The Sealed Lab: Analysis of a Ghost
In the deepest levels of the N.D.A. Headquarters, within Special Research Wing S-01, there was a heavy, suffocating silence. On massive holographic screens, a single video played on an endless loop—the footage from the Garud Vajra training hall where Rudra had released his violet aura.
"Impossible..." a senior scientist muttered, removing his spectacles. "We've scanned thousands of mana-signatures in the last five months. Blue, Red, even Adiraj's Gold-Cyan lightning... but this 'Violet'? It doesn't even exist on the known spectrum."
The holograms displayed Rudra's mana-waves. They weren't flowing waves; they looked like 'fractures' in reality that seemed to be 'consuming' the sensors themselves.
"Sir, the sensor reports are in," an assistant said, his voice trembling. "This aura wasn't just exerting physical pressure... it was 'eating' the surrounding mana. For the duration that boy was active, all our 10% advanced Magitech equipment suffered a complete blackout. It was a localized mana-nullification field."
The Boardroom Conflict: Adiraj vs. The System
High above, in the N.D.A. High-Command boardroom, the atmosphere was volatile. High-ranking generals and powerful politicians sat around a vats table, their faces etched with concern. In the center stood Adiraj, his arms crossed, his eyes harboring a coldness that could burn.
"Adiraj, you don't understand," the N.D.A. Chief Commissioner said, slamming his hand on the table. "That 17-year-old boy is an 'Anomaly.' His power is a direct threat to our established systems. We must take him into 'Scientific Custody.' We need to know why his Diamond Tier is triggering 'Error' codes on our scanners."
"Scientific Custody?" Adiraj's voice boomed through the hall, carrying the resonance of thunder. "You mean you want to turn my guild member into a 'Lab Rat'?"
"He's just a D-Ranker, Adiraj! For national security..." a General started to speak, but Adiraj released a surge of his mana.
The lights in the hall flickered with blue electricity for a split second. Adiraj leaned over the table, staring directly into the Commissioner's eyes. "Listen closely, all of you. Rudra is now a member of Garud Vajra. If anyone tries to breach the walls of my guild, they'll have to go through me first. Do you really want to start a war with an S-Ranker?"
A deathly silence fell over the room. No one had the courage to challenge the 'Vajra' of India. Adiraj had made it clear—to touch Rudra was to make an enemy of Adiraj.
The Recruitment Drive: Forging the Future
Far from the boardroom politics, a new fervor gripped the lower levels of the N.D.A. Following the Geneva Summit, the pressure to push Magitech beyond the 10% advancement bottleneck had reached a breaking point.
The N.D.A. had launched a massive recruitment drive for Blacksmiths, Alchemists, and Magic Crafters across the country. Thousands were lined up, each demonstrating their 'Uncommon' or 'Rare' classes. The Association was desperate for minds that could fuse mana-crystals into weaponry with greater efficiency.
The Game-Changer: Kavir (The Hidden Engineer)
Amidst the crowd stood one individual who looked entirely out of place. A thin 24-year-old man with grease stains and mana-dust covering his clothes. His name was Kavir.
When Kavir reached the testing bench, the N.D.A. appraisers scanned him. Their eyes widened in shock.
[N.D.A. APPRAISAL REPORT]
Name: Kavir
Rank: B
Class: [MAGITECH ARCHITECT] (Hidden Class)
Potential: Game-Changer.
Kavir picked up a broken component of a Magitech suit and ran his fingers over it. A golden, thread-like mana emerged from his hands and wove itself into the suit's circuitry. Within five seconds, the suit—which had been stuck at a 10% efficiency limit—suddenly displayed a jump to 25%.
"Suits explode when you 'force' the mana," Kavir said without looking up. "You have to let the mana 'flow.' This isn't just technology; it's an art."
The N.D.A. head engineer rushed to his side immediately. "Do you realize what you just did? You bypassed five months of research in five seconds! We need you."
Kavir simply gave a slight, enigmatic smile.
The 5-Day Vigil
Back in the medical wing of Garud Vajra, Rudra remained unconscious. Adiraj came every evening, sitting quietly beside Rudra's bed.
"It's been five days, kid... when are you going to wake up?" Adiraj whispered.
His S-Rank senses could feel that the mana within Rudra's body was far from quiet. It was shifting, evolving. The Ruin Stone was 'rewriting' his very cells. Rudra's body was physically adjusting to contain and control that violet aura.
"Master..." inside the darkness of Rudra's mind, the Ruin Soul's voice vibrated. "The time is up. The world has seen a glimpse of you... now show them your terror. Awake!"
Rudra's fingers twitched. The Level 23 status window began to glow behind his closed eyelids, but this time, several stats were turning a deep.