The Keet Shakti Academy stood tall and imposing, its stone walls stretching into the sky like ancient sentinels. The sprawling grounds were filled with students, all buzzing with the excitement of another day of training, learning, and growth. But amidst this sea of confident, powerful individuals, Arman Alisha stood quietly in the shadows, feeling completely out of place.
Arman had always been different. At the academy, where hybrid powers were everything, Arman was an anomaly—he had none. No hybrid abilities, no innate strength, just a young man with the will to survive.
"Alright, class!" Professor Rajan Awasthi's voice boomed across the training field. "Let's see what you've got today!"
Arman stood at the edge of the field, watching his peers with a mixture of envy and apprehension. His classmates, like Tanmay, Rai, and Raghav, were already engaging in combat drills, their hybrid powers glowing brightly. Each one of them had something that Arman lacked—something that made them stronger, faster, more powerful.
He was just a regular human.
Arman, get in position!" Rajan's call snapped him from his thoughts. "You're not standing here for the scenery. Get moving!"
Arman's stomach turned. He took a step forward, but his legs felt heavy, as if every movement was a struggle. He had spent countless hours trying to unlock his power, only to be met with failure each time. His classmates might have their own unique abilities, but Arman had nothing. At least, that's what he believed.
As he approached the training area, he saw Raghav smirking from the other side of the field. His arms were crossed, and his eyes narrowed when he saw Arman.
Well, well. Look who's finally decided to show up," Raghav mocked, his tone dripping with condescension. "You're not gonna last here, you know that, right?"
Arman kept his gaze on the ground, not wanting to show any weakness. But Raghav's words stung, cutting deeper than Arman would admit.
"Just ignore him," Rai whispered from behind Arman, giving him a reassuring nudge. "He's just trying to get into your head."
Arman nodded quietly, trying to shake off Raghav's taunts. But deep down, the words lingered, echoing in his mind.
"I'm weak. I'm nothing without a hybrid."
The First Lesson: Unseen Strength
As the class began, Rajan focused on speed and agility training, setting up obstacles for the students to navigate. It was the perfect chance for Arman to prove himself—or at least, that's what he hoped.
He sprinted towards the first obstacle, a series of wooden poles that required quick reflexes to maneuver. His classmates darted through effortlessly, their hybrid abilities giving them an edge. Arman, however, struggled. His legs burned with each step, and his arms were sore from pushing himself too hard.
You call that running?" Raghav's voice cut through the air again, this time from a distance. "You're moving like you're dragging a mountain behind you!"
Arman gritted his teeth, but pushed forward. Sweat poured down his face as he leapt over one of the poles—his foot missed the next one, and he stumbled forward, barely catching himself before crashing to the ground.
"I'm pathetic," Arman muttered to himself, his body aching from the failed attempt.
"Not bad for someone who has nothing to work with," a voice said behind him.
Arman turned to see Tanmay standing with his arms crossed, a rare smirk on his face. "You're getting faster. Just don't stop trying."
"Yeah? What does it matter? I'll never catch up to you or Raghav or anyone here," Arman snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface.
Tanmay raised an eyebrow. "What, you think they're gonna hand you power just because you show up? Power's earned. It's built."
Arman's heart raced, his frustration mounting. "But how? I don't even have a hybrid! I can't do anything!"
Tanmay placed a hand on Arman's shoulder, his usual cocky smile replaced with a serious expression. "You think you're weak because you don't have a hybrid power? No, that's not what makes you weak. What makes you weak is thinking you need a hybrid to be strong."
Before Arman could respond, a voice cut through the air.
"Alright, enough with the self-pity. Get up, both of you," Rajan called out, walking over to the duo. "It's time for some real training."
Dhruv's Arrival: A Mysterious Teacher
As the students gathered around Rajan, a new figure approached the training field. It was a man with messy hair, a disheveled appearance, and a gourd hanging from his belt. Despite his unkempt look, there was something undeniably dangerous about him—a raw, untamed power that seemed to radiate from his every move.
"Alright, class. This is Master Dhruv," Rajan introduced the man with a wave. "He's going to be working with some of you on the next phase of your training."
Arman eyed the man with curiosity. Dhruv's presence was magnetic, and there was an aura of unpredictability around him.
Don't waste his time," Rajan continued. "If you want to learn, you have to prove you're worth his attention."
Dhruv stepped forward, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "So, you're the ones who are going to become heroes, huh?" he mused, taking a swig from his gourd. "Let's see what you're really made of."