The Ascendant Mortal: Beyond Divine Boundaries

The grand campus of Nalanda University was filled with excitement and nervous energy as Aamir, Riya, and dozens of other students gathered together in the central courtyard. All around them, students were murmuring to one another, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the entrance exam that would determine their place at this prestigious institution. Aamir's stomach twisted with anticipation. He had trained for this moment, but the uncertainty of the unknown trial left him on edge.

Riya, on the other hand, appeared calm, though her eyes sparkled with excitement. She stood confidently, adjusting her bag and glancing at Aamir with a grin.

"Ready for the trial?" she asked, her voice full of enthusiasm.

Aamir gave a tight-lipped smile, feeling his adrenaline start to build, a familiar surge that helped him focus. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Around them, more students continued to arrive, forming neat lines in the center of the courtyard. The air was electric, as if the very ground beneath them buzzed with the anticipation of what was to come. It wasn't long before everyone had gathered, their murmurs fading as they all turned their attention to the large stage ahead.

The atmosphere shifted as a group of people, all wearing formal robes, began walking toward the stage. They were followed by seven individuals—each with a distinct presence—who commanded attention as they made their way to the front. These seven figures were the leaders of the seven guilds, the ruling authorities over the various disciplines of magic, combat, and mysticism at Nalanda.

Each of the guild leaders had their own air of power. The leader of Prakriti Sangh, a tall woman with flowing silver hair, carried a serene yet potent aura. The leader of Vidya Shastra, a middle-aged man in crisp, military-like attire, exuded confidence in both strategy and leadership. The leader of Surya Vansh, an older man with a kind smile, glowed with a warm, golden light. And the other four, representing Chhaya Marga, Rath Chakra, Adhyatmik Vidya, and Manas Yoddha, all seemed to be pillars of their respective domains, each radiating their own unique power and wisdom.

But among them all, there was one presence that stood out—the principal of Nalanda University, Raghuvir Sahay.

Raghuvir Sahay was an elderly man, his hair more silver than black, and his posture was that of someone who had seen countless battles, both physical and intellectual. Despite his age, he radiated a quiet, overwhelming power. He was more than just the principal—he was a legend in the realm of magic and warfare, having led battles and led Nalanda itself for decades. His presence commanded respect, and Aamir could feel the weight of it as he walked onto the stage, flanked by the guild leaders.

Raghuvir raised his hand, and the murmurs of the students quieted instantly. His voice, though aged, carried a strength that cut through the air like a blade.

"Welcome, students, to Nalanda University of Wizardry and Warfare," Raghuvir began. "Today marks the beginning of your journey—a journey that will test you in ways you cannot imagine. This institution is a crucible, one that forges the strongest, the wisest, and the most resilient warriors and scholars."

He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"You are not here simply to learn spells and tactics," Raghuvir continued. "You are here to become more. You will face trials, temptations, and adversities. But if you prove yourselves worthy, you will be welcomed into the ranks of the greatest minds and warriors the world has ever known."

The air around the students seemed to hum with power as Raghuvir spoke. Even the guild leaders, who were clearly powerful in their own right, seemed to hold a certain reverence for their principal. Aamir could feel the pride in the air, and the nervousness inside him shifted to something more determined.

Once Raghuvir had finished speaking, he gestured to one of the teachers standing to the side. A middle-aged man with short-cropped hair and an intense gaze stepped forward.

"Greetings, students. I am Professor Vardhan," the teacher introduced himself, his voice crisp and clear. "I will be explaining the rules for your entrance exam today."

The students fell silent, and Aamir's focus sharpened. He had trained for this moment, but hearing the rules laid out in front of him made the reality of the test feel much more real. Professor Vardhan's eyes scanned the crowd as he continued.

"This is not a simple test," he began. "You will form groups of five. In each group, there must be one magician—someone skilled in magic—and one fighter—be it a martial artist, a swordsman, or anyone proficient in physical combat. It is mandatory. Your team will then be teleported to a dungeon trial."

A murmur rippled through the crowd at the mention of the dungeon trial. Aamir couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline at the thought of being transported to an unknown location for the test.

"In the dungeon," Professor Vardhan continued, "you will face beasts of varying strength. Some will be easy to handle, while others will test you to your limits. You will need to survive for six hours. And in order to pass, your team must score 250 points. Here's how you will gain points."

He paused for dramatic effect, and Aamir held his breath.

"Feral class beasts will give you ten points for each kill," Vardhan explained. "Predator class beasts will give you fifty points. Specter class beasts—those are the most dangerous—will give you one hundred and fifty points. But there is a catch."

Aamir's heart skipped a beat.

"You will only earn points for besting ten Feral Class beasts," Vardhan continued. "If you kill more than one Specter Class beast, your team will pass instantly. There are no exceptions. You must fight smart, work together, and stay alive."

The crowd was silent as the reality of the challenge settled in. Aamir felt the weight of the task before them. He knew he was strong, but would it be enough to survive what awaited them in the dungeon?

Professor Vardhan continued, "There will be teachers monitoring the trials, but they will remain hidden. They are there to ensure your safety, but you will not see them. Your success or failure is entirely in your hands. You must depend on each other and your abilities."

Aamir took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He looked around at Riya, who was standing beside him. She caught his eye and gave him a confident smile, as though to say, *We've got this.*

"Now," Vardhan concluded, "form your groups. You have five minutes to choose your teams. Once you've selected your teammates, we will teleport you to the dungeon."

The courtyard erupted into chaos as students rushed to form their groups. Aamir and Riya stood still for a moment, observing the other students. It didn't take long for a boy to approach them—a tall, lean figure with messy brown hair and a cocky smile. He was accompanied by two other students: a girl with long black hair and a taller, muscular boy.

"Hey," the boy said with a grin, clearly trying to get their attention. "You two look strong. Want to join our team? We could use someone like you. And I will Protect you Pritty Girl"

Riya arched an eyebrow, her gaze skeptical but amused. "I'm not so sure about you," she said, crossing her arms.

Before the boy could respond, the girl behind him stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rahul," she said firmly, "stop flirting with her. We're here for the exam, not to mess around."

The boy, Rahul, seemed to shrink back slightly but shot Aamir and Riya a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I got carried away."

The other boy, Rajiv, stepped forward. He was tall, with dark eyes that gleamed with a certain quiet strength. "We're serious about this," he said. "Our team could really use your help. Are you in?"

Aamir exchanged a glance with Riya. She gave a subtle nod, and he smiled. "Sure," he said. "Let's do this."

With that, the group was formed. As the last few students scrambled to assemble their teams, the groups were finalized, and the professors began preparing Portals For the teleportation.

Within moments, Aamir, Riya, and their new teammates, Rahul, Kiran,and Rajiv, were standing on the edge of the courtyard, ready for the dungeon trial. A low hum filled the air as the teleporter's mana conduits powered up. The ancient machine whirred, its core glowing with a faint, magical energy. In the blink of an eye, the world around them shifted, and they were transported to the dungeon

The entrance exam had begun.