The Ascendant Mortal: Beyond Divine Boundaries

Dharam led Aamir to the back of the training hall, where an imposing pillar of glowing glyphs stood. Its surface radiated an ancient power, and Dharam gestured for Aamir to step closer.

"This is the Resonance Pillar," Dharam explained, his voice steady. "It measures a student's mastery over adrenaline energy and their level of control. For most, this is a straightforward test. But in your case, with such immense energy, it might be… different."

Aamir raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He stepped onto the marked spot before the pillar, gripping his sword loosely. The pillar seemed to hum, faintly resonating with his presence even before he channeled his energy. Dharam frowned, clearly noticing the phenomenon.

"Focus your energy," Dharam instructed. "Pour it into the pillar. Let's see what it reveals."

Aamir nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He began channeling his adrenaline energy, a process that had become second nature to him. The power surged within him like a roaring river, and as he directed it toward the pillar, the room seemed to vibrate.

The glyphs on the pillar lit up in rapid succession, climbing higher and higher. Dharam's expression shifted from calm observation to astonishment as the pillar struggled to keep up with the influx of energy. The glow became erratic, flickering as if it might overload. Suddenly, with a sharp crack, the glyphs dimmed, leaving the pillar dormant.

Dharam blinked in disbelief. "Unbelievable… It couldn't measure you. Your energy is too vast—beyond the pillar's capacity."

Aamir opened his eyes, his brow furrowed. "Then what now? If it can't measure my level—"

"Hold on," Dharam interrupted, gesturing toward the pillar. "It didn't measure your energy, true, but look here."

The glyphs glimmered faintly, settling into a new pattern. Dharam examined them closely before letting out a low whistle. "Your control. That's what it measured."

Aamir tilted his head. "Control?"

"Yes. For students with overwhelming energy, control is far more important. Even with your immense power, you've managed to harness and refine it to an Apprentice level. For most students, reaching this level of control is a monumental challenge. And for someone with your energy… it's unheard of."

Aamir processed Dharam's words, a sense of pride mingling with his ever-present determination. "So, what does this mean for me?"

"It means," Dharam said with a rare smile, "you're a prodigy. But don't let that go to your head. You've got the foundation, but mastery will take effort, discipline, and practice. Control is your key to unlocking everything."

Before Aamir could respond, a voice interrupted them. "Not bad for a rookie."

Aamir turned to see Khushi standing at the entrance of the training hall, her arms crossed and a sly grin on her face. Her emerald-green eyes sparkled with interest.

"I'm here for our sparring session," she added, stepping forward. "But after seeing that display, I'm not sure if I should hold back."

Dharam chuckled, clapping Aamir on the shoulder. "She's not joking, Aamir. Khushi's one of our best. Consider this your first test—not just of strength but of control."

Aamir nodded, gripping his sword tightly. His earlier apprehension gave way to calm focus. "I'm ready."

Dharam gave Aamir an approving nod. "With your level of control, Apprentice, the Dragon Blade is a perfect match for you. It's a Rank 2 Adreno Art, which means it's ideal for someone at your current stage. And here's something important to know—it can grow with you. By mastering its core techniques, you can evolve it to higher ranks as you progress."

"That sounds incredible," Aamir replied, his excitement barely contained. "How do I start learning it?"

Dharam pointed to a large archway at the far end of the hall. Beyond it, Aamir could see shelves upon shelves of books. "That's the Library of Combat. Inside, you'll find Adreno Arts divided into seven levels based on their rank. As you advance in control and mastery, you'll gain access to more levels. Dragon Blade is in the Rank 2 section."

"How many books can I take at a time?" Aamir asked.

"Three," Dharam said. "You're allowed to borrow three books at a time. Once you've mastered or returned a book, you can check out others."

Aamir nodded thoughtfully. "What about the other library? I've heard there's more than just the Library of Combat."

"Ah, yes," Dharam said, his tone shifting to one of reverence. "The Library of Wisdom. It's one of Nalanda's greatest treasures. While the Library of Combat focuses on techniques, the Library of Wisdom contains the knowledge of our world and beyond—Aridoria, Aryavrata, and even the history of Nalanda itself. Scholars and warriors alike visit it to understand the larger truths that shape our existence."

Aamir's curiosity deepened. "So one library is for knowledge, and the other is for skill."

"Exactly," Dharam replied. "You'll need both to thrive here. Strategy and understanding are just as important as strength."

Aamir felt a surge of excitement. He had always craved knowledge, and now, with access to both libraries, he could envision the path ahead—a path where he could blend wisdom with his growing power.

"Thank you, Dharam," he said sincerely.

Dharam grinned. "Don't thank me yet. Your real challenges are just beginning. first let's go to the training yard for your and khushi's sparing match"

Aamir nodded in excitement And followed Dharam and Khushi to an open sparring yard surrounded by a crowd of curious students. Word of his Resonance Pillar test had already spread, and many were eager to see how the newcomer would fare against Khushi, one of the academy's best.

Khushi stepped into the ring first, stretching her arms and rolling her neck with casual confidence. She unsheathed her twin daggers, their curved edges gleaming. "Let's see if your energy can keep up with your blade," she said, her tone light but her eyes sharp.

Aamir entered the ring, his sword steady in his hands. Despite his focus, a flicker of doubt crept into his mind. Khushi's calm demeanor and fluid movements hinted at experience far beyond his own.

Dharam stood at the edge of the ring. "Rules are simple: no lethal strikes, and stop when I say. Aamir, remember—control is key. Don't let your energy run wild."

Aamir nodded, gripping his sword tightly. He took a deep breath, centering himself. When Dharam gave the signal to begin, Khushi moved instantly.

Her speed was astounding. She closed the distance in a heartbeat, her daggers flashing as they sought openings in Aamir's defense. He barely managed to raise his sword in time to block her strikes. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, the sound sharp and rhythmic.

"Is she… not using adrenaline energy?" Aamir thought, his eyes widening. There was no sign of the telltale aura that accompanied energy use, yet Khushi's speed and precision were overwhelming.

Distracted by his thoughts, Aamir faltered. Khushi seized the moment, spinning to his blind side and striking the flat of her dagger against his ribs. The impact sent him stumbling back, the crowd letting out a collective gasp.

"You're overthinking," Khushi said, her tone almost playful. "Focus on the fight, not on me."

Aamir gritted his teeth, pushing the surprise aside. He channeled a small amount of adrenaline energy into his body, his movements becoming faster and sharper. This time, he met Khushi's attacks with greater precision, managing to hold his ground.

"Better," Khushi said, her emerald eyes sparkling. She pressed forward, her attacks relentless. Despite his improvement, Aamir found himself unable to break through her defense. Every time he thought he saw an opening, she countered with uncanny accuracy.

The match reached its climax when Khushi feinted left but twisted her body mid-air, delivering a spinning strike with her dagger's hilt. Aamir, caught off guard, stumbled as her strike landed on his shoulder.

"Point to Khushi!" Dharam called, raising a hand.

Aamir stepped back, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped down his brow as he stared at Khushi in disbelief. She hadn't used any visible adrenaline energy throughout the entire match, yet she had dominated him.

Khushi sheathed her daggers, smiling as she approached him. "You've got power, Aamir. But raw strength isn't enough. You need technique, strategy, and experience to make it count."

Aamir lowered his sword, his pride bruised but his resolve stronger. "You didn't use your adrenaline energy," he said, his voice tinged with awe. "How?"

Khushi shrugged, her grin widening. "Why would I? It's a sparring match, not a battlefield. Besides, I wanted to see how you handled yourself without relying on brute force."

Dharam joined them, his expression a mix of approval and amusement. "Khushi's right, Aamir. Mastering adrenaline energy is important, but it's not everything. Learn from this. Watch, adapt, and improve."

Aamir nodded, determination burning in his chest. Losing wasn't easy to swallow, but it was a valuable lesson. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "Both of you."

Khushi patted his shoulder. "Don't thank me yet. We'll spar again, and next time, I won't go easy on you."

As the crowd dispersed, Dharam clapped Aamir on the back. "You did well for your first spar. Now, head to the Library of Combat and start studying the Dragon Blade. You'll need it if you want to keep up with Khushi—or anyone else here."

Aamir nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He had a long way to go, but this was just the beginning of his journey.