By the time Dev returned to the main hall, Vansh and Aditya were already there.
"Finally," Vansh said, crossing his arms. "What took you so long?"
Dev gave a small shrug. "Got a bit lost in the library."
Aditya looked at him for a moment, as if trying to read something—but said nothing.
Then 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."
The three of them rushed forward with the crowd and reached the form desk just in time.
The Selection Form
Each student was handed a scroll-like form.
Dev unrolled it.
At the top, written clearly:
"Select 6 Classes."
Below that—
Compulsory Classes (3 Required): Basic Combat Basic Spiritual Energy Control Grand Library
Dev nodded. That's fixed.
Then he looked at the next section.
Optional Classes (Choose 3):
Breath Specialization
Battle Theory
Swordsmanship
Bow and Arrow
Spear Style
Gada (Mace) Style
Advanced Spiritual Control
Ancient History
Ancient Weapon Research
Multi-Weapon Mastery
Vansh whistled. "That's a lot."
Aditya spoke calmly, already thinking ahead.
"Each student must choose six in total," he said."Three are compulsory… so we need to pick three more."
Their Choices
Vansh didn't hesitate.
"Easy," he said. "I'm taking—"
Breath Specialization
Swordsmanship
Gada Style
"Power and more power," he grinned.
Aditya sighed. "Predictable."
Then he marked his own:
Breath Specialization
Advanced Spiritual Control
Ancient History
"Control, knowledge, and refinement," he said.
Vansh rolled his eyes. "You're basically becoming a teacher already."
Dev stared at the options.
Breath Specialization…
He paused.
I can't use any of them properly.
He moved past it.
Advanced Spiritual Control… maybe later.
He thought for a few seconds.
Then slowly, he selected:
Battle Theory
Advanced Spiritual Control
Multi-Weapon Mastery
Vansh leaned over. "No Breath Specialization?"
Dev shook his head.
"It won't help me right now."
Aditya nodded slightly.
"That's a logical decision."
Dev looked at his form again.
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 and handed in their forms.
As Dev let go of his scroll, he felt something strange.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
Just a quiet realization—
This was the first real step.
Not just surviving the academy…
But choosing how to grow in it.
The moment they stepped out of the hall, Vansh stretched his arms and grinned.
"First food, then everything else," he said."Come on—canteen."
Dev let out a small breath. "That fast, huh?"
Aditya adjusted his sleeve. "Energy before exploration… makes sense."
"Exactly," Vansh said. "You understand me."
The Canteen
The academy canteen was surprisingly lively.
Students filled the space, talking, laughing, arguing about techniques and classes.
The smell of hot food spread through the air.
Vansh didn't waste a second.
"Sit," he said. "I'll bring food."
Before either of them could respond, he was already gone.
Dev and Aditya exchanged a brief look.
"…He moves fast," Dev said.
"In everything except thinking," Aditya replied calmly.
Dev almost laughed.
A few minutes later, Vansh returned carrying three plates.
"Eat first," he said, dropping them on the table. "Then talk."
They started eating.
For a while, there was silence—just the sound of plates and distant chatter.
Then Vansh leaned back.
"So," he said, looking at Dev."In the library… what techniques did you pick?"
Dev paused for a second.
"Before that," Vansh added, pointing at Aditya,"You go first."
Aditya wiped his hands calmly.
"I focused on fundamentals," he said.
"Basic Array formation…Basic Glass Body—"
Vansh interrupted. "Glass Body? Isn't that the one that reflects attacks?"
"Yes," Aditya replied. "Partially. But it requires extreme control."
"Yeah, I heard normal students avoid it," Vansh said.
Aditya nodded. "They do."
"And?" Vansh asked.
"Some study of ancient history," Aditya finished.
"Of course you did," Vansh muttered.
Vansh turned to Dev.
"Your turn."
Dev hesitated for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"I learned a few basic Harmony techniques," he said."Stone Body… Wind Step… Iron Finger."
He paused slightly.
"And… something else."
Vansh leaned forward. "What?"
Dev shook his head lightly.
"Just a breathing method."
He didn't mention the Tri-Deva Breath.
Not yet.
Aditya noticed the pause—but didn't question it.
"Alright," Vansh said, cracking his knuckles."My turn."
He grinned.
"Stone Fist—pure power."
Dev nodded. "That suits you."
"Obviously," Vansh said proudly.
"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," Vansh finished."Gotta know how to actually fight."
A Small Realization
For a moment, the three sat in silence.
Each of them had chosen differently.
Aditya → control and knowledge
Vansh → power and aggression
Dev → 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 gave a small smile.
"Eventually."
Aditya nodded slightly.
"If we survive the training."
Vansh laughed. "That's the easy part."
After finishing their meal, they didn't rush back.
"Let's explore," Vansh said, already standing up.
And just like that, the three of them spent the rest of the day wandering through the academy.
They passed:
Training grounds where senior students practiced Quiet meditation halls carved into the mountain Weapon arenas filled with clashing steel Long stone corridors that seemed to stretch endlessly
Vansh was excited about everything.
Aditya observed everything.
Dev… absorbed everything.
By the time the sun began to set behind the mountains, the academy looked completely different—calmer, quieter, almost ancient.
They returned to their room after dinner, tired but satisfied.
No one spoke much.
The day had been long.
Vansh dropped onto his bed."I'm dead," he muttered. "Wake me up tomorrow."
Aditya simply lay down, closing his eyes."Rest is part of training."
Within minutes—
Both were asleep.
Dev lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
The room was silent.
Cold mountain air drifted in through the window.
He replayed the day in his mind—
The test.The light.The library.The choices.
Everything felt… real now.
Not confusing.
Not overwhelming.
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.