15/08/17.
Independence Day.
The hills of Senapati District were wrapped in a strange mixture of celebration and tension. While the nation commemorated its freedom, within the vast enclosed territory created by Master Taibang Sana Heithoiba, another battle for growth was about to begin.
Hundreds of young sorcerers stood gathered at the edge of the competition grounds. Some wore confident expressions. Others masked their nervousness behind silence.
Above the forested region shimmered three massive barriers, layered and overlapping like invisible domes.
They were named:
Thapham 1.
Thapham 2.
Thapham 3.
Only junior young sorcerers were permitted to participate.
No teachers.
No interference.
Only survival.
There were three major Universities of Sorcery in the region.
The oldest and most common was Manipur Sorcery University, known for preserving traditional systems and balanced training.
The second was Sorcerer High University, established in 1910 during the British period, structured with strict discipline and competitive hierarchy.
The third was Tamanglang Sorcery University, founded in 1978 by the Indian Government, emphasizing modern application and field survival.
Students from all three institutions stood together now — rivals under one sky.
Lanthaba and Yaikhomba stood side by side, waiting.
Sorel Yaipokpa was responsible for informing them which barrier each would enter.
"It's sad we can't form a team," Lanthaba said quietly. "If teams were allowed, I would definitely choose you."
Yaikhomba's eyes grew watery.
"Oh, my great friend," he said emotionally. "We should conquer this event together!"
Before Lanthaba could respond, Sorel approached.
"You two will not be in the same Thapham," he said calmly.
Both straightened.
"Lanthaba, you will enter Thapham 3.
Yaikhomba, Thapham 2."
The words settled heavily.
They exchanged one last look.
"Don't lose," Yaikhomba said.
"You too," Lanthaba replied.
They raised their hands briefly in farewell.
Moments later, the barrier activated.
Light enveloped Lanthaba.
He felt weightless for a second.
Then—
He landed.
The scent of earth and leaves filled his lungs.
He stood alone in a dense forest.
Tall trees stretched high above, sunlight filtering through in broken patterns. The sound of insects and distant wind surrounded him.
Lanthaba inhaled slowly.
Exhaled.
He remembered the rule clearly:
Survive.
Survive waves of Lairois.
Survive encounters with other students.
No alliances.
No safe zones.
He scanned the terrain.
"If I build a camp near a river," he thought, "it becomes an easy target. Most students will search near water."
He crouched slightly, observing the direction of wind and sound patterns.
"Food… fruits, maybe fish. But no smoke. No fire unless necessary."
As he calculated quietly, a faint rustling came from a nearby bush.
His body reacted instantly.
From the foliage emerged a Lairois in the form of a massive grasshopper — its body larger than a human torso, green exoskeleton shimmering unnaturally.
Its compound eyes locked onto him.
For a moment, both remained still.
Then they moved.
The grasshopper launched forward with explosive speed.
Lanthaba activated Anti Gravity Systems.
A subtle distortion formed around him — the Ingon barrier stabilizing space in a controlled field.
The grasshopper struck—
But instead of impact, its body lifted slightly off the ground, floating momentarily within the altered gravitational zone.
Lanthaba jumped upward and delivered a spinning kick to its side.
The creature screeched and flipped backward.
He landed lightly.
"That consumed too much energy," he thought immediately.
Anti Gravity Systems required careful management. If he wasted Thawai early, he would suffer later.
The grasshopper charged again, faster this time.
Lanthaba narrowed his eyes.
He shifted his stance.
Fauna Adaptation.
His arms adjusted, elbows angled inward like blades.
Mantis form.
He deactivated Anti Gravity Systems to conserve energy.
The grasshopper lunged.
Instead of retreating, Lanthaba stepped inside its trajectory. His forearm sliced downward at its joint — targeting the limb connection rather than the hardened torso.
The creature staggered.
He followed with a second precise strike to its neck segment.
No wasted motion.
No brute force.
The grasshopper twitched violently before collapsing.
Lanthaba stood still, breathing steadily.
"I must limit Anti Gravity usage," he muttered.
He glanced upward.
The forest was quiet again.
But this was only the beginning.
Meanwhile—
Inside Thapham 2.
Yaikhomba wiped sweat from his forehead.
At his feet lay another defeated student, unconscious but stable — the barrier glow faintly indicating protective regulation.
"Sorry," Yaikhomba murmured softly.
He looked toward the distant trees.
"I wonder what Lanthaba is doing…"
Suddenly—
A presence shifted behind him.
He sensed it at the last second and dodged to the side.
A fist cut through the air where his head had been.
He turned.
A young man stood before him, smiling casually.
"Wow," the student said. "You defeated him in three minutes. I'm impressed."
Yaikhomba narrowed his eyes.
"Can we start our fight now?" the boy continued cheerfully.
Yaikhomba didn't hesitate.
He activated Crystallokinesis.
Sharp crystal spikes erupted from the ground toward the opponent.
The boy leaped aside gracefully.
"My name is Taiyai Tamcha," he said mid-movement. "Brother of the missing Taiyai Mitamcha."
Yaikhomba's expression shifted.
Tamcha's smile faded slightly.
"My brother has been missing for days. Many believe he is dead. They say he sacrificed himself like a fool for mortals."
His tone hardened.
"I despise that."
Yaikhomba understood immediately.
"You hate Awakened Sorcerers and normal humans?"
"Yes," Tamcha replied coldly. "They have no power. They are useless. Only those born with strength deserve to live."
Yaikhomba's jaw tightened.
Without further words, he rushed forward with a punch.
Tamcha dodged effortlessly — his movement light, almost like a falling leaf. He grabbed Yaikhomba's wrist and counterpunched sharply into his ribs.
Yaikhomba stumbled back, shocked at the reflex speed.
Tamcha smiled faintly.
Then he activated Self Refinery Estate.
A circular ten-meter radius formed around him, faint energy currents circulating visibly.
Within the field, his posture changed.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Faster.
Yaikhomba understood the technique well.
Self Refinery Estate refined surrounding Thawai — filtering unstable energy and drawing purified force inward. It increased strength, speed, and reflex.
And if layered further—
It could amplify the body dramatically.
Tamcha dashed forward, landing a quick strike against Yaikhomba's shoulder.
The difference in speed was clear.
Yaikhomba steadied himself.
"This won't be easy," he thought.
Both stood ready.
The air between them tightened.
Far away—
Back in Thapham 3.
Lanthaba had moved deeper into the forest.
The sun was beginning to lower slightly.
He had located a relatively concealed area between two large rocks — not ideal, but temporarily defensible.
As he assessed the ground, a voice came from behind him.
"You're strong."
He turned.
A girl stood leaning against a tree, arms crossed.
Her expression carried confidence — almost playful arrogance.
"But not very good at talking to a pretty girl," she continued. "Let me teach you a lesson."
Lanthaba blinked once.
He hadn't sensed her approach clearly.
That alone made her dangerous.
The forest wind shifted between them.
Neither moved.
The Rumbling Competition had truly begun.
And survival was only part of the challenge.