued, Vikram couldn't shake off the feeling that his journey in this parallel world had just begun, and the enigmatic puzzle of his existence awaited unraveling.