Aamir raced across the bustling campus, his heart pounding as he weaved through the throngs of students and spectators. The gravity of the situation began to sink in. Four days had passed in the outside world while he battled through the Trivnal Tower. The tournament was about to begin, and he couldn't afford to be late.
The crowd was thicker near the central arena, with food stalls, merchandise booths, and entertainment stands lining the paths. Outsiders mingled with students, all eager for the tournament's spectacle. Despite his hunger and exhaustion, Aamir pressed on. His time in the tower had drained him, both physically and mentally, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins gave him the push he needed.
Navin stood on the raised platform overlooking the vast arena. Rows upon rows of spectators filled the stands, their cheers echoing across the campus. The grand stage had been set—two massive battle stages gleamed in the sunlight, each equipped with protective barriers to shield the audience from stray attacks.
Aafreen approached him, her usual calm demeanor slightly tinged with concern. "Any sign of him?"
Navin shook his head. "Not yet. He's cutting it dangerously close."
Aafreen's sharp eyes scanned the crowd. "Do you think he's ready? Four days in the Trivnal Tower could either sharpen him or break him."
Navin let out a deep sigh. "That boy has a knack for surprising people. Let's hope he does it again."
As Aamir neared the arena, the sheer scale of the event hit him. Flags bearing the university's crest fluttered in the wind, while students and faculty moved with purpose. He spotted familiar faces among the crowd, many of them competitors who had been preparing for this moment for months.
The realization of his absence for four days gnawed at him. Had he missed critical preparation? Would he be at a disadvantage?
He shook off the doubts. "Focus, Aamir. You've come this far."
Pushing through the crowd, he made his way toward the registration area. A staff member looked up, startled to see him.
"You're cutting it close," the man said, hurriedly checking Aamir's name off the list.
"Just tell me where to go," Aamir replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
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#### The Start of the Tournament
The opening ceremony began with a grand display of magic and energy. Fireworks lit up the sky, and magical beasts summoned by faculty members roared in unison, thrilling the crowd. The headmaster of Nalanda University, a stern but charismatic figure, stepped forward to address the audience.
"Welcome to the Battle of the Grand Selection!" his voice boomed, amplified by a magical array. "Today marks the beginning of a journey for some of the most promising individuals of our time. Only the strongest, the most determined, will rise to the top."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Aamir stood among the competitors, his presence drawing whispers. Many of them had noticed his absence over the past few days, and speculation was rampant.
"Didn't think he'd show up."
"Do you think he's ready? He's been gone for days."
"He looks... different."
Aamir ignored the murmurs, his focus solely on the tournament ahead.
While the ceremony continued, Aamir's thoughts drifted back to the Trivnal Tower. The battles he fought, the lessons he learned—they all felt like a lifetime ago. Unlocking 105 meridians had changed him, but the exhaustion lingered.
He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy within him. He was stronger now, more capable than ever before. But the memory of the mysterious spirit's words lingered. "Not yet," it had said. What did that mean?
"Focus," he told himself again. The tournament was his immediate challenge, and he couldn't afford distractions.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric. Vendors shouted, selling everything from enchanted trinkets to snacks. Students cheered for their friends, while families of participants watched anxiously.
Riya sat in the stands, her eyes scanning the competitors until they landed on Aamir. Relief washed over her. "He made it," she whispered to herself. Despite her concerns about his absence, she had faith in him.
Backstage, competitors prepared themselves. Some meditated, channeling their energy, while others engaged in last-minute sparring. Aamir found a quiet corner to center himself. He hadn't had time to reflect on the implications of his time in the tower, but he knew one thing: he was ready to fight.
Navin and Aafreen observed from a distance.
"He's stronger," Aafreen noted, her gaze sharp. "You can see it in the way he carries himself."
Navin nodded. "Let's see if it's enough."
The first round, the Battle Royale, began with a thunderous roar from the crowd. All 250 contestants entered the massive arena, their eyes locked on the prize. The air crackled with energy as each competitor readied themselves.
Aamir's eyes scanned the field. The arena was vast, with multiple levels of terrain—some areas were rocky, others had dense forests, and there were traps scattered across the ground. It was a chaotic landscape designed to test everything from combat ability to survival instincts.
The rules were simple: You have 2 hour's time. Only the strong will remains standing. There were no alliances, no breaks, just pure, unrelenting combat. Every student had to rely on their skills, their strategies, and their willpower to survive.
The signal to start was given, and all hell broke loose.
Aamir immediately engaged his adrenaline energy, his body surging with power. He leaped into the fray, dodging a wild strike from a competitor. His heightened senses picked up the sound of several others closing in on him. He was surrounded.
But he wasn't alone in this. His eyes darted around as competitors clashed in every direction. He could hear the sounds of magic being cast, of blades clashing, and of adrenaline users pushing their limits.
The chaos was overwhelming, but Aamir's focus was unwavering. He knew this was just the beginning. The true test would be enduring the storm.
Aamir found himself face-to-face with a large, muscular competitor wielding a massive weapon. The boy grinned, clearly confident.
"You're not ready for this," he growled, swinging the weapon at Aamir with terrifying speed.
Aamir narrowly avoided the strike, his body flowing like water, moving with rhythm and precision. The clash of their energies sent a ripple through the air, but Aamir's instincts kept him one step ahead.
He countered with a quick strike, but the boy's massive weapon blocked it. Aamir knew this wasn't a fight he could win with brute force. He needed to outmaneuver his opponent, to outthink him.
As the battle royale raged on, Aamir's thoughts remained focused. He fought with precision, taking down a few weaker competitors and narrowly escaping others. But there were too many strong warriors in the arena. His challenge wasn't just survival—it was making it past the initial chaos and into the next round.
As the hours passed, the number of contestants began to dwindle. The first round wasn't over yet, but Aamir's body was starting to show signs of strain. He could feel his energy reserves depleting, but the adrenaline kept him pushing forward.
The first round wasn't over yet. The battle was far from finished.