The training ground buzzed faintly with the murmurs of other students, but at its center, three figures stood stiffly under the sharp eyes of the Vice Principal.
Ansh shifted nervously, trying to hide his smirk. Beside him, Vijay and Ashwini glared daggers at him, their patience clearly at its limit.
"This is all your fault," Vijay muttered under his breath.
Ashwini's eyes narrowed. "Because of your antics, we're all punished. Next time, leave me out of it."
Ansh tried to look innocent, though the corners of his mouth twitched.
Before he could reply, the sound of boots against stone silenced them. Vice Principal Rajyugas stood tall before them, his posture like an unyielding pillar. His sharp gaze lingered on Ansh a moment longer than the others.
But in his mind, Rajyugas was elsewhere. He remembered the sight of that black fog seeping from the boy's wound, the unnatural power that had stirred within him.
It was prevented this time… but not forever.
He recalled Rudradeva's words in the council chamber.
"Vice Principal, I am giving you the task to make him capable enough to handle that power."
Principal Veerendra had tried to protest. "But sir, he is still a child. How will he be able—"
Rudradeva's eyes had silenced him.
"I know your affection for him. He is your master's son. And you want to protect him… but remember, he is also my disciple's son. I want him to face the world as his father once did—able to fight against any power, no matter how dark."
Then his gaze had fallen on Rajyugas.
"Can you do it? Can you make him strong enough to face any difficulty on his own?"
Rajyugas had bowed deeply.
"I will."
---
Now, back at the training ground, his voice rang out like iron.
"All three of you—run the training gauntlet. Ten rounds."
"What?!" Ansh's jaw dropped.
Ashwini groaned. Vijay clenched his fists.
But Rajyugas didn't repeat himself. His sharp eyes gave them no choice.
The three took off running. Dust rose beneath their feet as they circled the grounds again and again, their breaths growing ragged.
Halfway through, Ansh, despite his exhaustion, glanced sideways at Vijay with a crooked grin.
"Ha-ha! What happened, oh mighty prince? Won't you mock me now?"
Vijay shot him a glare between gasps. "If not for your childish antics, we wouldn't even be here."
Ashwini, sweating and red-faced, barked, "Why am I being punished for your stupidity? And on top of that, I have to listen to your banter!"
By the tenth round, all three collapsed to their knees, panting heavily, their chests heaving.
Rajyugas's voice cut through their exhaustion.
"Good. Now, let us begin."
The three students looked up, dreading what was next.
"Since all of this started with the herb-collecting assignment," Rajyugas continued, "I am giving you the same task."
Ansh blinked in disbelief. "What? Collecting herbs again? Ha! This time, monkey, I'll get you for sure. You won't steal from me again!"
But Rajyugas's tone sharpened like steel.
"This time will not be the same. You will enter the Forest of Spirits… and you will bring back the Soul Herb."
The words struck them like lightning.
Vijay froze. "The… Soul Herb?"
Ashwini's voice trembled. "But that's… it's deep within the Forest of Spirits. They say it's guarded by dangerous spirit beasts…"
Rajyugas's gaze was steady. "Exactly. Only there will you learn what true discipline and courage mean."
Ansh's smirk faltered. He swallowed hard, looking at his friends, then back at the Vice Principal.
Daav, perched on his shoulder, chirped uneasily, as though sensing the danger ahead.
The training ground fell silent, the weight of the assignment pressing down on the three of them.
And in Rajyugas's mind, only one thought lingered:
This will be the beginning. The boy must face his power, or it will consume him.