The classroom fell silent the moment the man stepped inside.
His presence alone carried weight—calm, heavy, and absolute.
Wakheipam Kondonglei straightened and bowed her head slightly.
"Welcome, Head of the University."
The students followed instinctively, standing up at once.
The man wore a dark traditional robe layered with ancient sorcerer markings. His hair was tied neatly behind his head, and his eyes were sharp but not cold—eyes that had witnessed too many eras of Thawai Sorcery to be surprised by anything anymore.
"I am Taibang Sana Heithoiba," he said, his voice steady and clear.
"The current Head of Manipur Sorcery University."
He looked across the classroom, scanning every face—not judging, but measuring.
"You are not here because you are talented," Heithoiba continued.
"You are here because the world needs more sorcerers than ever before."
A faint tension spread through the room.
"You have already heard about Tha, Mi, and Sana," he said, glancing briefly at Kondonglei. "Let me add one thing."
He walked slowly between the desks.
"Tha is power. Mi is control. Sana is purpose."
"Without purpose, power becomes disaster."
His gaze paused for a brief moment on Lanthaba.
"The enemies you will face are not beasts or myths," Heithoiba said.
"They are Lairois—entities that corrupt reality itself. And some of them were once human."
A low murmur spread through the class, but no one dared to speak aloud.
"From today onward," he continued, "your lives as ordinary people are over. You will be ranked, tested, sent on missions, and sometimes…"
He paused.
"…you will lose people."
He stopped at the front of the room.
"But remember this," Heithoiba said firmly.
"Thawai Sorcery does not exist to create heroes. It exists to maintain balance."
Turning toward Kondonglei, he said,
"Kondonglei, begin the foundation assessment tomorrow."
She nodded respectfully. "Yes, Head."
Heithoiba faced the students one last time.
"Rest today. Observe. Do not rush your Thawai."
"The ones who hurry… break first."
With that, he turned and left the classroom as quietly as he had entered.
For several seconds, no one moved.
Yaikhomba finally exhaled.
"That man… he's terrifying."
He turned to Lanthaba. "Who is he really?"
Lanthaba watched the Head disappear down the corridor before replying.
"My father told me about him," Lanthaba said calmly.
"He was the Head of Manipur Sorcery University even generations ago. He's human… but after living for many centuries, his appearance became like this."
Yaikhomba's eyes widened.
"Wait—does that mean… he's immortal?"
Shock and curiosity flooded his face. Questions piled up in his mind, one after another.
Before he could ask anything more, the bell rang.
Kondonglei spoke again.
"Class dismissed."
Lanthaba stood and tapped Yaikhomba's shoulder.
"Come on. Let's get some food in the canteen," he said.
"I'll explain everything there."
Yaikhomba nodded quickly, still shaken.
As they left the classroom, one thing was clear—
This university was not just a place of learning.
It was a place where centuries-old secrets walked among students.