Hey, I'm Kaliyug, just an ordinary guy. You probably know that there are many worlds out there in the universe. But there's one problem—we can't visit them because to get there, we'd have to cross a black hole.
So, my world is also called Earth, just like yours. But here's the twist: mine is the seventh version of yours. In your world, normal people live, but in my world, no one is normal. Everyone has some kind of power. There are four categories of people based on their abilities. First, there are those with powers rated 8 or 9 out of 10—these folks are the strongest. Then there are those rated 6 or 7, followed by the ones at 4 or 5. And then, there's the 2-to-3 category. But, there's a group even lower than that, which my world only discovered through me: people like me, with a 0 out of 10—meaning, no power whatsoever.
These powers depend on six factors: the range and danger of someone's abilities, their intelligence, defense, speed, healing abilities, and knowledge.
There are many schools in my world where kids are taught to harness their powers. Every year, a competition takes place in each school where teams of four compete. The strongest students from the winning teams are crowned king and queen, responsible for keeping the peace in the school.
In our school canteen, there's a special chocolate cake that's made only once a month. It's divided into three pieces, and the whole school fights over it like it's a treasure. One day, when I was at the canteen, I saw a boy holding a piece of cake. Another kid tried to snatch it from him, and a fight broke out. People in the lowest power category, like me, usually have to stay quiet and avoid trouble, because at any moment, someone with more power can just pick you up and throw you around. It's even worse for people with no power, like me.
I wasn't good at anything—studies or strength—so I just tried to stay out of the way and avoid conflict.
One day, during the morning break, I saw a boy getting beaten up badly. Blood was coming out of his mouth, and the other kid didn't stop. I couldn't stand it, so I rushed over to intervene. I tried to punch the bully, but he dodged and struck me in the stomach, pushing me back.
"Well, you want to fight me?" he sneered.
"I don't want to fight you, just stop beating him," I said.
"Why are you so scared?" The boy's eyes turned red—his power activating.
"Look, just go away," I said calmly.
He attacked again, and I dodged, but his punch injured my shoulder. I winced in pain as he laughed.
"You're like a diamond—hard but not sharp. Your attacks are weak," I retorted.
In frustration, he lunged again, but I bent down, grabbed him, and threw him out of the window. He fell two stories down.
The boy I saved thanked me and ran off. I went to the medical room to get patched up.
"Not again, Kaliyug," the doctor sighed as he treated my shoulder. "One of these days, I'm going to lose my job because of you."
"Sorry, Doc," I muttered as he bandaged me up.
"Every day with you is an adventure, huh? Just stay here and rest until I get back," the doctor said, shaking his head.
While I was resting, I got a call from Jeeva. Jeeva came from an incredibly wealthy family and used to be the queen of the school. But after meeting me, something changed. She gave up her title to someone else. She was the most powerful girl in school, with a ranking of 8 out of 10. Nobody dared mess with her.
I first met Jeeva when I was in my first year. I had barely managed to grab a piece of the chocolate cake when she came up to me.
"Give me that cake!" Jeeva demanded.
"I found it, so I'm eating it," I replied.
"Do you want to die?" she said, her eyes turning red with power.
"Fine!" I said, offering her the plate.
But as soon as she tried to take it, I dropped the cake on the floor.
"You've got some nerve," Jeeva said, glaring at me.
I tried to walk away, but Jeeva punched me, and I crashed into a wall, blood spilling from my mouth. She raised her hand to strike again.
"I'm not afraid of you!" I said, looking straight into her eyes.
She paused, then walked away, leaving me injured. Later, when I went to class, Jeeva was there too. We were paired up for an assignment—something neither of us were thrilled about.
I focused on my work, ignoring Jeeva's hostility. The next day, when the teacher graded our articles, we both got B+. I was thrilled, but Jeeva was furious—it was the lowest grade she'd ever gotten.
Once the teacher left, Jeeva grabbed me, slammed me into a wall, and then threw me out of the window. I fell from the first floor.
Despite the bruises, I came back to class the next day with a bandaged wrist. Jeeva approached me, handing me a note.
"Maybe after yesterday, you've come to your senses. Here, take these notes for tomorrow."
"I told you already, I'm not afraid of you!" I replied, refusing to take the notes.
The next day, we both got an A-, and I was ecstatic. "Look, Jeeva! We got an A!"
"It's a minus, idiot," Jeeva muttered, walking off. The class whispered about her, mocking her for her grade. I was happy with my A.
Jeeva tried to avoid the attention, but I stood up for her when three girls started badmouthing her.
"You can't say that about Jeeva. She was the best!" I said angrily.
The girls tried to use their powers on me, but before they could attack, I flew into the air and landed on the other side. They quickly ran off, muttering apologies.
Jeeva stood there, watching me. "You fought for me?" she asked, surprised.
The next day, Jeeva and I started to work together. We studied, and I showed her how to improve. We both received A+ grades.
"From now on, we're friends," Jeeva said, smiling.
That was the beginning of our friendship.
"Hey, Kaliyug, where are you?" Jeeva asked over the phone.
"I'm in the medical room, feeling lonely. Can you come?" I replied.
A while later, Jeeva arrived. We sat together, playing games on our phones. The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
"Let's go home," I said, standing up.
"I have to buy some clothes, so you're coming with me," Jeeva said, grabbing my hand and leading me out.
"You may have lost your position as queen, but you still act like one," I joked as we headed to the mall together.
While shopping, we saw a booth offering to rank people's powers for just one rupee. Curious, I dragged Jeeva over.
The man at the booth held her hand, closed his eyes, and said, "Wow! Your powers are 8 out of 10! You're incredible. Here's your gift!" He handed her a polar bear plushie.
He turned to me, offering to read my power level, but I smiled and backed away. "No, thanks," I said, and we walked off, leaving him staring after us.
And so, our story continued.