Every great strategy begins with simple pieces.
Some walk.
Some run.
Some… move only when pushed.
Aarav preferred pawns. Predictable. Disposable. And perfect for distraction.
---
The next morning, the atmosphere at Veritas Academy was unusually still, like the calm after a storm—or the breath before another.
Aarav walked into the class with the same unreadable expression. His seat in the back corner remained untouched. His notebook, always open to a blank page, awaited his thoughts like a soldier waiting for orders.
Across the room, Reyan Malhotra slammed his hand on a desk.
“I’m done with the silence.”
Heads turned.
“Whoever started this rumor—about cheating—needs to come clean. Right now.”
No one spoke.
Reyan’s eyes darted around the classroom. His usual charm and swagger were replaced by tension and desperation.
“You think you’re clever, hiding behind whispers? Grow a spine.”
Aarav leaned back, arms crossed, silently observing.
He had pushed Reyan just far enough. The golden boy of Class 11-B was emotionally impulsive—a fire waiting for someone to strike the match. Aarav had simply offered the matchbox.
And now? The fire danced.
---
Later that day, Aarav slipped into the computer lab during his free period. Most students were at lunch, and the dim room offered privacy. He logged into the internal messaging system and found a familiar name blinking.
Sana Mehta.
Quiet. Kind. Nearly invisible.
Exactly the kind of person people overlook… and therefore underestimate.
He opened a chat.
> AARAV: They’re going to blame you next.
The reply came instantly.
> SANA: Why? I haven’t done anything.
> AARAV: That’s exactly why. You’re always perfect. Too perfect. People hate what they don’t understand.
> SANA: Are you trying to scare me?
> AARAV: No. I’m trying to help you prepare.
He closed the chat.
Sometimes fear moved people better than comfort. If Sana grew nervous, she’d cling to the first person who showed her control. And when that time came, Aarav would be there—with steady hands and steady lies.
---
In the hallway, Elina Voss stood against a row of lockers, arms folded.
She was watching him again.
Aarav paused for just a moment, then walked past her. Not a glance. Not a word.
But that was enough.
She followed.
---
“Still pushing pawns, Aarav?” she asked, catching up.
“Some push themselves,” he replied without stopping.
“I saw you talking to Sana yesterday. What are you planning?”
“You ask that a lot.”
“Because you always are.”
He stopped. Turned.
“She’s going to be useful,” Aarav said bluntly. “She’s invisible. The best pawns always are.”
Elina frowned. “You treat people like they’re objects on a board.”
“Because they are.”
“No. You just think they are.”
There was a brief silence. The kind that hums with something unsaid.
“I see what you’re doing,” she added, “but you’re making enemies. You’ll push too far.”
“I welcome the challenge.”
Her eyes hardened. “Careful. One wrong move and the board flips.”
Aarav gave a slow smile.
“Then I’ll just play upside down.”
---
By Thursday, the class had split into silent factions. Former friends barely nodded at each other. Every action was measured. Every glance dissected.
That evening, Aarav met with Dhruv by the vending machines.
Dhruv wasn’t smart enough to play chess—but smart enough to want to win. That made him… eager.
“Look,” Dhruv said, glancing over his shoulder, “Reyan’s lost it. He’s turning people against each other. And Elina’s acting all righteous.”
Aarav listened, hands in his pockets.
“I don’t know what’s going on, man, but… I don’t trust any of them. You’re the only one who talks straight.”
Aarav nodded slightly.
“Then stick with me. I’ll keep you clear of the mess.”
Just like that, Dhruv was onboard. One more pawn in motion.
And more would follow.
---
Friday morning. A surprise announcement.
“We will be conducting an internal investigation regarding last week’s exam. Students may be called individually. Please cooperate.”
Panic erupted.
Eyes flew around the classroom. Elina’s gaze landed directly on Aarav.
He didn’t look back.
He didn’t need to.
The board was set. The pieces were moving.
Now it was just a matter of time before the queen made her first strike.
---
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