The morning light had hardly inched across the windowpane when Aaryan's eyes flew open. He was refreshed—keener. The familiar haze that clung to his mind was absent, replaced by a clear sharpness. He sat up, stretching, each movement smooth and precise, as if his body already knew what the day required.
Drifting just at the edge of his vision was a ghostly system panel, its presence subtle but commanding.
**\[Daily Check-In: Successful]**
**Reward: Debugger Chip – Tier I**
*(Blueprint + Processing Rights)*
*Sophisticated diagnostic processor for use with embedded neural systems. Manufacture allowed through approved system interface.*
Aaryan raised an eyebrow. The debugger chip was not a toy. It was a sophisticated tool employed in real-time system diagnosis and neural response calibration—perfect for multi-layered smart technology such as the smartwatch prototype he had been given a few days before.
He opened his system inventory with a thought carried subconsciously. The virtual interface unfolded before him, tidily organized and concealed from the outside world. As always, he invoked it covertly via the interior of his backpack—a minor gesture, but one to avoid drawing attention.
The blueprint for the debugger chip glimmered beneath the "Fabrication" tab, complete and sanctioned.
---
An hour later, Aaryan was back in the tech lab, his favorite corner workstation humming softly with electrical life. Professor Raghavan had announced an open prototyping session—students were free to experiment as they wished.
It couldn't have been better timing.
Aaryan powered up his small nano-printer, an earlier system reward, from the secret bottom of his tool case. Inputting the blueprint, he activated the print cycle.
**System Processing: Debugger Chip – Tier I**
*Approximate Print Time: 37 minutes.*
As the chip was being created layer by infinitesimal layer, Aaryan submerged himself in the smartwatch infrastructure. The smartwatch already had basic monitoring, emotional analysis, and emergency alerts. But with the debugger chip included, it was able to monitor system stability and optimize feedback in real-time.
He opened simulation windows via the system panel and executed quick compatibility tests: neural signal calibration, power control, thermal dissipation. All was in sync.
He was so intent, he hardly registered the shadow that stood near the entrance of the lab.
---
Jay Deshmukh marched into the lab as if it was his own stage, sunglasses sitting atop his head even though the lights were indoors. Two of his friends tagged behind, looking around nervously until they spotted Aaryan.
Jay's lips curled into that typical smirk.
Later at the vending machine, Ishika confronted Aaryan.
"Jay's sniffing around again," she said, keeping her voice low. "People are saying you're getting help—or worse, stealing code."
Aaryan took a slow sip of water. "Let them talk."
"I'm serious," she insisted. "You're getting noticed—and not always in a good way. Just be careful."
He gave her a faint nod. He appreciated her concern, but slowing down wasn't an option. Not now.
---
Back at his workstation, Jay finally made his move.
He strolled over with over-the-top nonchalance, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Well, well. The quiet coder again," Jay sneered.
Aaryan didn't even glance up. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing," Jay replied. "Just curious how you get away with so much, so quickly. Slick code. Smooth builds. You wouldn't be taking shortcuts, would you?"
A few students nearby turned to eavesdrop. Tension grew.
"I write my own work," Aaryan answered flatly. "Unlike some."
Jay gave a sharp laugh. "Is that so? Then perhaps we should let the faculty take a closer look."
Professor Raghavan's voice broke through the growing tension.
"If you two are so keen to prove yourselves," he said, stepping over, "then demonstrate. Working prototypes. Fully functional. Integrated systems. Forty-eight hours. No excuses. Let your work speak."
Jay sneered. "Done."
Aaryan nodded. "Accepted."
---
That night, Aaryan sat cross-legged in his dorm, the newly created debugger chip glinting on the floor next to him. He inserted it into the smartwatch's framework with utmost care. The device welcomed the chip with a loud click.
**System Update: Device Enhancement Identified.**
**Integration: Debugger Chip – Tier I – Complete**
**Prototype Efficiency Boost: +27%**
**Stability: Optimal**
The translucent system panel glowed softly. The watch was… alive.
Then, a new prompt flashed.
**\[System Hint: Composite Threat Detected]**
*Social sabotage risk identified. Countermeasure: preemptive technical dominance.*
The warning wasn't a message—it was a gauntlet.
He plunged back into the code, writing an intelligent feedback loop: an inbuilt failsafe system that could sense cognitive load, emotional overload, or neurological exhaustion. The debugger chip would augment this monitoring in real-time, enabling the watch to modify sensory feedback, cut down on notifications, or send soothing signals when necessary.
He ran the prototype.
Pulse: 72. Oxygen: 99%. Cognitive load: Moderate. Emotional state: Focused.
**Status: All systems green.**
A light vibration throbbed on his wrist.
*"Monitoring enabled. Cognitive assistant on standby."*
Aaryan reclined and gazed up at the ceiling.
He wasn't merely crafting devices now.
He was crafting dominance—slyly, systematically, and with no compassion for those who attempted to do him in.