Scene 1: A Nightmare Awakening
The first-years barely had time to enjoy their rest before a sudden explosion shook the entire dormitory. The walls rattled, and a deep, earth-shaking boom resonated through the academy grounds, jolting everyone awake.
Armaan instinctively reached for his Smoke Gauntlets, heart pounding. "What the hell was that?"
Tanmay groaned from his bunk. "If this is Kalendra testing another one of his damn weapons—"
"It's worse," Rai said, already up and adjusting his uniform. His sharp eyes had a knowing glint. "It's Raghuvaran."
Another explosion shook the ground outside. BOOM.
A deep, booming voice echoed through the academy like a war drum.
"WAKE UP, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSES FOR WARRIORS! TRAINING STARTS NOW!"
Neha buried her face into her pillow. "No way… is this man insane?!"
Alisha rubbed her temples, exhausted. "I'd rather be in Kalendra's lab."
Armaan sighed. This was going to be hell.
Scene 2: A Battlefield of Pain
The moment they stepped outside, the first-years were met with a shocking sight. The entire training field had been transformed into a war zone.
Jagged rocks, deep trenches, and broken ruins stretched across the landscape. The air smelled of burnt stone, and scattered across the battlefield were giant training dummies made of a strange, unbreakable alloy. Some were humanoid, others resembled Kaiju-like creatures.
And standing in the center, arms crossed and greatsword planted into the ground, was Raghuvaran. His towering presence alone sent shivers down the spines of every first-year. His chaotic aura pulsed with an almost tangible force, weighing down on everyone.
Behind him stood the second-year students—each radiating an overwhelming presence. They watched with amusement, as if waiting to see which first-years would survive and which would be broken.
Raghuvaran's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Welcome to the real battlefield. If you don't want to die, get stronger."
Scene 3: The Rules of Survival
The first-years lined up, gripping their weapons. Raghuvaran's golden, piercing eyes studied each of them, as if deciding whether they were worth his time.
"This training is simple," he began, his deep, thunderous voice commanding absolute attention. "Survive. If you can land a clean, finishing blow on your opponent, you pass. If you can't—" he gestured toward the second-years, "—they will show you what happens to failures."
The second-years smirked.
Armaan felt his pulse quicken. This wasn't training—this was war.
"Pair up," Raghuvaran ordered. "And remember, if you hold back, I'll break you myself."
Scene 4: Rai vs. Vikram Rathod (The Serpent Fang)
The first match was already one of the most anticipated—Rai vs. Vikram Rathod.
Vikram, Rajan Awasthi's right-hand student, was known for his overwhelming speed and mastery of Serpent Fang combat. His hybrid ability, Nāg Dhanush, gave him inhuman agility and a whip-sword weapon, capable of stretching and coiling like a living serpent.
He cracked his whip-blade, smirking. "Try not to embarrass yourself, first-year."
Rai remained silent, his expression cold.
The second-years whispered among themselves.
"Vikram is one of the strongest in our year."
"Rai's fast, but can he handle a serpent-style fighter?"
"This is going to be brutal."
Raghuvaran swung his greatsword down, sending a shockwave through the ground. The match began.
Vikram disappeared.
In an instant, he closed the distance, his blade striking from every possible angle. Rai barely managed to block, his body twisting unnaturally to dodge the razor-sharp slashes.
"Too slow," Vikram whispered before slamming a venom-infused kick into Rai's ribs.
Rai was sent skidding backward, coughing up blood. But his expression remained unreadable.
Armaan watched, gripping his Smoke Gauntlets. Rai wasn't just fighting—he was calculating.
Vikram cracked his blade again. "That all?"
Rai's aura sharpened.
"Not even close."
BOOM.
Rai vanished.
CRACK!
A split second later, Vikram blocked just in time—but Rai's blade had already sliced through his armor.
Vikram grinned. "Finally… you're serious."
The real fight had begun.
Scene 5: Armaan vs. The Stoic Second-Year (Obanai
Before the dust settled from Rai and Vikram's battle, Raghuvaran turned toward Armaan.
"You. Smokey. Get in the ring."
Armaan stepped forward, his Smoke Gauntlets humming with energy. His opponent? A second-year student inspired by Obanai —a deadly, precise warrior known for his ability to control multiple blades at once.
The moment the fight started, Armaan released a thick cloud of smoke.
The second-year didn't move.
Then—his swords flashed.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
In an instant, the smoke split apart, completely neutralized. Armaan barely had time to react before a blade shot toward his throat.
He dodged just in time, but the second-year's movements were flawless, controlled.
"You rely on tricks," the second-year muttered. "That won't work against me."
Armaan gritted his teeth. Then I'll have to get serious.
He lit a Nitro Smoke Cigarette.
BOOM.
His speed quadrupled.
The fight had just begun.
Scene 6: Neha vs. suri
While Armaan's fight raged on, another match was happening—Neha vs. a second-year suri
Neha, newly awakened into Level 1 Hybrid Form, faced an opponent faster, stronger, and vastly more experienced.
The second-year grinned. "I like your fire."
Neha clenched her fists. "Then I'll make sure you burn."
Their battle erupted in a blur of high-speed movement.
Scene 7: Raghuvaran's Judgment
As the fights continued, Raghuvaran watched from above, his massive arms crossed. Despite the chaos, he was grinning.
"They're not completely useless," he muttered.
One of the second-years beside him chuckled. "Are you impressed?"
Raghuvaran smirked. "Not yet."