Anay stepped out of the lecture hall and followed the signs toward the Combat Wing, his mind still processing Professor Lior's words about the origin of the Ashta Siddhis. The corridor gradually widened into a stone-paved walkway, bordered with banners bearing the Astral Academy's sigil — a radiant star surrounded by a ring of celestial beasts.
As he neared the entrance of the wing, he saw a familiar figure ahead — Naman, striding confidently toward the central Main Academy Building instead.
"Naman!" Anay called out.
Naman turned, his sharp features lighting up as he recognized his friend. "Oh hey, Anay! Where are you off to?"
"I was heading to the Combat Wing," Anay replied, puzzled. "Aren't we supposed to go there first?"
Naman raised an eyebrow. "You're going there? I thought you'd be heading to the Main Academy like me."
"What do you mean?" Anay asked, pausing. "Aren't we both new here?"
"Yes, we are," Naman said with a grin. "But apparently, you didn't read the orientation scroll thoroughly."
Anay blinked. "Orientation scroll?"
Naman chuckled. "The Combat Wing is mainly for newcomers who don't know the basics. It's like… a preparation zone. A place to get your footing — learn how to fight, test your Battle IQ, understand combat flow, and all that. Think of it as a testing ground before entering real battles."
"So you already did that?" Anay asked, surprised.
Naman nodded with quiet pride. "Yeah. I cleared it this morning. I'm decent with theory and practicals, so they allowed me to join the advanced module directly."
Anay's thoughts drifted for a moment. Right… I've only trained on the mountain. I've never actually fought anyone besides sparring with Master Kai. I know nothing about formation styles, spiritual zones, or team coordination. I've been learning alone all this time…
"Hey," Naman said, breaking his train of thought. "What are you thinking about?"
Anay shook his head. "It's nothing."
"If you want, I can help you out after your session," Naman offered. "Show you some of the techniques I used."
Anay gave a small smile. "Thanks… but I'll figure it out. I want to try first."
Naman shrugged playfully. "Alright. But I'll be waiting for you inside the main building. Don't take too long — I want to see what kind of chaos you stir up in your first match."
Anay nodded. "Yeah. I'll catch up soon."
—
He entered the Combat Wing. The interior was massive — like an indoor coliseum built into the heart of the academy. The arena floor was sectioned into several zones: sparring pits, simulated terrain zones, weapon racks, and a glass-protected observation deck above.
An instructor stood at the center of the main pit, his arms crossed, voice sharp and commanding.
"Combat is not about raw power," he said, pacing before a group of students. "It's about knowing when to use your power. When to hold back. When to press forward. Spiritual strength is one thing. Tactical application is another."
Anay found a seat in the back and quietly listened.
"We will begin by pairing you up," the instructor continued. "These duels are not to prove who's strongest — they're to test your awareness. Every opponent is different. You must observe. Read their movements. Predict. Adapt. You're not here to win. You're here to learn how to win."
He raised his hand, and a golden ring of spiritual energy formed mid-air. Names began appearing within it, forming pairs.
"Once your name is called, take position in the pit. No weapons beyond spiritual-grade training ones. No lethal force. You will be scored not on strength, but clarity of decisions and responses under pressure."
Anay leaned forward, listening intently. This is what I need, he thought. Not just brute strength. I need to understand how battles really work…
His name had not yet been called, but already, his hands curled slightly in anticipation. This is the start of real training.
---