Note - Shastra and Shaastra are different. Shastra is a weapon. Shaastra is a very old and powerful book.
"So, how did you become a mage?"
"I accidentally snuck into the Patil Recruitment and stole a bottle of awakening fluid. Then, after they left, the guard fell asleep. So I used their array to awaken myself."
"Behenchod!" (Hindi Curse word. Literal meaning - Sisterfucker. Meaning here - Holy shit!)
He began laughing, and everyone stared.
"Dude, I have a very strong feeling that I will either award you someday or I will have to kill you someday."
"But anyways, continue."
"Well, that's pretty much it. Nothing really happened after that."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Alright, fine. I did steal those books. But I lost them."
"Lost them?"
I nodded back.
"Are you fucking with me again? How the hell do you lose two Magebound tomes in two hours?"
I decided to come clean. "You see, after my awakening, I have this book that devours other books, and it kind of-"
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. You have a shastra?"
"What's a shastra?"
"The book, show it to me."
When I looked unsure. He suddenly drew out a sword from nowhere in a flash of lightning, making me duck instinctively.
"I am not hitting you, dude, stand up. I am just showing you my shastra."
I slowly stood back up.
"A shastra is a weapon we get during our awakening. It's not necessarily a weapon per se. It depends on mage to mage. But having it makes you a kshatriya like me."
"From my limited knowledge. Shastra literally means weapon. Mine is not a weapon."
"Oh, you think a book is not deadly?"
Well, sure, if I bash someone's head with it repeatedly. But I get his meaning. The pen is mightier than the sword.
We were on the rooftop now overlooking the city of Kanpur.
"Show me yours. I showed you mine."
That sounds dirty. But he did show me his. It was fair.
"I don't know how to manifest it. Sorry. After it devoured the ashes of the two books it kind of merged into me? It doesn't exactly listen to me."
"Hmmm"
He began thinking. Deeply. I did not disturb him as he took out a cigarette and dragged a puff. He offered me one, but I politely declined.
"So, you are saying that your shastra has a personality?"
"Yeah. Doesn't yours?"
He didn't reply. Just stared.
"One day, when we look back on this day, you will realise that I could have taken advantage of your ignorance and weakness. I want you to remember that I could have done so, but I didn't. Instead, I extended my hand in friendship and gave you goodwill."
Huh?
Something had changed in his voice. At first, he was amused, then he was happy, but right now he was looking at me as if I were a Russian roulette revolver in Squid Game. High Risk, High Reward.
"Goodwill?"
"Yes. Let's talk in my office over tea."
"I don't drink tea."
He looked back to see if that was a political jab of refusal or a real request.
"I really don't. I'll have just milk."
"Suit yourself."
Khushi and the Kotwal stood up as we entered into office. The Sardar ji was still in a bad mood. Khushi was just being casually Khushi. On her phone, being pretty and proud."
"Padma! Get us a Chai(tea) and a glass of warm milk."
"Do you take Bournvita in the milk?"
"No, just sugar, thank you."
"Khalli shakkar!(Only sugar)"
Girdhaari was casual, but his actions drew reactions out of Khushi and the Kotwal. They both straightened up.
"You were saying something about goodwill?"
"Ah, yes, about that. First, listen to my offer. There is no pressure or anything. But just keep an open mind and listen, alright?"
"Very well, sure."
"You see, the mage clans in India can be divided into two categories. Rajkul and Mahakul.(Royal Families and Noble houses.) We are a Mahakul. But if you ask around, you will notice that we Pandeys aren't really well respected. Why? Because respect here is earned through the possession of a Shaktipeeth. And we don't have one."
"Shaktipeeth?"
"I'll come to that later. The main point you need to know is this: we are the underdogs who wish to steal a Shaktipeeth from another clan."
"I see."
"A shaktipeeth challenge requires a ritual challenge of a 5v5 death match."
"Alright."
"I have 3 Kshatriyas. The enemy has more than 5."
"So it's 3 against however many?"
"No, once the challenge starts, it's 3v5."
"But before that?"
"If the plan leaks and they get to know. Then yes, it's more than 3v5."
"So what do you want from me?"
"The next challenge is in 6 months. Failing which, we'll have to wait for another 5 years. I can't wait that long. I want you to be my 4th."
A gasp from behind.
"And in exchange?"
"Well, you want guidance and growth, don't you?"
"You will have my clan's resources at your disposal."
"So I become your man?"
"No, as I said. Goodwill. You won't be my subordinate but an ally and a friend. Although I won't stop you if you want to join the clan. The Deewan post is yours if you want it."
"Deewan?"
"Second in command."
That is quite generous. And suspicious.
"And if I don't want to risk my life for you?"
"In that case, I will give you a few magebound books and guides and send you on your way. No strings attached."
"They seem really valuable."
"They are."
The milk and tea came in.
"And you'll just give them to me?'
"Yes. And Khushi."
"Huh?"
"And Khushi."
"You mean you'll give me Khushi?"
"Yes."
"You mean this girl behind me."
"Yes"
"To do what?"
"Whatever you want."
Khushi looked as bewildered at this development as I was. Although for entirely different reasons. We spoke up at the same time.
"But Jagirdaar, I am promised to the Kunwar!"
"What is this, the 1600s?"
Our eyes met. And we stared back at the Jagirdaar, who simply sipped his tea.
"You have much to learn about our side, young mage. Someone like you needs a good companion. Khushi is an excellent Paatri."
"And Khushi."
"Yes?" His tone turned frigid.
"Do not interrupt me again."
"Yes, Jagirdaar." She stepped back reluctantly.
Banned caste systems and no female rights, are these guys asking to get cancelled?
"But just so you know. I understand your aversion to fighting and death because of the life you have led. But this world of ours is not a kind place. Fire and Ash will find you, even if you do not."
He was giving really generous terms. Even if a bit unorthodox. If I chose to believe him that is. The question was, was he a fae tricking me with fancy words and dreams or a visionary who really saw something in me? There were two others like me in his clan. Which made me valuable. But not second in command valuable. Which means he knew something I didn't, or it was all a trick.
But I knew this fact too: A half-trained mage had caught me. MCs going solo and becoming OP to face slap everyone happens only in novels and movies. I needed support. And these guys seemed better than the Patils. At least they weren't branding me.
"Do I get more 'Paatris' or whatever if I join you?"
"Alliance or Deewan?"
"Alliance for now."
"No. You get only one."