The jubilant victory cries began to fade as Aamir and his team members, drenched in sweat, descended from the ground, when a voice broke the silence.
"All the students who have come in the top three rankings, please come to the stage."
Aamir's heart started pounding with excitement. The announcement hung heavily in the air, drawing the crowd's attention back to the stage. Without saying anything, Aamir, Riya, Rajiv, Kiran, and Rahul turned towards the stage. They joined the crowd of other top-ranked students, each filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
As soon as they came on stage, the atmosphere changed. It seemed as if some ominous presence had descended upon them, making the air even denser. A deep darkness pressed down on them, making it difficult to stand still and breathe. The leaders of the Guild, who were enormous personalities of immense power, exuded such a dazzling rage that it almost overwhelmed the resolve of the students.
Every student present on the stage felt it — a tremendous pressure that showed a glimpse of the power of these leaders. It was a raw power that demanded attention and respect.
Then, like the sudden stopping of a storm, a voice came, breaking the tension — a voice full of peaceful amusement.
"That's enough. Do you want to kill these kids?"
There was such power in the voice that it could not be ignored, yet there was peace in its tone. Instantly, the pressure eased, as if the guild leaders had themselves withdrawn their presence. The weight disappeared, and the air became breathable again. This voice belonged to none other than Nalanda University Principal Raghuveer Sahay.
Aamir let out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. There was peace in the principal's expression — a complete contrast to the tension on stage. Raghuveer's eyes fell on the students, and he spoke with a light laugh.
"Very good, you kids really have amazing talent. It's possible that you may one day stand up to the tyranny of the guild leaders. That requires a special kind of strength."
The students, still reeling from the immense pressure they had just experienced, bowed in respect, accepting Raghuveer's praise. His calm behavior was like a balm to them. But the relief was short-lived.
Turning towards Vardhan, Raghuveer gestured for him to step forward. "Vardhan, why don't you explain to them why they've been called here?"
Vardhan shook his head smilingly, an expression promising both enthusiasm and seriousness. He moved forward, his voice echoing throughout the maidan.
"These are the seven guild leaders who represent the most prestigious guilds in Nalanda. Each of them is an expert in their respective field, and today, they have shown interest in you. They would like to make a proposal based on your unique capabilities. I will now introduce them to you."
The Guild leaders stood tall, each of them radiating a unique power that reflected their commanding presence. At Vardhan's gesture, they began to introduce themselves.
Kaveri Mahadevan – Leader of Prakriti Sangh (Union of Elements). One could feel a blaze of natural energy in her presence. Kaveri was the guru of the four elements — Agni, Jal, Vayu, and Prithvi. She could give form to the forces of nature and weave them into mantras that could both destroy and create power.
Rudra Pratap Singh – Leader of Vidya Shastra (Strategic Warfare Guild). A giant personality known for his military influence, Rudra was a master of battlefield structures and strategy. His presence commanded order, and his mind was as sharp a weapon as any blade.
Aryaman Joshi – Leader of the Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power). Aryaman's aura shone with light, his mastery over radiant magic and healing making him a beacon of hope in any battle. His light-based abilities were equally suited for purification and destruction.
Anirudh Malhotra – Leader of Chhaya Marga (Shadow and Intelligence Association). The air around Anirudh shimmered with the essence of shadow. His guild specialized in espionage, covert operations, and shadow manipulation — making them deadly masters of surprise and subtlety.
Haider Ali – Leader of Rath Chakra (Guild of Physical Combat and War). Haider had an aura of raw strength. A master of martial arts and weapons, his guild focused on enhancing physical abilities through the mind. His fighting style was as fluid as it was destructive.
Rishi Kaushal – Leader of Adhyatmik Vidya (Guild of Mysticism and Ancient Wisdom). His presence was calming yet ancient, as if he bore the weight of forgotten secrets. His guild specialized in uncovering the mysteries of ancient magic, and he had spent his life in mystical and spiritual study.
Avighna Sharma – Leader of Manas Yoddha (Association of Mental Toughness and Psychology). Avighna had a sharp, piercing gaze. His guild focused on the power of the mind — telepathy, telekinesis, and mental resilience. He trained students to use their minds as weapons, able to defend and dominate without lifting a finger.
One of the students standing below the stage said with great curiosity, "Do you know that it's said the leader of Rath Chakra killed a legend-class beast in just one attack? And some even say he's stronger than all the guild leaders in terms of pure strength."
Vardhan kept his voice steady as he addressed the students.
"Now that you've proven yourselves, the guilds are offering you a chance to shape your future in ways few can imagine. These offers are based on what they believe will benefit you most on your journey. When your name is called, step forward and hear what they have to offer."
As each name was announced, the students grew more and more nervous. One by one, they stepped forward, their minds racing with thoughts about the possibilities.
Then Vardhan opened a scroll in which all the offers were written, and he began to read them aloud.
Prakriti Sangh (Union of Elements)
Offer: Access to ancient elemental temples, where connections can be made with rare elemental spirits.
Special Boost: A personalized elemental weapon crafted from one of the four elements, and guidance from a great elemental grandmaster.
Vidya Shastra (Strategic Warfare Guild)
Offer: Leadership roles in high-stakes simulated battles, as well as the opportunity to command guild teams in real missions.
Special Incentives: Custom tactical artifacts — maps adapted to the battlefield — and exclusive lessons from renowned strategists.
Surya Vansh (Guild of Radiant Power)
Offer: Access to the "Sacred Space," a sacred chamber designed to enhance light-based abilities.
Special Boost: A glowing emblem that enhances healing and combat powers, and an invitation to join the prestigious "Heavenly Vanguard."
Chhaya Marga (Guild of Shadow and Stealth)
Offer: Advanced shadow cloak and covert mission equipment, plus entry into the "Labyrinth of Shadows" — a training ground for the elite.
Special Incentive: A shadowing partner and the opportunity to lead high-stakes, classified missions.
Rath Chakra (Guild of Physical Combat and Battle)
Offer: Training under ancient weapons experts, and access to rare mind-crafted weapons.
Special Incentives: Custom-made magical armor that grows stronger with the user's abilities, and a place in the guild's "Battle Hall of Fame."
Adhyatmik Vidya (Guild of Mysticism and Ancient Wisdom)
Offer: Access to forbidden libraries and mystical artifacts under the guidance of ancient sages.
Special Incentive: A magical book containing a forgotten spell tailored to the student's abilities, and the chance to uncover the universe's deepest secrets.
Manas Yoddha (Guild of Mental Toughness and Psychology)
Offer: Training in mental dueling and access to the "Mindscape Dome," where students can expand their mental powers.
Special Boost: A brain crystal that enhances telepathic and telekinetic abilities, along with elite mental conditioning sessions.
Each proposal was a tantalizing glimpse into a future full of possibilities — but it was the students' choices that would determine their path forward.
Aamir stood there, his heart torn between the offers. His natural inclination toward leadership drew him to Vidya Shastra, where he could sharpen his strategic mind. But the call of Rath Chakra — with its promise to master combat and control his adrenaline energy — was too hard to resist. After a long moment of internal deliberation, Aamir made his decision. Rath Chakra would be his guild, the perfect fit for his aspirations.
Riya, deeply connected to nature, chose Prakriti Sangh without hesitation. Strategist Rajiv went with Vidya Shastra. Motivated by a desire to master physical combat, Kiran joined Aamir in Rath Chakra. Rahul, fascinated by elemental power, also chose Prakriti Sangh.
Having made their decisions, Vardhan stepped forward once again, his voice filled with authority.
"Remember, this is just the beginning. Your journey at Nalanda University has just begun. You have proven yourselves worthy — but it is your continued hard work that will take you beyond your limits."