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Chapter 19 - CHAPTER 12: CHOSEN BY MANTLE

~ "Before a warrior becomes legend—his path must be chosen by the energy, not by man."

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Devansh leaned in close to Acharya Dhanvantri, his expression carrying that irrepressible spark of mischief flickering in his eyes.

A grin tugged at his lips as he whispered just loud enough for the Acharya Dhanvantri to hear, "Why so silent, Acharya? Or… do you not wish to recruit Ved into your department?"

Though his tone was light, the challenge beneath it was unmistakable— and it stirred a hidden fire within the Acharya's spirit.

Acharya Dhanvantri—Acharya of Ayurveda Vidya (Ayurvedic Wisdom and Vital Energy)—straightened subtly, the graceful poise of a scholar-sage wrapping around him like a cloak. His voice was calm, refined… but it struck like a sharpened needle.

"I've seen the boy's insight in alchemy..." he said, tone edged with pride, a subtle smile curving his lips. "His intuitive grasp of medicinal lore is extraordinary. The rhythm of the Vaidya hums in his blood. He doesn't merely learn Ayurveda—he embodies it. His spirit pulse beats with the sage of a healer. He's born to walk the path of the healer."

His words hung in the air, heavy with certainty, but before the silence could deepen, a cold voice cut through like a steel blade.

"Then let him earn that fate."

All attention snapped to the speaker.

Acharya Agniparikshit.

The Acharya of Agnipariksha and Diksha-Vidhaan (Trials and Sacred Initiations)—the ancient rites of trials and sacred initiations. He stood tall, intense, and silent no longer. His eyes narrowed, sharp as a burning brand, boring into Ved as though seeking the layers beneath skin and soul.

"No path is granted without the fire." He said, voice like smoldering steel. "He shall pass the initiations first. Only then shall his true self be revealed."

Then, a hand rose into the air—steady, commanding.

Kulapati Vedananda.

The very breath of the Gurukul paused.

The very presence of the Kulapati commanded silence without a word. The air around him seemed to pause—time itself holding breath. The stir of robes, the mutter of lips, the ripple of thoughts—all ceased as his hand hovered above the air.

Kulapati Vedananda's gaze swept slowly from Ved to Devansh, his eyes ancient and profound, carrying the weight of countless choices made in ages past.

"Acharya Agniparikshit speaks with reasons." he said at last, his voice as still as a lake yet deeper than any ocean.

"Yes, the boy has returned. But before his path is decided... let his own innate energy speak."

He paused.

"Let his spirit choose what destiny awaits."

And like that—destiny was set in motion.

The air trembled.

Ved's breath accelerated—not from fear, but from the weight of everything pressing toward this moment.

And he was ready.

꧁༒☬༒꧂──────꧁༒☬༒꧂──────꧁༒☬༒꧂

They walked in silence through the sacred passageways of the Gurukul, the air thick with unsaid things. Walls lined with murals of ancient Gurus and celestial symbols watched them pass like silent witnesses. At last, they arrived before the grand domed structure that loomed like a sacred mountain—

The Jagruk Pariksha Hall.

This was no ordinary structure—it was a sanctum of awakening, where destinies were carved from silence and flame. A place where destiny unveiled itself. Carved from celestial stone and luminous cosmic ore, the chamber glowed faintly, as though alive with slumbering purpose. The ancient sigils etched into the walls whispered secrets too old for mortal tongues.

At the center rose the Rang Manch—a sacred circular platform inscribed with the geometry of truth and power.

Around the platform stood nine towering pillars, each one humming with dormant energy, carved with script that shimmered like sunlight dancing on still water. These were the Pillars of Vidya, the spiritual conduits of the Gurukul's deepest disciplines:

1. Naada Vidya – Art of Sound-Soul

2. Rahasyagya Lokakhyanacharya – Secret History & Cosmic Myths

3. Tatva-Pariyavaran Vidya – Elemental Ecology

4. Shaastra & Dhanurveda – Sacred Strategy and Weaponized Wisdom

5. Samskara Rasayanvidya – Soul Transformation Arts

6. Antariksha Gyaan & Brahma-Raah Nirdeshak – Astral Science & Cosmic Navigation

7. Riddhi-Siddhi Vidya – Mystical Powers Training

8. Divya Vidya – Sacred Esoteric Knowledge

9. Ayurveda Vidya – Ayurvedic Wisdom and Vital Energy

As the Acharyas gathered at the edge of the platform, alongside Devansh and Ved. A growing rustle stirred beyond them.

Curiosity peaked shishyas and began pouring in from all sides into the galleries above—whispers weaving through the air like threads of anticipation. Eyes locked on the unfolding scene.

"Did you hear?" someone whispered. "A shishya is taking the initiation test… after three whole years of disappeared!"

"No way! That's just a rumor... isn't it?"

"What? Are you sure it's real?"

"Shhh! Keep your voice down. Look—down there! He's stepping up!"

"Wasn't he with Senior Anant just half an hour ago?"

"What's his name…?"

"Yes—Ved… Ved Arya… something like that…"

Gasps followed.

Heads craned.

Eyes widened.

All attention fell on the lone boy stepping into the center of the Rang Manch.

Ved Arya.

He stood still.

Took a deep breath.

Closed his eyes.

The world faded.

The crowd dissolved.

Only the pulse of his own heart echoed—deep, ancient, familiar.

The hum of his breath deepened.

He reached inward, diving past thought and memory, into that infinite space between breath and soul. The air shimmered. His body began to glow—light pulsing faintly along his skin. Slowly, as if the world itself was bowing, his feet lifted from the stone floor, hovering gently in midair.

The silence was complete.

And then—

The Array of the Rang Manch awakened.

Sigils beneath his feet lit up like stars emerging from dusk. Spirals of light twisted and unfurled like blooming lotuses, crawling outward across the platform in living fractals.

Light burst outward in all directions, surging toward the pillars.

And one by one, the pillars ignited in breathtaking hues:

• Indigo-Violet with Gold Accents (Naada Vidya)

• Midnight Blue & Silver (Cosmic Myths)

• Earthy Green & Rust Brown (Elemental Ecology)

• Crimson Red & Steel Grey (Shaastra & Dhanurveda)

• Amethyst Purple & Pearl White (Samskara Rasayanvidya)

• Cosmic Black & Starlight Gold (Astral Navigation)

• Electric Blue & Radiant White (Riddhi-Siddhi)

• Deep Saffron & Lotus Pink (Divya Vidya)

• Herbal Green & Sunlit Yellow (Ayurveda)

Nine pillars. Nine Vidyas. Nine powers awakened—

And for a heartbeat, the universe watched in breathless awe.

A sudden golden light erupted from the array.

For a moment, the entire chamber glowed with transcendent brilliance.

Even the Acharyas were frozen in disbelief.

Then, without warning—

All the lights vanished in the midway.

Darkness reclaimed the pillars.

Confusion rippled across every face, spreading through the air like thunder shattering the stillness of a tranquil lake. A murmur rose—then turned into a sharp cry.

"Something's wrong!" a shishya shouted from within the crowd, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Or someone…"

He didn't need to finish. The unspoken words hung heavy in the silence that followed—everyone understood.

All eyes turned.

To Ved.

Descending slowly, almost solemnly, he landed on the Manch—calm amidst the brewing storm.

The Acharyas looked at one another in stunned disbelief.

"No... This… shouldn't be possible." whispered Acharya Dhanvantri. "This… this is not normal."

Acharya Agniparikshit stormed forward and crouched near the base of the Rang Manch, examining the runes and relays that maintained its divine circuitry.

"Ved, step aside."

He turned to Devansh, pointed:

"You. Inside the array. Now. We must test if the array has malfunctioned."

Devansh raised a brow, clearly amused. "You think the platform malfunctioned?"

Acharya Agniparikshit didn't smile. "Step in."

With an exaggerated sigh, Devansh offered Ved a playful wink before stepping into the circle with his signature swagger—shoulders loose, chin lifted, eyes gleaming with confidence. His gaze silently teased: "Look at me!."

Ved stepped out of the array, folding his arms, observing silently from a distance. A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he flicked his fingers ever so lightly—just as Devansh activated the runes embedded in the array beneath his feet.

The array flared to life once more.

As before, all nine pillars lit up in unison—each glowing brightly, flooding the hall with golden-white light.

But then—something shifted.

This time, three pillars remained fully lit, pulsing steadily as if awakened. The rest dimmed.

• Crimson Red & Steel Grey (Shaastra & Dhanurveda)

• Earthy Green & Rust Brown (Tatva-Pariyavaran Vidya)

• Indigo-Violet with Gold Accents (Naada Vidya)

At first, it seemed like a glitch.

The pillars flickered oddly, as if something had malfunctioned again.

But then… they settled.

Three pillars stood unwavering—shining in perfect harmony.

No static. No collapse. No misfire.

A flawless reading.

Exactly as it should be.

"That's… that's how it's supposed to work, right?" someone whispered, still unsure.

"Forget that!" another shishya exclaimed, elbowing his friend. "Look!"

"Three affinities—just like when Senior Anant took the test three years ago!"

"Wow… I actually witnessed it with my own eyes."

"Yeah, same. I saw Senior Anant's elemental response with these eyes. My life's complete now. No regrets if I die tomorrow!"

A ripple of murmurs swept across the Rang Manch, growing from scattered awe to a low, buzzing tide of excitement and disbelief.

The Kulapati and Acharyas nodded slightly with agreement. Normal.

"No glitch. The array is functioning." With a nod, Acharya Agniparikshit turned back. "Once more. Ved—step in again."

Ved re-entered the array, unreadable as ever. But just before he did, Devansh flashed a sly smile—and mimicked Ved's earlier finger-flick with uncanny precision.

Ved froze.

> Was it coincidence? Or had Devansh known all along?

Still puzzled, Ved stepped forward, calm and collected.

The array roared to life once more.

But this time, the array pulsed stronger.

Brighter.

But only two pillars glowed.

And this time, their brilliance was blinding:

• Herbal Green & Sunlit Yellow (Ayurveda)

• Crimson Red & Steel Grey (Shaastra & Dhanurveda)

Their glow was no less majestic—if anything, it was more focused. More pure.

The brilliance was blinding. The pillars hummed like celestial instruments in harmony.

The energy lights shimmered like stars being born. The energy around them vibrated—resonating with Ved's core.

An energy storm spiraled above the arena, casting soft lightning against the dome.

The crowd leaned forward in awe.

From the sidelines, Devansh crossed his arms and chuckled.

> Looks like you're going to cure the universe this time... Instead of breaking it apart.

He watched with a slow, proud grin. "So, this is the storm you've been hiding, Ved."

Ved turned, smiled genuinely. He stood there—caught in the pull of two ancient forces—as the Path of the Vaidya-Warrior began to reveal itself.

The Acharyas exchanged solemn glances.

For the first time in hundred centuries, the Array had awakened all nine Vidyas... only to narrow down to two.

From the back, Kulapati Vedananda stepped forward. His voice quiet, but heavy:

"In all the centuries of Gurukul history… the array has never awakened all nine Vidyas in a single test. Until now..."

All the Acharyas turned to him, solemn.

"But everything is sorted now." He turned to Ved, addressing:

"Go. Greet your Gurus."

Acharya Dhanvantri exhaled softly, saying excitedly:

"…The legend has returned to me."

And so it was.

The decision was clear.

The Array had spoken.

Ayurveda and Shaastra. Healing and Defense.

Two sacred flames. One soul. The mantle had chosen.

Ved Arya—the boy who vanished for three years—stood now chosen by fate itself.

The murmurs fell into reverence.

Ved descended from the platform, and bowed before two Acharyas:

Acharya Dhanvantri—Acharya of Ayurveda Vidya.

Acharya Mahakaal Astrajnani—Acharya of Shaastra and Dhaunurveda.

In the crowd, someone had noticed what had Ved done.

> Had the boy… intentionally overwhelmed the array?

The unknown person smiled slightly, and vanished among the crowd without any trace.

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