The golden evening light bathed Nalanda Academy as Aamir and his friends returned from the Royal Palace. Despite the long journey and the weight of the day's events, Aamir's pace didn't slow. His boots echoed sharply against the marble hallway as he and Seenu made their way toward Master Haider Ali's office.
Outside the door, Seenu glanced at him. "You sure he's in the mood?"
Aamir nodded. "Doesn't matter. We can't afford to wait."
He knocked once, firmly, and the door creaked open.
Inside, Haider Ali sat at his desk, flipping through a thick manual filled with diagrams. His silver-rimmed glasses rested low on his nose, and the room was dim except for a single desk lamp casting long shadows across the books and scrolls.
Aamir stepped forward, chin high. "Master," he said, voice steady. "From tomorrow, can we resume our training?"
