Reborn in The Princess Diaries: My Multiverse Empire
Chapter 8 – First Recognition
The popularity of StudyFlow inside Anshul's school continued to grow steadily.
Within two weeks, the download count crossed two hundred users.
For a large commercial application, that number would mean nothing.
But for a project created by a high school student and shared only through word of mouth, it was surprisingly impressive.
What pleased Anshul even more was the feedback.
Students were not only using the application—they were actively suggesting improvements.
During lunch one day, Rahul sat beside him again.
"You've got fans now."
Anshul raised an eyebrow.
"Fans?"
Rahul pointed across the cafeteria.
Three students from another class were discussing something while looking at their phones.
"That's your app they're talking about."
Anshul glanced briefly and then returned to his food.
"Good."
Rahul laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
"What?"
"If I built something like that, I'd be telling everyone."
Anshul shrugged.
"Talking about it doesn't improve the product."
Rahul shook his head.
"You're too serious sometimes."
Maybe he was right.
But Anshul understood something important.
Success didn't come from excitement.
It came from consistent improvement.
That evening, he continued working on StudyFlow.
The most requested feature was now clear.
A mobile-friendly version.
Most students preferred using their phones rather than laptops.
Which meant the application needed a simple web interface that worked smoothly on smartphones.
Anshul spent hours redesigning the interface.
Buttons were enlarged.
Navigation simplified.
Charts optimized for smaller screens.
When he finally tested the updated version on his phone, the result made him smile.
"Much better."
But just as he finished uploading the update, a new email notification appeared.
The sender caught his attention immediately.
National Student Innovation Challenge Committee
Anshul opened the message.
It was an automated confirmation.
His application for the competition had been successfully registered.
The next stage required submitting a demonstration video and a detailed description of the project.
Deadline: three weeks.
Anshul leaned back slightly.
"So it begins."
This competition was more than just a contest.
Winning—or even reaching the final round—would significantly strengthen his academic profile.
Universities abroad valued initiative.
They liked students who built things.
Created things.
Solved real problems.
StudyFlow might not change the world.
But it showed potential.
And sometimes potential was enough.
Later that night, Anshul stepped outside onto the balcony.
The warm night air of Pune carried distant sounds of traffic and conversation.
The city was alive as always.
He rested his hands on the railing and looked up at the sky.
Somewhere far beyond that horizon was the city of San Francisco.
And somewhere in that city was Mia Thermopolis.
He wondered what she was doing at that exact moment.
Probably worrying about school.
Or arguing with Lilly about something philosophical.
The thought made him chuckle softly.
In the original story, Mia often felt like she didn't belong anywhere.
Too awkward for popularity.
Too ordinary for attention.
But fate had other plans for her.
Anshul straightened slightly.
And maybe fate had plans for him too.
Because if everything went according to plan…
Their lives would eventually intersect.
But first he needed to reach America.
First he needed to build something worthy of recognition.
First he needed to prove himself.
The path ahead was still long.
But tonight marked another important step.
The competition had officially begun.
And Anshul Giri intended to win.