Nikhil stared at the empty space where the system had disappeared.
His heart was still beating fast.
"Did I take too much caffeine…"
"Or is this actually real?"
The blue screen did not return.
Slowly, Nikhil got down from the bed.
---
THE ROYAL ROOM
He walked around the room.
Stone walls.
Golden carvings.
Ancient lamps burning with oil.
Everything felt… old.
"This doesn't look like a dream."
"Ancient India?"**
"A system… like Anime where main character got system ?"
"How can something like this exist?"
Nikhil shook his head.
"No. This can't be possible."
He pushed the heavy door open and stepped outside.
---
THE PALACE CORRIDOR
A long hallway stretched ahead.
Royal banners.
Stone pillars.
Then—
Footsteps.
Nikhil froze.
Two armored guards walked past him, carrying spears.
They didn't notice him.
"…Guards?"
His breathing became shallow.
"Okay. This is definitely not a normal dream."**
He walked further.
Suddenly—
Voices.
Familiar voices.
Nikhil stopped.
Slowly, he turned around.
---
A FAMILIAR FACE
A tall boy stood there.
Appearance.
Sharp angular jaw,Eyes narrow with intense gaze,Eyebrows slightly angled — determined look.
Hair. Thick, straight, layered,Shaded smoothly on top with ink gradients
Black eyes.
Fair skin.
Black hair.
Handsome face.
Outfit: T-shirt becomes soft and black lower.
Same height as Nikhil — around 176 cm.
Silent. Calm.
Aditya.
Nikhil's eyes widened.
"Aditya…?"
---
ADITYA – PAST PERSPECTIVE
Late night.
Aditya sat in his room, playing Minecraft.
"Just one more build…"
His eyes felt heavy.
The screen blurred.
Darkness.
---
ROYAL BED – ADITYA
Aditya woke up suddenly.
Soft sheets.
High ceiling.
"What…?"
A blue light appeared.
---
SYSTEM WINDOW
Name: Aditya
Status: Candidate
Event:War of Candidates
Stats:
Speed: -F
Attack Power:E
Endurance: D
Intelligence:A+++
Potential: SS
Weapon: Mystery – -F
Aditya stared silently.
"…Is this a dream?"
"Or am I controlling it?"
The system vanished.
Aditya stood up.
Calm. Quiet.
He walked out of the room.
---
BACK TO PRESENT
Aditya saw Nikhil standing in the corridor.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Nikhil?"
Nikhil rushed forward.
Nikhil:
"Hey—hey, are you real?"
Aditya touched his own arm.
Then Nikhil's shoulder.
Aditya:
"…Feels real."
Nikhil (voice shaking):
"This isn't a dream, right?"
Aditya:
"If it is… it's way too detailed."
They stood silently.
Reality slowly settled in.
---
MORE FAMILIAR FACES
Footsteps echoed again.
One by one—
Janvi Appearance: oval-shaped, soft jawline
smooth cheeks with gentle shading,a calm, warm expression,lips lightly curved into a serene, confident smile,eyebrows thin but expressive, giving emotional depth. Glowing brown skin .
Eyes : large, soft, round shape
long eyelashes that frame the eyes beautifully,pupils shaded with warm brown gradients,sparkling highlights that add innocence and elegance.
Hair: long, thick braid draped over her shoulder,hair strands individually detailed,light ink highlights running through the braid soft movement,
bright red and white petals,detailed line art around each petal.
Little bit skinny but looks Cute.
Outfit: Dark Blue Tracksuit and lower Black color with white line .
Damini Appearance: Face : Soft jawline with smooth shading,Warm smile that brings life to the panel,Eyes large, steady, expressive,Thin, curved eyebrows giving grace . Fair skin.
Hair: Long, neatly parted,Smooth shading across the top,Slight shine streaks to show silkiness.
Outfit: white T Shirt with layering Light blue denim jacket and Dark blue Lower with White line.
Pallavi Appearance: Face : She has the look of a quiet but emotionally — someone whose presence warms the scene without needing grand gestures. Her face is soft and rounded, with gentle curves and smooth skin, giving her a youthful glow.
Her eyes — large, calm, and steady — would be drawn with subtle light reflections, expressing sincerity and intelligence. They carry a hint of shyness but also curiosity, like a character who observes everything more deeply than she lets on.
Hair: Long, neatly parted,Smooth shading across the top,Slight shine streaks to show silkiness.
Outfit : White T shirt with layer Sweatshirt and black Baggy.
Harsh Appearance: Face : Slim jaw, smooth but defined,Eyes sharp and slightly upward, thoughtful, slightly mysterious.
Hair: Short but messy with motion lines,Dark shading giving energy and strength.
Outfit: Multi color Shirt with layer Black Jacket and skin color trouser. Fair skin.
Hemant Appearance: Face : He has a bright, energetic presence, like a teenage . His skin tone glows warmly , giving him a golden, lively aura. His face is smooth and youthful, with rounded cheeks and a relaxed, confident smile.
His eyes — large and expressive — carry curiosity and optimism. His hair is short and slightly tousled, drawn in loose ink strokes with highlighted tips to give movement and softness.
Outfit: simple white T shirt and skin tone Lower.
Jenit Appearance: Face : He has a calm, cool presence — like a strategic . His hair is dense and styled in layered sweeps, shading over his forehead in a smooth, (modern look. In manga, his hair would be rendered with charcoal-soft shadows and thin highlights to show thickness.)
His eyes are steady, observant, almost analytical — shaped more narrow and sharp, giving him a mature, thoughtful vibe. His expression is relaxed but thoughtful.
Brown skin tone.
Outfit: black hoodie and black lower.
All of them.
Same confusion.
Same fear.
Same shock.
Janvi:
"Why are we here…?"
Harsh:
"This looks like some historical drama set."
Damini:
"Did anyone else see a system?"
Silence.
Everyone looked at each other.
They all nodded.
---
ROYAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Suddenly—
A powerful voice echoed through the palace.
Loud. Majestic.
"Citizens of the great Vijayanagara Empire!"
"Beloved and brave people!"
The atmosphere changed.
Guards stood straight.
"Our mighty king…"
"The pride of this land…"
"Sri **Krishnadevaraya** is arriving!"
Nikhil's breath stopped.
"…Krishnadevaraya?"
Aditya whispered:
"That's… real history."
The group exchanged nervous looks.
Without speaking, they followed the sound of the voice.
Walking toward destiny.
- END OF CHAPTER 2