Prologue 9

Aiedrow finally emerged from his car, greeted by a building that held an understated charm, harmoniously blending with its surroundings. The architecture bore a quiet elegance, neither ostentatious nor modest, marking it as unique amid its neighbors.

Before him, perched atop the building, a sign declared "Oviyan" in bold, flowing letters, followed by a subtle "Art Studios." A warmth suffused Aiedrow as he paused at the entrance gate, his countenance graced by an anticipatory smile.

Knock! Knock! He rapped gently on the door, the sound mingling with the soft hum of the street, and received a prompt response from within, "Coming!" An air of anticipation swirled around him.

As the door opened, a young woman appeared. Her age appeared to hover around 23 or 24, her gaze assessing Aiedrow from head to toe. She offered him an awkward smile, her eyes dancing with curiosity. "YES?" she inquired, her voice lingering in the air, "How can I help you?" she continued.

"The owner, can I meet him? Oviyan?" Aiedrow inquired politely. Her gaze remained steady, studying him from head to toe. She soon posed another question, her eyes searching for something hidden, "And why is that? Are you one of them? The troublemakers who keep bothering us?"

Aiedrow's thoughts raced as he regarded the enigmatic woman. With a sigh and a faint grin, he assured her, "If there's one thing I wouldn't be in this world, it's an evil guy. Rest assured." He pressed on, "Can I meet him now?" Her scrutinizing gaze remained unwavering.

"It's a business offer," Aiedrow explained, resolving to bypass any further hurdles. "We don't want to—" the girl began, only to be interrupted as a voice interjected.

"Who's it?" The voice belonged to a young man, barely a year or so older than Aiedrow. He stepped forward, his attire simple yet unassuming, reaffirming his identity.

"Yes?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow as Aiedrow extended a hand for a handshake. "Oviyan. We talked last time on the call," Aiedrow stated. Recognition lit up Oviyan's face, and he affirmed, "Right, you're that money offer guy!" Aiedrow couldn't help but smile, "Right, that would be me!"

With a warm invitation, Oviyan welcomed Aiedrow inside, while the young woman observed Aiedrow with inscrutable expressions. Their conversation assumed a light-hearted tone. Oviyan expressed his disbelief at the offer, assuring Aiedrow it wasn't taken badly. Laughter filled the room, and their camaraderie grew.

"Have a seat," Oviyan offered, making sure the chair was pristine. The conversation flowed seamlessly from there. Aiedrow and Oviyan delved deep into their discussion. Aiedrow passionately articulated his proposal, explaining how he could provide funding for Oviyan's ongoing project, a superior workspace, and a talented team. It was an opportunity worth seizing, but as previously agreed, Oviyan had to make a significant choice – to join Aiedrow at a new location where the team awaited.

In return for Oviyan's decision, Aiedrow pledged to ensure the preservation of Oviyan's current studios and help him clear the mounting debts that burdened him. It was an enticing offer, but it came with a looming deadline. They were expected to depart within the hour, and Oviyan needed to make a crucial decision before they set off. The fate of his artistic endeavors hung in the balance, and the next hour held the power to reshape his future.

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A man settled into a leather-clad office chair, a well-organized desk adorned with an array of files and a fresh cup of steaming coffee. He carefully placed the cup back on its saucer after a sip, a contented smile dancing upon his lips as his eyes focused intently on the documents before him. At the pinnacle of the stack, the words "Project Veda" beckoned his attention.

His breath hitched for a moment, an excited anticipation coursing through him as his fingers danced deftly across the keyboard of his laptop. He had a direct connection to the digital realm, and the document within the file hinted at a specific website."So, this is the website," he mused quietly, his eyes scanning the digital landscapes unveiled before him. "I suppose he's making good use of the money," he thought, an unspoken admiration reflecting in his gaze. His connection with 'Project Veda' was more than a financial transaction; it was a testament to the potential he recognized in the project's creator.

The screen prominently displayed the title, "Project Veda: An Aiedrow x QuinstonCorp Initiative." There was a depth to this endeavor that hinted at the complexity of its architect. Memories of their initial meeting lingered in the recesses of his mind – how this ambitious young individual had approached him with a vision. At first, QuinstonCorp hadn't taken this venture seriously, but that changed dramatically when he encountered the visionary in person.

This young prodigy ignited memories of his own youthful zeal, an era of boundless potential and limitless ambition. It was this resonance, this vibrant connection to his own past, that convinced him to wholeheartedly back 'Project Veda.' For Quinston, an individual who had personally established companies across diverse sectors – from Space to Transportation, AI to Telecommunications – this initiative was more than just an investment; it was a belief in the power of untapped talent.

The story of their collaboration was no less intriguing. It began when the young genius, in an unconventional approach, reached out to Quinston through Tiara, a reporter who had briefly crossed paths with Quinston in the past. She wasn't the type to divulge secrets easily, yet the persistence of this prodigy led to the exchange of email addresses. Four weeks of relentless correspondence followed.

The turning point came during an extravagant party, where another prominent Indian business magnate mentioned the young innovator's name. The mention sparked Quinston's curiosity, and to his amazement, the following day, the visionary was patiently waiting outside his office.Despite standing face to face with one of the wealthiest men globally, the youth's confidence remained unshaken. He initiated the conversation with a professionalism well beyond his years, and he couldn't have been more than twenty. In that ambitious youth, Quinston saw shades of his younger self, and the flame of potential burned brightly. After careful consideration, he agreed to invest in 'Project Veda,' though not without some shrewd negotiation.

The stocks, initially at 5%, rose to 15%, and the funding was trimmed by half. Despite the hard-fought conditions, the youth departed with a triumphant air about him. Quinston, consumed by the chaos of his various corporations, media ventures, and his nation's political landscape, couldn't help but smile as he revisited the memory of that ambitious young man.

As he delved into the portal via the website, using the credentials provided within the file, he couldn't help but marvel at the young man's ability to deliver on his promises. 'Project Veda' had been more than just a concept; it was swiftly turning into a reality. The young visionary had committed to assembling a team of nine talented individuals, and with a week still left before the deadline, he had successfully onboarded seven of them.

The youth had asked for something beyond funding, a request that Quinston Smith understood went to the heart of why the young genius had reached out to him. It was a unique proposition, and Quinston couldn't help but smirk, understanding the implications. "I shall deliver on my end as well," he declared, satisfied with the arrangement.

He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number. "Eli," he addressed the person on the other end."Yes, sir?" came the swift response.

"What's the progress?" Quinston inquired.

"Chirp is performing exceptionally, and it seems String, our competitor, is making some unexpected gains in users. The team from StarPlane has informed us that the ship will be ready in two months, although they're facing a minor issue with the fuel chamber. Eins' Model X is showing promise in its testing phases. Aside from these updates, there's nothing new to report today," Eli relayed the information.

"Great," Quinston acknowledged. His attention, however, was momentarily diverted. He was eager for updates on a particular project—one that, while distinct from his other ventures, held immense promise. The young visionary behind 'Project Veda' had piqued his interest.

"What's the progress on Vedas?" Quinston inquired.

"Oh, the young man's project," Eli responded. "We've been planning the events, and our former Chirp team has successfully developed the event app. Promotions are set to kick off in two days."

"Hmm," Quinston mused, his mind wandering back to the young man's visit to his office. He recalled the sense of victory that had surrounded the ambitious youth, leaving him curious about the extent of the young man's strategic planning.

"Eli," he continued, "Could you reschedule the event to the next week?"

"But, sir, that's moving it up by two weeks; it was originally planned for a month later," Eli pointed out.

"I'm aware. Just make it happen. And ensure the young man is personally informed," Quinston instructed.

Eli sighed, well-acquainted with Quinston Smith's penchant for decisive action. The boy's ability to keep up with someone like Quinston was a matter to be resolved in time, but for now, Eli knew he had done his part.

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A surprise awaited Dev as he arrived to meet Aiedrow. An unfamiliar, handsome young man with curly hair had come to receive him in Aiedrow's stead. Dev was taken aback by the unexpected change, and he scrutinized the new arrival. This stranger introduced himself as Niyank, an AIR ranker like them but from two years ago.

Niyank's confidence remained unwavering, leaving Dev to ponder how this individual had found his way into their unconventional group. Rather than immediately getting into the car with Dev, Niyank retrieved a package from his bag and placed it in the mailbox in front of the school's book club. Intrigued and curious, Dev couldn't resist inquiring, "What was that?" His face was a mix of interest and confusion as Niyank rejoined him.

Niyank responded casually, "Oh, nothing much, just a small delivery. By the way, I have something more to tell you." Niyank then posed a pivotal question, "But first, do you have a passport?"

A moment of hesitation passed, but Dev eventually replied, "Yes, I do."Niyank continued, "Well, it seems we might be needing that passport soon. Besides, since you hadn't signed the agreement initially, we couldn't provide you with complete information about the project until now."

Dev's expression remained blank as he grappled with the implications. Was he deceived in some way? Did Visnu know about this before him? But that seemed unlikely because Dev had been the initial invitee, and before he handed Visnu the letter, he had confirmed that both he and Niyank had received similar letters, differing only in the names used. Dev's mind whirled with the possibility of something much bigger at play.

Niyank then handed Dev a file, labeled "Project Veda." Curiosity piqued, Dev opened the file to reveal its contents.

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Aiedrow's smile lingered with each passing moment as he waited in the car, clearly savoring some thoughts that seemed to amuse him. Not long ago, he had been engaged in a lively conversation with Ameya and Jay, enjoying their company. When his phone had rung briefly, most likely a notification that he pretended to ignore.

But in that very instant, he had already formulated his next course of action as he glanced at the text. This entire trip had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Aiedrow was well aware that he had a month to prepare, but suddenly, he found himself with just a seven-day notice, leaving no room for error.

"Well, not bad, Aiedrow," he sighed, applauding himself. Soon enough, Oviyan appeared with two bags in hand. Aiedrow's smile widened as he exited the car and opened the trunk to stow the bags. Once everything was settled, they both got into the car.

"So, now that they're not here, tell me about the real deal," Oviyan inquired, referring to the people at the studio who had accompanied him. "Of course, you knew there was more," Aiedrow replied, a sly grin playing on his lips as he handed a file to Oviyan. "Project Veda," there indeed was indeed something more to it.