NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: The Forgotten Knowledge
Ankush Halder's fingers hovered over the mouse, his eyes narrowing as he scrolled through the exam interface. The first few questions were nothing surprising—basic probability and statistics, just like any standardized test. He expected a few theoretical dungeon-related questions soon, maybe something about mana theory, combat strategies, or dungeon survival tactics.
Instead, his eyes locked onto the screen.
> Q1: If a machine part fails 5% of the time, what is the probability it will function properly?
> A) 5%
> B) 95%
> C) 50%
> D) 0%
He frowned. Probability? In a world of magic and dungeons, why was this question about basic statistics? His confusion deepened, but he clicked B) 95% without hesitation.
Then came the next one.
> Q3: The standard deviation of a normally distributed variable is 4. If the mean is 20, what percentage of data falls between 16 and 24?
> A) 34.1%
> B) 68.2%
> C) 95.4%
> D) 99.7%
His grip on the mouse tightened. Statistics again? Something felt off. Was this a trick?
He hesitated, glancing at the countdown timer. The test had only just begun, but already, an unsettling feeling crawled into his gut.
Shaking his head, he selected B) 68.2% and moved on.
Then it happened.
> Q5: A cantilever beam has a point load at its free end. What is the bending moment at the fixed end?
> A) Zero
> B) Force × Distance
> C) (Force × Distance) / 2
> D) (Force × Distance) / 3
His body stiffened. His pupils contracted.
A structural mechanics question?
The confusion that had been growing inside him snapped into full alertness.
> Q7: A Carnot engine operates between two reservoirs at 400K and 300K. What is its efficiency?
> A) 25%
> B) 50%
> C) 75%
> D) 100%
His fingers twitched slightly over the mouse.
> Q9: In fluid mechanics, what is the condition for fully developed laminar flow in a circular pipe?
> A) Reynolds number < 2000
> B) Reynolds number > 4000
> C) Velocity is constant along the length
> D) Flow rate is zero
His breathing slowed.
> Q11: The Navier-Stokes equation is primarily used to describe which phenomenon?
> A) Electromagnetic fields
> B) Quantum mechanics
> C) Fluid flow
> D) Sound waves
His eyes widened.
> Q13: An object moving in SHM (Simple Harmonic Motion) has a displacement equation x = A cos(ωt + ϕ). What is the velocity equation?
> A) Aω cos(ωt + ϕ)
> B) Aω sin(ωt + ϕ)
> C) -Aω sin(ωt + ϕ)
> D) -Aω cos(ωt + ϕ)
His breath hitched.
> Q15: If f(x) = x³ - 3x² + 5x - 7, what is f'(x)?
> A) 3x² - 6x + 5
> B) 3x² - 6x - 7
> C) x³ - 3x² + 5x
> D) None of the above
His jaw clenched.
> Q17: What is the IUPAC name of CH₃-CH₂-CHO?
> A) Propanal
> B) Propanol
> C) Propanone
> D) Propene
His pupils dilated.
This…
This wasn't a magic exam.
It was pure science.
Engineering. Physics. Mathematics. Chemistry.
Ankush's mind reeled, his heart pounding violently in his chest. A thin layer of sweat formed on his palms as realization struck him with the force of a hammer.
Where was the magic? The combat techniques? The sword arts? The mana theories?
His throat felt dry.
Why was an exam designed for a magical world still testing the knowledge of an era long past?
And then, like a switch flipping in his mind, he understood.
In 1950, the invasion happened.
Magic changed everything.
The direction of human research had diverged.
The people of this world never needed mechanical engineering. They abandoned fluid mechanics, structural analysis, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering.
They pursued mana control, dungeon survival, enchanted weapons, and battle techniques.
But this test…
This test still followed the old world's logic.
It wasn't meant to test mages or swordsmen.
It was meant to test scientists. Engineers. Mathematicians. Physicists. Chemists.
But those professions no longer existed.
No wonder no one had ever passed question 20.
No wonder brilliant students failed.
No wonder only lucky guesses had ever let people reach question 20.
No one knew this knowledge anymore.
Ankush slowly exhaled, his panic giving way to something else. Something sharper. Something more dangerous.
A slow, deliberate smirk crept onto his face.
"For them… these questions are impossible."
But for me…?
His fingers relaxed over the mouse.
His lips curled into a confident grin.
This test was a joke.
For someone who had studied mechanical engineering at one of India's best universities—this wasn't even a challenge.
The system had unknowingly handed him the single greatest cheat possible.
Every other student in the world struggled to pass even 10 questions. The best in history barely touched 20.
But he?
He was going to break this system.
His hand clicked the next question.