By the time Dev returned to the main hall—
Vansh and Aditya were already there.
"Finally," Vansh said, arms crossed."What took you so long?"
Dev gave a small shrug.
"Got a bit lost in the library."
Aditya looked at him.
Not casually.
Not briefly.
Carefully.
As if trying to read something beneath the surface.
But he said nothing.
Before the silence could stretch—
a loud bell rang across the hall.
Students immediately began moving.
Toward the registration desks.
Aditya glanced at the large board ahead.
"We should hurry," he said.
"Class allocation closes in two hours."
Vansh stretched his arms.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let's go."
They moved with the crowd.
Fast.
Focused.
Barely making it in time.
The Selection Form
Each student received a scroll-like form.
Old.
Structured.
Formal.
Dev unrolled his.
At the top—
clear.
Simple.
Select 6 Classes
Below that—
Compulsory Classes (3 Required):Basic CombatBasic Spiritual Energy ControlGrand Library
Dev nodded.
That part is fixed.
Then—
the real decision.
Optional Classes (Choose 3):
Breath SpecializationBattle TheorySwordsmanshipBow and ArrowSpear StyleGada (Mace) StyleAdvanced Spiritual ControlAncient HistoryAncient Weapon ResearchMulti-Weapon Mastery
Vansh let out a low whistle.
"That's a lot."
Aditya spoke calmly.
Already analyzing.
"Three are compulsory," he said.
"So we choose three more."
Their Choices
Vansh didn't hesitate.
Not even for a second.
"Easy."
He marked quickly.
Breath SpecializationSwordsmanshipGada Style
"Power," he said, grinning.
"And more power."
Aditya sighed slightly.
"Predictable."
Then—
he made his own selections.
Breath SpecializationAdvanced Spiritual ControlAncient History
"Control. Knowledge. Refinement."
Vansh rolled his eyes.
"You're basically becoming a teacher already."
Dev didn't respond.
He was still looking at the options.
Breath Specialization…
He paused.
I can't use it.
He moved past it.
Advanced Spiritual Control…
Maybe later.
His eyes moved again.
Slower now.
More deliberate.
He wasn't choosing what was strongest.
He was choosing what he could actually use.
After a few seconds—
he made his decision.
Battle TheoryAdvanced Spiritual ControlMulti-Weapon Mastery
Vansh leaned over.
"No Breath Specialization?"
Dev shook his head.
"It won't help me right now."
Aditya nodded slightly.
"That's the correct decision."
Dev looked at his form one last time.
If I can't rely on breath…
I'll rely on everything else.
"Done?" Vansh asked.
"Done," Dev replied.
Aditya rolled up his scroll neatly.
"Submit it."
They walked forward together.
One by one—
they handed in their forms.
As Dev let go of his scroll—
he felt something.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
A quiet realization.
This was the first real step.
Not just surviving the academy—
But choosing how to grow inside it.
The Canteen
The moment they stepped out—
Vansh stretched his arms.
"First food, then everything else," he said.
"Come on—canteen."
Dev exhaled softly.
"That fast?"
Aditya adjusted his sleeve.
"Energy before exploration… makes sense."
"Exactly," Vansh said.
"You understand me."
The academy canteen was alive.
Students filled the space.
Talking.
Arguing.
Laughing.
The smell of hot food filled the air.
"Sit," Vansh said.
"I'll get food."
Before they could reply—
he was already gone.
Dev and Aditya exchanged a look.
"…He moves fast," Dev said.
"In everything except thinking," Aditya replied.
Dev almost laughed.
A few minutes later—
Vansh returned with three plates.
"Eat first," he said, placing them down.
"Then talk."
They began eating.
For a while—
silence.
Just the sound of plates.
Distant voices.
Then—
Vansh leaned back.
"So," he said, looking at Dev,
"In the library… what did you learn?"
Dev paused.
Before he could answer—
Vansh pointed at Aditya.
"You first."
Aditya wiped his hands calmly.
"I focused on fundamentals," he said.
"Basic Array Formation."
"Glass Body."
Vansh interrupted.
"Glass Body? That's the one that reflects attacks, right?"
"Partially," Aditya replied.
"But it requires extreme control."
"Yeah, I heard most people avoid it."
"They do."
"And?" Vansh asked.
"Some study of ancient history."
Vansh sighed.
"Of course you did."
Then—
he turned to Dev.
"Your turn."
Dev hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then spoke.
"I learned basic Harmony techniques."
"Stone Body."
"Wind Step."
"Iron Finger."
He paused.
"And… something else."
Vansh leaned forward.
"What?"
Dev shook his head lightly.
"Just a breathing method."
He didn't mention it.
Not the name.
Not the details.
Not yet.
Aditya noticed the pause.
But didn't question it.
"Alright," Vansh said.
"My turn."
He grinned.
"Stone Fist."
"Pure power."
Dev nodded.
"That suits you."
"Obviously."
"Then—Basic Explosive Spiritual Body."
Aditya looked at him.
"That technique is unstable."
"Exactly," Vansh said.
"That's why it's good."
Dev raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't it hard to learn?"
"Yeah," Vansh said.
"Most people avoid it."
He smirked.
"I'm not most people."
"And?" Aditya asked.
"Basic Spiritual Combat techniques."
"Gotta know how to actually fight."
A Small Realization
For a moment—
they sat in silence.
Each had chosen a path.
Aditya → control and knowledgeVansh → power and aggressionDev → balance and survival
Three paths.
One table.
Vansh looked at both of them—
and grinned.
"Not bad," he said.
"We're gonna be strong."
Dev smiled slightly.
"Eventually."
Aditya nodded.
"If we survive the training."
Vansh laughed.
"That's the easy part."
Exploration
After eating—
they didn't return immediately.
"Let's explore," Vansh said.
Already standing.
And just like that—
they spent the rest of the day wandering the academy.
Training grounds—
where senior students moved like shadows.
Meditation halls—
silent.
Heavy.
Ancient.
Weapon arenas—
filled with clashing steel.
Endless corridors—
stretching deeper into the mountain.
Vansh was excited.
Aditya observed.
Dev absorbed.
By sunset—
everything felt different.
Quieter.
Older.
More real.
The Room
They returned after dinner.
Tired.
Silent.
Vansh dropped onto his bed.
"I'm dead," he muttered.
"Wake me up tomorrow."
Aditya lay down calmly.
"Rest is part of training."
Within minutes—
both were asleep.
Dev remained awake.
Staring at the ceiling.
The room was silent.
Cold air drifted through the window.
He replayed the day.
The test.
The light.
The library.
The choices.
Everything had changed.
And yet—
everything was just beginning.
Dev exhaled slowly.
"From tomorrow…"
He closed his eyes.
"My academy life really starts."
And for the first time since arriving—
He felt ready.