As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the forest, Subh approached the grand entrance of the Gurukul. The towering structure was bathed in the last light of day, its ancient walls radiating an aura of wisdom and power.
Just as Subh reached the entrance, a sudden gust of wind swirled around him, and Master Rishab appeared seemingly out of thin air. His presence was commanding yet serene, and he regarded Subh with a discerning gaze.
"Welcome to the Gurukul," Master Rishab said, his voice echoing with authority. "The trials begin now. Follow me."
Subh followed Master Rishab through the entrance and into the heart of the Gurukul. The interior was vast and filled with an ambient energy that seemed to hum with centuries of knowledge.
As they walked, Subh noticed a figure standing amidst the other students—a girl with an ethereal presence. Her flowing gown shimmered with musical motifs, and her light blue hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. She held a veena, her fingers dancing over its strings with an enchanting grace. Her eyes, deep and thoughtful, hinted at a powerful inner strength.
The students gathered in the main hall, where Master Rishab addressed them. "Welcome to the Gurukul. You are about to undergo a rigorous aptitude test. There are a total of 600 participants here today. This test is designed not only to assess your current abilities but to challenge your potential and readiness to join our esteemed institution. The trials will be demanding, and only those who show exceptional skill will advance."
The hall buzzed with nervous anticipation. Master Rishab continued, "One of the tests you will face involves your physical strength and the control of your spiritual energy. Here, we have two swords. One weighs as much as half the weight of Earth, and the other as much as the full weight of Earth. You must choose which one you can pull. Your choice will reveal your physical prowess and your ability to harness and control your spiritual energy effectively."
The students were led to a platform where the two massive swords were displayed. The sword representing half the weight of Earth was imposing, but the sword representing the full weight of Earth was colossal and nearly impossible to move.
Subh approached the swords, carefully considering his choice. He grasped the hilt of the sword with half the weight of Earth and, with focused determination, pulled it with relative ease. Master Rishab observed closely, then turned to Subh.
"Can you pull the heavier sword?" Master Rishab inquired, his tone nonchalant.
Subh replied, "Teacher, I think I may not be able to pull that right now."
Master Rishab nodded thoughtfully. "It won't make any difference. This is just a physical test that only I administer. It's alright if you can't pull the heavier sword."
Subh, sensing the challenge, responded, "Okay, teacher, if you say so, I will try."
The other students watched as Subh approached the sword weighing the full weight of Earth. He exerted all his physical strength, but despite his efforts, the sword barely moved. Master Rishab observed and said, "This test is not only about physical strength. If you can't pull it with physical power alone, use your spiritual power in conjunction with your physical strength to enhance your ability."
Subh, taking the advice to heart, combined his spiritual energy with his physical effort. Gradually, he managed to move the sword, pulling it out with a tremendous exertion. Master Rishab observed him closely, contemplating, "This boy... fascinating."
Among the 600 participants, 500 were only able to pull the sword with half the weight of Earth and could not move the heavier one even slightly. A few, including Kavya and the boy from the forest, managed to pull the lighter sword and only slightly move the heavier one.
For the second test, Master Rishab summoned 500 clones of himself, each with only 10% of his actual power. The students had to face these clones simultaneously in combat, testing their abilities under the most challenging conditions.
As the clones appeared, the air crackled with an electric tension. Each clone mirrored Master Rishab's movements with perfect precision, creating an overwhelming sea of enemies. The students were thrust into a chaotic maelstrom of combat, their skills and tactics pushed to the limit.
Kavya stepped forward, her presence regal and commanding. Her veena, capable of transforming into a sword at her will, shimmered with an otherworldly light. As she engaged the clones, her movements were fluid and harmonious. The strings of her veena resonated with a melodic hum, each note translating into a graceful, yet devastating strike. Her combat was not just a display of physical skill but an art form, as her music wove through the chaos, guiding her movements with a rhythmic elegance. Each chord she played seemed to grant her strength, as if the very fabric of her music was interwoven with her fighting spirit.
The boy from the forest, with his fierce and agile attacks, demonstrated his prowess through a combination of raw power and tactical acumen. His combat style was a blend of brute strength and strategic precision, reflecting his earlier fight with the beast. He moved with a fluidity that seemed almost instinctual, his every strike and dodge a testament to his experience and training.
Subh faced his clones with a blend of agility and tactical precision. The chaotic swarm of Master Rishab's clones tested every aspect of his combat prowess. His moves were swift and calculated, each strike demonstrating his advanced training and innate ability. Drawing from his previous encounter with Viraaj, he employed a strategy of evasion and counterattacks. His movements were a dance of calculated risk and strategic positioning, each blow delivered with precision and each dodge executed with agility. His mastery of both physical and spiritual techniques allowed him to turn the tide in his favor, gradually overcoming the clones.
As the combat reached its zenith, Master Rishab observed each student's performance with keen interest. The relentless pressure of the clones forced the students to push beyond their limits, uncovering hidden strengths and refining their skills.
When the tests concluded, Master Rishab gathered the students. "Out of the 600 participants, 21 have been selected for the normal class and 21 for the advanced class. The names of those who have passed are as follows:"
Normal Class:
1. Pallavi 2. Ronak 3. Komal 4. Sagar 5. Surbhi 6. Sonakshi 7. Suhani 8. Devika 9. Vishaka 10. Vaidhav 11. Usha 12. Poonam 13. Mahi 14. Rudra 15. Ravi 16. Pratik 17. Ayush 18. Abhay 19. Akshay 20. Aryan 21. Arya
Advanced Class: 22. Nandini 23. Radhika 24. Arav 25. Nikhil 26. Chaitanya 27. Ananya 28. Mehul 29. Ritika 30. Sonia 31. Ujjwal 32. Vedika 33. Suhana 34. Anu 35. Arun 36. Gaurav 37. Anmol 38. Kartik 39. Yash 40. Kavya 41. Gunnu 42. Subh
Master Rishab continued, "Tomorrow, you will be divided into groups of three. Each group will study together, exercise together, and undertake missions together. The groupings will be announced, and it will be your responsibility to support each other and grow as a team."
Subh felt a surge of pride as he was informed he had passed into the advanced class. His journey at the Gurukul had only just begun, and he was ready to face the challenges ahead with determination and resolve. His thoughts briefly wandered to his grandmother and the quest for justice, fueling his drive to succeed.
The students looked around at each other, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation. As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Subh prepared for the new chapter of his journey at the Gurukul, knowing that each step forward was one closer to mastering his destiny and uncovering the truth behind his grandmother's death.