Chapter 7: The Academy's InvitationThe village of Maitraya was alive with activity following the incredible events of the bandit attack. Stories of the battle were told and retold in hushed whispers and excited voices. The divine awakening of Rudra, Shyama, and Bhadra had become the talk of the village. To see three awakenings at once was nothing short of miraculous, and the villagers viewed it as a sign of divine favor. Yet amid all the celebration, the one who stood out to many of the villagers was Dhruv.While the others had received their divine blessings, Dhruv had fought just as hard, without any of the godly powers his friends now possessed. His unwavering resolve, his refusal to falter in the face of overwhelming odds, and his support for his friends had earned him the respect of those around him. Though there was no divine mark on his body, Dhruv had proven that courage and dedication were just as powerful.The villagers gathered at the square as the celebrations continued, lanterns hung from poles, and a sense of relief permeated the air. The people of Maitraya were finally able to breathe easy after the battle. The divine awakenings had brought them hope, and the presence of the four young warriors had filled them with a renewed sense of security.Dhruv stood with Shyama, Bhadra, and Rudra, all of them in the center of attention. Shyama smiled humbly as the elders offered their blessings, while Bhadra stood tall, his broad shoulders and proud stance showcasing his acceptance of the responsibility that came with his newfound power. Rudra, on the other hand, wore an expression of indifference. He showed no emotion, barely acknowledging the villagers' praises, which only served to further alienate him from them.Dhruv smiled, his eyes filled with genuine pride for his friends. He stood beside them, his head held high, despite lacking the divine blessing they had received. He was proud to be by their side, proud to fight for the village, and proud that they had all survived."You three are truly blessed by the gods," said an elderly woman, her hands trembling as she placed a flower garland around Bhadra's neck.Bhadra bowed his head humbly. "Thank you, grandmother. We will continue to protect Maitraya."The woman smiled at Bhadra before turning to Shyama, placing another garland around her shoulders. "May Saraswati guide your steps, child."Shyama nodded, her expression soft. "I will do my best."When the woman turned to Rudra, offering him a garland, he simply stared at her, his eyes cold. He made no move to accept it, nor did he acknowledge her presence. The woman hesitated, her smile faltering, before placing the garland on the ground in front of him and stepping back, her eyes filled with unease. The villagers whispered amongst themselves, and Rudra ignored them all, his gaze distant.Dhruv felt a pang of discomfort at the scene. He knew Rudra had no interest in gaining the villagers' favor, but the coldness he displayed only made them fear him more. Dhruv wanted to reach out, to find some way to connect with Rudra, but he knew better than to push him. Instead, he focused on what he could do: be there for his friends and protect those who needed him.Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the village, drawing everyone's attention. A rider approached, dressed in the distinguished uniform of the prestigious academy in the main city. He held a scroll bearing the academy's seal, his expression serious as he dismounted his horse and made his way towards the gathered villagers.The villagers parted, murmuring among themselves as the rider approached Dhruv, Rudra, Shyama, and Bhadra. He stopped in front of them, bowing slightly before unrolling the scroll."By order of the academy," the rider began, his voice carrying across the square, "Rudra, Shyama, and Bhadra, you are hereby invited to attend the academy in the main city, to train and develop your newly awakened powers. The academy recognizes your divine blessings and seeks to guide you in the path of becoming true protectors of the realm."The villagers erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable. The academy was renowned throughout the kingdom, and for three of their own to be invited was an incredible honor. Shyama and Bhadra exchanged excited glances, while Rudra remained impassive, his expression unreadable.The rider held up a hand, signaling for silence. The villagers quieted, and he continued, turning to face Dhruv."Dhruv," he said, his voice steady, "the headmaster of the academy has also extended an invitation to you. Your bravery and skill during the battle against the bandits have not gone unnoticed. Though you may not bear a divine mark, your courage and dedication have earned you a place among the candidates."There was a moment of stunned silence before the villagers burst into cheers once more, louder than before. Dhruv blinked, momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected this—not after seeing the divine blessings his friends had received. But as he looked at the rider, then at the smiling faces of the villagers, he felt a warmth spread through his chest. He smiled, bowing his head slightly."Thank you," Dhruv said, his voice steady. "I am honored to accept."Shyama placed a hand on Dhruv's shoulder, her eyes filled with admiration. "You deserve this, Dhruv. We couldn't have done it without you."Bhadra nodded in agreement, his expression sincere. "You've always been one of us, divine mark or not."Dhruv felt a surge of emotion at their words. He had always believed in his friends, had always been proud of them, and to hear them speak of him in such a way filled him with a sense of belonging. He looked at Rudra, hoping to see some sign of acknowledgment, but Rudra merely smirked, his eyes betraying nothing."I suppose even the academy has a soft spot for the underdog," Rudra said, his tone mocking. "Don't let it go to your head, Dhruv."Dhruv met Rudra's gaze, his smile unwavering. "I won't. I'm just glad we can all go together."Rudra scoffed, turning away without another word. Shyama frowned, but Dhruv shook his head, signaling for her to let it go. He knew Rudra's pride would never allow him to openly acknowledge his worth, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that they were all moving forward, together.As the rider departed, the villagers continued to celebrate, their cheers echoing through the night. The sense of hope that had been kindled by the divine awakenings now burned even brighter, fueled by the knowledge that their young warriors were being recognized by the academy.That night, as the village settled into a peaceful calm, Dhruv found himself standing alone at the edge of the village, looking out at the darkened forest. The stars above twinkled faintly, and the cool breeze carried with it the scent of the earth and trees. He took a deep breath, letting the quiet of the night soothe his thoughts.He knew that the journey ahead would not be easy. The academy was known for its rigorous training and harsh trials. Rudra, Shyama, and Bhadra had their divine blessings to aid them, but he would have to rely on his own strength, his own skills. And that was fine. He had faced challenges before, and he had never backed down. This was just another step in his journey—a chance to prove himself, not just to the world, but to himself as well.Dhruv looked back towards the village, where the faint glow of lanterns still illuminated the square. He could hear the distant laughter of the villagers, the sound of his friends' voices mingling with the night. He smiled, his heart filled with determination.He would train, he would fight, and he would grow stronger. He didn't need divine ascension to define his worth. His strength came from within, and that was enough.As Dhruv stood there, lost in thought, Rudra watched him from a distance, his expression unreadable. He turned away, his eyes narrowing as he looked towards the horizon. He didn't care about the academy, or the villagers, or their praise. He didn't need anyone's approval. Power was all that mattered, and he would take it—no matter the cost.The academy was just another stepping stone, another opportunity to prove his strength. And if anyone stood in his way, whether they were friend or foe, they would learn just how far he was willing to go to achieve his goals.The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was only the beginning.