1. The Immovable Mastermind
The morning sun rose over Bhilai, but for the first time in months, Aaryan Sahu did not wake up to the sound of his own internal alarm at 4:30 A.M. Instead, he woke up feeling a strange pressure on his wrists and ankles. He opened his eyes and realized he was tightly tied to the bed.
This is a joke, he thought, his poker face remaining steady even in restraint. He tried to tap into his Infinite Mana to shatter the ropes with a simple kinetic burst, but nothing happened. He reached for his All-God Power, but his internal energy felt like it was behind a thick steel wall.
"Why can't I use my magic?" Aaryan muttered, his eyes narrowing.
The door creaked open, and Simran, Shreya, and Riya walked in. They weren't wearing training gear; they were dressed in casual clothes, and they were smiling victoriously.
"Don't bother, Aaryan," Simran said, crossing her arms. "While you were sleeping, we went into the System Shop. We pooled our SC coins and bought a High-Tier Magic Seal. It completely blocks your ability to use magic for the next twelve hours."
They walked closer, surrounding his bed. "Today," Riya added, "the Mastermind is retired. You have to rest. No training. No 1,000,000x gravity. Just rest."
"Try to understand," Aaryan said, his voice calm but firm. "I have to maintain my body's conditioning to use my full power. If I miss even one day, the synchronization drops."
"No," Shreya said, leaning in. "We don't want to listen to anything. You've pushed us and yourself to the brink. Today, you are just a normal boy."
"Please, just free me," Aaryan requested.
"Only if you promise one thing," Simran countered. "You have to promise you won't do a single exercise today. No pushups, no drills, nothing."
Aaryan looked at their determined faces. He knew when he was outplayed. "Hmm... okay. I promise."
2. The Shopping Spree and the Shadow
With his training canceled, Aaryan decided the only way to kill time was to leave the house. "Since I can't exercise, I'm going shopping," he announced.
The girls' eyes lit up instantly. "Yes! We're coming too!"
The group headed to the city's central mall. It was a strange sight for anyone who knew them—the "Invisible God" of AKPS and his three most beautiful companions walking through the food court like normal teenagers. They spent hours browsing high-end boutiques, buying new outfits, and laughing. They shared massive pizzas and burgers, and for a moment, the weight of the Watchers and the System seemed to vanish.
But Aaryan's instincts weren't tied to his magic. Even without his Mana, his tactical brain was always scanning. He felt a gaze—cold and persistent—following them from the shadows of the stores.
He signaled the girls to keep walking. As they turned a corner, Aaryan doubled back with a speed that didn't require magic—only pure physical training. He slipped behind a pillar and, in one swift motion, came up behind the person following them.
He didn't have a weapon, but he pressed a sharp-edged plastic card against the girl's carotid artery (air vessel). "Who are you? And what do you want?"
The girl gasped, frozen in shock. She couldn't understand how he had moved so fast.
Simran, Riya, and Shreya felt Aaryan's intense aura and rushed back to the scene. "Aaryan! What happened? Who is she?"
Aaryan didn't let go. "She has been watching us since the moment we entered the mall. She's been tracking our every move."
He pulled the girl into the light, and his eyes widened slightly. He recognized her. It was Maya—the girl Aaryan had helped once before when Vicky had asked him for support.
3. The Arrival of Maya
"Why are you watching us? What is your motive?" Aaryan demanded, his voice dropping into its "Monster" tone.
Maya looked at him, her face flushed, but not from fear. "I saw... I saw what you did before. I saw that you have supernatural powers. And after watching you today... I've fallen in love with you, Aaryan."
The atmosphere in the hallway turned radioactive. Simran, Riya, and Shreya felt a wave of pure, unadulterated anger. Their hands clenched into fists, their Mana flickering with the urge to blast this newcomer into the next city. However, they forced themselves to stay calm, not wanting to ruin the "Rest Day."
"I don't love you, Maya," Aaryan said flatly, releasing her.
Maya straightened her clothes and smiled confidently. "I know you love these girls. I mean Simran, Riya, and Shreya. It's obvious."
"No," Aaryan corrected her, his poker face returning. "I don't love them like that. We are just friends."
Maya laughed softly. "You're not able to make a fool out of me, Aaryan. But even if you won't admit it, I'm not giving up. Here..." she handed him a small card with her phone number. "If you ever change your mind, or if you ever need help that these three can't provide... call me."
Aaryan took the card without emotion. "May we leave now?"
"Yeah," Maya said, winking. "You may leave. For now."
The rest of the day was spent trying to shake off the tension. They went to an Animal Park and then to a Horror House. Ironically, the horror house was the most relaxing part for them—after fighting meteors and gods, the mechanical ghosts and jump-scares were almost funny. They enjoyed themselves immensely, the bond between the four of them growing stronger.
4. The Teacher and the Architect
By 6:00 P.M., they returned home. The fun was over; reality was setting back in. The Half-Yearly Exams were still looming.
"Aaryan, can you teach us?" Simran asked, holding her textbook. "We need to focus now."
Aaryan checked the time. His Magic Seal was almost expired. "Okay. But only for 1.5 hours."
He proved to be as intense a teacher as he was a trainer. For the next two hours—half an hour longer than he promised—he broke down complex theories and formulas, making them seem simple. By the time they finished dinner, the girls felt ready to conquer any exam.
As they prepared for bed, Aaryan looked at them. "Are you all happy now? Was the rest day worth it?"
Simran smiled and leaned against the doorway. "Yes, we are very happy. Can you always be like this, Aaryan? No training, just... us?"
Aaryan thought about the 40 meteors, the Watchers, and the hidden threat of Maya. He sighed. "Hmm... I'll tell you what. One day, every single month, I will be like this. No training. Just a normal boy."
"Only one day a month?" Shreya complained. "That's extreme for us!"
"It's the best I can offer," Aaryan said with a ghost of a smile. "Now, sleep. Tomorrow, the deadly training returns."
They went to their rooms, the house falling into a peaceful silence. But in his room, Aaryan looked at Maya's phone number. The Architect knew that a new player had entered the game, and the board was getting crowded.