The morning sun filtered through the dense trees, casting long shadows across the academy grounds. Arman stood near the training field, his mind racing with everything that had happened the previous day. His failure, Raghav's mockery, Tanmay's unexpected support, and, most notably, Master Dhruv's enigmatic presence. There was something about the man that unnerved Arman—an overwhelming aura of power hidden beneath a layer of apparent carelessness.
"Get moving, Arman," Rajan's voice boomed, snapping him out of his thoughts. The other students were already in position, awaiting instructions. Arman's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped onto the field, the weight of his inadequacy heavy on his shoulders.
"Today, we'll be working on the basics," Rajan announced, his eyes scanning the class. "The foundation of your abilities—your body, your speed, your precision. We'll break it down into small steps."
Arman nodded, though the uncertainty gnawed at him. He knew he had no hybrid powers to rely on, so what could he possibly do to compete?
"Dhruv!" Rajan called out, and the man with the gourd lazily strolled over. He was still wearing his tattered coat and had an air of indifference that contrasted sharply with Rajan's discipline.
"Master Dhruv will be working with a few of you today," Rajan continued, "Arman, Tanmay, and Raghav, you'll be under his supervision."
Tanmay shot Arman a reassuring glance, and Raghav shot him a dismissive one. It was clear that neither of them cared much for Arman's presence in the training group.
Dhruv approached, his eyes narrowing as he took in the students. "So, you're the ones with the potential to be something special, huh?" His tone was dripping with mockery.
Arman's chest tightened, but he forced himself to stand tall. "I'm ready to learn."
Dhruv's lip curled into a half-smile. "Good, because I don't teach weaklings." He glanced over at Raghav, then Tanmay, and finally Arman. "You three will be learning more than just fighting. I'll teach you how to survive."
Arman couldn't tell if it was an insult or a compliment, but the glint in Dhruv's eyes made his stomach twist.
The First Lesson: Breaking Down the Basics
Alright, let's get this over with," Dhruv said, taking a swig from his gourd. He raised his arm, pointing lazily to the other side of the field. "That hill. Get to it. First one there wins."
The students blinked, confusion painting their faces. "That's it?" Arman asked, incredulous.
Dhruv laughed, his voice rich with mockery. "You think this is a game? You think you're going to learn by just throwing punches?" He swung his arm to the side, dismissing their questions. "Now, run. But here's the catch—no using your hybrid powers. Just you, your body, and your mind."
Raghav scoffed, already starting to jog toward the hill. "This is a waste of time," he muttered. Tanmay, on the other hand, stood still for a moment, a contemplative look on his face before he followed.
Arman hesitated. He had no hybrid powers to rely on, no speed boost, no strength. It felt like an impossible task. But he knew he had to at least try.
Start," Dhruv barked.
And with that, the race began.
Arman's body protested immediately as he pushed himself to run faster than he thought possible. His legs burned, his chest tightened, and the pounding of his heart drowned out all other sounds. He focused solely on moving forward, ignoring the fatigue.
By the time he reached the base of the hill, he was gasping for air, his legs trembling with the effort. Raghav was already at the top, standing there with his arms crossed, smirking down at the others.
"Slowpoke," Raghav taunted.
Tanmay reached the base next, but Arman was already pushing himself toward the top. He was too slow, but he wasn't going to give up. He couldn't.
When he reached the top, Tanmay was already there, standing with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. He looked at Arman with an encouraging smile, though it was clear the task had been grueling.
Dhruv slowly walked up to them, shaking his head with a grin. "I expected more from you, kid," he said to Arman. "But you're not dead yet, so I'll give you credit for that."
Arman, barely able to catch his breath, forced a smile. "Thanks, I guess."
Tanmay shot Arman a nod of approval. "You did well. You've got guts."
The Next Phase: Combat Basics
After the race, Dhruv's lesson shifted to a new focus: combat basics. "Now that you've got a taste of what physical exhaustion feels like, let's talk about fighting."
Arman felt a mixture of dread and excitement. This was his chance to prove himself.
"Fighting isn't just about power," Dhruv continued, his tone turning more serious. "It's about control. Timing. Your ability to react to your surroundings and turn everything to your advantage."
He gestured toward Raghav. "You're strong, but you rely too much on brute force."
Raghav rolled his eyes. "What's wrong with that?"
Dhruv ignored the comment. "Tanmay, you're quick. You get the job done, but you don't think enough. You act too fast without assessing the situation."
Tanmay, always calm, nodded. "I get it."
"And Arman," Dhruv said, turning to him. "You're slow, weak, and have no hybrid powers to speak of. But you have something that the others don't."
Arman blinked. "What?"
Dhruv leaned closer, his voice low. "You have your mind. If you can't fight with strength or speed, you need to fight with your head. Think ahead, outsmart them. You may not have the natural gifts, but you have the potential to turn the tables in your favor if you learn how to control yourself."
Arman felt a surge of determination at Dhruv's words. Could it really be possible to fight without relying on hybrid powers? Could his mind be enough?
"Well, enough of this talk," Dhruv said with a smirk. "You're going to learn by doing."
The lesson became grueling as Arman sparred with his classmates. The lack of powers made him feel like an underdog, but with Dhruv's guidance, he started understanding how to use his surroundings to his advantage.
By the end of the day, Arman was sore and exhausted, but something had changed. He could feel it—his body was becoming sharper, more aware. Maybe he wasn't as weak as he thought.