Three years had passed since the day Saksham Singla entered the Royal Academy.
In those three years, the academy had changed.
The training grounds had become harsher. The teachers stricter. The students stronger.
But one thing had remained the same.
One name stood above all others.
Saksham Singla.
Some called him a genius.
Some called him a monster.
Some whispered that he was the future shield of the kingdom.
Yet despite countless rumors, very few truly understood him.
He never boasted.
He never bullied the weak.
He never fought seriously in public.
And because of that...
Everyone feared the unknown depth of his power.
The morning sun rose over the Royal Academy as bells rang across the massive campus.
Today was an important day.
New student admissions.
Hundreds of young nobles, warriors, and talented commoners stood nervously outside the grand gate.
Teachers walked through the lines while checking names.
Parents watched proudly.
Students whispered excitedly.
"This year seems strong."
"I heard sons of famous knights are here."
"There's even a merchant prodigy from the capital."
Then suddenly...
The crowd parted.
A young boy walked forward with confident steps.
He looked around twelve years old.
Sharp eyes.
Straight posture.
Wild confidence.
A practice sword hung on his back.
He carried no fear at all.
Some students frowned.
"Who does this kid think he is?"
"He looks too relaxed."
A noble boy smirked.
"Probably another fool who thinks talent alone is enough."
The young boy ignored everyone and looked at the academy gates with shining eyes.
"So this is where big brother became famous..."
A nearby student blinked.
"Big brother?"
The boy grinned proudly.
"Yes. Saksham Singla."
The entire area froze.
"What?!"
"No way!"
"He's Saksham's younger brother?!"
Whispers exploded through the crowd like wildfire.
Teachers turned their heads immediately.
Even some parents gasped.
The noble boy who mocked him stepped back.
The younger boy crossed his arms.
"My name is Aryan Singla."
"And I'm not here to live in anyone's shadow."
Inside the academy, on a high stone balcony overlooking the grounds, a tall young man stood silently.
His black coat moved gently in the wind.
His face had matured.
His childish softness was gone.
His eyes were calm, deep, unreadable.
Saksham Singla.
Beside him stood Elena Frostveil, now older and more elegant than before.
Silver-blue hair flowed behind her as she folded her arms.
"So your brother finally came."
Saksham nodded.
"He begged father for two years."
Elena smirked.
"He looks loud."
"He is."
"Like you used to be?"
Saksham glanced at her.
She laughed softly.
Victor Ravenhart approached from behind, taller and broader than before.
His sword rested on his shoulder.
"I heard the shouting all the way from the arena."
He looked down and raised an eyebrow.
"That little one is your brother?"
"Yes."
Victor grinned.
"Poor child."
Saksham sighed.
"For him... or for the students below?"
Victor's grin widened.
"Both."
At the central plaza, Head Instructor Orion stepped onto the stage.
His presence silenced the crowd instantly.
Though older now, his sharp gaze remained intimidating.
"Welcome to the Royal Academy."
"Today, your talent, discipline, and courage will be tested."
"Those who seek glory without effort may leave now."
No one moved.
Orion nodded.
"Good."
"The first test is Mana Resonance."
Large crystal pillars were brought into the plaza.
Students stepped forward one by one, placing hands on the crystals.
Some glowed dimly.
Some shined bright.
A few impressed the crowd.
Then Aryan's turn came.
He walked casually to the center.
A teacher looked down at the scroll.
"Aryan Singla."
The crowd stirred again.
Aryan placed one hand on the crystal.
For one second...
Nothing happened.
Then—
BOOOOM!
Golden lightning burst through the pillar.
Wind exploded outward.
The crystal cracked from top to bottom.
Students screamed and stumbled back.
Teachers widened their eyes.
Orion's expression changed slightly.
Victor laughed loudly from the balcony.
"I like him already!"
Elena blinked.
"Dual affinity... lightning and wind?"
Saksham remained silent, but a faint smile appeared.
Aryan scratched his head.
"Uh... was that bad?"
The teacher stared at the destroyed crystal.
"No."
"Very... impressive."
Cheers and shocked whispers spread instantly.
But one noble student stepped forward angrily.
"This is nonsense!"
He pointed at Aryan.
"He only passed because of his brother's name!"
Aryan looked at him lazily.
"Oh?"
The noble student drew a wooden training blade.
"Fight me."
"If you lose, leave the academy."
Gasps spread.
A teacher moved to stop them—
"Let it happen," Orion said calmly.
The plaza opened.
Aryan stepped into the circle.
The noble boy rushed first with clean technique.
Fast.
Precise.
Strong for his age.
Aryan dodged once.
Twice.
Then yawned.
The crowd murmured.
The noble student roared and swung downward with full force.
Aryan moved like lightning.
CRACK!
One strike.
The noble student's blade flew into the air.
Second strike.
The noble student landed flat on his back.
Silence.
Aryan pointed his wooden sword downward.
"You talk too much."
The crowd erupted.
Victor laughed so hard he nearly dropped his sword.
Elena covered a smile.
Saksham closed his eyes briefly.
"He learned that line from me..."
Orion raised one hand.
"Aryan Singla passes."
As healers took the noble student away, Aryan looked upward toward the academy buildings.
His sharp eyes stopped.
There, on the balcony.
Saksham stood watching.
For a moment, the brothers stared at each other.
Aryan grinned widely and waved both arms.
"BROTHER!"
Half the academy turned toward Saksham.
Students gasped.
The legendary senior simply lifted one hand in response.
Nothing more.
Yet the gesture alone caused another storm of whispers.
Aryan laughed proudly.
"I told you all!"
That night, moonlight covered the academy.
Aryan was guided to the first-year dormitory.
But high above the academy sky...
The stars trembled.
Clouds twisted unnaturally.
A pressure ancient and divine touched the world for a single second.
Far away in hidden temples...
Forgotten statues opened their eyes.
Inside his room, Saksham slowly stood from bed and looked at the sky.
His system window appeared before him.
[WARNING]
[THE GODS HAVE BEGUN TO AWAKEN]
[SEASON 2 MAIN ARC INITIATED]
Saksham's calm eyes sharpened.
"So... it begins."
END OF EPISODE 1