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Chapter 46 - Paths We Choose

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– Chapter: Paths We Choose

📍 Astral Academy – Common Garden, Late Morning

After that they decided to go to the nutrition dorm for there breakfast.

The laughter of breakfast faded into a soft stillness, the kind that comes before decisions.

Ashwajeet stood up, the sunlight glinting off his shoulder.

Ashwajeet:

"Hey… just letting you all know, I'll be heading out for training."

The others turned.

Veer:

"Where to? Don't tell me you're going alone into the Monster Territory."

Ashwajeet (shaking his head):

"Not alone. I already informed the elders. I'll be heading to the Southern Highlands with two of them. There are ancient thunder sanctums down there. I think it's time I face them."

Mira (grinning):

"Of course. You'd go looking for a lightning storm just to meditate in it."

Ashwajeet (smiling):

"Maybe."

Then he looked at the others.

Ashwajeet:

"What about you all? This is our chance to break limits. So… where are you heading?"

The group exchanged glances, then began sharing their plans:

Veer (arms behind his head):

"Sky Cliffs. High winds, insane pressure zones. I'll be going with one of the elders who knows wind control. Should be fun."

Saki:

"There's a sealed coastal dome near Azure Bay. The academy approved my trip with an elder healer. I want to learn water-based healing and shield techniques."

Reika:

"I'm joining a volcanic terrain study group. The lava flow training near Ember Ridge is brutal, but… I need it."

Mira:

"I'm staying here. The earth veins under the academy go deep. I think I've ignored their voice too long. Time to listen."

Myria:

"Sound Temple in the north. Elder Tama will guide me. They say it echoes with past warriors' heartbeats. I want to find my rhythm there."

Aarya (gently):

"I'll be training near the Ice Spire Range… under elder Keina's watch. That cold will help me understand control over my ice—it's more than just freezing things."

Vivaan:

"I've gotten approval to go to the Shadow Forest under Elder Rael. The dark energy there is dangerous. But I need to understand my element... not just use it."

Sato (calmly):

"I'll remain here. There's a crystal resonance field within the east wing. Elder Shura believes I can refine my focus there."

Everyone turned toward Anay, who had been quietly listening with a faint smile.

Ashwajeet:

"What about you, Anay?"

Anay's eyes softened. He couldn't say the truth—not about his inner realm. That part of him was still too… sacred.

Anay (gently):

"I'll be training here. The academy has everything I need."

Veer:

"Staying back, huh? Classic Anay. Calm on the surface—storm underneath."

Anay chuckled.

Anay:

"Something like that."

He looked up at the sky for a moment.

Inside me… is the storm I need to master.

Ashwajeet extended his fist forward.

Ashwajeet:

"No matter where we train… let's return as better versions of ourselves."

The others joined—one by one—hands in, fists together.

Anay (quietly):

"To growth. And to what comes next."

And so, the Top 10 prepared to part ways—not as rivals, but as comrades walking different paths toward the same goal.

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