Chapter 44 - Raghuvaran's Brutal Training Arc

Scene 1: The Call to Chaos

The first-year students stood in the expansive training grounds, their faces tense with anticipation. Whispers had circulated through the academy about this upcoming "elite training," led by none other than Professor Raghuvaran a name spoken with equal parts awe and terror.

Armaan shifted uneasily, the weight of his new weapons hanging on his shoulders. He glanced at Rai, who stood with his usual calm demeanor, though his clenched fists betrayed his nerves. Tanmay, however, was grinning, clearly excited.

"Why does everyone look so scared?" Tanmay asked, cracking his knuckles. "He's just a teacher."

Neha shot him a glare. "You've obviously never heard of Raghuvaran. They say he once defeated an entire Kaiju hunting team… without using his hybrid form."

Tanmay's grin faltered. "Wait, without his hybrid powers?"

Before anyone could respond, a massive gust of wind swept across the grounds, carrying with it an aura so overwhelming it made the weaker students stagger. A towering figure appeared, stepping into view as though the world itself had parted for him.

Professor Raghuvaran.

His appearance was as wild as the rumors. Standing over seven feet tall, his physique seemed carved from stone. His sleeveless combat attire revealed countless scars, each one a testament to battles long past. Draped over his back was a jagged, oversized greatsword, its edges glowing faintly as though it hungered for blood. His piercing eyes scanned the students, and his presence alone made them feel like prey cornered by a predator.

First-years," Raghuvaran said, his voice a low growl that carried across the grounds. "You're here because someone thinks you have potential. Let's see if you're worth the trouble."

Without warning, he slammed his greatsword into the ground, the impact shaking the earth and sending out a shockwave that knocked several students off their feet.

This is going to hurt," he said, smirking. "But pain is the only thing that'll teach you."

Scene 2: The Gauntlet Begins

Raghuvaran wasted no time. He divided the students into groups, pairing them with second-year elites who were already accustomed to his brutal methods. The training was relentless, designed to push them beyond their limits.

Neha and Alisha's Struggle:The girls were pitted against a second-year who specialized in bladed combat. Their opponent was ruthless, exploiting every opening in their defense. Neha struggled to match the speed of the strikes, while Alisha's illusions were easily countered.

You're too predictable," their opponent sneered. "If you can't adapt, you'll die."

Neha gritted her teeth, her wings glowing faintly as she activated her Level 1 form. With renewed determination, she synced her movements with Alisha's, their attacks becoming a seamless dance. Together, they began to turn the tide, but Raghuvaran's voice cut through the chaos.

Is that all you've got?" he shouted, watching from the sidelines. "If this was real, you'd both be dead by now!"

Rai and Tanmay's Punishment:Rai and Tanmay faced an even more brutal challenge. Their opponent, a second-year student with insectoid claws, attacked with ferocity, forcing Rai to rely on his speed while Tanmay absorbed the brunt of the strikes.

"You think raw power will save you?" Raghuvaran yelled at Tanmay. "You're just a blunt instrument. Useless without precision!"

Tanmay growled in frustration, throwing a devastating punch that missed by inches. Rai, meanwhile, was struggling to keep up, his movements becoming increasingly erratic.

"Focus!" Raghuvaran barked. "Control your instincts, or they'll control you."

Armaan's Battle of Endurance: Armaan was thrown into a pit—literally. His challenge was to survive a relentless barrage of attacks from three second-years, each one faster and stronger than him. He used his smoke to disorient them, but it wasn't enough. Their coordinated strikes kept him on the defensive, and his body ached from the repeated impacts.

Stop running!" one of them shouted, landing a blow that sent Armaan sprawling.

Armaan coughed, his vision swimming. He reached for his special cigarettes, but Raghuvaran's voice boomed across the pit.

No shortcuts!" he roared. "You don't deserve those tools until you learn to fight without them!"

Scene 3: The Unleashed Warrior

Hours passed, and the students were pushed to their breaking points. Raghuvaran walked among them, his presence like a storm cloud hanging over their heads.

"You think you're tired?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think this is hard? You don't know what hard is."

He stopped in front of Armaan, who was struggling to stand. "Get up," Raghuvaran ordered. "Or stay down and prove you don't belong here."

Armaan clenched his fists, forcing himself to his feet. His body screamed in protest, but he met Raghuvaran's gaze with defiance.

"You're not strong enough to beat me," Raghuvaran said, his smirk widening. "But you've got guts. Let's see if they're enough."

Raghuvaran drew his greatsword, the jagged blade humming with energy. "Survive," he said simply, before launching an attack.

The students watched in horror as Raghuvaran moved with impossible speed, his massive blade carving through the air with devastating force. Armaan barely dodged the first strike, the ground splitting beneath him as the blade connected.

Using his smoke, Armaan propelled himself backward, creating distance. But Raghuvaran closed the gap instantly, his strikes relentless.

You're too slow," Raghuvaran said, his voice calm even as he delivered a series of devastating blows. "If this was real, you'd already be dead."

Armaan gritted his teeth, using his smoke to enhance his movements. He dodged left, then right, using every ounce of his training to stay one step ahead. But Raghuvaran was relentless, his attacks leaving no room for error.

Finally, Raghuvaran stopped, his blade resting on his shoulder. "Not bad," he said, his smirk returning. "You've got potential. But potential means nothing if you don't push it."

Scene 4: Chee Energy and Infusion

After the training session, Raghuvaran gathered the exhausted students around him.

Listen up," he said, his tone serious. "What you've been doing so far is child's play. If you want to survive out there, you need to learn how to tap into your Chee."

He unsheathed his greatsword, the blade glowing faintly. "Chee is your life force, your essence. It's what separates warriors from corpses. And when you learn to infuse it into your weapons…" He swung the blade, sending a shockwave that split a boulder in half. "…you become unstoppable."

The students stared in awe as Raghuvaran's aura flared, his presence almost suffocating.

"Starting tomorrow," he said, "you'll learn how to awaken your Chee. And when I'm done with you, you'll either be warriors… or you'll be nothing."

The chapter ends with Armaan clenching his fists, determination burning in his eyes. He wasn't going to fail. Not here. Not now.