-------------🙏"Namaste"🙏-------------


The capital of the Mrittika kingdom, PrayagRaj town, was shrouded in a stormy and ominous atmosphere, with ashen clouds glowing in the sky and strong winds blowing through the streets. Colorful energy shields adorned the clay houses, protecting them from the turbulent weather. Meanwhile, in the nearby mountains, an 11-year-old boy named Nikhil worked diligently, his axe imbued with vibrant blue energy. Thirsty from his labor, he deactivated the energy flow and headed towards the nearby river.

In the turbulent river, Nikhil noticed a boy entangled with a large stone. Immediately, he took out a small stick from his pocket and rolled both its corners in opposite directions. As he did, a rope of energy emerged between the two pieces of the stick. He tied it to a nearby tree and jumped in to rescue the boy. Nikhil swiftly brought him to his nearby house, treating his injuries with care. Despite multiple stab wounds and broken bones, the boy clung to life, impressing Nikhil and fueling his determination to save him.

As he tended to the boy's wounds, Nikhil softly said, "Who could have done this to you? You must have fought with someone with extraordinary powers to have these injuries." He couldn't help but wonder about the nature of the encounter that led to the boy's injuries.

Six months later, with the gentle morning breeze and the sun rising over the horizon, Nikhil's younger brother, Dev, tried to wake him up for the first day of academy. Realization struck Nikhil, and he shot up from his bed in a panic, exclaiming, "Oh no, why didn't you wake me up earlier?!"

Dev rolled his eyes. "I've been trying to wake you up for the past half hour! Come on, hurry up and get ready."

Nikhil quickly got ready and dashed downstairs, greeted his mother in the traditional Indian style by touching her feet and saying "namaste". She was in the middle of washing the dishes when she turned around to see him. Before she could even say anything, he grabbed his lunch, and hurriedly left the house without breakfast. Ignoring his mother's protest, he made his way toward the academy, clutching a bundle of woods from the yard. As he jogged along, his thoughts turned to his friend Shiven and what he might be up to. Determined to reach the academy early, Nikhil quickened his pace, eager to begin the day and reunite with his friend.

Nikhil's thoughts about Shiven were interrupted as the scene shifted to Shiven himself, who was currently in the mountains beside a stream. He had a back saw in his hand and was skillfully chopping down the woods into smaller pieces with precision and efficiency. The refreshing air blew through his hair as he worked, and the sound of the stream echoed around him. The river flowed down from the top of the mountain, cascading over three different waterfalls before continuing on its journey towards the kingdom. Shiven had been living on the mountain for a few months now, ever since Nikhil had saved him from the river.

Nestled beside the second waterfall on the hill's edge, Shiven's cozy room overlooked the town of Prayagraj. The cascading water provided a constant, soothing soundtrack. With its small size and a partially open window, the room allowed glimpses of the picturesque view and let in the refreshing mountain air. Despite its natural dimness, Shiven found comfort in the low light conditions, making it his serene haven amidst the bustling world outside.

Shiven finished cutting the wood, then took a refreshing bath in the stream. Back in his room, he quickly dressed and made some simple sandwiches for breakfast. As he enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, he heard footsteps approaching his door. Nikhil entered and noticed Shiven at the table. "Oh great, you haven't done breakfast yet," he said as he approached Shiven's bed. Shiven didn't look up and replied, "We aren't late. We'll be on time."

Shiven offered his sandwich to Nikhil, who stared at it intently. Shiven asked Nikhil about the earnings from selling wood, to which Nikhil replied that he made less money compared to the previous day due to reduced demand. Shiven suggested that they should explore alternative ways to earn a living.

Meanwhile, Nikhil opened the layers of the sandwich and examined them with seriousness. He then took a bite and felt a sudden burning sensation on his tongue, causing him to immediately start blowing air from his mouth. "Fu.. Fu.. Water, Water." Shiven calmly passed him a glass of water, and then Nikhil realized that the sandwich wasn't actually spicy. He smiled and took another bite, savoring the taste.

"Reminds me of the last time you made food so spicy it felt like my mouth was on fire."

"Sometimes I just like spicy food," replied Shiven.

Nikhil grinned. "You are weird, but this sandwich is perfect. So, you always know how to make a good meal."

Shiven mentioned that he learned cooking from his mother, who had a special touch in the kitchen. When Nikhil inquired further about Shiven's mother, Shiven deflected the question. Sensing Shiven's hesitation, Nikhil decided to change the subject and suggested they should go.

Shiven and Nikhil left the house and walked through the market, feeling the gaze of the knights upon them. Shiven expressed his discomfort with crowded places, while Nikhil understood. Shiven inquired about an alternative route to the academy, and Nikhil mentioned a less crowded route at the edge of town. However, that day Nikhil had to deliver clothes to a shop in the market. After completing the delivery, they finally arrived at the academy.

The academy building had a capital H shape and was constructed using a variety of clays, evoking a sense of grandeur and knowledge. The front field of the academy displayed a vibrant landscape, with a majestic Gulmohar tree on the right side, boasting striking red flowers that contrasted against the lush greenery. On the opposite corner, a magnificent Golden shower tree cascaded its delicate yellow blossoms, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The field was adorned with various herbs, each offering unique fragrances and visual appeal. The front field served as a relaxing haven for students and faculty to unwind amidst the fresh air and tranquil surroundings.

Shiven and Nikhil walked towards the academy building, and the teachers couldn't help but feel a sudden chill in the air. Some of the teachers were frightened by this presence, while others were simply curious. They all peered through the windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the source of this feeling. When they saw Shiven, their fears were eased when they realized he was just a child.

"Who is this boy? If he tries, he can give me shivers down my spine."

"Oh my! What a terrifying presence."

Despite his innocent appearance, the dark and cold intensity of Shiven's aura defined him as a cold-blooded devil with no emotions or feelings. Although Shiven had the quality of a supreme being, like a monk or a god, with a determined mind and no desires, the terrifying aura that emitted from him didn't allow anyone to entertain such thoughts.
As he made eye contact once with each person staring at him with an expressionless face, he quietly followed Nikhil to their classroom. Shiven entered the classroom with a piercing gaze, observing his surroundings. In the classroom, Abhay, wrapped in expensive clothes, sat silently with closed eyes, while two girls chatted. One of the girls, Lilly, felt an immediate attraction toward Nikhil, finding him cute.

In the meantime, the girl in the middle row named Anya approached Nikhil in the classroom, expressing surprise at seeing him there. Nikhil explained that he had permission from the principal to attend the classes. Anya expressed that she was glad to see him. As the conversation reached its destination, Shiven quietly came forward and made his way to the last desk in the left row behind Lilly. Anya's gaze followed him and then landed on Nidhi. Anya's expression asked if Nidhi knew him. Anya interrupted Nikhil, who was following Shiven, and introduced Nidhi as a brilliant dancer. Nikhil greeted Lilly and noticed her blushing face. Concerned, he closed the distance and asked if everything was okay. Nidhi's cheeks turned even redder, and she shyly looked down at her desk. Anya gave Nikhil a knowing smile and whispered, "Don't mind her, she's just a bit shy."

And then a boy named Karan entered the classroom, and his eyes scanned the room until they landed on Anya. He approached her, speaking in a creepy and unsettling tone. Anya showed her displeasure and rejected his advances. Karan persisted, "Don't act like that, Anya. You know I love—" but before he could finish his sentence, Anya swiftly punched him in the face, sending him flying across the room. The impact caught everyone's attention, and the room fell into silence. Anya looked down at her desk, feeling awkward and avoiding eye contact with others. Nikhil couldn't help but comment on her actions, finding her intimidating.

The teacher, Anshuman, entered the classroom with a lazy demeanor, carrying a book-shaped box. He walked to the podium without acknowledging the students and instructed them to take their seats. Students exchanged confused expressions, as everyone was already seated at their desks. The feeling quickly passed as everyone cheerfully greeted him, "Pranam, sir."

"Omkarshan, everyone," he responded, lacking enthusiasm. Anshuman's lazy tone and lack of enthusiasm were evident as he introduced himself as their class teacher. Despite his eight years of teaching this class, he seemed tired of it, and his flat and emotionless voice failed to inspire the students. It was clear that his words alone couldn't motivate anyone.

Anshuman, the teacher, addressed Shiven and Nikhil by their names and asked them to introduce themselves.

"I am Nikhil Vyomik," Nikhil began. "And my likes are training and oranges. I do hate some things, but those aren't people, and my dream is to be the king of this empire."

"Don't you know," Anshuman said in a disinterested tone, "that for the last 400 years, every king came from royal families? Now, it's impossible for a commoner to become the king."

Nikhil replied confidently, "Then I'll make it possible. I am certain one day I'll be the king."

Anshuman expressed surprise at Nikhil's determination and admired his spirit. Then Shiven began, "I'm Shiven. As for my likes, I don't love anything in particular, and I hate a bunch of people. I don't have any dreams or desires to fulfill. That's all."

Anshuman was taken aback by Shiven's unexpected response. He wondered if Shiven had evil intentions, considering the rumors circulating about him. The classroom fell silent as Shiven finished speaking, leaving an air of mystery and intrigue surrounding him.

The teacher was surprised by Shiven's response. He acknowledged that it was unusual for someone so young to feel the weight of the world on their mind. Turning to the blackboard, he emphasized the importance of having a purpose, stating that it fuels growth and leads to greatness. Shiven, unfazed by the teacher's words, instantly interjected, "Maybe you are right," his voice filled with conviction. "But my dad always told me that having a purpose is like growing as a branch, reaching toward a specific direction. It can be biased. But growing without purpose is like growing as a tree, spreading in all directions. It offers the beauty of exploration and adaptability. It fuels us with determination instead of motivation."

This left the classroom intrigued, and the teacher amused, as the sound of chalk on the blackboard filled the room.

Meanwhile, as the students got a brief opening to chat among themselves, Nidhi's innocent curiosity led her to ask Shiven about the origin of his name, mentioning an ancient legend associated with a devil named Shiven. Realizing that her words might have been unintentionally harsh, Nidhi quickly apologized, sensing the tension in the classroom. However, Shiven, remaining unaffected, reassured her that there was no need to apologize. He acknowledged the connection between his name and the legend, revealing that his grandpa had named him Shiven, and he actually liked it. With a calm gaze and a gentle smile, Shiven responded, putting the classroom at ease.

"Enough," said the teacher, putting down the chalk as he got everyone's attention. "Now, Abhay, it's your turn to give your introduction."

Abhay stood up and introduced himself as Abhay Shoolaveer, surprising Nidhi and Anya. His mention of the Shoolaveer clan caught their attention, as it was a prominent family in novels. They exchanged curious whispers, acknowledging his unexpected presence in their class. Karan, overhearing their conversation, shared their surprise, remarking that he didn't expect Abhay to be from a novel. Nidhi confirmed their speculations, expressing her surprise as well.

The teacher, aware of Abhay's background, commented, "You belong to the Novels. They are typically placed in Class A. It seems like you haven't fit there."


----: End of the Chapter:----
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