Ansh's steps slowly moved toward the corner where Usha Ma was talking to some strangers who looked more like thugs or goons.
He listened carefully from behind the wall — they were talking about debt.
Usha Ma said to them,
"Why have you come here now?"
"Perhaps you've forgotten — we're here to remind you of your debt," one of them replied to Usha Ma's question.
"When are you returning our money?" said the second man.
"Look, just give me a little more time. I'll return all your money,"
Usha Ma replied in a slightly embarrassed tone, looking down.
"How much more time? You already took a year from us,"
the third man began to speak angrily.
Usha Ma had no words left. She herself knew well that the time she had asked for had already passed, and now she was asking for even more.
Ansh, hiding behind the wall, clenched his fists upon hearing all this. A feeling of helplessness consumed him.
Then, one of the men who looked like thugs spoke,
"Look, you're an elder, and that's why we've kept silent until now. But it's been too long. Still, we're giving you six more months. If you return the debt within this time, well and good. Otherwise, we'll have to forcibly take over this orphanage."
Saying that, they all walked away.
Usha Ma began to cry after hearing all this, cursing her fate. Just then, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around to see whose hand it was — and was shocked.
"Ansh, you?"
Yes, it was Ansh. He couldn't stop himself after seeing Usha Ma cry and came to her side.
Usha Ma read the questions in Ansh's eyes. She knew there was no point hiding anything now.
So, she decided to tell Ansh everything — how the orphanage was under heavy debt, which she had taken to provide education for the children.
Everything was fine at first. She had some companions who helped run the orphanage and repay the debt. In fact, the orphanage was founded by Usha Ma and her friends together.
But her companions were soldiers in the "Sarnarakshak" (Protector) army. One day, during a great war, they died in battle. Since then, Usha Ma had been trying to run the orphanage alone.
Hearing all this, Ansh realized how foolish he had been. Why had he never thought about how the orphanage was funded? So many children were being raised...
Ashamed of himself, Ansh blamed himself in his mind.
"But now, I have to do something. I can't see Usha Ma so helpless and alone. I will help repay the orphanage's debt."
After blaming himself, Ansh made a firm decision.
"Usha Ma, you don't need to worry anymore. I will help you."
Hearing this from Ansh, Usha Ma became emotional. She gently caressed his cheek and said, "You've grown up so much... saying such big things now."
Ansh too felt emotional in that moment.
"Now go and rest. We'll talk about this in the morning,"
Usha Ma told Ansh to rest, as he had just returned, and she thought he might not be fully well and needed rest.
So, Ansh listened to her and went to rest. But he had already decided — he would help pay off the orphanage's debt.
Over the next few days, Ansh began doing small jobs — labor work, deliveries, helping people. But no matter how much he worked, he earned very little.
"At this rate, I'll never be able to repay the orphanage's debt,"
he said to himself in frustration after working hard and still earning little.
Just then, an announcement echoed in the city square —
"Protector Force Recruitment Begins! Only for the Awakened! Completion of missions will grant 10,000 Seeno to each selected participant!"
Ansh's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
"10,000 Seeno... That could ease my problem a lot."
(Seeno is the currency of the world Ansh lives in. While 10,000 Seeno wouldn't cover the entire orphanage debt, it could help a lot — the total debt was 200,000 Seeno, out of which Usha Ma had somehow paid 50,000 already.)
"10,000 Seeno..." Ansh thought to himself, excited.
This was a great opportunity. But was he really Awakened? That glimpse of Anilkiran… that demon… Maybe yes.
"You are now Awakened, and the rightful wielder of the Anilkiran dagger."
A voice echoed in his mind — a voice he had heard before during the battle in the dungeon.
Just then, his locket began to glow again.
"So, you can still talk. I thought you—"
Before Ansh could finish, the locket stopped glowing.
"Man, will this locket's mystery ever be solved?"
Ansh muttered, irritated. But more important was preparing for the recruitment.
Out of thousands, only a few hundred were selected for the test. Among them stood an 18-year-old boy — wearing a purple hoodie with "DARK" written on the back and a glowing dragon logo. His face was covered with a mask up to his nose — only his eyes were visible: deep, calm, yet burning with fire within.
Ansh decided to hide his face because he was only 18, while the minimum age to participate was 20. Also, some people there knew him — they believed he had no powers and was just an ordinary orphan.
Though people thought he was weak, everyone respected Usha Ma and knew how much she cared for Ansh. Ansh didn't want anyone to find out he was risking so much just to help pay off the orphanage's debt.
The tests were tough — physical ability, mental sharpness, elemental response. Ansh struggled, but he never gave up. He didn't know how capable he truly was — but he knew he had to win.
By the end of the exam, only 7 people remained. Among them were four girls:
Nandita (Trap Expert, Fire Element)
Ayra (Healer, Light)
Siya (Speed Twin Blade, Wind)
Nayra (Illusionist, Mind Element)
Three boys:
Ansh (Wind)
Ishan (Light Archer)
Vedant (Metal Gloves, Earth)
The team was formed, but there was no time for training. The mission began the very next day.
Writer - 🕉️