Golden rays of sunlight poured down on the dusty field. As soon as Shiv stepped into the arena, his eyes widened in shock. Veer, Ritika, and Kavya were already standing in position ahead. Veer wore his usual smug expression, while Ritika created tiny whirlwinds in the air with her fingers.
"You guys are here too?" Shiv squinted in surprise.
"We're Sir's personal trainees, idiot!" Veer cracked his neck with a sly grin.
Then Sir Dikshit's heavy voice boomed out. His footsteps carried a military-like discipline. A strange glint shone in his eyes.
"Leave friendships and rivalries outside the arena. You're a team now. Shiv, where's your leather ball?"
Shiv clenched his fist so hard his knuckles turned white. He showed the ball.
Sir Dikshit led them to a secret chamber. As soon as they entered, the heavy iron door slammed shut with a thunderous dhad. The room's walls were dark slate-gray metal, etched with ancient blue runes that glowed faintly.
"You're not here to show off martial arts. Here, you'll learn to merge your 'chakra' energy."
"Sir, I don't need this guy. My lightning will fry him!" Veer pointed at Shiv.
"And my wind gusts will blow him away. He can't even control his energy yet." Ritika twirled her wrist.
A chilling smile spread across Sir Dikshit's face. He pressed the button on his remote. A storm of blue light erupted in the center of the room, and a massive holographic guardian robot appeared.
Kavya instinctively took her Muay Thai stance. Red energy flared around her legs.
"Get out of the way! I can handle this alone!"
She slammed a powerful kick into the robot's shield—kakak-lang!—and flew through the air, crashing far away.
"This isn't some basic bot! It's absorbing our chakra!" Shiv said, stunned.
Shiv felt his leather ball heating up like burning coal.
"Veer! Don't attack straight on. Ritika, spin its lightning in your wind circles! Kavya, strike when the pressure's at its peak!"
"Who are you to order us around?" Veer snapped.
"Do it if you want to stay alive! I can feel my 'T' core... I'll link your energies!" Shiv roared.
Shiv closed his eyes. Golden-brown chakra energy burst from his body. Veer and Ritika hesitated but sent their power over.
A terrifying vortex of lightning and wind gathered in Shiv's hand. He gripped the energy with his leather-ball fist and directed it at the robot.
"Incredible! Is this kid an 'Adapter'?" Sir Dikshit thought to himself.
Suddenly, the robot's eyes turned blood-red. The robot unleashed a monstrous blast.