When Teacher Bhupati gave the healing pill to Nivyansh and those two brothers, the moment they ate it, their wounds began to heal instantly.
After that, Teacher Bhupati told both of them to apologize to Nivyansh. Hearing this, both of them felt a surge of anger inside, but unwillingly they had to obey Teacher Bhupati.
And both of them, half-heartedly, apologized to Nivyansh, saying—
"Junior brother Nivyansh, forgive us. We didn't know that you were our junior."
While saying this, Hritik had clenched his fists tightly.
At this, Nivyansh, who was still very angry with both the brothers, unwillingly said, just because of Teacher Bhupati's words—
"No problem, Senior Hritik, mistakes do happen with humans."
While saying this, there was a fake smile on Nivyansh's face.
A moment later, Bhupati announced their punishment—
"Hritik and Hrutesh, even though you two have apologized, the way you loot people walking on the road is not a small mistake. It has tarnished the name of our academy. Even though you do not belong to the northern part, what you are doing has shamed your southern division. And as an elder of the academy, it is my right to expel you both for this mistake. But considering it as your first mistake, I am giving you only a light punishment. From today, and for the next one and a half months, you will be deprived of the important places of the academy. And as for informing the elders, I will personally report this matter to them."
After saying this, Teacher Bhupati turned around and started walking away. Seeing this, Nivyansh and Prashant followed him. After walking for a while through the forest, Bhupati suddenly stopped and, staring carefully at Nivyansh, who was walking just behind him, said—
"Nivyansh, from today you must stay a little cautious of those two. Because in the future, they might create trouble for you."
To this, Nivyansh replied—
"Teacher Bhupati, no matter how many troubles they create for me, I am not one of those who step back in fear. Even if in the future they try to cause me problems, then they must also be prepared for the consequences."
As he said this, confidence was reflected clearly on Nivyansh's face. Seeing this, Teacher Bhupati said—
"I do believe you are a hardworking student. But you are still only at the ninth star, just one step behind reaching the Blood Circulation Rank. I also know that in some time you will surely achieve this rank. But don't forget, you are still much weaker than your seniors. Even if you can fight warriors two or three stars above you, you cannot win against them yet.
Those with whom you were fighting just now are not even worthy of being in the top 500. From this alone, you can guess how weak you still are. And remember, it hasn't even been six full months since you entered this Braveheart Academy. That's why I want you to try to reach the Blood Circulation Rank as soon as possible, so that you can stand strong against the coming troubles."
Nivyansh, nodding his head humbly, replied—
"Yes Teacher, I will try my best to live up to your words."
After that, the three of them walked through the forest path until they reached the bank of a lake. There, many students were standing in a queue leading to a tent. Each boy and girl, after reaching the table, placed the herbs they had collected before an elderly man, who counted them, while a young boy beside him noted the quantity in a list. In exchange, the man gave them a red pill that helped to raise one's power to the next star. One by one, after receiving it, the students walked away.
When some students saw Nivyansh and Prashant arriving along with Teacher Bhupati, they were shocked. Many eyes turned towards them, and whispers began spreading among the students.
One boy said to another standing near him—
"Hey, why is Teacher Bhupati with these two?"
The other boy replied—
"Brother, I think Teacher Bhupati is helping them."
Hearing this, many students began to feel jealous.
Another student then said—
"I used to think Teacher Bhupati always followed his principles. But today I realize, he too is just like the others—under the influence of the royal families."
Hearing this, a thin boy, walking up angrily, said—
"What nonsense are you talking? When you don't know the whole truth, better keep your mouth shut!"
The other boy, unable to justify himself, replied angrily—
"Oh, so you know everything then?"
The thin boy retorted—
"Of course. Unlike you, I don't accuse anyone without understanding the matter fully."
Then the boy began narrating—
"A little while ago, Prashant came running with a worried face. I was there at that time. He told me how, inside the forest, a Rank-1 Magical Leopard attacked Nivyansh. Even though he had very little power, Nivyansh still fought it, and killed it. From that, he obtained the beast's magic stone. But just when they were keeping it, two people arrived and tried to snatch it forcefully from them."
When people heard this—that Nivyansh had fought and killed a Rank-1 Magical Leopard with his own strength—they were stunned, their mouths wide open. They listened even more carefully as the thin boy exaggerated further.
Then he concluded—
"So now it is clear, Teacher Bhupati only went to protect them from those people."
Hearing this, respect for Bhupati grew in many students' hearts. They even started scolding the boy who had earlier tried to spread false rumors about him, leaving his face burning with anger and shame.
But Nivyansh did not care about any of this. After Teacher Bhupati left, he and Prashant also stood in line. After waiting for some time, their turn came.
Nivyansh opened his pouch and placed the herbs he had collected on the table. Seeing this, many students were shocked—because he had brought as many as eighteen healing herbs, which were used in making the Rank-2 healing pill.
The elderly man looked at him with admiration and said—
"Wonderful! Nivyansh, you've done an excellent job. With the amount you've collected, you deserve at least four Blood Pills."
Saying this, he handed Nivyansh four red pills. After receiving them, Nivyansh moved ahead. As he looked around, he saw many students staring at him—some with jealousy, and some with clear respect. But being stared at by so many, he felt uneasy, especially as many girls were trying to trap him with their beauty.
On top of that, Nivyansh's blue eyes and silver hair made him the most attractive among all the young men of the academy. Many girls couldn't help but be drawn towards him.
Some of them whispered among themselves—
"Isn't that Nivyansh? I think he's the most handsome boy in the academy."
The other girl nodded—
"You're right, sister. He truly looks very attractive."
While they were talking, another girl approached and said—
"Being attractive and handsome doesn't mean he's powerful. Don't you know? For two years he has been trying to increase his power, but he still hasn't gone beyond the ninth star. And no matter how good he looks, in the end, only strength matters."
Hearing this, the same girls who were praising him now agreed with her.
One of them asked curiously—
"But Amrita, how do you know so much about him? It hasn't even been six months since he entered this academy."
The girl named Amrita smirked and said—
"Because he is nothing but trash from our own family. His father, Raktab, is a commander in our clan. That's why I know everything about him."
Her eyes showed clear contempt for Nivyansh. And she hadn't even lowered her voice while saying this, so all the nearby students heard it. Those who were praising Nivyansh just moments ago immediately began to ignore him.
When these words reached Nivyansh's ears, his head lowered in shame.
Just then, Prashant arrived. Seeing Nivyansh's downcast face, and overhearing the students' talk, he understood everything. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he encouraged him—
"Nivyansh brother, why are you listening to their nonsense? Once you achieve the Blood Circulation Rank, all of their faces will be worth watching. Besides, today you've received four Blood Pills—you can now try again to raise your power."
Hearing this, the sadness on Nivyansh's face vanished instantly, replaced by a smile.
Soon after, both of them walked together towards their home.
So what will happen next?
Will Nivyansh achieve the Blood Circulation Rank?
Or will he remain stuck at the same power level?
To know all the answers—
Stay tuned for the next chapters of The Heartless Warrior.