Chapter 5 – New World
Saloni's eyes opened. For some moments, she did not understand where she was.
The room was dark, but some strange type of blue light was coming from the walls like the whole academy itself was in some other world.
Then she remembered all the things from yesterday the flying car, the underground academy, the registration test, and all those things that had changed her life so quickly.
She sat on the bed and looked toward the window. From the window, the training ground was visible, and already some girls were practicing there throwing ice, spinning water, flying in the air. Saloni was just watching, because she had nothing like that no element that she could learn.
She slowly put her feet down. The floor was cold, and she realized that this place was not just new but ruthless too.
Here, there was no warmth like the orphanage no small children who used to come to wake her in the morning. Here, there was only loneliness and some strange fear.
In the room, there was a small cupboard where yesterday her bag was kept.
She opened the cupboard, and in it, one uniform was there
dark blue color, simple cloth, on which a small badge was attached. On it was written: Bodyguard – 47.
Saloni took that uniform in her hands and kept watching for some moments.
This was her new identity now. She was not Saloni; she was Bodyguard 47.
She wore the uniform and saw herself in the mirror.
She was looking different like she had become someone else. But her eyes were the same; the same eyes that used to play with children within the four small walls of the orphanage, the same that had seen hunger and pain. And now, those same eyes were seeing a new battle.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Saloni opened it and outside one girl was standing. She was also in a bodyguard uniform but looked a bit older maybe a senior.
You are new, that girl said.
In her voice, there was
no warmth — just a strict tone.
Yes, Saloni said.
My name is Kavya.
I have come to explain the morning rules to you
Kavya said. Saloni nodded her head.
First rule
Kavya started
always stay within your designated student's ten-foot radius. If she is in class then you will stand outside. If she is in the dining hall then you will be on the side table.
If she is sleeping then you can come to your room."
Saloni felt a bit nervous but said nothing.
"
Second rule: without permission, speaking is forbidden
Kavya said.
If any student asks you something, then answer but the rest of the time stay silent.
Third rule
for us separate dining and training areas are there. Don't mix don't laugh, don't talk. Maintain professional distance. And the most important rule
Kavya said with seriousness, if someone does something to your designated student, then you have to handle it — either beat that other student's bodyguard or the student herself but only when she has done something to your designated student.
Saloni's throat went dry.
Now let's go, it's breakfast time
Kavya said.
The dining hall was very big. Hundreds of girls were sitting there laughing, talking, eating. But in the middle, one clear division was there: for students. Big tables, good chairs, and even the food looked better. In the corner, one small area was there for bodyguards small plastic tables and chairs, and food just enough to fill the stomach.
Saloni sat in one corner, alone. She looked all around, and then her sight fell on Priya.
Priya was sitting in the main hall with her new friends, laughing and talking like everything was normal. Till yesterday, both of them were sitting together in the same car, but today, both were in different worlds.
Saloni looked at her plate
simple roti, sabzi, and a little dal. She started eating silently; she was already used to such things.
Just then, one student was passing and accidentally pushed Saloni's plate. The plate moved, and some sabzi fell on the floor.
Sorry, bodyguard, that student said, but in her voice, there was no sorry only laughter. She left.
Saloni saw that other bodyguards had also seen it, but no one said anything. All remained silent. Saloni herself got up, cleaned her plate, and sat again. For the first time, she understood that this place was not just an academy it was a battlefield, and she was at the bottom.
After breakfast everyone had to go to the assembly hall. The assembly hall was very big, and in the middle, all students were sitting in organized rows.
Bodyguards were standing along the walls, hands behind, in straight posture.
Saloni was told to stand behind Priya, near the side wall. She stood there and saw that Priya, in front with students, was sitting in comfortable chairs while she herself was standing like a silent shadow.
After some time, the Director came the same woman from registration yesterday
Mrs. Sharma. She picked up the microphone and started speaking.
Welcome to Low Level Academy
Mrs. Sharma said. This academy is for those who want to increase their power
who want to change their destiny. But surviving here is not easy.
There are rules and for those who break them, there is no place.
Then she announced the rules.
Rules for Students:
Rule 1 Attendance is mandatory. Three absences mean a warning five absences mean expulsion.
Rule 2 Every month evaluation will happen. The ranking system is based on performance.
Rule 3 Credit system through tests challenges and missions earn credits.
Rule 4: Challenge system students can challenge each other for ranking.
Rule 5 Element mastery is compulsory. Every student must achieve a minimum level.
Rule 6 Respect the hierarchy — seniors must guide juniors.
Rule 7: Violence outside designated areas is prohibited.
Rule 8: Curfew is at 10 PM after that don't go outside the dorms.
Rule 9: Restricted areas exist going there is strictly forbidden.
Then Mrs. Sharma looked toward the bodyguards.
And now, for bodyguards extra rules she said. Saloni's heart started beating fast.
Rules for Bodyguards:
Rule 1: Shadow Protocol always stay within your student's ten-foot radius.
Rule 2: Silence Rule without permission, speaking is forbidden.
Rule 3: Separate facilities separate dining, training, and rest areas.
Rule 4: Personal training is allowed you can practice when your student allows.
Rule 5: Failure Consequences if something happens to your student you will be given the strictest punishment.
Rule 6: Evaluation your performance will be judged through your student's performance.
Rule 7: No friendships with students maintain professional distance.
Rule 8: Uniform is compulsory always.
Mrs. Sharma dismissed the assembly. Saloni stood still, all the rules spinning in her mind.
How would she survive without an element?
How would she prove herself? If Priya failed, then she would also be expelled.
After assembly, everyone went toward their classes.
Priya walked ahead with her friends, laughing, while Saloni walked behind her like a silent shadow.
The first class was Element Control.
The students sat in the front rows, and the bodyguards stood along the wall. The teacher didn't even look toward the bodyguards, like they didn't exist.
In class, students were using their elements fire, water, earth, ice everything. Saloni was watching, trying to learn, but she couldn't practice anyway; she didn't have a grimoire.
During lunch break, in the dining hall again, Saloni sat alone at one table. Just then, another bodyguard came and sat near her.
First day? that girl asked.
Yes,
Saloni quietly said.
Habits will come the girl said. Either you'll break or become strong — one of the two.
Saloni said nothing.
Here, no one becomes a friend, the girl continued. Only survival matters. Take care of yourself and don't trust anyone. Then she got up and left.
In the afternoon, Priya went to the library, so Saloni got some hours free. She went out to explore the academy. On the training grounds, advanced students were practicing someone was making ice swords,
someone creating water shields, someone flying in the air. Saloni's eyes widened. Seeing all this, she felt both inspired and intimidated.
Just then, she saw one restricted area a big gate on which was written: Authorized Personnel Only. She went near the gate and looked.
You here? What are you doing? one guard said, coming toward her.
I just...
Bodyguards should not come here the guard said strictly.
Go from here.
Saloni apologized and went back. But in her mind, a question arose what was there behind that gate?
In the evening, she came back to her dorm, tired. She sat on the bed. Just then, there was a knock on the door — Priya came inside.
How was the first day? Priya asked.
Fine, Saloni said.
Priya smiled. Alright then, I'm going. And right now you don't have an element, but tomorrow I'll bring you one or two books — from which you can increase your body's strength. That means martial arts books. Okay?
Okay, Saloni said.
Alright. Tomorrow we'll meet again Priya said and left.
Saloni remained alone. She remembered the orphanage, Aisha, and the small children. She thought — what will happen now? If she wanted to live a good life, she would have to bear this much pain.