## **Chapter 4: Riya Malhotra's Invitation**
*(From the novel "I Became the Gamer Who Controls Reality")*
The cultivation of **Primordial Energy Art** had become a vital part of the **Earth Federation's physical education system**. Along with regular academic subjects tested in the college entrance exams, there was also a special **combat test**.
Since combat tests involved real danger, not every student was required to participate. The results weren't counted in the overall entrance exam score either. Participation was completely voluntary — yet, for certain specialized academies, combat test results were an essential criterion.
Over the past decade, an increasing number of elite schools had begun to use combat test results as part of their admission standards.
Moreover, for anyone aiming for a career related to **dimensional zones**, a good combat test score was a major advantage.
Although **Vivaan Sharma** could obtain **dimensional crystals** through his mysterious phone — without personally venturing into any dimensional zone — he still planned to take the combat test and enter a cultivation-focused academy.
This would help him secure a job involving dimensional research and, more importantly, provide a legitimate way to access dimensional items in the future.
If Vivaan chose to stay completely away from dimensional zone work, he would have no plausible source for the dimensional crystals he acquired. That would raise suspicion. By blending in with other cultivators, he could keep his abilities hidden — a **diamond disguised among crystals**.
He didn't want to risk his life exploring dimensional zones, but he needed a profession that kept him connected to them — just enough to explain his future progress and resources.
That was the safest path.
The combat test wasn't an individual challenge but a **team-based evaluation**, conducted in groups of four. Apart from personal strength, teamwork and coordination also played key roles in determining the final score.
If one's teammates were eliminated or quit early, the team's overall performance would drop sharply, no matter how well one fought individually.
Vivaan had once enjoyed a strong reputation at **Varuna High Institute**. Many saw him as an ideal teammate. But in the past month, his image had taken a steep fall — and so had people's trust in his abilities.
For an average student, teaming with him would still be understandable. But for **Riya Malhotra**, one of the top contenders for first place in **Varuna City's** combat test, inviting Vivaan seemed illogical.
Vivaan had earned his reputation through his mastery of **Ascetic Meditation**. Yet, in pure strength, there were a few sixteen-year-olds in Varuna High Institute who had cultivated **Primordial Energy** just as well — though they had relied on absorbing **Primordial Energy Crystals**, unlike Vivaan, who strengthened himself solely through physical training and perseverance.
"Why are you recruiting me?" Vivaan asked curiously.
Riya met his gaze — her eyes clear, calm, and full of resolve, like the reflection of a mountain lake.
"I want to score as high as possible in the combat test," Riya replied evenly. "And for that, I need a strong teammate. You have that strength."
Vivaan tilted his head slightly. "You mean the version of me from a month ago, right?"
Riya didn't flinch. Her bright eyes stayed locked on his. "Vivaan Sharma is still Vivaan Sharma. He hasn't changed. You're still the only person at Varuna High Institute I consider my true match."
Vivaan blinked, taken aback. Her confidence in him was unexpected, and for a moment, he felt something indescribable stir inside him.
"What about **Reva Rathore**, then?" Vivaan asked, half-smiling. "She defeated me, remember?"
Riya sighed softly. "I said the only person *in Varuna High Institute.* Reva was never truly one of us. And besides—she's already transferred out."
"What?" Vivaan was surprised. "When did that happen?"
"You didn't know?" Riya asked. "She left last week. I don't know her exact background, but she's far beyond the Mortal stage. To reach that level at her age… she must come from a remarkable family. And honestly, she didn't need to challenge you at all. Her arrival and sudden departure almost felt deliberate — as if she came here just to defeat you. For a moment, I even thought you might've known her before or… offended her somehow."
Vivaan frowned, lost in thought.
He'd never met Reva before, let alone crossed her path in any way. But Riya's observation made him realize just how strange that encounter had been.
"That's impossible," Vivaan said finally. "I've never seen her before that day."
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it." Riya's voice softened. Then she asked, "So? What's your answer?"
Vivaan shrugged. "Since you're willing to have me on your team, who am I to refuse a strong ally?"
"Then it's settled," Riya said with a small smile. "I've already found the other two members. Starting today, we'll train together during the afternoon cultivation sessions. We need to make sure our teamwork is perfect before the test."
She glanced at her wristwatch, then gestured toward the training grounds. "Come on. Class is about to start."
When **Rohit Nanda** and **Tanish Verma** saw Riya return with Vivaan, both stared in disbelief. They knew she had gone to find their fourth teammate — but they hadn't expected this.
"Wait… Vivaan Sharma?" Tanish said, rubbing his nose. "You've got to be kidding."
Riya's calm expression didn't waver. "No joke. Vivaan is our fourth teammate."
Tanish looked from Riya to Vivaan, then back again. "Riya, you know as well as I do that Vivaan's talented. But he hasn't trained in over a month. Even if he restarts now, there's no way he'll be in top shape by the test. Our goal is to take first place in Varuna City — this is risky."
He crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Tell you what, I've got some connections with **Nilesh Tonde**. If you're not comfortable inviting him yourself, I can do it. He'd be a safer pick."
Riya didn't answer right away. The wind swept gently through the training yard as her sharp eyes met Vivaan's — calm yet unyielding.
For some reason, Vivaan had a feeling that this team… would change everything.