The sky was still dark.
Only the faintest silver line had begun to appear across the distant mountains as dawn slowly approached. Cold winds drifted through the ancient walls of Shreysth Castle, carrying with them the scent of wet stone, dew, and pine trees from the mountain forests beyond.
Most of the world still slept.
Servants were only beginning their duties.
Guards were changing formations.
Warriors on distant towers meditated under the fading moon.
But inside one chamber—
Rudra Shreysth was already ready.
Standing before a polished bronze mirror, the five-year-old calmly adjusted the folds of his academy robes.
The outfit was simple… yet commanding.
Deep black robes made from spirit-thread cloth, strong enough to endure years of training, with crimson red platings covering the shoulders, wrists, and chest. Tiny Sanskrit runes were embroidered across the borders, glowing faintly under the morning lamp.
Black symbolized discipline before knowledge.
Red symbolized sacrifice, ambition, and blood.
A fitting combination.
For someone like him.
Rudra silently observed his reflection.
His face still carried the softness of a child.
His body still appeared small and harmless.
But his eyes…
His eyes did not belong to a child.
Calm, cold, patient.
Like someone who had already seen death… and made peace with it.
The chamber door opened softly behind him.
Aarya Shreysth entered.
For a few moments—
She said nothing.
She simply stood there… watching her son.
A faint smile slowly appeared on her lips. But beneath that smile… there was something deeper.
Pride.
And pain.
Because no matter how mature he acted…
To her—
He was still the baby she almost died bringing into this world.
Her long black hair fell gently over her shoulders as she walked closer. Even after years of poison recovery, the Matriarch's beauty and authority had not faded. Her sharp eyes, elegant features, and natural grace still commanded respect wherever she went.
She reached forward and fixed the folds of his collar herself.
"My…"
Her fingers paused for a second.
"When did you grow this quickly?"
Her voice was warm.
Rudra looked up at her silently.
Then Aarya gently placed her hand on his head.
"You are ready for the academy now."
A pause.
Then she smiled softly.
"Go…"
"…and make us proud."
Rudra gave a slight nod.
Then Aarya added naturally—
"Neha will accompany you as your attendant."
Rudra frowned immediately.
"Mother."
His voice was calm, but serious.
"You need Neha here more than I do."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Your medicines."
"Your reports."
"Your recovery."
"Your safety."
For a moment, Aarya's expression softened.
Her son was only five years old…
Yet sometimes she felt as though she was speaking to someone far older than herself.
Still—
She raised one finger.
Silence.
"No arguments."
Rudra stared at her for several seconds.
Then sighed internally.
He had argued with gods.
He had challenged fate itself.
He had walked through death.
And yet…
Winning against his mother remained impossible.
Aarya smiled knowingly.
"Besides…"
She glanced toward Neha with a mischievous expression.
"If someone troubles you…"
"She can break their legs."
Neha, standing quietly near the doorway, blinked once.
"…My Lady."
Rudra simply shook his head.
"I surrender."
Aarya chuckled softly before kissing his forehead.
"Good."
Soon after—
Rudra and Neha left the palace grounds.
The morning air was cool and refreshing. Mist floated gently across ancient stone pathways while birds slowly began their songs. The mountains around the Shreysth territory looked majestic under the early dawn.
For nearly fifteen minutes—
Neither of them spoke much.
Rudra simply walked silently while observing everything.
Guards changing shifts.Messengers moving through corridors.Supply carts entering the inner city.Cultivators training on rooftops.
Even during a simple walk—
He learned.
Because information…
Was power.
And Rudra never wasted power.
After fifteen minutes—
They arrived.
And for the first time—
Rudra saw it.
The Gurukul.
Even he had to stop for a moment.
The structure was enormous. Ancient. Majestic beyond words. White marble walls rose high into the morning sky, glowing faintly under the first rays of dawn. Giant pillars stood at the entrance, each carved with scenes of forgotten wars, divine sages, kings, and monsters. Golden Sanskrit runes glowed across the walls, releasing faint spiritual pressure.
Even the air around the building felt different.
Heavier and Sharper.
Like the academy itself was alive… silently judging everyone who approached.
Before the giant black gates—
Hundreds of children had already gathered.
Boys & Girls.
Children between five to ten years old.
Some looked nervous.
Some looked excited.
Some looked proud.
Some looked arrogant.
And some…
Were already measuring everyone around them as future competition.
Rudra quietly observed them.
Some children wore white robes.
Some wore purple robes.
Some wore red robes.
And a few…
Like him…
Wore black robes.
These were all the newest disciples selected according to their personal naming ceremonies.
The crowd itself was diverse.
Children of nobles, generals, merchants, priests, commoners and children of peasants.
Everyone stood together.
Some chatting cheerfully.Some introducing themselves.Some trying to make future alliances.Some here to prove themselves.Some here to change their destiny.
Because everyone in the Shreysth Clan knew one truth—
Inside the Gurukul…
Money meant nothing.
Nobility meant nothing.
Political influence meant nothing.
Family position meant nothing.
Only talent mattered.
Only effort was rewarded.
The same lessons would be taught.The same training would be given.The same opportunities would be offered.
But—
Not everyone would rise.
And not everyone would survive.
Because this was not a school.
It was a race.
And in races—
The strong move ahead.
The weak get left behind.
To fail, rot and to be forgotten.
Rudra's eyes calmly scanned everyone.
Analyzing.Observing.Measuring.
Then—
Without saying a word—
He started walking forward.
Calm & confidently.
Neha followed behind him.
And something strange happened.
The crowd moved aside.
No one spoke.No one ordered it.
But children instinctively stepped aside.
Like grass parting before a king.
The cheerful chatter slowly died.
Every eye turned toward him.
Rudra's expression never changed.
Cold.Calm.Unreadable.
He walked toward the right side of the gates where the crowd was thinner and stood there quietly, away from everyone else. Neha stood beside him while both of them completely ignored the crowd.
And then—
The whispers began.
"That's him…"
"Rudra Shreysth…"
"The one who chose both artifacts…"
"The son of the Patriarch…"
"The Matriarch's child…"
"The one the Grand Patriarch praised…"
Some looked at him with admiration.
Mostly commoners.
Because to them—
Rudra represented possibility.
Some looked at him with competitiveness.
Mostly noble children.
Because to them—
Rudra represented a challenge.
And some…
Looked at him with hostility.
Because to them—
Rudra represented danger.
Far above them—
Hidden behind observation windows—
Several pairs of eyes silently watched.
Elders.Scholars.Instructors.Military officers.
The arrival of Rudra Shreysth was an event.
Everyone had expectations.
Then—
CREEEEAK.
The giant black gates opened.
Silence fell instantly.
And out walked—
A young man.
Around sixteen years old.
Messy dark brown hair.
White robes slightly loose.
Yawning while scratching his back lazily.
Several children looked confused.
Was this… an instructor?
The young man stretched once.
Then his eyes sharpened instantly.
And the pressure around him changed completely.
Like a sleeping beast had opened one eye.
"My name is Arvind."
His voice echoed across the courtyard.
"I am one of your instructors."
Silence fell.
"As everyone knows…"
"The academy accepts disciples once every five years."
He smirked.
"And you…"
"…are the latest batch."
He looked across the crowd.
"Every single one of you has undergone your naming ceremony, had your fate derived and it has been recorded."
Some children looked confused.
Arvind noticed.
Then smiled.
"The Shreysth Clan follows a Priest System."
Every child that is born in the Shreysth Clan, it is mandatory to hold a naming ceremony with the clan appointed priest. They derive fate, conduct naming ceremonies, and record the general data of the populace.
The said data is recorded through scrolls.
Each priest is provided with a unique scroll with their blood mark on it by the Shreysth Clan. All of the data of populace can be accessed through these scroll according to the clearance level of said priest.
These scrolls are connected to the Scroll of the beginning which governs and sort the data into a structured form according to bloodline, ancestry tree.
Murmurs spread.
Then Arvind smiled and said.
"Now… for the ranking system."
Tension filled the air.
"Today, based on your performance, you will be ranked.
And will be placed into your respected course but your position will be placed into for different classes."
He raised one finger.
"Iron Class."
"Those who achieve rank 500 and below will be placed into this class. We call it the peasant's class. Though the general classes held will be the same for all but what changes per class is the treatment and amenities provided. In this class you will have to-
Shared dorms.
You will get training in the mass training grounds.
Basic medicine.
Common weapons.
Limited library access.
This is why we call it The Peasant Class."
Then he raised his second finger and said.
"The Silver Class, those who manage to achieve ranks between 500 to 250 will be placed in the silver class they will be getting better treatment than the peasant class obviously. They will get-
Better dorms.
They will be trained in the Indoor training halls.
Improved medicines.
Better weapons.
Intermediate library access.
That is why it is called the lower noble class."
Then he raised his third finger.
"Now we go to the goods, the Gold Class. Those who manage to achieve a rank between 250 to 50. Here the treatment and the amenities provided are on the better side. Obviously better than Lower nobles. Here you will be getting-
Your own private training rooms.
Rare medicines.
Personal weapon customization.
You will be trained by personal instructors.
Advanced library access.
And we call it the real noble class."
Then he raised his fourth finger.
"Now we move to the best, platinum Class. Those who manage to achieve a rank between 50 to 10 will get the best treatment possible and with best amenities. They will get-
"Elite residences for their accommodation which will have their own private cultivation chambers which will have real life battle simulations.
Direct guidance from the Senior mentors.
Rare resources.
Hence it is called The Royal Class."
Then—
He raised his final finger.
And smiled.
"We have the mithril class. The best among best, the ruler of whole year.
Silence, everyone got silent hearing about the mithril class. Heads filling up with dreams. Blood boiling when thinking of the treatement.
"The Top Ten disciples will be placed in this class. The very cream of the crop will be placed here nourished and made out to be the future leaders of Shreysth Clan. It is all about what they will achieve instead of what they will be getting, which is-
A private mansions for the accommodation, filled with servants and if allowed by the rank holder his trusted men can also stay forming a faction."
Unlimited Grand Library access will be given to them.
Exclusive combat arts.
Elders will be stationed as the personal trainers."
Elite weapons with Runic Engraving from matriarch herself.
Priority healing will always be available.
Authority over lower-ranked disciples during missions.
Direct audience with elders and generals.
Every child's eyes widened.
Excitement exploded.
Dreams ignited.
Then reality hit.
Only ten.
Out of hundreds.
The excitement died.
And determination replaced it.
Arvind smiled.
Then raised his hand high.
"LET THE CLASSIFICATION BEGIN!"
At that exact moment—
A giant bell rang across the valley.
BOOOOOOOOOOM.
And every child's heart shook.
Including Rudra's.
Not from fear.
But from anticipation.
Because finally—
All his plans lies on the ranking he desired the most.
To be continued...