📖 Chapter 45 – The Second Pillar: Students
Nashik's mornings had grown brighter since the night of fire. Farmers now walked their fields with lighter steps, their crops safe under Raj's protection. The news of his stand spread through villages and markets alike: "Raj stood against the cartel."
But while the farmers' trust grew strong, Raj knew the battle was only beginning. The golden panel reminded him sharply:
[Mini-Quest: The Three Pillars of Nashik.]
Progress: 1/3 Complete.
Next Target: Students.
Condition: Win majority trust of Nashik's youth despite cartel influence.
Raj closed the panel, determination flickering in his eyes. "We've earned the farmers. Now, we need the voices of tomorrow."
The Campus Challenge
Nashik University was a sprawling hub of energy—lecture halls buzzing, canteens overflowing, students rushing with books and chai in hand. For Raj, it was the perfect battlefield. If he could win students here, his name would echo through every lane, every street corner, every social circle.
But the cartel was waiting.
Posters plastered across campus walls bore ugly slogans: "Outsiders Stealing Local Food Culture!" "Don't Sell Your Taste to a Mumbai Vendor!" Paid speakers in the student council shouted that Raj's stall was "corporate poison." Rumors spread that his food made people sick, that his prices would rise once he crushed competition.
Meena frowned as she peeled one of the posters from a wall. "They're trying to paint you as a colonizer, Raj. An invader."
Arjun crumpled another with a snarl. "Liars! They're scared because we're winning."
Imran muttered nervously, "What if the students believe them?"
Rohit crossed his arms. "Students love drama. We'll have to give them a show."
Raj studied the posters silently, then smiled faintly. "Let them talk. We won't answer with words alone. We'll answer with taste, with honesty."
The panel flickered:
[Sub-Quest: The Student Festival.]
Condition: Host a free food festival on campus. Gain support of 500 students.
Reward: Student Pillar Unlocked.
The Festival of Flavor
The next day, Raj's stall transformed into something more—a carnival of taste. Long tables stretched across the campus lawn, draped in red and gold. Lanterns swung in the breeze, music played softly, and banners declared:
"Food Without Fear. Taste Without Lies. Raj's Fusion Eats Welcomes Nashik's Youth."
Students gathered out of curiosity, some skeptical, others excited. Raj stood at the center, frying pavs, his aura glowing faintly. "Today, you eat free," he announced. "Not because I want your wallets, but because I want your trust. Taste first, judge after."
The first plates went out—spicy Schezwan Pavs, creamy Italian Masala Pavs, sweet Gulab Jamun Bombs. Students bit hesitantly… then their eyes widened. Smiles bloomed. Phones came out. Photos and videos flew across social media.
"This is insane!"
"Better than our canteen by miles."
"And it's free today?! Legend!"
Crowds swarmed the tables. Arjun and Imran raced to serve, laughter mixing with chaos. Meena kept tallies while Rohit barked orders like a drill sergeant, keeping lines in check.
The panel glowed:
[Festival Attendance: 230 Students.]
Progress: 230/500.
The Cartel's Disruption
But the cartel wasn't idle. Midway through the festival, a group of agitators stormed the lawn, shouting: "Outsider food! Don't trust him! He bribes for fame!" They carried megaphones, their voices amplified.
Students hesitated, murmurs spreading. Some stepped back, doubt creeping in.
Raj stepped forward, his aura surging like sunlight breaking clouds. He raised his voice, steady and strong. "You say I bribe. Then taste and tell me. Do flavors lie? Does honesty need tricks? I stand here, in front of you, cooking with my own hands. Where are your truths? Show them, not just your noise."
The crowd turned, eyes narrowing at the agitators. Some students shouted back, "If he's lying, why is the food free?" "We tasted it ourselves—it's clean!" The agitators faltered, their shouts drowned by laughter and chants of "Raj! Raj! Raj!"
The panel pulsed brightly:
[Crisis Countered: Propaganda Neutralized.]
Festival Attendance: 510 Students
Quest Complete.
Victory of Youth
By evening, the festival was a roaring success. Students filled the lawns with laughter, posting endless videos: "Raj's Fusion Eats in Nashik is the real deal!" "Best food, honest vibe, no lies."
The student council, once hesitant, now approached Raj, their leader offering a handshake. "You've won the crowd. And you've proven you care about more than money. From today, we'll stand with you."
The panel flashed brilliantly:
[Pillar Secured: Students of Nashik.]
Benefits: Public Influence + Media Reach.
Loyalty: Strong.
Raj exhaled, his chest heavy with pride. "One more pillar remains," he murmured. "The temple trust."
Shadows of Opposition
But while students cheered, the cartel seethed. In a smoky hall, the scarred leader slammed his fist. "Farmers, students—both stolen from us! If he takes the temple next, we lose the city."
A shadow leaned forward, his voice low and chilling. "Then we strike at the temple first. Faith is fragile. If we poison it, Raj's name will never rise."
The leader grinned wickedly. "Yes. Let him taste betrayal where people trust most—in God's house."
Raj's Reflection
That night, Raj sat on the hostel rooftop, listening to distant cheers still echoing from the university. His team sat with him, exhausted but smiling.
Arjun grinned. "Did you see the crowd, bhaiya? They were chanting your name!"
Meena smiled faintly. "You didn't just win them with food. You won them with truth."
Imran whispered, "They believe in us now."
Rohit smirked. "Hmph. About time they saw we're unstoppable."
Raj looked at them, his aura glowing softly. "We've built roots in the soil, voices in the streets. Only faith remains. And when the temples stand with us, Nashik will no longer belong to fear."
The panel shimmered:
[Progress: 2/3 Pillars Complete.]
Next Target: Temple Trust.
Raj clenched his fists, determination burning. "Tomorrow, we walk into the house of faith. And we prove our honesty there too."