The sun rose over the sprawling arena of Nalanda University, casting its golden rays on the thousands of spectators gathered for the day's monumental event. The arena stood as a grand testament to the university's rich history—a circular coliseum of polished stone, with towering stands encircling the central battlefield. Vibrant banners of Aryavarta fluttered in the gentle breeze, adding a sense of pride to the air.
The excitement was palpable as students, faculty, and citizens alike filled every corner of the stands, their eager chatter and laughter blending into a cacophony of anticipation. This was no ordinary day—it was the day the top twelve warriors of Aryavarta would begin their journey toward glory.
As the crowd settled, the host of the tournament stepped forward to the center of the arena. A tall, charismatic figure clad in regal robes, his presence was commanding. His voice boomed across the arena, amplified by a magical spell that made him impossible to ignore.
"Good morning, everyone!" he announced, his voice carrying across the coliseum like a thunderclap. The audience erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. The host allowed them a moment to revel before raising his hand for silence.
"Yesterday," he continued, "we witnessed the Grand Selection, where the best among you proved their mettle in grueling battles. Now, we have our top twelve warriors who will represent Aryavarta in the World Tournament of Wizardry and Warfare!"
The crowd roared in approval, clapping and shouting the names of their favorites. The host smiled, letting the energy of the moment build before he spoke again.
"But the Grand Selection may be over," he said, his voice growing serious, "yet today marks the start of something even more exciting—the Battle of the Top Twelve! These matches will not only determine their rankings but also decide the order in which Aryavarta's strongest students will face the world's champions. Are you ready?"
The arena erupted once again, the cheers louder than ever, a wave of sound that seemed to shake the very ground beneath their feet.
The host raised his hand again, a flick of his wrist causing a shimmering magical screen to appear mid-air. The screen floated effortlessly, its glow catching the attention of everyone present. The crowd gasped as the matchups for the first round materialized, each name etched in bold letters that seemed to pulse with energy:
First Round Matchups:
Arjun Patel vs. Siddharth Joshi
Raj Shekhawat vs. Tushar Mehta
Aamir Singh vs. Ishaan Deshmukh
Riya Kapoor vs. Raghav Chawla
Seenu Khokhar vs. Kavya Reddy
Meera Gouri vs. Ananya Shah
"These are the matches that will open the Battle of the Top Twelve!" the host declared. The crowd's cheers rose to a crescendo, their enthusiasm uncontained.
The host continued, his tone brimming with excitement. "Once these matches are completed, the second round will begin as a straightforward one-on-one knockout battle. However…" He paused for dramatic effect, the silence stretching tantalizingly. "There is a twist in the final round! Instead of a duel between the final two, the last three challengers will fight simultaneously. The last one standing will be crowned first place, the second to fall will take second, and the first to fall will claim third. This is how we'll determine Aryavarta's strongest students!"
The crowd exploded into cheers and applause once more, their voices echoing like a rolling thunderstorm.
The host grinned, clearly enjoying the energy of the moment. "But that's not all! Today, we have the honor of being joined by some very special spectators!" He raised his hand again, pointing toward a high balcony that seemed empty at first glance.
As he gestured, the structure shimmered into visibility, revealing a room filled with nine dignitaries seated on ornate chairs. Their presence commanded immediate respect, and the crowd fell into an awed silence.
"In the center," the host began, "sits none other than the esteemed Headmaster of Nalanda University, Raghuveer Sahay!"
An elderly man with a regal bearing nodded solemnly. His long silver beard and piercing eyes spoke of wisdom accumulated over decades. Despite his advanced age, he exuded an aura of strength and authority, his presence alone enough to hush the most boisterous of voices.
The host gestured toward the seven individuals flanking the Headmaster. "And surrounding him, we have the leaders of the seven great guilds!"
Kaveri Mahadevan, Leader of Prakriti Sangh (Collection of Elements). Her very presence seemed to hum with the energy of nature. She was known as the guru of elemental magic, her mastery of the four elements unmatched.
Rudra Pratap Singh, Leader of Vidya Shastra (Strategic Warfare Guild). A towering figure, his sharp eyes and commanding posture spoke of a mind honed for battlefield tactics.
Aryaman Joshi, Leader of Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power). His aura seemed to glow, a testament to his mastery over light and healing magic.
Anirudh Malhotra, Leader of Chaya Marga (Shadow and Intelligence Guild). Clad in black, his movements were as subtle as a shadow, and his piercing gaze seemed to see through everything.
Haider Ali, Leader of Rath Chakra (Guild of Physical Combat). His muscular frame and fierce expression left no doubt about his raw strength and martial prowess.
Rishi Kaushal, Leader of Adhyatmik Vidya (Guild of Mysticism). Draped in simple robes, his calm demeanor belied the immense power of ancient wisdom he carried.
Avighna Sharma, Leader of Manas Yoddha (Guild of Mental Toughness). His sharp gaze and poised demeanor exuded an air of unshakable confidence.
"And finally," the host said with a flourish, "our special guest, Rizwana Gouri, the current leader of the city of women—Vasundhara!"
A hush fell over the crowd as Rizwana stepped forward slightly. Her presence was nothing short of captivating. Though in her thirties, Rizwana looked no older than twenty-two. Her striking features, sharp golden eyes, and flowing brown hair made her seem almost ethereal. Clad in a battle robe that combined elegance with functionality, Rizwana radiated strength, beauty, and confidence.
Aamir glanced at Meera, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Hey, isn't Rizwana Gouri your mother?"
Meera's expression remained calm, though a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. "Yes," she replied simply. "But it doesn't give me any advantage. To her, every child in Vasundhara is the same. She doesn't treat anyone as special."
Aamir grinned. "Still, it's pretty cool that your mom's the leader of Vasundhara."
Meera gave a small shrug, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile.
The host's voice brought everyone's attention back. "And now, without further ado, let the Battle of the Top Twelve begin!"
The arena erupted into cheers once more as the first contestants, Arjun Patel and Siddharth Joshi, stepped into the ring. The matches promised to be fierce, and the day was only beginning.