The morning after sleeping fitfully, Amrit tries to focus on classes. Yet in math and data science lectures, he can't stop thinking about his new reality. After school, a text message buzzes: Library steps, after dark. I have news. It's Mira. He grabs his bag and heads out, excitement and nerves in his stomach.
At the old library stairway, Arjun stands waiting, leaning against a column. He's flanked by two others—a girl with long braid hair and a tall boy with a confident grin. "Kavya, Karan," Mira introduces them quietly as Amrit approaches. Both nod. Kavya holds a thick Sanskrit text; Karan absent-mindedly drops a paper clip perfectly on its end, balancing it steadily. They're awakened too. Amrit senses it instantly.
Arjun grins when Amrit joins them. "Met anyone else with... talent?" he asks. Amrit shakes his head. "Just them so far."
"Good," Arjun says. "We have enough voices for a council." The group walks to a quiet courtyard. Arjun explains: he's also awakened. They've felt something stirring in the campus since the eclipse. "We're not alone," he says. "This entire Circle was drawn together. The system is testing more of us."
Amrit recalls Mira's texts and the guardian dog. Now Arjun's calm confidence both comforts and alarms him. "So what do we do now?" he asks.
"Train and team up," Arjun replies. "Tonight, we spar. We need to learn how to fight beyond academics."
Amrit's pulse quickens. Mira pipes up, excited: "Like, now?"
Arjun nods once. "Strike now. See what we can do."
Amrit gulps. He's facing the dean of this new world. Arjun claps. "All right, move."
He tells Mira, "Find a target." She squares off against Kavya, who unexpectedly surrounds herself with a swirling sphere of water. Amrit watches as Kavya conjures torrents in a circle before them. "Waterbender?" Amrit mutters. Mira braces. "Go!" Arjun yells.
Suddenly Mira lunges. Kavya swings the water wheel at Mira. The violet flame shield on Mira's palms pushes the water back—one of Arjun's plans working instantly. Mira spins to strike Kavya with her aura, but Kavya vanishes, streaking through water.
"Nice," Amrit says admiringly. Karan was impressed too.
Arjun turns to Amrit. "You next."
Caught off guard, Amrit stands. Arjun easily materializes an orb of shadowy smoke. "Not bad," Arjun smiles. "Try this." His fingers splay; he releases a small, fast-moving sphere of dark mana. It streaks toward Amrit.
"Incoming!" Amrit leaps aside, adrenaline coursing. The sphere misses and splashes into a decorative fountain, sending inky sparks flying. Amrit's heart thunders. The fight is on.
Arjun remarks, "Powerful. But show me yours."
Amrit hesitates, then summons his flame, a tiny fireball flickering in his palm. He hurls it, and Arjun deftly steps back, letting it pass harmlessly. "Not bad," Arjun nods. "Warm-up hit." He chuckles.
Arjun then gestures and conjures a ring of black flame around himself and Amrit. "Let's see how you dodge this." With a flick, the ring bursts outward. Amrit jumps toward one of the stone benches. The flames race past, fizzing out as they pass the stone, missing him by inches.
The exchange has them both breathing hard. Amrit's t-shirt clings with sweat. Arjun looks impressed. "You're quick. Very quick."
Amrit adjusts his stance, defiant. "You're not so easy, either."
Arjun grins. "Let's end it." He rushes forward in a blur, a shadowy speed. Amrit braces.
With an explosion of flame, Amrit channels energy outward. A bright orange wave erupts from him, engulfing the entire courtyard. It's as if a small sun rose in the middle of the quad. Amrit closes his eyes as heat washes over him.
But Arjun leaps back on the edge of the eruption. He claps his hands. The shockwave dissolves against an onyx barrier he conjures, leaving him unharmed. Smoke curls as the flames die.
For a moment there is silence. Arjun nods with respect. "You've got spirit," he breathes. Amrit coughs a little, clearing his throat. "You too. That was… something."
The two grin at each other, finding mutual respect at last. Arjun offers a hand. Amrit takes it.
SYSTEM MESSAGE: Rival Encounter Complete. Karma +100. New Skill Unlocked: Karmic Shield (Passive Defense).
Amrit's system bursts with congratulation. The trials have rewarded him with strength—and friends. They walk back together under the moonlight. Arjun claps him on the back. "We'll train together, okay? Maybe form a proper group."
Amrit nods, smiling to himself. As he heads back to his dorm, the night around him feels lighter. For the first time, he's glad about being different. The campus is exactly the battleground he now expects it to be.
Amrit slips out of the dorm before dawn and heads to the campus banyan tree, where Mira is already meditating in the cool air. "Morning," he whispers, joining her. They sit together in silence as first light brushes the sky.
Soon Arjun appears from the shadows. He pulls out a small violet flame lantern. "Ready for training?" he asks quietly. Amrit and Mira stand.
Arjun instructs them to begin with a simple chant. They vibrate "Aum", feeling the earth beneath their feet. A golden warmth rises through Amrit's body. "Focus your aura," Arjun says, demonstrating another mantra. Their separate lights – gold and violet – expand into a swirling orb between them. On Arjun's signal they release it. A brilliant flame of purple-gold explodes upward.
They laugh from relief and exhilaration. "Resonant Ascension unlocked," Amrit's system confirms silently, rewarding their unity.
Arjun now proposes sparring. He faces Mira first. Amrit watches as Mira forms chains of violet flame to attack. Arjun conjures shadowy roots that sprout from the ground to ensnare the flame chains. Smoke and sizzling burst where they meet. Mira's eyes widen, impressed. She forms aura blades that arc toward Arjun, who sidesteps and counters with a series of fast shadow punches, each one clanging harmlessly on Mira's glowing armor. They trade blows until Mira lands a spinning kick on Arjun's shoulder, almost toppling him.
The duel ends with laughter. Arjun and Mira share a respectful bow.
Amrit steps forward. "When do I get to try?" he asks eagerly.
Arjun smiles. "Right now."
He guides Amrit through a palm strike. Amrit channels his inner flame into a punch toward an old tree trunk. The wood cracks with a loud snap. Amazed, Amrit's eyes go wide.
"Holy—" he starts, but stops in awe. The tree is scorched but still standing.
Arjun nods. "Exactly. Now try again, but with a little help."
Amrit hesitates. The next instant he hears an internal prompt: SYSTEM MESSAGE: Spend 100 Karma? He taps into his karma reserves. A tenth of his stash flows into his strike. This time, when he punches, the wood isn't just cracked — a perfect fist-sized hole splinters through it.
SYSTEM MESSAGE: Flaming Gauntlet +1. Amrit grins, raising his fist at the now gaping tree. He feels a tingling of pride.
Kavya watches from the corner, quietly smiling. "Don't hog all the practice," she says.
Arjun laughs. "Rest now, work continues tomorrow."
Their training behind them, the new friends part ways for the day. Amrit heads to his first class of the morning. In the classroom, calculus is more thrilling than ever; each number seems part of a hidden pattern revealed only to him. He even notices a warm aura around Reena from yesterday — they exchange knowing smiles across the lecture hall. Amrit feels fully alive and awake.
After classes, he texts Mira: "It's happening. We've unlocked more than I thought." She replies: "Meet tonight under the Banyan tree again. We have more to learn."
Amrit turns to leave, ready to step into this world of shadow and light.