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 guilds. The room itself was grand yet simple—seven chairs lined up in a semicircle, all facing a wall shimmering with projection magic. The magical wall was set to display recordings of the students' trial performances, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in vivid detail. Every moment captured during the trials would be scrutinized, debated, and dissected. For the students, this was the most significant step toward achieving their dreams. For the guild masters, it was about finding the right individuals to carry their legacies forward.
Vardhan, the head examiner, stood respectfully in front of the guild leaders. His demeanor was calm and composed, a sharp contrast to the electric energy in the room. He bowed slightly and said, "Please, all of you, take your places. The projection will start soon." His voice was steady, but there was a hint of excitement, as if he knew what was coming.
The guild leaders nodded and sat down on their designated seats. Each leader represented a powerful guild, each with a rich history of achievements and an extraordinary vision for the future. Their presence alone was enough to make the room feel heavy with authority.
As soon as the first recording started, the leaders leaned in, watching carefully. The initial tests were a showcase of commendable teamwork and magical abilities. Each group of students had prepared extensively, displaying their skills with determination. But as the recordings progressed, the guild masters exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. While the students performed well, nothing truly extraordinary had been displayed yet.
Then, the presentation transitioned to Aamir's group.
Haider Ali, the always cheerful leader of the Rath Chakra Guild, suddenly leaned forward in his chair. His jovial expression was replaced with one of intense focus. "Stop it here," he ordered, his tone unexpectedly serious. "Watch this closely."
The projection froze, capturing the exact moment when a nimble, cheetah-like predator-class beast pounced on Aamir's group. The animal was a blur in motion, its speed so extraordinary that it seemed almost invisible.
"Are you seeing this?" Haider pointed at the screen, his eyes gleaming with interest.
The other guild leaders shifted in their seats, leaning forward to study the recording more intently. Even seasoned leaders like Kaveri Mahadevan of the Prakriti Sangh and Aryaman Joshi of the Surya Vansh Guild squinted, trying to understand what Haider had noticed.
"This is the fastest predator-class beast in the trials," Haider explained, his voice filled with both admiration and curiosity. "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 continued, rewinding the footage slightly and replaying it in slow motion, "he took it down in one shot."
Kaveri crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Let me guess," she said dryly. "He chose your guild, didn't he?"
Haider's mischievous smile spread across his face. "Yes," he admitted, "isn't he extraordinary?"
Kaveri sighed, unimpressed. "He can't even do magic," she said with evident frustration. "Only those who can wield magic can join my guild. He's of no use to me."
The other leaders exchanged knowing looks. Kaveri's disdain for non-magical fighters was well-known, and while her guild excelled in elemental mastery, it left little room for those with talents outside the arcane arts. Haider, on the other hand, thrived on unconventional recruits.
The recording resumed, now showcasing a pivotal moment when Aamir rescued his teammates. Three predator-class beasts had cornered the group, their razor-sharp claws glinting under the magical illumination of the trial arena. Alone, Aamir stepped forward, his calm demeanor masking the intensity of his determination.
The first strike barely scratched the alpha predator. But as the battle progressed, something remarkable began to unfold. Each of Aamir's attacks grew stronger, his movements sharper and more precise. By the time the battle reached its climax, he delivered a decisive blow that even the pack leader couldn't withstand. The once-dominant beasts now lay defeated, their forms motionless.
Haider's expression shifted from satisfaction to astonishment. "Unbelievable," he murmured, more to himself than to the others. "Do you see what's happening here?"
"What are you talking about?" Aryaman asked, intrigued.
Haider gestured toward the screen. "The more he fights, the stronger he gets. Look at the progression of his strikes. His first attack barely affected the alpha, but by the end, his strength had increased severalfold. It's like his energy feeds off his enthusiasm. Very few people can do that."
"Enthusiasm?" Kaveri interjected, her tone dripping with skepticism. "You're telling me he's getting stronger because he's having fun? That's ridiculous."
"Ridiculous or not, it's happening," Haider replied, his grin returning. There was a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Kaveri leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips. "You know," she began, "he reminds me of a certain someone. He's just like you, isn't he?" Her tone was both teasing and pointed.
Haider chuckled, leaning back as well. "Maybe," he admitted. "But this kid has something I didn't have at his age—an unshakable resolve. I wasn't half as disciplined as he is."
The recording ended, and for a moment, the room was silent. Aamir's performance had been nothing short of extraordinary. He had single-handedly altered the course of a battle that would have been insurmountable for most students.
As the projection wall dimmed, Haider sat back in his chair, his mind racing. "This boy isn't just talented," he thought. "He's exceptional. He's got what it takes to become a legend."
Later that day, as the guild masters filed out of the observation room, murmurs filled the hallway. Aamir's performance had left a lasting impression, though not everyone was willing to admit it openly. Some of the leaders still clung to their biases, dismissing him for his lack of magical abilities or his unconventional fighting style. But Haider remained unfazed.
For him, Aamir was a rare gem—a talent that came along only once in a generation. The possibilities of what this boy could achieve were endless, and Haider was determined to help him realize his full potential.
"I've got to meet this kid in person," Haider thought to himself, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes.
Little did he know, Aamir's journey was just beginning. These trials were merely the first step on a path that would test him in ways no one could have foreseen. Hidden within him were strengths even Aamir himself had yet to discover, and the challenges ahead would push him to his very limits. For Haider and the other guild masters, one thing was certain: this was a boy destined for greatness.
And as the sun set over the academy, casting long shadows across the grounds, a new chapter in Aamir's story quietly began.