New change of a life

In the midst of despair, Arjun felt the weight of his aspirations collide with the harsh reality of Phoenix's shop prices. The burden of unattainable upgrades weighed heavily on his shoulders. With a heavy heart, he contemplated the sacrifices he might need to make to gather the required experience points.

Arjun's inner turmoil echoed in his thoughts, "Oh God, I thought this would be a chance to find some peace, to escape from all this chaos. But the Phoenix system keeps pulling me back into its demands."

The desire for a simpler life, free from the complexities of the Phoenix system, intensified within Arjun. As he grappled with the overwhelming costs, he questioned whether the pursuit of power and upgrades was worth the toll it took on his peace of mind.

In his moment of vulnerability, Arjun sought solace in reflection, torn between the allure of strength and the yearning for a quieter existence. The realization that his journey with Phoenix demanded more than he initially bargained for left him at a crossroads, contemplating the path ahead.

Arjun notice that where he had to do everything 10 times, you had to do it 100 times, like 100 pushups, 100 Setups, 100 Crunches, 100 pull up, and 10 KM Running. Arjun was not at all surprised because when he got the new task, he knew that one day it would definitely happen. Phoenix accepted the new task.

As days passed with no sign of Rocky, Arjun's frustration grew. Despite his persistent efforts to locate the elusive figure, it seemed Rocky had vanished without a trace. Disheartened, Arjun reluctantly shifted his focus back to his studies, hoping for a semblance of normalcy.

In the routine of college life, Arjun found solace in developing the college website, a task reminiscent of his past life. However, the lack of any noteworthy events in the community posts left him feeling a profound sense of disappointment.

As he navigated through the days, immersed in his studies and website development, Arjun unintentionally accumulated a substantial amount of experience points. The realization struck him as a surprise, a silver lining in the midst of his earlier struggles. Perhaps the mundane aspects of his daily life were contributing more to his growth than the elusive pursuit of Rocky.

Arjun, despite the lingering questions and uncertainties, couldn't help but acknowledge the unintentional progress he had made. This unexpected accumulation of experience points hinted at the potential for growth even in seemingly ordinary activities, prompting Arjun to reconsider his approach to the challenges posed by the Phoenix system.

Arjun, adorned in his school uniform, stood at 5.8 feet with a physique transformed into that of an athlete. The familiar attire invoked a sense of nostalgia, reminding him of the changes he had undergone.

As he emerged from his room, Meenakshi, his mother, advised him to visit the small temple within their house and seek the blessings of Lord Mahadev for his upcoming re-exam. The deity held a special place in Arjun's family, and the small white statue in their home was a focal point of their daily worship.

In the serene atmosphere of the temple, Arjun folded his hands before the sacred figure of Lord Mahadev. He prayed earnestly, not only for success in his exams but also expressing gratitude for the second chance life had bestowed upon him.

With heartfelt sincerity, Arjun whispered, "Thank you, God, for granting me another opportunity. I am unsure of how I can repay this favor." The weight of gratitude accompanied him as he left the temple, ready to face the challenges of the day.

Arjun, having arrived at Xavier's High School for the re-exams, swiftly headed to the account office to collect his admit card. With the document in hand, he wasted no time and made his way to the familiar exam hall.

Entering the hall, Arjun noticed the presence of students from his class, a mix of recognizable faces and unfamiliar ones. The sight sparked a sense of connection and nostalgia as he realized that, despite the changes in his life, the academic setting and the school environment remained constants.

As he took his seat, surrounded by both familiar and unfamiliar classmates, Arjun couldn't help but feel a strange blend of nostalgia and curiosity. The unexpected journey back to the school environment stirred a mix of emotions, adding an intriguing layer to the backdrop of the upcoming exams.

Arjun, unfazed by the boy's attempts to insult him, remained focused on the upcoming exam. Seated at the end of the row, he exuded a calm demeanor, determined to concentrate on the task at hand.

The boy, sensing Arjun's indifference, escalated his attempts to mock him. However, Arjun's composure didn't waver. As the supervisor distributed question papers and answer sheets, the atmosphere in the hall became more focused.

Today's paper was Mathematics, and the seriousness in the air indicated the significance of the exams. Arjun, ignoring the distractions, directed his attention to the exam paper, ready to tackle the challenges presented by the subject. The boy's taunts faded into the background as Arjun immersed himself in the mathematical problems ahead.

Arjun, finding the math paper easy, swiftly completed it within an hour and a half. With time on his hands, he discreetly engaged with the Phoenix system, utilizing the newfound knowledge he had acquired.

Turning his head as if in slumber, Arjun secretly explored the capabilities of the Phoenix system. He discovered the existence of an inventory store, realizing its potential for expansion with continued leveling up.

Intrigued by the possibilities, Arjun had purchased the Alert Skill from the shop. The Phoenix system explained that this skill would provide advance warnings of impending dangers, sparking a surge of excitement within him.

As Arjun delved deeper into the intricacies of the Phoenix system, questions about its origin and how it came into his possession lingered in his thoughts, adding an additional layer of mystery to the unfolding saga.

As the supervisor announced the end of the exam, students began to file out of the hall, leaving their answer sheets behind. Arjun, among them, carried his bag through the corridor. However, an observant student kept a watchful eye on Arjun's movements.

Unknown to Arjun, a persistent headache gripped him, bringing forth haunting memories of the past. The corridor triggered a sense of fear, vividly reminding him of the incident that led to old Arjun's serious head injury.

Uneasy, Arjun hesitated to descend the stairs. The fear from the memories held him back. In the midst of this internal struggle, a sudden alert message flashed before him. Arjun, having descended a few stairs, received the notification, heightening his senses and momentarily distracting him from the haunting echoes of the past.

Arjun, quick to react, narrowly avoided being pushed by Ayush. Anger flashed in Ayush's eyes as he recognized Arjun, one of his previous targets for harassment.

Unwilling to tolerate Ayush's aggression, Arjun snapped, "Ayush, stop needlessly troubling me. Cross me again, and you'll regret it. Spread the message."

Ayush, taken aback by Arjun's defiance, couldn't comprehend the sudden change in dynamics. Accustomed to Arjun's submissive demeanor, Ayush felt a surge of anger at being challenged.

In response to Ayush's verbal taunt, Arjun, with a swift and precise move, used his agility to strike Ayush's face and followed it with a well-aimed kick. Ayush, caught off guard, stumbled and collided with students approaching from behind, causing a chaotic scene.

Arjun, standing firm, warned Ayush, "If you try to trouble me again, your fall will be much worse than this. Don't underestimate me." The unexpected turn of events left Ayush bewildered and the onlookers stunned.

As Arjun walked away from the school, the astonished gazes of fellow students lingered. The unexpected victory over Ayush, a figure perceived as imposing, left a lasting impression on those who witnessed the confrontation.

Despite the physical triumph, Arjun found himself pondering on the absence of a challenge from the Phoenix system. In the past, every significant encounter or conflict had resulted in the accumulation of experience points. However, this time, the familiar notification was notably absent.

Arjun couldn't shake off the curiosity, wondering if there was a reason behind the deviation from the usual pattern. The uncertainty of the situation added another layer to the enigma surrounding the Phoenix system, leaving Arjun with unanswered questions as he continued his journey homeward.

End of the chapter