Good morning, Sir!" the whole class greeted in unison.
Varun looked at them and replied in his deep voice, "Good morning."
Instead of sitting down, Varun remained standing. He placed his lecture notes on the table and turned toward the board.
"Today's topic is *Calculus*," he said as he picked up a white chalk and began writing on the board. His handwriting was as neat and precise as his thinking.
"Calculus is one of the most difficult chapters in your course. If you don't pay attention, you won't understand a thing. So every eye should be on the blackboard. If I catch anyone talking, they'll get zero in the internal assessment," he warned and turned back to the board.
Hearing this, the students immediately sat up straight. No one wanted to risk losing marks in the IA.
Varun was in the middle of explaining when he heard whispers behind him. He turned around sharply.
His eyes landed on two boys who were casually chatting without a care in the world, as if Varun's presence didn't bother them at all.
Varun stared at them for a moment, but they didn't stop. Finally, he placed the chalk down and walked toward them.
The boys could see him approaching, yet they made no effort to stop talking. It seemed like they were doing it on purpose.
Varun came and stood right in front of them. Even then, the talking didn't stop.
"Seems like this is a very important conversation," he said in a cold, calm voice.
The boys didn't respond—just looked at him silently.
"I made it clear before starting class: anyone not paying attention will get a zero in the IA. And even after that, you two chose to talk."
"Tell me your names," Varun said, pulling his phone from his pocket.
The boys looked at him in surprise. One of them asked, "Why do you need our names?"
"So I can give you zero in the IA. I didn't say that just to scare you—I meant it. Now quietly tell me your names. I don't want to waste the class's time on you two," Varun replied in the same cold tone.
The boys lost their temper.
"You can't do that!" they protested in unison. "We haven't even given the IA yet—how can you give us a zero?"
"Oh, I absolutely can. IA marks are at the professor's discretion."
"What kind of dictatorship is this? You're a professor, not our father, that you can boss us around like this," one of the boys snapped, his voice loud and angry.
But Varun didn't flinch. His expression didn't change—he kept staring at the boy with an emotionless face.
The rest of the classroom, however, was stunned. No one in the college had ever dared to speak to Professor Varun Gupta this way. But this boy seemed fearless. He pushed his chair back with force and stood up.
"You don't know who my father is, do you? He can buy ten professors like you in a second. That job you're showing off right now—I can get you fired from it in a heartbeat!"
Varun's eyes remained calm, his face unreadable. He slowly stepped forward and stood right in front of the boy.
"What's your name?" he asked, his voice still calm, but with an undercurrent of quiet rage.
The boy hesitated for a second, but still didn't back down. "Aditya Singh. And remember—you've messed with the wrong guy. I'm not some ordinary student who's going to be scared of you. I'm not afraid of anyone."
Varun gave a slight smile—but it wasn't friendly. It was dangerous.
"Aditya, you think your father's money can protect you in this college? Maybe. But in my class, only hardworking students pass. Your arrogance won't work here. And as for your threats—do what you want. But if you pull this stunt again, not only will I fail you, I'll personally call your father and tell him what a disgrace of a son he has."
The entire class fell completely silent.
Hearing Varun's words, the boy became even more furious. Enraged, he lunged forward to hit Varun, but before his hand could reach him, Varun swiftly caught it and, in the very next moment, twisted it hard. The boy cried out in pain.
"Let me go!!" the boy screamed, squirming in agony.
But Varun's grip only tightened. "If you ever try to raise your hand at me again, I'll break it," he said coldly. "Don't mistake me for the others. I'm not scared of you or your father."
Varun leaned in closer, right by the boy's ear, and said in a low, chilling voice, "If you've got so much fire inside you, then meet me in the basement after college. I'll show you that I'm not just good at teaching—I'm great at fighting too. And I know exactly how to deal with rich, spoiled brats like you."
With that, Varun jerked his hand away.
The boy clutched his wrist in pain. His face had turned red from the sheer agony.
Meanwhile, the entire classroom sat stunned. They had just witnessed another terrifying side of Professor Varun. The fear of him deepened further in their minds.
After putting the arrogant boy in his place, Varun returned to his desk. Looking at the class with cold eyes, he asked, "Anyone else want to talk?"
No one replied. Every student lowered their gaze—no one dared to meet his eyes.
Seeing no response, Varun let out a deep breath and resumed his lecture.
This time, the class was absolutely quiet. No one said a word.
Varun continued teaching for an hour. When he felt the students couldn't take in any more, he stopped.
He placed the chalk back on the table and looked at the class. "If anyone has any doubts about what I've taught so far, now is the time to ask," he said.
"There will be a class test on this chapter next week, so it's better you start preparing now. That's why I'm telling you—if you have any doubts, come clear them now."
After a moment of silence, one by one, students began approaching him with their doubts. Solving their queries took up the rest of the period.
"For those whose doubts are still left, I'll clear them in tomorrow's class," Varun said, gathering his belongings and walking out of the classroom.
As soon as he stepped out, the classroom buzzed to life again. The students, who were silently holding their breath in his presence, now began chatting freely.
Among the whispers, there were also sparks of anger—especially from the two boys whom Varun had just humiliated publicly. Their eyes burned with rage.