A Home of His Own and the Guardians in the Shadows
Date: July 2, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM
The streets of Jadavpur were alive with the usual evening rush, the scent of fresh tea and fried snacks wafting from roadside stalls as students and office workers moved about. The day had been long, filled with bureaucratic formalities at the admission counseling center, but now, Aritra was headed to a place that was truly his—his newly decorated three-story house near Dakuria Lake.
The moment his car pulled into the quiet residential lane, he felt a sense of relief and control wash over him. The property stood out among its neighbors—not in an ostentatious way, but with an air of modern precision. The black iron gates, the motion-sensitive lighting, and the discreetly placed security cameras blended seamlessly into the surroundings, making the house both inviting and impenetrable.
Stepping out, he took a deep breath, the cool breeze from the lake behind the house rustling through the leaves. The renovations had been completed while he was away, and now it was time to activate the final security measures.
As he entered the house, the faint scent of polished wood and freshly cleaned air greeted him. The living room, now fully furnished with a sleek sectional sofa, a minimalist coffee table, and a smart entertainment system, exuded modern elegance. Everything had been designed for efficiency and control—just the way he liked it.
But he wasn't here to admire the decor.
Walking into his study on the second floor, he closed the door, locking it before sitting down at his desk. The large window behind him overlooked the shimmering lake, but his focus was elsewhere.
Taking a deep breath, he activated the Legendary System.
The holographic interface flickered to life, displaying his available balance and purchase options. His revenue from Nova One was still pouring in, and while he had spent heavily in the past weeks, his financial reserves remained strong.
Navigating through the system store, he scrolled past categories until he reached Artificial Intelligence & Personal Assistants.
His eyes locked onto a particular listing.
Smart Butler Unit – AI-Powered Autonomous AssistantsCost: $1,000,000 per unitAdvanced AI Neural LearningFull Household Management (Cooking, Cleaning, Inventory Control)Customizable Personality Profiles24/7 Security Monitoring & Threat DetectionDirect System Integration
He tapped the purchase button, selecting three units.
A confirmation prompt appeared.
[Transaction Processing…]
[Purchase Complete. Items Added to System Inventory.]
A soft chime echoed through the study, and within seconds, a faint holographic projection materialized before him, displaying three humanoid figures, sleek and perfectly balanced in design. Moments later, a soft whirring sound filled the air, and suddenly, three life-sized AI assistants stood before him, their synthetic skin seamlessly blending into lifelike features.
Each unit bowed slightly, their expressions neutral but attentive.
"Welcome, Master Aritra," the first one spoke, its tone smooth and refined. "We are your newly assigned Smart Butlers. Please assign our operational parameters."
Aritra studied them for a moment. They weren't human, but their movements, posture, and expressions were eerily realistic.
He gave a slight nod. "Your primary tasks will be household management, maintenance, and personal security. You will operate on autonomous learning, adapting to my lifestyle but with no deviation from primary commands."
The second unit, a slightly taller model, acknowledged the order. "Understood. We will integrate with the residence's security systems and ensure optimal efficiency in household functions."
The third unit spoke next. "Would you like us to implement covert surveillance features, in case of external threats?"
Aritra's eyes darkened slightly. "Yes. And enable restricted access mode—no interaction with guests unless necessary."
The units processed the command before standing upright once more, ready to begin their assigned duties.
With that taken care of, he turned his attention to one final security measure.
Navigating back to the system store, he scrolled until he found the category he was looking for:
Elite Bodyguard Deployment – Private Security ForcesCost: $2,000,000 per unitSpecialized in Close Protection & Counter-SurveillanceCombat-Trained (Hand-to-Hand & Firearms)Adaptive Disguise & Civilian Integration24/7 Shadow Protection ModeAdvanced Threat Detection & Preemptive Action
He selected ten units—five for himself and five for his parents.
A notification flashed.
[Transaction Complete. Items Added to System Inventory.]
The room dimmed slightly, and within moments, ten elite operatives materialized, their dark tactical gear blending into the shadows of the study.
Each one stood in disciplined silence, waiting for instructions.
Aritra took a deep breath before speaking. "You will operate in covert mode, remaining unseen. Your primary task is the protection of my parents and myself. No action unless an imminent threat is detected."
The lead operative, a man with sharp, calculating eyes, gave a short nod. "Orders received. We will ensure full situational control without alerting non-targets."
Aritra studied them for a moment longer before turning off the system interface. The room returned to normal, as if none of this had just happened.
But it had.
His parents were now under full-time surveillance, their movements protected without their knowledge. His own security was airtight, ensuring no one could touch him without his permission.
He walked toward the terrace, gazing out over Dakuria Lake, the moonlight reflecting off its surface.
The wind was cool against his skin, but he felt nothing but calculated confidence.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't just a student, a businessman, or a visionary.
He was untouchable.