Moments After Naman's Message
Silence lingered even after Naman's glowing message faded from the crystal screen. The once buzzing energy of the courtyard had been drained, replaced with quiet breaths and heavy hearts.
Some students lowered their heads. Others just stood still, trying to process the idea that one of their brightest stars had just flown beyond their reach.
Mira gently hugged Myria's arm.
Mira (whispering): "He was always the loudest one in the room… now it's just quiet."
Even Reika, usually unreadable, seemed a little lost.
Reika: "He had fangirls in every hallway. It's going to feel strange without his dramatic actions and over-the-top training entrances."
Aarya looked down, fiddling with the edge of her bracelet.
Even Veer didn't have a witty comeback.
Then a voice rose through the quiet—calm and clear.
Ashwajeet:
"He's not gone. He's just ahead of us."
Everyone turned.
Ashwajeet stood confidently in the center of the circle, arms crossed loosely, gaze steady.
Ashwajeet:
"Naman's chasing his dream with everything he's got. If anything… that should light us up more than bring us down."
His words didn't feel like an order.
They felt like a spark—delivered without force, but landing in every chest with warmth.
Ashwajeet (stepping forward):
"We've got eight months until the Academy matches. That's eight months to become the best versions of ourselves. We've got time, power, and now a reason."
A faint breeze swept through the courtyard, lifting the mood with it.
One by one, smiles returned.
Veer (grinning faintly): "Well… if Naman's planning to show off on a world stage, I'm not staying behind."
Saki (smiling): "He wouldn't want us sulking. He'd want us training until our bones ached."
Then Mira raised a finger.
Mira: "Wait a minute. That makes us… nine. What about the tenth spot?"
Everyone blinked.
Myria: "She's right. We're one short."
All eyes turned to Ashwajeet.
His response?
A small, amused smirk.
Ashwajeet:
"Let the academy handle that."
Laughter broke out. Just enough to lift the weight.
Later – Cliffside Terrace, Under Starlight
The courtyard had quieted again, but not from sorrow—this time, from reflection.
Anay sat on the edge of the academy's open cliffside, . The stars above shimmered like secrets waiting to be learned.
Ashwajeet sat beside him, silent for a long while.
The wind between them carried peace.
Then Ashwajeet spoke, eyes still on the stars.
Ashwajeet:
"You and Naman were close."
Anay:
"Yeah… but I never said it enough. Never told him how much I respected him."
Ashwajeet (nodding):
"We all have someone like that. For me… it was my mentor in the Outer Sanctum."
Anay glanced sideways.
Anay:
"What happened?"
Ashwajeet smiled slightly.
Ashwajeet:
"He moved on. Said I was ready to train on my own. I thought I wasn't. But sometimes, people leave not because they're abandoning you… but because they believe you're strong enough to stand without them."
Those words settled deep into Anay's chest.
He didn't speak—but the silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was solid, like a stone placed in trust between them.
Ashwajeet looked over.
Ashwajeet:
"I don't know what tomorrow brings. But when we stand in that final arena... I know you'll be beside me."
Anay didn't nod.
He didn't have to.
Their eyes met for a breath of a second.
No words. Just a bond formed not by time, but by trials.
A silent oath carved not in speech—but in fire, frost, and lightning.
Ashwajeet finally rose to his feet, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform.
Ashwajeet (grinning slightly): "Get some rest. I don't plan on going easy in training tomorrow."
Anay gave a tired smirk.
Anay: "I wouldn't want it any other way."
As Ashwajeet walked off into the night, the soft pat of his footsteps faded. Anay remained seated, feeling the weight of silence not as pressure—but as clarity.
He closed his eyes, feeling the cool wind sweep his hair. Somewhere in the distance, he could still sense Naman's presence—like a star just out of reach but still burning.
---
The Next Morning – Astral Academy Courtyard
The sun hadn't fully risen, but Ashwajeet was already sparring in one of the open-air rings, his movements sharp, thunder-charged.
Veer was nearby, running solo drills with his phantom daggers, while Mira and Myria had a lighthearted tug-of-war with elemental threads—air and water dancing together.
Mira (laughing): "You're so slow today, Myria."
Myria: "I stayed up crying about Naman's fangirl farewell parade, okay?"
Aarya arrived next, eyes searching until they found Anay approaching from the west path. Her expression softened.
Aarya: "Hey Anay
Before she could say more, Ashwajeet clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
Ashwajeet: "Warmups are done. Let's push our sync rate today—pair drills. Combat flow."
Saki (stretching): "Tch, you never rest, do you?"
Ashwajeet (grinning): "Sleep is for the weak.
They chuckled, but then Mira raised her hand again.
Mira: "Still nine of us. Has the academy announced anything?"
A ripple of silence.
Then—
Ashwajeet: "Not yet. But when they do… it won't be someone average."
Reika (calmly): "They'll need to match us. Or exceed us."
Everyone nodded. The bar had been set high—and none of them were willing to lower it.
---
Later – Academy Dining Hall, Lunchtime Buzz
The group sat together, drawing eyes as they usually did—students whispering, stealing glances. A table full of the most elite members always felt like watching a pantheon dine.
Whispers filled the room:
> "That's Ashwajeet—the one who blitzed the West Guardian Trial…"
> "And that's Reika! She trained with the Bladelock Monks, right?"
> "Did you hear Mira and Myria are in the top percentile of dual element synergy?"
> "And Anay... he's the one who outpaced Darshan. They say his soul weapon hums when he walks."
They didn't bask in the attention—but the atmosphere around them was unmistakable. Admiration. Fear. Respect. And envy.
Veer (chewing): "If this keeps up, we're gonna need an invisible cloak to move around."
Myria (teasing): "Awww, Veer's shy because Reika has a fan club now?"
Reika (flat): "I don't do fans. I do finishes."
Everyone laughed.
Then Ashwajeet looked to Anay.
Ashwajeet: "Guess we're kinda stuck with each other.
Anay(smiling): "Wouldn't want it any other way."
There was something unspoken in their exchange—not just rivalry or teamwork—but something steadier. A connection forged in fire, lightning, and mutual will.
Where one moved, the other followed—not as a shadow, but as an equal.
---
Observatory Tower
As night blanketed the academy again, a figure stood at the highest tower—cloaked in robes bearing no crest.
A message scrolled on the translucent scroll before him:
> "Academy Selection: Final Candidate – Cleared."
The figure smirked, stepping into the moonlight—but their face remained unseen.
The stars shimmered above like they knew something the world didn't.
And somewhere below, nine hearts were already beating in rhythm.
The tenth was coming.
And with it—change.