As the guild masters entered the observation room, the air was thick with anticipation. This was where they would evaluate the top three groups of students, who would be the future stars of their guild. The room itself was grand yet simple—seven chairs lined up in a semicircle facing a Wall shimmered with projection magic. The magical wall was set to display recordings of the students' trial performances.
Vardhan, the head examiner stood respectfully in front of the guild leaders. He bowed slightly and said, "Please all of you take your places. The projection will start soon."
The guild leaders nodded and sat down on their seats. Each leader represented a powerful guild with an extraordinary vision and a history of achievements.
As soon as the first recording started, the leaders watched carefully. In the initial tests, commendable team work and magical abilities were displayed. But nothing was acceptable. Then, the presentation was transferred to Aamir's group.
Haider Ali, the always cheerful leader of the Rath chakra Guild, leaned forward in his chair. "Stop it here," he ordered, his tone suddenly serious. "Watch it."
The projection froze, showing the moment when the nimble, cheetah-like predator class beast pounced on Aamir's group. The animal was a blur in motion, moving so quickly it seemed almost invisible.
"Are you looking at this?" Haider pointed to the screen, his eyes gleaming.
Others also caved in. Even seasoned leaders like Kaveri Mahadevan of the Prakriti Sangh and Aryaman Joshi of the Surya Vansh Guild were squinting, trying to understand what Haider had seen.
"It is the fastest Predator-class beast in the trials," Haider said. "Its speed is unmatched, even among elite monsters. Most students are unable to keep track of its movements, let alone react in time."
"But this guy," he said, rewinding the footage a bit and replaying it. "He took him down in one shot."
Kaveri crossed her arms, unimpressed. "He chose your guild, right?"
Haider smiled mischievously and said, "Yes, isn't he extraordinary?"
"He can't even do magic," Kaveri said in a frustrated voice. "Only those who can do magic can join my guild. He is of no use to me."
The other leaders looked at each other knowingly. Kaveri's disdain for non-magical fighters was well known, but Haider had no problem with it.
The recording resumed, now showing the moment when Amir rescued the girls from Vasundhara. Alone, he faced three predator class Beasts. Each attack revealed more of his hidden strength. At first, his blows barely scratched the alpha animal. But with each successive attack, his blows grew more powerful, culminating in a decisive blow that even the pack leader could not withstand.
Haider's face changed from joy to astonishment. "Unbelievable," he said to himself, more than to the others. "Do you see what is happening here?"
"What?" Aryaman asked curiously.
Haider pointed out again. "The more he fights, the stronger he gets. His first attack barely shook the Alpha, but by the end his strength had increased several fold. It's like his energy grows along with his enthusiasm. Very few people can do that."
"Excitement?" Kaveri scoffed. "You're telling me he's getting stronger because he's having fun? That's ridiculous."
"Funny or not, it's happening," Haider replied, a mischievous smile returning to her face.
Kaveri looked at Haider, a deliberate smile on her lips. "He reminds me of a certain someone. He is just like you, isn't he?" Her sidelong glance was a mix of amusement and challenge.
Haider laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Maybe. But this kid has something I never had at that age—an unshakable resolve. I wasn't half as disciplined as he were."
As soon as Aamir's recording ended, the leaders fell silent. That young man had single-handedly changed the course of a battle that was impossible for any ordinary student to win.
As the projection wall dimmed, Haider leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with the possibilities. "This guy is not just talented," he thought. "He is an amazing person."
later that day
As the Guild Masters left the observation room, murmurs filled the hall. Amir's performance had left a lasting impression, though not everyone was willing to admit it.
However, Haider was unfazed by the doubts of his peers. For him, Aamir was a rare gem, and he wanted to see this boy reach his full potential.
"I've got to meet this kid in person," Haider thought.
Little did he know that Aamir's journey had just begun. These trials were just the beginning of the challenges that lay ahead, and Aamir's strengths - hidden even from him - would soon be tested in ways no one could have imagined.