"Badal! You will always be a piece of trash among trash!"
The girl's voice pierced through the classroom like a serrated blade. "The concept was so simple, yet you still don't get it. This art wasn't made for someone like you. You're just wasting your time. It would be better if you dropped out of school and found some menial job. You... a real Sword Master? Never."
Badal stood there in silence, his head slightly bowed. He let the words wash over him, choosing to ignore his teacher's stinging insults as he had done a thousand times before.
"Teacher Mina," a boy named Rajesh chimed in with a smirk. "Why even bother talking to him? Look at him—he doesn't even care. Maybe he's a 'Hidden Sword Master' or something! Come on everyone, let's clap for Master Badal! Maybe he'll teach us how to swing a blade!"
The classroom erupted in mocking laughter. Just then, the school bell rang, cutting through the noise.
"Alright, class dismissed," Teacher Mina announced, her eyes lingering coldly on Badal. "Make sure you finish the homework I assigned today."
Mina was as dangerous as she was beautiful. Once she targeted a student, she became their shadow, haunting their entire school life with relentless pressure.
What does she want from me today? Badal thought bitterly as he packed his bag. It's like I stole her child or something. She never lets me breathe.
"She was right about one thing, you know," a soft voice spoke beside him.
Badal turned to see Sayani. She was the most beautiful girl in school, but more than that, she had a heart of gold. At just 12 years old, Sayani had already awakened her Sword Lineage—a divine gift traced back to Lord Brahma. Her style, the Creation Sword, was legendary for its ability to separate reality from illusion.
"She doesn't just pick on you," Sayani continued gently. "She targets anyone she thinks is weak. I hate how she humiliates people in front of the whole class."
"Sayani? When did you get here?" Badal asked, surprised.
"Just now," she smiled.
"By the way," Badal rubbed the back of his neck, "are you free today?"
"I am free, but... I can't go with you today, Badal. I have to ask Moni Sir some doubts about my sword forms. You'll have to head out alone. We'll go together some other day, okay?"
"Oh..." Badal's face fell. "I guess I can't do anything about that. I could come with you to see the Master, though?"
Sayani giggled. "Really? Haha!"
"I'm serious! Do you think I'm joking?"
"No, no," she laughed, waving goodbye. "I know you're not. I'll see you later! Bye!"
As Badal watched her leave, his friend Rahul slapped him on the back. "Come on, Badal, let's head home together."
"Wait for Siddharth," Badal replied.
"I'm right here! Let's go, let's go!" Siddharth shouted, running up to them.
"Where were you, man?" Rahul asked.
"Just finishing some stuff," Sid replied vaguely.
"Let's talk on the way," Badal urged. "We need to hurry if we want to catch the show. Minu Khanna is performing at Swami Vivekanand Park today!"
"Yes! If we don't hurry, we'll miss the opening!"
Suddenly, Badal's phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered it, and his expression immediately changed. "Yes, Ma... okay... I'm coming straight home."
"What happened? You're not coming?" Rahul asked.
"My mom needs me for something," Badal sighed.
"Classic Badal," Siddharth teased. "Always an excuse! Fine, go on. We'll suffer through the fun without you."
"Bye, guys!" Badal laughed as they playfully shooed him away.
The Moment the World Stopped
Badal was walking home, exhausted and carrying the groceries his mother had asked for. The weight of the day felt heavy on his shoulders.
Then, it happened.
The world went deathly silent. Everything stopped.
The children playing in the street froze like statues. The roar of the auto-rickshaw horns vanished. Even the rustle of the leaves on the trees ceased. It was so quiet that if a single leaf had fallen to the ground, it would have sounded like a thunderclap.
Suddenly, the sky above seemed to tear open. A blinding light poured through the rift, and a Divine Figure descended from the heavens, hovering right in front of him.