Chapter 24
The sun had long set, and the training grounds of Nalanda University were bathed in the soft light of lanterns. Aamir, exhausted but resolute, stood at the edge of the field, his breath slow and measured. His feet, once heavy with fatigue, now seemed to move with ease. The Garuda's Glide technique was becoming ingrained in him, and each practice felt more fluid, more instinctual.
However, despite his progress, Aamir knew that the path ahead was still long. Speed alone wouldn't be enough to ensure his victory in the coming challenges. He needed to refine his skills, learn to adapt, and be ready for whatever would come next.
In the days that followed, Aamir dedicated himself entirely to training. He spent hours each day refining his control over adrenaline energy, learning to manipulate it in ways that weren't limited to his speed alone. He had begun to experiment with amplifying his senses, using the energy to sharpen his vision, hearing, and reflexes. Each time he focused on a new aspect of his energy, it felt as if a door opened to a deeper level of mastery. He had unlocked 75 meridians and become an intermediate master class enargy controller But with every breakthrough came a new challenge. Aamir could feel the subtle strain of pushing his limits, but he didn't relent. It wasn't just physical strength he sought; he needed something more. Something that would give him an edge when the time came to face the dangers of the world beyond Nalanda's walls.
Aamir's training one evening was interrupted by a sudden chill in the air. He turned to find Riya standing at the far side of the training field, a focused look on her face. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a blast of ice magic, forming tiny shards that sparkled like diamonds in the moonlight.
She tossed them at Aamir, each shard sharp and deadly, aimed precisely to test his reflexes.
Without hesitation, Aamir activated the Garuda's Glide. His body moved with speed and precision, each step a blur as he darted and weaved, dodging the shards with grace. The wind whipped past him as he used the flow of adrenaline to heighten his awareness. He could feel the sharp edges of the ice slicing through the air just inches away from him, but his body moved like fluid, too fast for them to touch.
Just as he was about to perform another smooth dodge, a voice interrupted him.
"You're getting faster," came the taunt. It was Rehan, a student from Prakriti Sangh, known for his pride and arrogance. He stood with his arms crossed, a smug grin on his face.
Aamir paused mid-glide, landing gracefully on the floor. He turned to face Rehan, whose eyes were narrowed in challenge.
"Don't tell me you're planning to show off in the tournament with nothing but speed," Rehan continued. "That's hardly enough to defeat me."
Aamir's expression remained calm. "We'll see about that."
Rehan stepped closer, his presence imposing. "I've been hearing the rumors. You've been training hard, haven't you? But speed alone won't win you the tournament. It's about control. Strategy."
Aamir didn't respond right away. He had heard Rehan's boasts before, but something about the challenge in his tone sparked a fire inside him. "Let's see if you can keep up," Aamir said, his voice quiet but confident.
Without warning, Aamir surged forward, activating the Garuda's Glide once more. His feet barely touched the ground as he dashed toward Rehan with unmatched speed. The movement was fluid, precise—each step an extension of his will.
Rehan, however, wasn't caught off guard. With a flick of his hand, a shimmering barrier of light appeared in front of him. Aamir collided with the barrier at full speed, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. But Rehan's barrier held firm, and Aamir staggered back, barely maintaining his balance.
"Impressive," Rehan said with a chuckle. "But as you can see, speed is useless if you don't have the right defense to counter it."
Aamir stood straight, brushing himself off. He knew Rehan was right in one regard—speed alone wouldn't win him a fight. He needed to learn to break through defenses, to understand how to counter an opponent's strengths.
"You're not bad yourself," Aamir said, his tone neutral. "But speed can overcome even the best defenses, with the right technique."
Rehan narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased by Aamir's nonchalant reply. "We'll see how you do when you can't rely on just speed, Aamir."
In the weeks that followed, the atmosphere at Nalanda University shifted. There were whispers in the halls, rumors of alliances forming between the twelve nations, each preparing for the tournament in their own way. It wasn't just a contest of strength—it was a stage for the nations to flex their power, to show the world who held the upper hand.
Aamir could sense the growing tension in the air. He could feel the weight of it even as he honed his abilities, but he knew he was only scratching the surface. The tournament would be more than a test of his skill—it would be a test of everything he had learned, and everything he was about to face.
Aamir's training became more rigorous as the days passed. He experimented with his adrenaline energy in new ways, combining his speed with heightened reflexes and endurance. He practiced against imaginary opponents, learning to anticipate attacks and counter in the blink of an eye. Each movement, each strike, felt sharper than the last. And with each passing day, Aamir grew more confident in his abilities.
But even as he honed his skills, a thought lingered in the back of his mind: What will I do when the tournament is over?
The answer wasn't clear yet. The world beyond Nalanda's walls was waiting, and Aamir knew that the real test of his strength would come after the tournament—when the nations would inevitably collide, and war would follow.
For now, though, he would focus on what was within his reach: his training, his mastery over adrenaline energy, and the challenges that lay ahead in the tournament.
As the weeks ticked by, the World Tournament of Warfare and Magic drew closer. Twelve of the best students from each of the twelve nations would soon converge at Nalanda University, competing for honor, prestige, and grand prizes. The anticipation in the air was palpable, with each country's champion preparing for the battle of their lives.
Aamir couldn't ignore the magnitude of what was coming. This tournament wasn't just a competition—it was a display of the strength of the nations, a stage where alliances would be tested, and power would be flexed. It wasn't just about winning; it was about sending a message to the world. Aamir, too, had something to prove—not just to the nations, but to himself.
With only a month remaining until the tournament began, the stakes were rising. Every move, every decision would count. The true battle, however, was still far ahead, but Aamir could feel the weight of it settling over him.
For now, he would focus on what lay before him: mastering his abilities, outpacing his rivals, and preparing for the tournament.