A man was running through the jungle, wearing a black cloak. He carried a bag in his hand, filled with treasure and destructive spells. Behind him, five men were struggling to chase him.
Suddenly, the main hero appeared, leaping from tree to tree, closing the distance between them. Just as he was about to grab the man's hand, he slipped—and everything went black.
Rajiv woke up with a jolt, his bed shaking as he sat up. His blanket had fallen off, and sunlight streamed through the window. It was time for school. Behind him, his brother called out, "It's time to get moving!"
His brother was a blacksmith, busy forging a sword.
Rajiv quickly washed his face, ate a bite of his breakfast, and rushed outside. His friend came running toward him, shouting, "We're going to be late! Hurry up!"
Without wasting a second, they both started sprinting toward the school.
Rajiv and his friend arrived and rushed into their classroom. The teacher looked at them and said,
"You're late."
Rajiv admitted, "Yeah… we are."
The teacher glanced at the clock and replied, "Only by a second. Alright, you can come in, Rajiv and Yokudu."
They entered and sat down. Rajiv sighed. "Next time, I'll come faster."
His friend beside him chuckled. "Wake up early, and you won't be late."
"Yeah, yeah," Rajiv muttered.
The teacher cleared his throat. "It's time for history class. Now, can anyone tell me what topic we are on?"
One student raised their hand and answered, "We are on the war chapter."
"Yes," the teacher nodded. "Once upon a time, war ravaged humanity. An island was sinking, yet humans never stopped fighting. One day, a man put an end to the war using his power. He declared an end to endless fighting and began creating a new world. That was when we started learning spells, new techniques, and the use of energy.
The great lord had two children—one good and one evil "
At that moment, demons rose. Their emergence led to the Second Great War."
The teacher paused. "Well, that was a short summary. But I suppose I'll explain the second war in the next class… or maybe not, because the deputy is conducting selections soon."
Rajiv's eyes widened. "Selections are happening? When?"
"In a few days. Maybe ten. I don't know exactly. I'll ask the principal," the teacher said.
Rajiv clenched his fists. "I'll start training to control my energy."
His friend smirked. "You? Controlling energy? You don't even have any energy! No way you'll get selected."
Rajiv stood up, determination in his voice. "I will become a great soldier!"
The teacher raised an eyebrow, deep in thought. "A soldier? Think bigger. Don't limit yourself."
Rajiv shook his head. "No, I will become a great soldier and put an end to all wars and suffering in this world!"
His friends laughed. "First, learn to control your energy. Otherwise, you'll end up becoming a blacksmith instead!"
In the next class, the students were given training swords. The teacher instructed them, "Focus your energy into your sword!"
They gripped their weapons, channeling their energy. Their bodies began to glow as they concentrated. Rajiv, however, only emitted faint sparkles. Energy flickered around him, but it was weak compared to the others.
His friend smirked. "And you think you'll become a soldier? What happened to your energy?"
The teacher observed Rajiv closely and said, "Your energy may be weak, but you have skill. Let's test it in combat."
The teacher called out two names. "Rajiv, you will spar with… Anil."
Anil, a tall boy with a confident smirk, stepped forward. He brandished his training sword, the faint glow around it pulsing steadily. Rajiv, despite his earlier declaration, felt a flutter of nervousness. He gripped his own sword, the wood surprisingly heavy in his hand. The faint sparkles around him seemed to mock his ambition.
"Begin!" the teacher commanded.
Anil lunged, his sword a blur of motion. Rajiv, reacting instinctively, blocked the attack. The force of the blow reverberated through his arms, and he stumbled back a step. He could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, some curious, others openly derisive.
Anil pressed his advantage, attacking again and again. Rajiv, though lacking in energy, was surprisingly agile. He dodged and parried, relying on instinct and quick reflexes. He was constantly on the defensive, but he wasn't being hit.
"Come on, Rajiv! Show us what you've got!" Anil taunted, his energy glowing brighter with each strike.
Rajiv gritted his teeth. He knew he couldn't win this way. He needed to do something different. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to recall the feeling from his dream, the sensation of leaping through the trees, the focus he had just before everything went black.
He opened his eyes, and a flicker of something new ignited within him. It wasn't a surge of energy like Anil's, but a quiet intensity, a pinpoint focus. As Anil attacked again, Rajiv didn't just block. He sidestepped, using Anil's momentum against him. He then, with a swift, practiced movement, disarmed Anil, his training sword clattering to the floor.
The class gasped. Anil stared at his empty hands, disbelief etched on his face.
The teacher nodded slowly. "Impressive, Rajiv. You lack the raw energy of some, but your technique and awareness are exceptional. It seems you have a natural talent for combat."
Rajiv, breathing heavily, looked at his own hand, surprised by his own actions. He hadn't felt a surge of power, but something had shifted within him. He had relied on his skill, his instincts, and perhaps, a spark of something more.
His friend, Yokudu, looked less smug now. "Maybe… maybe you do have a chance," he muttered.
The teacher addressed the class. "Remember, raw power isn't everything. Skill, strategy, and a focused mind are just as important. Rajiv has demonstrated that today."
Rajiv's earlier bravado returned, but tempered with a newfound understanding. He still had a long way to go, but he had proven that he wasn't just a dreamer. He had a spark of potential, and he was determined to nurture it. He looked forward to the selections, not with arrogance, but with a quiet determination. He would train harder, hone his skills, and find a way to unlock the potential within him. He would become a great soldier, not just because he wanted to, but because he knew he could.
The teacher clapped his hands, signaling the end of the spar. "Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone, return your training swords."
Rajiv handed back his sword, still feeling the lingering heat in his fingers. He had done something he didn't fully understand—something beyond raw strength. It wasn't energy in the traditional sense, but it was something.
As the students filed out of the training ground, Yokudu walked beside him, quieter than usual. "Hey," he finally muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "That was… kinda cool."
Rajiv smirked. "Kinda?"
"Alright, fine. It was really cool," Yokudu admitted. "But don't get cocky. The selections won't be just one duel. You'll be up against people stronger than Anil."
"I know," Rajiv said. He clenched his fists. "That's why I need to train harder. I can't just rely on dodging forever."
As they reached the school gates, a loud clang echoed in the distance—the sound of metal striking metal. Rajiv turned his head toward the blacksmith's shop, where his brother was hammering away at a new blade.
"Rajiv!" his brother called without looking up. "How was training?"
Rajiv hesitated. "Better than I expected."
His brother finally paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "Good. Because if you really want to be a soldier, you'll need more than just school training."
Rajiv raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
His brother tossed him a wooden practice sword, heavier and sturdier than the school's training weapons. "Starting today, you'll train with me. Strength, endurance, and discipline. You need all three if you want to stand a chance in the selections."
Rajiv caught the sword, feeling its weight settle in his hands. His arms were already sore from sparring with Anil, but he nodded. "Alright. When do we start?"
His brother smirked. "Now."
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold. As Rajiv stepped forward, he realized that this was just the beginning. The selection trials were coming, and so were greater challenges.
But for the first time, he felt ready to face them.