The Ascendant Mortal: Beyond Divine Boundaries

Aamir felt a wave of nervous excitement wash over him as he stood at the grand entrance of Nalanda University of Wizardry and Warfare, with Riya at his side. The towering gates, adorned with intricate runes that pulsed with faint magical energy, loomed before them like the threshold to a new world. Inside, he could see groups of students milling about, their expressions a mixture of focus and anticipation.

"This place is huge," Aamir muttered to Riya as they made their way through the entrance, taking in the vastness of the campus.

"It's going to be amazing!" Riya replied with a broad smile. "I've heard so much about it, and now we're finally here."

The day before, Navin—Aamir's uncle and the Lord Commander of AmritaKshetra—had personally handed them their official academy uniforms. Aamir had been surprised by the weight of the moment as Navin, ever composed, explained the importance of the trial ahead.

"You'll wear these during your trials," Navin had said, his voice steady yet filled with an underlying intensity. "Until you pass the entrance exams, you are considered outcore students. But don't mistake that for weakness. You have much to prove."

Aamir took the uniform with a nod, feeling the weight of the situation settling in. He wasn't officially enrolled yet, but just being here was already a huge step forward. Riya, looking equally excited, couldn't help but bounce on her feet.

"Thanks," she said enthusiastically, already eyeing the beautiful designs embroidered into the fabric.

As they walked deeper into the university grounds, a group of students crossed their path in the bustling courtyard. At the center of the group was a tall boy with striking blond hair, surrounded by a small crowd. His confident, almost arrogant demeanor made him stand out.

"Hey, outcore boy!" one of the students called out as they passed by Aamir. The boy with the blond hair turned to face him with a smirk. "What's your power level? Do you even have any idea what you're getting into?"

The remark was playful, but there was an edge to it. The boy seemed to be looking for a reaction. Aamir felt a spark of annoyance and instinctively began to channel his adrenaline energy. He focused it through his body, amplifying his strength. The energy hummed in his veins, and his muscles tensed, causing the air around him to crackle faintly.

"Stop it, Aamir," Riya warned, stepping forward to place a hand on his arm, sensing the shift in his energy.

Before Aamir could react further, a voice called out sharply from behind them.

"Enough," the voice commanded.

Turning, Aamir saw a girl with a confident yet friendly demeanor striding toward them. She had short brown hair and a smile that immediately put him at ease. She was wearing the robes of a senior student, and it was clear from the way the others respected her that she held some influence within the university.

Khushi, as she introduced herself, stepped in front of Aamir, her posture firm yet non-threatening. "You boys think it's funny to tease outcore students? How about showing some respect for those who haven't yet had the chance to prove themselves?"

The group of students, including the blond-haired boy, fell silent. Aamir was surprised. While he had been ready to defend himself, Khushi's presence commanded enough authority to diffuse the situation effortlessly. The blond-haired boy, noticing the serious tone in Khushi's voice, quickly backed off.

"Sorry, Khushi," the blond boy muttered, looking slightly embarrassed but still holding a trace of arrogance in his stance. "Didn't realize you'd be here."

Khushi gave him a knowing smile but didn't say more. "This isn't about you," she said, turning back to Aamir and Riya. "I'm Khushi, a senior student here. Don't mind these kids—they like to test the limits sometimes. But you're new, right?"

Aamir nodded, still a little taken aback by her intervention. "Yeah, we just arrived today."

Khushi raised an eyebrow as she looked him over. She seemed to sense something about him. "I could tell by the energy you were channeling. Impressive, but be careful. Not everyone here will be so understanding."

Aamir simply nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude toward Khushi. He had expected the university to be full of competition, but he hadn't anticipated how quickly he would be thrust into a confrontation.

Khushi smiled and turned toward the other students. "Alright, go on. We've got better things to do than harass new students." The group dispersed, and the blond-haired boy gave Aamir a brief nod before following his friends.

Once the tension had passed, Khushi turned back to Aamir and Riya. "You two should come with me. I'll give you a quick tour of the campus. You'll need to get familiar with everything before the entrance exams start."

As Khushi led them through the sprawling campus, she explained the inner workings of Nalanda University. "This place isn't just about raw power," she said. "It's about understanding your strengths and weaknesses. And when you pass your entrance exams, you'll need to choose a guild."

Aamir and Riya exchanged glances, intrigued. "A guild?" Riya asked.

"Yes," Khushi continued. "There are seven guilds here, each focusing on different aspects of magic and combat. They will shape your training and help you grow. But it's not just about magic. Adrenaline energy, physical prowess, mental strength—each guild values different things. Once you pass your exams, the guilds will evaluate your performance and make you offers."

Khushi briefly outlined the seven guilds, their symbols and mottos standing out as she spoke:

1. Prakriti Sangh (Guild of Elements) – Focused on mastery over the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Their members could shape elemental attacks and harness nature's power in battle.

2. Vidya Shastra (Guild of Strategic Combat) – Focused on tactical brilliance and military strategy. Their members learned to control the battlefield and lead teams to victory with advanced formations and command spells.

3. Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power) – Known for their light-based magic, healing, and purification. They used their powers to heal wounds, purify the dark, and wield light as a weapon.

4. Chhaya Marga (Guild of Shadows and Stealth) – Experts in stealth, shadow magic, and covert operations. Their training focused on infiltration, surprise attacks, and becoming one with the shadows.

5. Rath Chakra (Guild of Physical Combat and Warfare) – Focused on martial arts, weapon mastery, and enhancing physical capabilities through adrenaline enargy. Their members trained in hand-to-hand combat and weapon enchantments.

6. Adhyatmik Vidya (Guild of Mysticism and Ancient Knowledge) – Scholars and researchers who focused on ancient magic, spiritual insights, and the mysteries of the past. Their training was centered on reading old texts, uncovering forgotten spells, and understanding the arcane.

7. Manas Yoddha (Guild of Mental Fortitude and Psionics) – Focused on the power of the mind, including telepathy, telekinesis, and mental fortitude. They were experts in defending against mental attacks and using the mind as a weapon.

"They each have their own specialties," Khushi said, "and which one you join will depend on what you excel in. If you're lucky, you might get multiple offers."

Aamir listened carefully. He had a lot to prove, but the idea of being part of something greater than just his own strength was an exciting thought. There was a whole world of magic, combat, and strategy here, and he knew he had only just scratched the surface.

As they continued their walk through the academy grounds, Aamir felt a sense of possibility open up before him. Nalanda wasn't just a place of study—it was a place where potential was tested, honed, and shaped into something extraordinary. And he was ready to see where that path would take him.