The sun rose over the ancient spires of the Gurukul, casting a warm golden glow across the sprawling campus. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the new batch of students gathered in the central courtyard, ready to begin their magical journey.
Arjun stood among them, a sense of determination in his eyes. The events of the previous days had only strengthened his resolve. He felt the weight of the scholarship device in his pocket, a reminder of the opportunity he had been given.
Krishna, Bheem, Nakul, Sahdev, and Yudhisthir stood beside him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and eagerness. The courtyard was filled with students, all chatting excitedly and pointing at the various mystical structures around them.
Guru Drona emerged from the main hall, his presence commanding immediate attention. The conversations ceased as he raised a hand, signaling for silence.
"Welcome, students, to the Gurukul," Guru Drona began, his voice resonating through the courtyard. "Today marks the beginning of your training, a journey that will transform you into skilled mages. Over the next month, you will explore various magical fields offered by this institution. This exploration phase is crucial, as it will help you discover your strengths and interests."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "After this month, you will choose one, or at most two, fields to master during your time here. Your journey will be challenging, but I have no doubt that each of you has the potential to achieve greatness."
The students exchanged excited glances as Guru Drona continued. "Now, follow me. We will begin with an introduction to the different magical fields you will explore."
The crowd followed Guru Drona to the first building, where a sign read "Potions and Alchemy." Inside, shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of various ingredients, from rare herbs to mystical crystals.
"This is the Potions and Alchemy class," Guru Drona explained. "Here, you will learn to brew potions for healing, enhancement, and even transformation. Potions are a fundamental part of a mage's repertoire, requiring precision and knowledge of magical herbs and minerals."
The students listened intently as a potion master demonstrated the preparation of a simple healing potion, explaining the properties of each ingredient. Arjun watched in fascination, noting the meticulous process involved.
Next, they moved to the "Spells and Incantations" hall, a grand room filled with ancient tomes and enchanted scrolls. "In this class, you will study various spells and incantations, from basic elemental attacks to complex enchantments," Guru Drona said. "Mastering spells requires focus, control, and a deep understanding of magical theory."
A spell instructor demonstrated a basic fire spell, conjuring a small flame in his palm. The students tried to mimic the spell, some managing a flicker of fire, while others struggled to produce even a spark.
From there, they visited the "Elemental Magic" wing, where they learned about manipulating the fundamental forces of nature—earth, air, fire, and water. Arjun felt a thrill of excitement as they practiced shaping small mounds of earth and creating gusts of wind with their wands.
They also explored the "Runes and Glyphs" section, a room filled with glowing symbols etched into stone tablets. "Runes are powerful symbols that can be used to enchant objects, create protective barriers, and more," Guru Drona explained. The students practiced drawing basic runes, watching in awe as their symbols glowed with magical energy.
Lastly, they reached the "Weaponry and Combat" section, a vast outdoor area with various training grounds. Here, they would learn to combine magic with physical combat skills. The students were handed bows and quivers of arrows as they gathered around an archery range.
"In weaponry training, you will learn to channel your magic through physical weapons, enhancing your combat abilities," Guru Drona said. "Today, we will focus on archery. Far away, there is an archer's target painted on a tree. You are supposed to aim at the red center."