The days blurred together as Armaan pushed himself harder each time. The academy's physical training grounds became his second home, and Dhruv, though often aloof and mocking, had become a crucial part of his journey. His body, sore and bruised, had yet to catch up to his newfound determination. But Armaan wasn't backing down. His resolve only grew stronger with each passing day.
He had learned to control his movements and to think before acting. But control wasn't enough—not in this world. The academy's students all had their hybrid powers, abilities that allowed them to leap beyond human limits. And yet, Armaan still had nothing to rely on but his body and mind.
It was late afternoon when Armaan and his friends found themselves gathered in the academy's courtyard, preparing for another round of practice.
Neha, wiping sweat from her forehead, turned to Armaan with a half-smile. "You've been training for weeks now. Do you feel any different?" Her tone was soft, almost hesitant.
Armaan glanced at her, his face betraying his exhaustion. "I don't know. I feel… stronger, I guess. But my progress is slow. I still feel like I'm behind everyone else."
Rai, standing next to him, spoke up, his voice quieter than usual. "Don't compare yourself to them. It's not about how fast you get there, but how much you learn along the way. We've all seen the way you move now. You're getting better."
Tanmay, always the loud one, chimed in with a cocky grin. "Better's an understatement. You were nearly untouchable during our sparring match yesterday, Rai."
Rai chuckled but then turned serious. "Don't get cocky, Tanmay. We're all growing, and it's only a matter of time before we're all at the top."
Armaan, standing quietly, nodded in agreement but couldn't help the unease brewing inside. His friends were right—he was learning. But without hybrid powers, it often felt like a fight he couldn't win.
That Evening - A New Test
As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the academy's training grounds, Dhruv appeared at the edge of the courtyard, leaning lazily against a stone pillar, a gourd in hand.
"Alright, everyone gather up," he called, his voice commanding despite his usual relaxed demeanor.
The students assembled, Armaan at the back of the group, as usual, feeling both eager and unsure.
"Today's different," Dhruv said, his eyes scanning each of the students. "No drills. No basic moves. Today, you're going to fight. One-on-one. All of you. Let's see what you've really learned."
There was a ripple of nervous energy as students exchanged uncertain glances. Armaan felt his stomach tighten. He hadn't been in a real fight since his humiliating match against Raghav, and the thought of facing another student, especially with his lack of hybrid abilities, left him on edge.
Dhruv's gaze met Armaan's, a small, mocking smile playing at his lips. "Armaan, you're up first."
The First Fight
Armaan stepped into the center of the courtyard, where his opponent—Samrudh, a first-year student who had been training relentlessly—waited, cracking his knuckles.
Armaan had sparred with Samrudh a few times before, but today felt different. Samrudh had always been fast and aggressive, and now, under Dhruv's watchful eye, Armaan knew he would have to put everything he'd learned to the test.
"You ready?" Samrudh taunted, his stance wide and confident.
Armaan didn't answer. Instead, he focused, recalling every lesson Dhruv had taught him so far—balance, timing, control. As Samrudh lunged forward, Armaan dodged to the side, using his momentum to counter with a quick elbow strike.
Samrudh recovered quickly, launching a series of punches. Armaan blocked, dodged, and countered, his heart racing as his body moved almost instinctively. He had never felt this fluid before, each movement sharp and calculated.
"You're quicker than before," Samrudh grunted, impressed but clearly not holding back. He aimed a powerful roundhouse kick at Armaan's side, but Armaan sidestepped and landed a clean punch to Samrudh's chest.
Samrudh stumbled back, clearly stunned, but he wasn't done. With a snarl, he rushed forward, throwing an unexpected low kick aimed at Armaan's legs.
Armaan's instincts kicked in. He leaped over Samrudh's attack, landing behind him. With his opponent off balance, Armaan grabbed Samrudh's arm, twisted it, and threw him to the ground. The move wasn't perfect—Armaan still lacked the raw power to deal a finishing blow—but it was enough.
Dhruv clapped lazily from the sidelines. "Not bad, kid. You've got potential." His eyes turned to Samrudh, who was rubbing his side. "But you're still not using your head, Samrudh. You're too predictable."
Armaan, panting, stepped back, grateful for the short reprieve. His classmates seemed surprised. Tanmay raised an eyebrow. "Armaan, you've improved."
Neha flashed him a proud smile. "That was incredible."
Armaan's smile was small, but it felt genuine. He wasn't weak. He was getting stronger, and today, he had proven it to himself.
The Lesson Learned
The day ended with each student facing off against another. Armaan and Samrudh's match had been intense, but it was just the beginning. As the students gathered their things, preparing to head back to their dorms, Armaan felt a quiet confidence building inside him.
"Great job out there," Rai said, clapping Armaan on the back. "You've come a long way."
Tanmay nodded, looking impressed. "You've earned it, man."
But as the group made their way back, Armaan's thoughts wandered to the cigarettes in his pocket. He wasn't sure when he'd use them, but he knew the day would come.
The day he unlocked his true power.