The jubilant victory cries began to fade as Aamir and his team members, drenched in sweat, descended from the ground, when a voice broke the silence of the silence.
"All the students who have come in the top three rankings, please come to the stage."
Aamir's heart started pounding with excitement. The announcement hung heavily in the air, drawing the crowd's attention back to the stage. Without saying anything, Aamir, Riya, Rajiv, Kiran and Rahul turned towards the stage. They joined the crowd of other top ranked students, each of whom was filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
As soon as they came on stage, the atmosphere changed. It seemed as if some ominous presence had descended upon them, making the air they were breathing even denser. It seemed as if a deep darkness was pressing down on them, making it difficult to stand still and breathe. The leaders of the Guild, who were enormous personalities of immense power, were exuding such a dazzling rage that it almost overwhelmed the resolve of the students.
Every student present on the stage felt it - a tremendous pressure that was showing the glimpse of the power of these leaders. It was a raw power that needed attention and demanded respect.
Then, like the sudden stopping of a storm, a voice came, breaking the tension, which was full of peaceful entertainment.
"That's enough. Do you want to kill these kids?"
There was such power in the voice that it could not be ignored, yet there was peace in its voice. Instantly, the pressure eased, as if the guild leaders had themselves ended their lives. The weight disappeared, and the air became breathable again. This voice was not of anyone else but of Nalanda University principal Raghuveer Sahay.
Aamir let out a breath which he had not even realized he was holding back. There was peace in the headmaster's expression. It was a complete contrast to the excitement that was there on the stage. Raghuveer's eyes fell on the students and he spoke with a light laugh.
"Very good, you kids really have amazing talent. It is possible that you will be able to stand up to the tyranny of the guild leaders. This requires a special kind of strength."
The students, still reeling from the immense pressure they had just experienced, bowed in respect, accepting Raghuveer's praise. His calm behaviour was like a cure for them. But the relief was short-lived.
Turning towards Vardhan, Raghuveer gestured him ahead. "Vardhan, why don't you explain to him why he has been called here?"
Vardhan shook his head smilingly, which promised both enthusiasm and seriousness. He moved forward, his voice echoed throughout the maidan.
"These are the seven guild leaders who represent the most prestigious guilds in Nalanda. Each of them is an expert in their respective fields, and today, they have shown interest in you. They would like to make a proposal to you based on your unique capabilities. I will now introduce them to you."
The leaders of the Guild were standing, each of them had a unique power on his face which seemed to be commanding their position. On Vardhan's gesture they started introducing themselves.
Kaveri Mahadevan - Leader of Prakriti Sangh (Collection of Elements). One would get a blaze of natural energy in her presence. Kaveri was the guru of the four elements - Agni, Jal, Vayu and Prithvi. She had the ability to give form to the forces of nature and to weave them into mantras that can destroy and create power.
Rudra Pratap Singh - Leader of the Vidya Shastra (Strategic warfare guild). A giant personality known for his military influence, Rudra was a master of the structures and military strategy of the battlefield. His presence itself controlled the order and control and his mind was as sharp a weapon as any blade.
Aryaman Joshi - Leader of the Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power). Aryaman's aura shone with light, his mastery over radiant magic and healing making him a ray of hope in any battle. His light-based abilities were as much for purification as for destruction.
Anirudh Malhotra - Leader of the Chaya Marga (Shadow and Intelligence Association). The air around Anirudh seemed to shimmer with the essence of shadow. His association specializes in espionage, covert operations, and shadow manipulation, making them deadly in the art of surprise and subtlety.
Haider Ali - Leader of the Rath Chakra (the guild of physical combat and war). Haider had an aura of pure power. A master of martial arts and weapons, his guild focused on enhancing physical abilities through the mind, and his fighting style was as fluid as it was destructive.
Rishi Kaushal - Leader of the Adhyatmik Vidya(the guild of mysticism and ancient wisdom). The Sage's presence was calming, yet ancient, as if he bore the weight of forgotten secrets. His guild specialized in uncovering the mysteries of ancient magic, and he had spent his life in mystical and spiritual study.
Avighna Sharma - Leader of the Manas Yoddha (Association of Mental Toughness and Psychology). Avighna had a sharp, piercing gaze. His association focused on the power of the mind - telepathy, telekinesis and mental toughness. He trained students to use their minds as weapons, able to defend against mental attacks and control the battlefield without lifting a finger.
One of the students standing below the stage said with great curiosity, "Do you know that it is said about the leader of Rath Chakra guild that he killed a legend class beast in just one attack. And some people also say that he is more powerful than all the guild leaders in terms of strength."
Vardhan kept his voice steady while speaking to the students.
"Now that you've proven yourselves, the guilds are offering you a chance to shape your future in ways few can imagine. These offers are based on what they feel will benefit you most on your journey. When your name is called, step forward and hear what they have to offer."
As each name was announced, the students grew more and more nervous. One by one they stepped forward, their minds racing with ideas about the possibilities.
Then Vardhan opened a scroll in which all the offers were written and he started telling about all the offers.
Prakriti sangh (Union of Elements):
Offer: Access to ancient elemental temples, where connections can be made with rare elemental spirits.
Special Boost: A personalized elemental weapon crafted from one of the four elements, and guidance from a great elemental grandmaster.
Vidya Shastra (Strategic Warfare Guild):
Offer: Leadership roles in high-stakes simulated battles, as well as the opportunity to command guild teams in real missions.
Special incentives: custom tactical artifacts - maps adapted to the battlefield - and exclusive lessons from renowned strategists.
Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power):
Offer: Access to the "Sacred Space", a sacred chamber designed to enhance light-based abilities.
Special Boost: A glowing emblem that enhances healing and combat powers, as well as an invitation to join the prestigious "Heavenly Vanguard."
Chhaya Marga (Union of Shadow and Stealth):
Offer: Advanced shadow cloak and covert mission equipment, as well as entry into the "Labyrinth of Shadows", a training ground for the most skilled.
Special incentive: A shadowing partner who will have the opportunity to lead high-stakes, classified tasks.
Ratha Chakra (physical combat and battle union):
The offer: training under ancient weapons experts, and access to rare mind-crafted weapons.
Special Incentives: Custom-made magical armor that grows stronger with the user's abilities, and a place in the guild's "Battle Hall of Fame".
Adhyatmik Vidya (union of mysticism and ancient wisdom):
The offer: Access to forbidden libraries and mystical artifacts under the guidance of ancient sages.
Special Incentive: A magic book containing a forgotten spell tailored to the student's unique abilities, and the opportunity to uncover the deepest mysteries of the universe.
Manas Yoddha (Union of Mental Toughness and Psychology):
The offer: Training in mental dueling and access to the "Mindscape Dome," where students can expand their mental powers.
Special Boost: A brain crystal that enhances telepathic and telekinetic abilities, as well as providing excellent mental conditioning sessions.
Each proposal was a tantalizing glimpse into a future full of possibilities, but it was the students' choices that would determine their path forward.
Amir stood there, his heart torn between the proposals. His natural inclination towards leadership drew him towards Vidya Shastra, where he could hone his strategic abilities. But the call of Rath Chakra, with its chance to master combat and control his adrenaline energy, was too difficult to ignore. After a long moment of internal deliberation, Amir made his decision. Rath Chakra would be his guild, a perfect fit for his aspirations.
Riya, with a deep connection to nature, chose Prakriti Sangha without hesitation. Strategist Rajeev chose Vidya Shastra. Motivated by the desire to master physical combat, Kiran joined Aamir in the Rath Chakra. Rahul, fascinated by the powers of nature, also chose Prakriti Sangha.
Having made his decision, Vardhan stepped forward once again, a note of authority in his voice.
"Remember, this is just the beginning. Your journey at Nalanda University has just begun. You have proven yourself worthy, but it is your continued hard work that will take you beyond your limits."