A month later
The injuries had healed almost perfectly over the past weeks, and the first-year batch was finally headed for the Everheart Forest picnic. Unlike previous cohorts, the new students weren't thugs. Akshat felt a strange relief at the thought—no bullying, no fights, no ambushes lurking around corners.
After the usual airport security checks, the students boarded the university-provided plane. The cramped, noisy experience was as expected—until Alexander appeared beside Akshat with a wide grin.
"Master, I've arranged something special," he said, gesturing toward a sleek private plane waiting on the tarmac.
Akshat froze. "A private plane? Seriously?"
Alexander's smile widened. "Yes. Just for you… and your companion, if you wish."
Without hesitation, Akshat nodded. "Bring Aavya too. She's coming."
Soon, the three of them were aboard the quiet luxury of the private plane. Aavya gave him a curious look, but Akshat only shrugged. "Relax. It's easier this way."
He introduced Alexander properly. "Aavya, this is Alexander. Alexander, this is… well, Aavya."
"Hi," Alexander said, bowing slightly.
"Hello," Aavya replied warmly, and the awkward formality melted away. By the time they settled into their seats, it felt like they'd known each other for a while—just normal, simple friends enjoying a trip together.
Not long after, Alexander leaned toward Aavya with a teasing grin. "Are you dating Master?"
Aavya's brow furrowed slightly, a faint shadow of disappointment crossing her face. Akshat immediately intervened.
"No. We're not in love or anything," he clarified, leaning back and folding his arms. Her expression softened, though a subtle sadness lingered in her eyes.
Once the plane took off, the gentle hum of the engines became a calm rhythm, and the clouds stretched endlessly outside the window. Alexander, awestruck by the height and smooth flight, pressed his face to the glass like a child seeing snow for the first time. Aavya leaned back, letting her hair sway gently with the plane, the sunlight highlighting her dark skin and making her almost glow.
Akshat smirked. The two of them—so different, yet here, sharing the same quiet fascination—made the moment almost surreal.
Rivers looked like silver threads far below, and forests unfurled like a green sea. Birds occasionally darted through the clouds, tiny wings brushing against the blue. Alexander whispered excitedly every few minutes, while Aavya laughed softly at his exaggerated exclamations.
For the first time in a long while, Akshat felt… normal. No fights, no darkness, no pressure—just the hum of the plane, warm sunlight, and the quiet comfort of people he trusted.
As the plane began its descent toward Everheart Forest, he realized this trip—Alexander's strange, luxurious detour—was going to be more than a simple picnic. It was a rare chance to breathe, to be alive, and perhaps even to enjoy a moment where nothing bad could touch them.
Alexander glanced at the rolling green canopy below and then turned to Akshat, curiosity written across his face.
"Master," he asked, "why are we heading to Everheart Forest? Why here, of all places?"
Akshat leaned back, folding his arms, his gaze fixed on the endless green. "This place… it's more than just a forest," he said slowly. "It has a way of clearing your mind, of helping you see things differently. The quiet, the nature, the isolation… it can help you clarify your thoughts, understand yourself better."
Alexander blinked, absorbing the words. "So… this is for me?"
"Partly," Akshat replied. "You've got potential, Alexander, but potential isn't enough. You need experiences—real ones, not just theory. Being here, away from distractions, away from family pressure… maybe it'll help you see what you truly want… and how to find it."
Alexander's dark eyes flickered with awe, and for a moment he didn't speak. Then, quietly but firmly, he said, "I'll make the most of it, Master. I promise."
Aavya, who had been observing quietly, tilted her head and smiled softly. "Well… why is Alex calling Akshat 'Master'? And sounds like this forest has more power than I thought," she murmured, her voice carrying just enough warmth to lighten the moment.
Akshat smirked. "It does. But only if you're willing to pay attention… and to feel."
The plane hummed steadily, cutting through the clouds, carrying the three of them toward the green expanse of Everheart Forest—and toward whatever lessons, revelations, or challenges awaited them them.
End of ch 19
To be continue...
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