Ten Flames, One Storm
Astral Academy – Southern Training Grounds, Early Morning
The sun peeked over the mountains, painting the vast open training field in hues of gold and amber. The dew still clung to the grass, but the field was already alive with motion.
The top 9 were training in the ground
Ashwajeet's thunder-charged footsteps sparked across the ground. His speed blurred, each step displacing air with a boom.
Saki followed her rhythm with calm precision, her blade dancing in arcs that sliced wind without resistance.
Veer flipped mid-air, throwing wind slash at distant targets. They curved through illusions of shadows as he landed with a cheeky grin.
Veer:
"Still too slow. My imaginary enemies are yawning."
Mira and Myria were locked in a swirling dance—
Myria:
"You're messing up the rhythm again!"
Mira (grinning):
"No, you're just too rigid. Flow with me, sound girl."
Anay stood near the stone platform, meditating ,his Tenrai no Yari in its dormant form resting across his lap. With each breath, his shadow shifted unnaturally—like something beneath the surface wanted to rise.
Reika sparred silently with Aarya, both in sync like two halves of a mirror—strike for strike, dodge for dodge.
Saki (calling out):
"Five minutes cooldown!"
They broke into groups, sweat rolling down their brows, spirits lifted by the camaraderie.
Ashwajeet walked over to Anay, tossing him a flask.
Ashwajeet:
"Still meditating with your eyes closed, huh?"
Anay:
"I fight better when I feel everything else disappear."
Ashwajeet smirked.
"Fair. I just prefer making the noise too loud to ignore."
Nearby, Myria collapsed onto the grass, exhausted.
Myria:
"I need sugar. Mira, summon cookies."
Mira (laughing):
"You want snacks or elemental synergy?"
Veer leaned back against a tree.
"Both. We train like legends. We deserve legendary snacks."
Just then, a sharp buzzing sound echoed through the field. A blue projection orb hovered in the sky.
Top 9 — report to the Main Hall immediately."
Everyone froze for a moment, then looked toward the academy.
Veer stood up, brushing leaves from his uniform.
Veer:
"Principal Arvind only calls us when something major's about to drop."
Ashwajeet:
"Let's not keep him waiting."
Astral Academy – Main Hall Steps
The nine students walked together, a quiet power in their stride. As they ascended the marble stairs, their silhouettes stretched under the tall banners fluttering in the wind.
Saki:
"You think it's about the upcoming matches?"
Reika (stoic):
"Or a new ranking test."
Myria (jokingly):
"If it's another lecture about 'team bonding' I'm jumping into the koi pond."
Mira:
"Don't worry, I'll fish you out. Maybe."
As they reached the tall mahogany doors, Veer pushed them open with a casual flair.
Veer (half-grinning):
"Alright, let's see what the storm's about."
Main Hall – Dome Chamber
Inside, the hall was bathed in blue light. Principal Arvind stood near a magical scroll suspended mid-air, his long coat flaring as he turned toward them.
Principal Arvind:
"Good. All nine—punctual as ever."
The group bowed slightly, their respect genuine.
Ashwajeet:
"Reporting as called, sir."
Arvind motioned behind him, where a single figure stood calmly in the shadows.
Principal Arvind:
"Meet your tenth member… sato."
The figure stepped forward. Pale silver eyes. Midnight hair. A stillness about him—like the moment before a storm.
There was a pause—some tension in the air—but Anay stepped forward first.
Anay (extending a hand):
"Welcome to the team."
Sato looked at him for a moment, then grasped his hand firmly.
Sato:
"Let's see if the legends are true."
The energy shifted. Nine flames had burned bright before—but now a tenth joined them, equally fierce.
Principal Arvind nodded.
Principal Arvind:
"With all ten of you assembled… I have one message."
He waved his hand, and a glowing countdown appeared in the air: 9 Months.
Principal Arvind:
Nine months from now, the Academy Matches begin. It won't just be our academy watching. National scouts. International observers. It will be a battlefield of brilliance."
He walked forward, voice calm but firm.
Principal Arvind:
"You're free now for 8 months. Train however you wish. Stay within the academy and use our resources. Or go into the surrounding forests—even into monster territory. You can only go with an elder... not without caution."
Saki:
"No restrictions?"
Principal Arvind:
"Only one. Survive. And rise."
Ashwajeet:
"We understand."
The students bowed again—each carrying not just discipline, but fire.
Outside – Garden Steps
They stepped back into the sunlight, where birds sang and petals floated in the breeze.
Mira was the first to break the silence.
Mira:
"Eight months, huh? That's... terrifying and thrilling."
Veer:
"I vote we all take a week off and visit the academy's spa dimension."
Myria:
"There's a spa dimension?!"
Ashwajeet laughed softly.
Ashwajeet:
"Nope. But now I want one."
Sato remained quiet at the edge of the group, watching them all.
Aarya looked at him curiously.
Aarya:
"You don't talk much, do you?"
Sato:
"I don't need to talk. I just need to prove."
Anay (grinning):
"Well… you're with us now. Get used to the noise."
Saki slung an arm around Myria.
Saki:
"Let's get some lunch. Then maybe plan who's going forest-side and who's staying in the academy."
Reika:
"I'll be in the west tower training. If any of you disturb me—"
Mira:
"We'll bring you cookies."
Even Reika didn't argue.
As the ten walked down the steps together, the academy seemed to hum with a new energy.
Ten hearts.
Ten dreams.
One destiny.
And somewhere, the wind whispered through the leaves—
It begins.