[Godavarikhani – Two Days Later]
Srinivas sat under the neem tree near the school's backside boundary wall, chewing the end of his pen. His notebook was open again—this time with a new section:
Project: Save Madhuri
Goal: Prevent dropout due to financial crisis
Deadline: 3 months (before exams)
Beside that, he had jotted down observations:
Good in academics (seen her rank list on notice board)
Family sells vegetables in evening market
Very reserved, doesn't ask anyone for help
[System Reminder]
Active Hidden Quest: Help Madhuri stay in school
Bonus Reward: Memory Enhancement Skill (Lv.1)
Optional Combo Quest: Earn ₹1,000 while helping her — Unlocks Bonus Reward: "Focus Boost" (Lv.1)
Srinivas smiled. "Two birds, one plan."
[Evening – Weekly Market Area]
Srinivas walked through the muddy stalls and colorful chaos of the Wednesday vegetable bazaar. He spotted Madhuri at her family's stall, helping her father stack tomatoes while her mother argued with a customer over one rupee.
He approached casually.
"Need help with sales, Aunty?" he asked with a grin.
Madhuri blinked. "You…?"
Her mother looked up. "Are you from school?"
Srinivas nodded. "Topper batch, MPC. I'm working on a business project. Can I help sell for an hour in exchange for observation notes?"
The parents looked at each other. Her father shrugged. "Why not? We won't say no to free help."
And so, for the next hour, Srinivas charmed customers, improved the layout, upsold vegetables in combo packs, and even created a "Rs. 20 basket" discount pile.
By 8 PM, sales had tripled.
"You're something else, beta," Madhuri's father said in awe. "What did you say your name was?"
"Srinivas," he said, smiling.
[Back Home – Night]
Srinivas dropped onto his bed, mentally exhausted but satisfied.
[Progress: Hidden Quest – 25% Completed]
Funds Earned Today: ₹320
Total Accumulated: ₹320/₹1000
[System Notification]
Side Quest Unlocked: Create a Self-Earning Student Plan
He blinked. "Self-earning student?"
Description: Design and implement a plan to help at least 3 students earn small side income.
Reward: Student Network + Unlock Early Tycoon Skill Tree Branch: 'Team Building'
Srinivas sat up straight.
"This system is setting me up to become a boss…" he whispered.
He grinned and circled the top of the page: 'SkyTouch Foundation' – Phase 1
[Elsewhere – Maibadh]
Kamal stared at an old ring buried in the soil behind his house. His hands trembled. A faint glow flickered behind his eyes.
System Activation Imminent…
[Eturnagaram]
Pavan Raj stood outside a locked cricket academy. He placed his hand on the rusted gate.
"I'll open my own someday," he whispered.