[Maibadh Village – 2011, Morning]
Kamal sat silently on the edge of his cot, staring at his calloused hands. The hum of the ceiling fan above, the smell of upma drifting from the kitchen, and the familiar sounds of village life outside felt surreal.
He was sixteen again.
But his heart carried the weight of a lifetime.
[Power Consolidation System – Passive Sync: Active]
Your mindset is recalibrating to balance emotion and dominance.
First Phase Initiated: Identify Loyalty Seeds.
Kamal clenched his fists.
"Loyalty Seeds… it starts now."
He washed up quickly and stepped outside, where his mother, Meenakshi, was folding dried clothes under the morning sun.
"Going to school today, Kamalu?" she asked with a tired smile.
Kamal hesitated. In his past life, he had skipped class and wasted time. But this time…
"I'll go. And come back before lunch," he said calmly.
Meenakshi raised an eyebrow, surprised but pleased. "A change of heart?"
"You could say that," he replied, grabbing his bag.
[Maibadh Government High School – Playground]
Kamal walked into the old compound, where the morning assembly had just ended. A few boys stood near the banyan tree, chatting in circles.
One of them turned—Surya, his closest childhood friend, with a wide grin.
"Oye, Kamal! Finally decided to attend?"
Kamal smirked. "Just wanted to make sure you haven't forgotten how to walk straight."
Surya laughed and threw an arm over his shoulder. "Same old mouth."
[System Notice]
Surya – Loyalty Potential: High
Condition: Needs rescue from future betrayal. Track closely.
Kamal's eyes flickered. He remembered something.
In his past life, Surya had been betrayed by a local politician's son—Gokul, who used him as a scapegoat in a bike theft case. Surya was suspended and lost his future.
But not this time.
"Let's talk later," Kamal said quietly.
Just then, a commotion echoed from the edge of the school.
"Give me your lunch money, you coward!" yelled a voice.
Kamal turned. Three boys stood around a skinny first-year student. Leading them was Ajay, the same thug who eventually became Mahesh's right hand.
"Didn't I tell you yesterday?" Ajay sneered.
The younger boy, Ravi, trembled. "P-Please… I have to buy tablets for my sister…"
[System Alert: Optional Micro Quest Available]
Intervene. Show controlled dominance.
Reward: Influence +1 | Unlock "Territory Flagging" Feature Early
Kamal's eyes narrowed.
He walked straight toward them. "Ajay. Let him go."
Ajay looked up, laughing. "Look who thinks he's a hero today."
"I'm not a hero," Kamal said coldly. "But I don't like dogs barking in public."
Ajay stepped forward, his friends hesitating. "You want to fight me, Kamal?"
"No. I want to teach you something."
He moved so fast, Ajay barely saw the knee coming. It connected squarely with his stomach.
Ajay collapsed, gasping.
The courtyard fell silent.
Kamal knelt and whispered in Ajay's ear, "Walk away now. Or next time, you won't be able to."
Ajay scrambled up and staggered off with his lackeys.
[System Update]
Territory Flagging: School Courtyard Registered
Influence Gained: +1
Subordinate Confidence: +5%
Surya blinked. "Bro… what was that?"
Kamal turned to Ravi and handed him ₹500. "Get the tablets. Come to me if they bother you again."
Ravi nodded quickly. "Thank you, Kamal anna!"
[NPC Logged: Ravi – Loyalty Seed Level 1]
[Evening – Meenakshi's House]
Kamal sat under the neem tree behind his home, reviewing a notebook labeled: "Phase 1 – Core Circle".
Names listed:
Surya (Inner Circle)
Ravi (Runner)
Ajay (Threat – Observe)
[System Reminder]
Power is built not in explosions… but in whispers.
Phase 2 Objective Unlocking Soon: Create First Circle of Command
He leaned back and looked at the stars.
This time, he wouldn't build an empire on pain.
He'd build it with control. Loyalty. And precision.
And one day, Mahesh would learn…
Kamal wasn't someone to laugh at anymore.
He was someone to fear.