Now moving ahead…
After watching his grandfather's video, Dharmesh had learned a lot about the system. He decided to find the professor and then went back home.
Because he couldn't take the risk of going out of the cave yet. He had no idea what might be waiting outside.
When Dharmesh returned home, his father asked, "Where were you? Your exams are coming up. Don't you want to study? If you fail, it won't be good for you."
"Don't worry, this time I'll score really well," Dharmesh said with a smile on his face and went to his room.
The next day, Dharmesh was sitting in class, waiting for it to begin. That's when he noticed a girl in the next row struggling with something.
"Should I help her?" Dharmesh wondered and started watching her.
Her name was Nikita. She was very beautiful and always topped the class. But today she looked a bit troubled. So Dharmesh stood up and walked to her.
He saw she was stuck on a math problem she couldn't solve.
"Do you want some help?" Dharmesh asked her.
Nikita looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. Everyone in class knew Dharmesh was bad at studies. But not wanting to be rude, she said, "It's a difficult question. You won't be able to solve it. I'll ask the teacher when he arrives. You can go back to your seat."
"At least let me try once. Who knows, maybe I can solve it," Dharmesh said with a smile. She found his smile a little strange but handed him her notebook.
After looking at the question for a bit, Dharmesh started solving it. He worked very quickly. Nikita didn't think he was doing it right, but in no time, Dharmesh gave the notebook back.
"Here, it's done. It was a bit tough, but there's an easier way to solve it. That's how I did it so fast," he said.
Nikita was shocked after looking at the solution. "How did you do that?" she asked.
"I told you—there's an easier method," Dharmesh replied.
"If that's the case, then teach me that method," she said.
"Why not? Let me show you right now. Move over a bit," Dharmesh said and sat beside her.
He started explaining slowly, and in a short while, she understood the whole problem and the method.
"Did you get it?" Dharmesh asked.
"You made it so simple. I never thought it could be done like that," Nikita said and thanked him. Then Dharmesh went back to his seat.
A while later, the teacher arrived. Nikita showed him the question and asked if it was correct. The teacher said, "Yes, this is correct. The method is a bit different, but it works. Who taught you this?"
"I couldn't solve it earlier, but then Dharmesh helped me and taught me how to do it," she said.
"That's surprising. A boy who knew nothing just a few days ago is now doing so well? Looks like he has finally started studying—which is good for him," the teacher thought.
Then the teacher announced that exams would start next week and that board exams would follow in two months. "Start preparing now so no one fails," he said.
Dharmesh thought, *If I finish the exams and the class ends, then I'll be able to learn more about the system. But for now, I need to focus on these exams. If I score well, Dad won't scold me and I'll be free to stay out.*
The teacher said, "The student who ranks first will win a big prize. Second and third will also get rewards."
"So tell me, who wants to win the prize?" Everyone raised their hands—including Dharmesh.
When Rocky saw Dharmesh raise his hand, he laughed. A dangerous idea came to his mind…
"Look at Dharmesh raising his hand too! He actually thinks he can win the prize," Rocky said while laughing.
The whole class burst into laughter at that.
Dharmesh looked at Rocky but said nothing.
"Why can't he win it?" Nikita asked.
"Oh come on, Nikita, you know he's terrible at studies. How can he even think of this?" Rocky said.
"Who knows, maybe he'll work hard and get to the top," Nikita said.
When Dharmesh saw Nikita standing up for him, he felt very happy and walked over to them.
"Nikita is right. This time, I'll score the highest marks," Dharmesh said.
"What if you don't?" Rocky asked.
"Whatever you say," Dharmesh replied, shocking the whole class.
"Fine then—if you don't come first, you'll dance in the park without clothes," Rocky said.
"And if I do come first, you'll have to do all that," Dharmesh said.
Rocky was confident Dharmesh couldn't possibly win, so he said, "Deal. Don't back out later. Think about it."
"I already have," Dharmesh said.
"Okay then. It's a deal. Let's see who wins," Rocky said.
This challenge spread through the entire school. Everyone wanted to see who would win—and whoever lost would face serious embarrassment.
"Why did you make such a bet?" Nikita asked.
"You believed in me and stood up to Rocky. Don't worry—I won't let your faith in me break. I'll get such good marks that everyone will be shocked," Dharmesh said with a smile and walked away.
"I just hope everything goes well for you," Nikita said.
There was just one week left before the exams, so Dharmesh decided to understand his system even better. He tested himself to see if he could really score well—and all his tests went great. He was quite happy with his system, but still wanted to do more prep—who knows what could come in the exam?
He added all his old books into the system and also tried to study on his own. But he realized he already remembered everything he tried to read.
"Now I just want the exams to come quickly, so I can beat Rocky and teach him a lesson," Dharmesh thought.
Meanwhile, Rocky was starting to feel worried. He had made the bet, but now he was scared.
*If Dharmesh really gets good marks, I'll lose all my respect—whether I go through with the punishment or not. I have to do something,* he thought.
The next day, Rocky didn't let Dharmesh study at all. He wanted to waste all his time so he couldn't prepare.
Dharmesh understood everything, but said nothing—because he didn't need any more preparation. He had already studied enough.
The bet between Rocky and Dharmesh was now known to everyone, and all eyes were on them. Most people believed Dharmesh would lose.
Even the teachers heard about it, but they didn't interfere. It was a matter between students. They could only wait and see who would win and who would lose.
With each passing day, Rocky got more anxious, and because of that, he couldn't focus on studying. He was good at studies, but now he just couldn't concentrate. He desperately wanted to win the bet—but nothing was in his control anymore.
Finally, the day of the exam arrived.
The first paper was Math, the toughest one. Many students usually failed this subject, and that made everyone anxious.
A boy came into the class and said, "I heard this time the Math paper is going to be extremely difficult. A lot of students are going to fail."
Hearing this, many students got even more worried and began studying harder.
Then everyone was made to sit in separate seats for the exam. One by one, the papers were handed out. Rocky was seated far away from Dharmesh, so he couldn't interfere. He had planned to sit close and stop Dharmesh from copying, but now that wasn't possible.
Nikita was sitting next to Dharmesh. She said, "If you need help, I can help you."
"No need for that. I made this bet, and I want to do this on my own—no matter what happens," Dharmesh said with a smile.
To find out what happens next, keep reading the story… ok