The clearing was still buzzing with murmurs after the trials. Half the students sat broken on the ground, pale and trembling. The other half whispered in awe at the few who had succeeded. Fear and envy tangled in the air like smoke.
Vir stood silently at the front, his expression carved in stone. His serpent spirit had already faded, but the pressure he radiated still pressed down on the field.
"Do not mistake what happened today as a victory," he said at last, his voice slicing the murmurs. "A glimpse of your spirit is not mastery. Until you pass their trials, your bond is fragile. Celebrate too soon, and it will shatter."
The words stabbed deeper than any blade. Mira lowered her frostbitten hand, Arjun clenched his fist, still feeling the phantom weight of mountains, and Aarav's chest burned with the echo of light. None of them spoke. They knew Vir was right.
Around them, rejected students whispered bitterly.
"Why them?"
"We trained just as hard!"
"Spirits don't care about effort," another muttered. "They choose who they want…"
Jealousy simmered. Admiration twisted into resentment. Vir's gaze lingered on Aarav, Mira, and Arjun a moment longer before turning away.
---
Mage Association's Arrival
The air split when men in golden cloaks entered, their boots crunching against the dirt with precision. The Mage Association insignia gleamed across their chests.
"Vir," the leading mage said coldly. "Where is the summoner boy? Ravi."
The camp froze. Aarav stepped forward instinctively. "He's injured—"
"Silence," the mage snapped, not even glancing at him. "That boy manifested a spirit beyond his stage. Such anomalies demand immediate custody."
Vir's face remained unreadable. "He is recovering. I am responsible for my students."
"Your authority ends here," the mage cut in. With a flick of his hand, two enforcers moved toward the infirmary tent. Vir did not stop them.
Aarav's fists clenched. His body shook, light flickering faintly around his arms, but Mira grabbed his wrist. Her cold eyes locked on his.
"Don't. Not now."
Arjun ground his teeth. "We can't just let them—"
"We have no choice," Mira whispered. "Not yet."
---
Ravi's Sealing
Inside the tent, Ravi lay on the cot, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead. His breathing was shallow, his soul trembling in battle against the roaring lion within.
The Association enforcers surrounded him, tracing glowing runes in the air. Chains of light burst forth, wrapping around his wrists and ankles. Ravi's body convulsed, and deep within his soul, the lion roared, its fury shaking the chains. But the seals tightened, pressing its power down into silence.
One mage muttered, "Dangerous… far too dangerous."
"Transport him. Headquarters will decide his fate."
Ravi was lifted from the cot, limp and bound. His classmates could only watch as the Association carried him away.
---
Ambush on the Road
The convoy moved swiftly through the forest, torches flickering. The sealed carriage carrying Ravi glowed faintly with wards.
But the forest was too quiet.
The first arrow struck without warning, tearing through a mage's throat. Shadows spilled from the trees, hooded figures rushing in with blades and dark glyphs.
"Ambush! Defend the cargo!"
Light clashed with darkness, explosions shaking the earth. The enforcers fought fiercely, but the attackers were prepared, their runes tailored to dismantle Association seals. One by one, mages fell, blood soaking the dirt.
The leader of the attackers raised a hand. Black smoke surged, wrapping the carriage like a suffocating shroud. The glowing wards cracked, then shattered.
Ravi was pulled from the wreckage, still chained, still unconscious. Within him, the lion roared again, furious and helpless.
The shadows melted back into the forest, leaving only corpses behind. The Association's arrogance had cost them everything.
---
Cult's Cavern
When Ravi awoke, he was chained to a stone pillar. The air reeked of blood and rot. Crimson crystals pulsed faintly in the walls, feeding the cavern with a sinister glow.
Before him stood Rahul, his lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Well, well. The lion cub finally wakes."
Ravi's throat was dry, his voice ragged. "Rahul… you snake."
Rahul chuckled. "Snake? No. I prefer survivor. Look at you—tied up like an offering. Tell me, Ravi, does your spirit still roar when it's gagged?"
Ravi's fists clenched, the chains biting into his skin. Deep inside, the lion growled, its voice echoing faintly.
Do not falter, boy. Chains cannot silence fire.
From the shadows, the cult leader emerged, tall and draped in black robes. His staff tapped against stone, each step heavy with menace.
"He will live," the leader said. "The lion is rare. Its flames will serve us, whether he wills it or not."
Behind him, the chained corrupted beast bellowed, its twisted veins glowing brighter. The cultists laughed, chanting as the cavern trembled.
Ravi shut his eyes, breathing deep. Fear gnawed at him, but beneath it burned defiance. He would not break.
---
China Side
Across the sea, Huo sat cross-legged, his face pale, his body still trembling from wounds. His classmates avoided him, whispering behind his back.
Jing Feng dropped beside him with a sigh. "Stop sulking. You lived. That's enough."
Huo's jaw tightened. "Because of me… they suffered."
"Because of you, we survived," Jing Feng snapped. "Do you think guilt feeds anyone? Get up. Train. Or do you want to be a burden again?"
Huo's chest twisted, but his friend's blunt words lit a spark in him. He bowed his head silently.
Meanwhile, Luo Peng stood before senior instructors, his answers too smooth, his smile too polished. Suspicion coiled tighter around him.
"Two accidents, both under your watch," one teacher said coldly. "Explain yourself."
Luo Peng lowered his gaze, feigning shame. But when his eyes flickered up, a shadow of satisfaction danced in them.
---
India Side – The News
The report came at dusk. Scouts knelt before Vir, their voices grim.
"The convoy is destroyed. The boy… is gone."
Aarav staggered back. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" His voice cracked, sparks of light bursting around his fists. "They promised he'd be safe!"
Arjun slammed his fist into a tree, bark splitting under the impact. "We should've stopped them! We should've—"
Mira's voice was like ice. "And died with them? Use your head, Arjun."
"Shut up, Mira!" he snapped. "He's our brother!"
"Enough," Vir's voice cut through, cold as steel. Silence crashed down instantly.
Vir's eyes swept across them. "Ravi is not lost. But if you run now, you die. You have seven days. In that time, you will master what little you have gained. Spirits, mana, control—everything. Fail, and you will never see him again."
His words were merciless, but his tone carried no mockery. Only brutal truth.
Aarav lowered his head, fists trembling. "Seven days… fine. Then we bring him back."
Mira's breath frosted in the evening air. "We owe him that."
Arjun's voice shook, but his eyes blazed. "Then I'll burn through hell itself if I have to."
The three stood together, silent but resolute.
Far away, chained in darkness, Ravi opened his eyes. The lion stirred inside him, faint but unyielding.
The storm was coming.
And the world was not ready.