Veer strode back to his classroom after the brief altercation during lunch. Although the fight with Jeet had been cut short, the aftermath lingered like a palpable tension in the air. Veer felt it before he saw it—an unspoken awareness spreading through the student body. The moment he walked into class, all eyes shifted toward him, then quickly looked away as if the students were embarrassed to be caught watching.
He dropped into his seat, not bothering to acknowledge the whispers that fluttered through the classroom. A few kids glanced over at him, nervously nudging each other, while others sat stiffly, pretending they hadn't been gossiping about him moments before.
*Great, just what I needed,* Veer thought as he scanned the room. *Looks like I'm on some people's radar now.*
It was clear from the way the students acted. He could feel it—the invisible wall forming between him and them. In places like this, people either stayed in line or became the subject of conversation. Veer had no intention of becoming the latter, but it seemed that avoiding trouble was easier said than done. Being caught in a fight with someone from the "famous kids" group, even if it was minor, was enough to earn him unwanted attention.
The rest of the classes were uneventful—tediously familiar lessons that held no interest for him. Math problems, grammar corrections, and science formulas drifted through his mind like background noise. All the while, he could still feel eyes on him, still hear the faint whispers whenever his name came up.
*They're just kids,* he told himself. *They'll forget soon enough.*
He wasn't concerned about the attention. His plan had always been to keep his head down, avoid any unnecessary drama, and blend in. That might be difficult now, but Veer had more pressing things on his mind. He didn't care about being part of any social hierarchy or celebrity group. If anything, he'd rather stay under the radar altogether.
History class, however, turned out to be a bit more interesting than the others. As Veer flipped through the textbook, scanning the chapters, something strange caught his eye. There were a few key historical figures mentioned—people who had shaped revolutions, industries, and entire societies in this world—but their faces looked eerily familiar.
One in particular made him pause. The image in the book depicted a man who had led a revolutionary movement in the early 2020s, but Veer couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen the face somewhere before. He stared at the picture, trying to place the name.
*Where have I seen this guy before?* Veer wondered.
Then it hit him—the man looked like an old movie star from the 90s. Someone who had been famous in Veer's previous life. Yet, according to the textbook, this person had gone on to become a political leader in this world, reshaping history in ways that Veer didn't expect.
*Huh. So a movie star from the 90s turned into a revolutionary leader here? That's… different.*
It wasn't just this one figure either. There were other subtle changes scattered throughout the historical records—people who, in his previous life, had been famous for entirely different reasons. Some had become cultural icons, others leaders, and a few had even been involved in world-changing events.
*This world really is different,* Veer thought, turning the page. *Not a complete 180, but just enough to throw me off.*
He smirked as he finished reading. There were many things in this life that felt off-kilter, as if the world had been put through a filter that subtly altered reality. But he wasn't one to dwell on it too much. He had accepted that this life came with its own set of quirks.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Veer packed up his books and headed out, still mulling over how strange history had become.
After school ended, Veer made his way toward the club area. Each student was encouraged to join a club, and while many gravitated toward sports or art, Veer had his sights set on something different. He had decided on the Book Club—not the kind where you just read books, but one where you could write your own stories, whether they were fantasy, light novels, or even biographies.
When he arrived, the club room was much smaller than he expected. Four students in total, including himself. The lack of members didn't bother him, though; if anything, it was a relief. Fewer people meant less social drama.
"Welcome," said a girl who appeared to be in charge of the group. Her voice was curt, and she carried herself with an air of authority. "I'm Neha, the club president."
Veer nodded, trying to gauge her mood. She was older, probably three years his senior, and from the look in her eyes, he could tell she ran the club with a strict hand. Her expression was all business.
"There are a few rules you need to follow if you're joining," Neha continued, glancing at him sternly. "We expect members to contribute and take this seriously. This isn't just a place to relax."
Veer mentally groaned. *Why do I keep meeting people with authority issues?*
Despite her intensity, he figured the club would be a good place to escape from the chaotic school environment. After all, writing was something he could lose himself in, and this club offered him a space where he could do just that.
Neha introduced him to the two other members, but they didn't seem particularly invested in the club either. Maybe that was why it only had four members. But to Veer, that was a bonus. It meant fewer distractions, and more time to focus on his own projects.
As they wrapped up introductions, Veer couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of excitement. This wasn't just about joining a club—it was a chance for him to carve out a space for himself in this unfamiliar world.
After leaving the Book Club, Veer returned home, finding Sonia lounging around as usual. She had no plans for the day, which was rare, but Veer didn't stay long to chat. He had martial arts training with Mr. Rao, and that took precedence.
When he arrived at the dojo, Mr. Rao gave him his usual greeting—a nod and a few calm words of instruction.
"Today, we'll focus on the basics again," Mr. Rao said. "I want you to master your foundation first. Don't rush into advanced techniques."
Veer nodded, grateful for the straightforward guidance. Some might find it tedious, but Veer welcomed it. The basics were the core of every skill, and mastering them meant having a stronger base to build from. Besides, in his previous life, he'd learned the importance of being thorough.
"Understood," Veer replied, surprising Mr. Rao with how quickly he agreed.
The session passed in silence, Veer absorbed in his training. He relished the focus that martial arts gave him—the clarity that came from refining each movement, controlling his body and mind. It was one of the few times in his day where he could forget about the complex world around him.
Once training ended, Veer returned to school, intending to pick up Sonia. However, as he approached the school gate, he noticed something unusual. Sonia was standing with their mother, Sheena, but next to them was an unfamiliar woman.
"Veer," Sheena called out with a smile. "I'm glad you're here. I'd like you to meet someone."
The woman turned toward him, her posture elegant and composed. She had an air of professionalism about her, and Veer instantly knew this was no ordinary encounter.
"This is your new tutor," Sheena continued, gesturing to the woman. "Diya."
Veer's eyebrows shot up in surprise. A tutor? Just what he needed—more work. But something about Diya's calm, poised demeanor told him that she wasn't going to be a typical tutor. She had a quiet intensity that made Veer think this was going to be more than just academic lessons.
He sighed internally, preparing himself for what was coming next. *Looks like life is about to get even more complicated.*