The first ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains, brushing across Aarav's eyes like a quiet whisper. He stirred, the familiar ache in his body reminding him of yesterday's battles—both physical and emotional.
The world around him was still and golden, yet something felt wrong.
He blinked—first confused, then struck by the flood of memories from the previous day. The chaos, the system, the deadlines. He rubbed his temples. Was it all just a dream?
"Status," Aarav muttered under his breath.
===========================
CHARACTER STATUS
===========================
Name: Aarav Das
Age: 23
Occupation: Junior Lawyer Intern
Background: Third-generation lawyer; recently graduated from Mumbai Law College
---------------------------
ATTRIBUTES
Intelligence : 95
Legal Knowledge : 50
Observation : 90
Charisma : 88
Physical Strength : 65
Endurance : 59
Influence : 80
---------------------------
STATUS
Karma Points : 50
Life Span : 1 day
---------------------------
SKILLS
---------------------------
Normal Skills:
Basic Legal Drafting
Courtroom Etiquette
Networking & Influence
Analytical Thinking
Public Speaking
Divine Skills:
Judgment's Gaze
Mind's Verdict
---------------------------
"Wake up, sleepyhead," came J.A.D.E.'s amused tone, echoing through the invisible interface only he could hear. "You look like a man resurrected from a law book."
That voice snapped him back to reality. Aarav sat up, realizing something was off. He wasn't in the study where he'd fallen asleep over case files and his letter to the Commissioner.He was in his bed—neatly tucked in, shoes by the nightstand.
"I should've been in the study, right? Why am I here?" Aarav mumbled.
"You fell asleep on the carpet after sending that report," J.A.D.E. replied. "Ramu Dadu found you past midnight, carried you upstairs, and even tucked you in. He still cares more than you realize."
Aarav smiled faintly. "Yeah… he always has. One of the few good souls left in this place."
He freshened up and stepped into the long marble hallway. Morning bustle filled the mansion—the faint clink of trays, the soft chatter of maids, and the smell of brewed tea drifting from the kitchen.
"Arav Babu, need anything?" a cleaning maid asked, bowing slightly.
"Just breakfast. Something light," he said, rubbing his temples.
"Right away, Babu." She hurried off.
The Das mansion was alive again—gardeners trimming hedges, cooks in motion—but only Ramu Dadu had stayed long enough to become part of the family. The rest were replaceable hands.He was the mansion's silent guardian.
Back in his room, Aarav's reflection stared back at him—tired eyes, messy hair, a soul far older than his body.
"Don't get too comfortable, Chhote," J.A.D.E. teased, voice dipping low. "You're on the brink again."
Aarav frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You didn't complete all your daily missions yesterday," it replied. "Penalty: minus half a Life Day. You slept eight hours, freshened up for one. You've got roughly three hours left before your clock runs out again."
He froze. "Three hours? Are you serious? Can't you just… make me immortal?"
"Always serious. And no, immortality violates Earth's natural law. I offer only guidance—and second chances. If you earn them."
Aarav groaned. "Dying twice in two days isn't on my to-do list."
"Then get moving."
==============================
DAILY MISSIONS
==============================
Failure to complete within time reduces -0.5 Life Day
"A sound mind demands a stronger vessel" (0/3)
• Run 5 KM +20 KP
• 100 Pushups +20 KP
• 100 Squats +10 KP
"Knowledge sharpens justice as a blade sharpens truth." (0/3)
• Review one case of injustice +20 KP
• Study one page of Law Acts / Statutes +10 KP
• Write any legal or social ethics article +20 KP
==============================
"Same as yesterday? Great," he muttered. "Let's begin."
He started squats."One… two… three…"
J.A.D.E. counted along playfully. "Nice form, Chhote. You'd make your PE teacher proud—if you'd ever shown up for those classes."
By the fiftieth squat, his legs were trembling. Just then, Ramu Dadu entered with a maid carrying a breakfast tray—and froze at the sight of Aarav exercising.
"Aarav Babu! Are you alright?" the old man exclaimed.
"Just trying something new, Dadu," Aarav said, catching his breath.
Dadu nodded slowly, setting the tray down. Then, holding two old urns, he asked, "I found these in your car last night. They look important."
Aarav's expression shifted instantly. Those urns—his other life's ashes. "Yes," he said quietly. "Please keep them in the study. They belong to… a friend's family. I'll handle the rituals later."
Ramu Dadu's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "As you wish, Chhote. Don't skip breakfast."
As the old man left, Aarav collapsed onto the carpet, gasping.
"Task complete. 100 squats. +10 KP credited," J.A.D.E. chimed cheerfully.
==============================
KP : 50 -> 60
life span: 3 H
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
Aarav collapsed onto the cold floor, chest heaving, lungs burning. "That's… one hell of a workout," he groaned between gasps, "and I'm only halfway there?"
But time wasn't on his side. With a grunt, he pushed himself upright, every muscle protesting. Multitask it is, he thought grimly.
He stumbled to the table where a breakfast tray awaited—bread omelet and a glass of milk, still warm. Without ceremony, he shoved the food into his mouth, washing it down in hurried gulps. There was no time to savor or even chew properly.
Dragging his aching legs, Aarav made his way to the study. Each step felt like wading through mud; his thighs screamed rebellion after the squats. He collapsed into the chair with a sigh of relief, stretching his legs out under the table before forcing his mind back to focus.
He reached for a file from the bookshelf—Article 19: Right to Freedom.The words on the page blurred at first, then sharpened as he began reading aloud, his voice steadying with each line.
By the time he finished, a soft chime echoed in his head.
"Task complete: Study one page of Law Acts / Statutes. +10 KP credited," J.A.D.E. announced in her calm, metallic tone.
Aarav allowed himself a faint smirk. "One down. A few more steps to keep death waiting."
==============================
KP : 60 -> 70
life span: 2 H
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
A faint smile tugged at Aarav's lips. "At least something's working," he muttered.
But the satisfaction was fleeting. His limbs were already trembling, and the clock in his mind ticked louder with every breath.He dropped to the floor once more, bracing his palms on the cold marble.
Push-ups. Let's get this over with.
He started slow—each repetition heavier than the last.Ten. Fifteen. Nineteen. His arms quivered like overloaded cables.
"Come on," J.A.D.E.'s voice urged gently. "You've survived worse than gravity."
He exhaled sharply and pushed again. Twenty-two. He collapsed, gasping, sweat pooling beneath him.After a brief pause, he clenched his fists, jaw tight. Not yet. Not now.
He forced himself up—thirty… forty-five… fifty.By then, his arms were jelly, his vision swaying between black and blur. His body refused to rise again. He lay there, chest rising and falling in ragged rhythm.
"I can't keep doing this," he whispered to himself. "There's got to be a smarter way… not just harder."
The thought hit him like a spark. Multitasking. He couldn't afford to burn entire days just surviving—he needed time to live.
Dragging himself upright, Aarav staggered toward the bookshelf, fingers brushing over the worn leather spines until one title caught his eye.State vs. Borkar, 1994 – Wrongful Conviction.
He flipped it open, eyes scanning the faded pages. A man's life destroyed by injustice—a false conviction, a decade lost behind bars, freedom returned only after DNA evidence proved his innocence.
The weight of the case settled heavily in Aarav's chest. "Justice delayed," he murmured, "is humanity denied."
Minutes passed—maybe hours. When he finally looked up, the faint blue shimmer of the interface returned.
"Task complete: Review one case of injustice. +20 KP credited," J.A.D.E. announced.
Aarav exhaled slowly. "Good… at least this time, I didn't have to break my bones to earn it."
==============================
KP : 70 -> 90
life span: 1 H
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
Aarav pulled his worn leather notebook closer, flipping it open to a blank page. His fingers trembled slightly—part exhaustion, part urgency.
The pen hovered for a moment before words began to spill out, uneven but sincere."Justice isn't a privilege. It's a promise—and every time it breaks, the law itself bleeds."
He kept writing, line after line, the ink catching his thoughts mid-stride. The essay was short, clumsy, lacking polish, but raw in its honesty—a reflection of a man trying to rebuild both faith and self.
When he finally dropped the pen, his breath came in quiet shudders. The notebook looked fuller somehow—not with pages, but with purpose.
"Your writing lacks flair," J.A.D.E. commented dryly, though there was warmth beneath the sarcasm. "But… effort deserves recognition."
A faint chime followed.
"Task complete: Write any legal or social ethics article. +20 KP credited."
==============================
KP : 90 -> 110
life span: 1 H
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
"Congratulations, Chhotte, another close call," J.A.D.E. announced in her playful tone. "You really love testing the limits of mortality, don't you?"
Aarav let out a breathless chuckle, collapsing back into the chair. Sweat clung to his skin, his pulse still racing. "Guess I'm consistent in at least something."
"Consistently reckless, maybe."
He smiled faintly, eyes half-lidded. "Yeah, well… remind me never to procrastinate again."
"Reminder set," she quipped. "Though I have a feeling you'll ignore it anyway."
He laughed softly—tired, but alive. For now, that was enough.
==============================
KP : 110 -> 10
life span: 1 D
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
He barely made it to lunch.Every muscle in his body screamed rebellion—his arms trembled just trying to lift the spoon. In defeat, he asked Ramu Dadu for something easier. The old man, wordless and worried, replaced the plate with a bowl of lentil soup and a glass of buttermilk.
Aarav tried to drink, but even swallowing hurt. His stomach twisted—not entirely from the workout, though. The exhaustion, the drug remnants in his blood, and the relentless system timer inside his head all brewed into one storm.
Ramu Dadu stood a few feet away, watching silently. His eyes carried the kind of concern only someone who had raised you could show. But he said nothing. Not yet.
The maids served the rest of the food, exchanging quiet glances and muffled snickers. To them, Aarav was still that man—the spoiled heir who had wasted his father's fortune on whiskey, luxury cars, and empty parties.
One whispered under her breath, "He's finally tired of drinking and started exercising? Miracles do happen."
Another stifled a laugh.
Aarav ignored them completely. He neither scolded nor corrected. He simply sipped the soup, eyes steady and cold, as if their words didn't exist.
He had bigger things to chase—things they could never understand.
"Still one more task pending," J.A.D.E. chimed in softly. "Run five kilometers. Don't forget, or you'll be penalized again."
Aarav sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You really don't want me to rest, do you?"
"Rest is a luxury for the living," she replied with mechanical calm.
After lunch, Aarav dragged himself upstairs and collapsed face-first onto his high, soft bed. The silk sheets swallowed him whole, whispering of comfort he no longer felt.
For the first time since morning, he picked up his phone—the one he'd ignored completely since yesterday.
The screen exploded with notifications:Dozens of unread messages.Missed calls.Group chats buzzing with emojis and meaningless chatter.
Old college friends boasting about new internships. Some posting selfies from corporate offices. Others sending out invitations to Friday night parties—some a little too "exclusive," their meaning clear.
He scrolled absently.
Then came the messages from girls—old acquaintances, flirty classmates. Half of them writing, "Hey, Aarav, long time "; others, more daring, "You're still single, right?"
It wasn't surprising. Aarav had always been the golden boy—handsome, rich, well-connected. For many, he was not just a person but a shortcut into Mumbai's high circles.
But now, as he stared at the glowing screen, all of it felt hollow. The attention, the pretenses, the city's shallow charm—it all seemed like a different lifetime.
He set the phone down. His fingers brushed over his temple, where a faint pulse throbbed.
For a moment, he let silence take over—until one notification at the top of the list caught his eye.
"Call me. Urgent. — Uncle Prakash Deshmukh."
He hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen.Prakash Uncle—his father's closest friend. One of the rare few in this city who still remembered loyalty over profit. In the fragments of Arnav's memories, Prakash Deshmukh stood out as the man who never turned away, even when others had.
If anyone had truly cared after the accident, it was him.
Without another thought, Aarav tapped call.
The line barely rang once before it connected.
"Aarav!" the familiar, thunderous voice burst through. "You finally remember I exist?"
Aarav winced and pulled the phone slightly away. "Sorry, Uncle," he said softly. "It's been… a rough few days."
"Rough?" Prakash's tone sharpened. "You've ignored six of my calls! Do you have any idea how worried I've been? Your father trusted me with your future, and you—" his breath crackled through the receiver, heavy and disappointed "—you're throwing it all away!"
Aarav stayed silent, eyes fixed on the polished floor.
Prakash's anger melted into a weary sigh. "Listen, boy. You can't hide forever. Your family name means something. The Das lineage stood for justice, not indulgence. Your grandfather fought courtroom battles that changed laws; your father carried that torch. And now you—partying, drinking, wasting your life? Do you want to be remembered as the man who ended the legacy?"
"I… understand," Aarav murmured, voice low.
"Good," Prakash replied, his tone gentler now. "I'm not scolding you to hurt you, Aarav. I'm doing it because your father would have wanted me to. You're not a child anymore. You carry more than a name—you carry the weight of everything they built."
Aarav swallowed hard. "I know, Uncle. I really do."
"Then tell me," Prakash continued, "now that you've graduated, what's next? Planning to join a firm? Work under someone?"
"No, Uncle," Aarav said after a pause. "Not yet. I'm… still deciding. Trying to find my path."
"Hm," Prakash hummed thoughtfully. "Then let me make it easier. You have two choices."His voice steadied—calm, professional, yet caring. "You can intern under me at Deshmukh & Kaul Associates, or I can recommend you to Rathore Chambers—they handle Supreme Court appeals and constitutional cases. Both are prestigious. But don't take too long to decide. Momentum, Aarav. It's everything in our field."
"I'll think about it," Aarav promised quietly.
"Do that," Prakash said. "And remember—anyone can practice law, but it takes a lifetime to live it. Your father understood that. So should you."
The line clicked. Silence filled the room again.
Aarav lowered the phone, staring blankly at the wall. For a long moment, he didn't move. The chandelier above swayed slightly, scattering tiny shards of light across the marble floor.
He exhaled, half a smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like my next chapter's already waiting," he whispered.
"Indeed," J.A.D.E. said softly in his mind. "And this time, let's make it one worth remembering."
Aarav stood, passing the study on his way to the staircase. Through the half-open door, he saw the two urns placed neatly on the table—the silent remains of a family wronged. His eyes lingered, emotion flickering like a flame beneath calm water.
He clenched his fists, a quiet resolve forming in his chest. Then, without another word, he closed the door gently and turned toward the front hall.
"Okay," he muttered, slipping on his sneakers. "Time to finish the pending task. Five kilometers, right? This'll be over in a jiffy."
The door shut behind him, the echo fading into the quiet hum of the mansion.
================================================================================================================================================================================================
KP : 10
life span: 1 D
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
DAILY MISSIONS
==============================
Failure to complete within time reduces -0.5 Life Day
"A sound mind demands a stronger vessel" (2/3)
• Run 5 KM +20 KP
• 100 Pushups +20 KP
• 100 Squats +10 KP
"Knowledge sharpens justice as a blade sharpens truth." (3/3)
• Review one case of injustice today +20 KP
• Study one page of Law Acts / Statutes +10 KP
• Write any legal or social ethics article +20 KP
==============================