During the evening…
The children in the Gurukul were still meditating during training.
Yash was thinking to himself, "Why isn't it happening? Is it really that difficult!?"
Asha, with sweat clearly visible on her face, thought, "And on top of that, I can't even feel any air around me."
But just then, both of them felt a warmth nearby.
They opened their eyes.
Yash looked towards Ishan — and the next moment was a shocking one for him.
Ishan's body was emitting blue light and particles…
Asha exclaimed in surprise, "Ishan Bhaiya did it too!?"
Yash said, "But how… how did he do it before me!?"
Then, making a weird face, Yash thought to himself, "If I can't do it, it'll be such an embarrassment. I can't fall behind Ishan. But how do I do it!?"
At the same time, Asha thought to herself, "I'm completely useless. I can't even do one thing right. But not anymore."
With that thought, Asha sat back into her meditation posture and tried to absorb the aura again.
Yash thought to himself, "I want to become the strongest Rakshak in the world. Strong people can do anything… then why can't I!?"
"Wait… do you need something 'special' to become a Rakshak? Let me think…"
"Master Ashwatthama? Hmm… no, let him be. I don't know much about him."
"Kavir? No… he doesn't even talk. How would I know his nature?"
Then he looked toward Ishan and said, "How did this guy awaken before me? Wait… the aura frequency… why is it coming from below his belly button?"
Suddenly, he remembered his chakra body:
First chakra — below the belly button,
Second chakra — at the belly button,
Third chakra — below the heart,
Fourth chakra — at the heart,
Fifth — at the neck,
Sixth — on the forehead,
Seventh — on the head.
Yash: "So, we need to focus on that point..."
Suddenly, green aura frequencies began to emerge from Asha's body nearby.
Seeing this, tears came to Yash's eyes. He thought, "Now even this girl did it… if I fail, Master Ashwatthama will kick me out. No… no… I can't waste time!"
With that thought, Yash sat in meditation.
"I need to focus below my belly button… I need to focus below my belly button..."
Suddenly, as he focused, his chakra body appeared in front of him.
Yash thought, "Ah! So this is my own chakra body..."
Suddenly, he noticed a wave of yellow aura from outside entering his first chakra point.
Yash: "What's happening!? Wait... am I awakening!?"
But then the aura flow stopped.
Yash: "No! No! I can't lose focus now…"
He closed his eyes and resumed meditation.
Far away, atop a hill…
Ashwatthama was watching them.
He smiled faintly and said,
"Ah… these kids are incredible. It took me 12 days to feel my aura… and they sensed it so quickly. Truly talented."
Then he softly said,
"Well, they'll remain in this meditation state for a few more days."
Saying this, Ashwatthama turned and slowly disappeared into the depths of the forest...
---
30 Days Later…
Yash opened his eyes.
He thought to himself,
"Man… I was only able to fill that chakra point a little bit…"
But then he felt himself and said,
"Wait… my body feels light… and strong… yes, strong!"
Then suddenly, he wrinkled his nose.
"Such a stink!? How long has it been since I bathed!?"
He looked around.
"Where is everyone else?"
Just then, he heard a noise behind him. Yash turned and said,
"Who's there?"
Ashwatthama stepped forward and said,
"Your senses have become quite sharp."
"It took you 30 days to reach the first stage of the Root Chakra."
Yash says in surprise,
"30 days!?"
Ashwatthama nods,
"Kavir left in 12 days, Ishan in 20... and Asha in 26."
Yash, a bit disappointed, says,
"So I'm the slowest..."
Ashwatthama replies plainly,
"Yes."
Yash then asks,
"But how did I stay alive for 30 days without food or water?"
Ashwatthama explains,
"Your body now absorbs aura to sustain itself. You no longer need food."
Yash says in astonishment,
"So... we won't need to eat or drink anymore?"
Ashwatthama smiles,
"No."
Then, putting a finger to his nose, he says,
"First go take a bath... after that, your sword training is about to begin."
Yash immediately responds,
"Yes, Master!"
To be continued…