Rudra barely had time to settle into his seat before the classroom door swung open.
A man entered. Middle-aged. Sharp grey eyes. Black hair cropped close. His posture was upright, shoulders squared like a soldier's. He moved without haste, yet every step carried authority. The room went silent in an instant.
"Good morning, Initiates," he said, voice even and firm, carrying across the wide, stone-floored classroom with ease.
He paused, scanning the room—and his gaze landed directly on Rudra.
"We have a new addition today. Rudra.
"I am Master Nite. I teach core theory for Rank One Initiates."
Rudra rose, shoulders back, ignoring the dozens of curious eyes on him. Vaishnav's glare from the front row burned like a branding iron, but Rudra met it for only a moment before turning his attention forward.
"This is Rudra," Master Nite said to the class. "Mid-term admission into Gamma Sector."
That caused a stir. A few raised brows. Even more hushed murmurs.
"This class is for all Rank One Initiates—Levels One to Three prana initiates ," Master Nite continued. "Rudra, get familiar with your peers. Know their strengths, their levels. Ask Harry."
He nodded slightly toward Harry, who was grinning as if someone had just dropped a firecracker in his lap.
"You may sit."
Rudra returned to his seat.
Nurturing the Spark
Master Nite turned and began writing on the large obsidian slate with smooth, glowing strokes.
"Today: Prāṇa Nurturing —From Spark to Spring. This is your foundation. It will define how far you can climb."
He drew a flickering flame.
"Stage One: . This is your initial awakening. Your Prāṇa is faint, unstable. It comes and goes like a candle flickering in wind. At this stage, your only goal is to feel it and guide it. Do not force it. Flow over force."
He drew a set of gentle, rippling lines.
"Stage Two: Your control improves. Prāṇa starts responding to intent. It can travel through the body—though weakly. This is where you begin basic body reinforcement. Light physical improvements. Beginner techniques. Mistakes here are common, but so are breakthroughs."
Then he drew a bubbling fountain, rising from a solid base.
"Stage Three: This is your target. A stable, reliable flow of Prāṇa. It moves constantly through your body, reinforcing every cell. You may attempt more complex techniques, sustain longer combat bursts, and begin shaping your path."
He stepped back and tapped the image of the spring.
He turned, voice growing heavier.
"Understand this well, Initiates. Level One of Divine Path is not only about growing your Prāṇa from a ripple to a river. It is about changing its very nature. Its quality."
The room quieted, sensing the shift in tone.
"There are three major Transformations you must pass to advance to the next rank. They are not just milestones. They are trials. Your Prāṇa must evolve."
He raised a finger.
"First Transformation – occurs as you break from Level 3 to 4. This is the moment the body fully adapt to Prāṇa and starts generating it naturally. One Prana path expand It's painful, raw, and often overwhelming. Your core where first spark of prana was born is forced to expand, and if it cracks under the pressure—your path ends there."
A second finger.
"Second Transformation – from Level 6 to 7. Here, your Prāṇa must gain depth. This isn't about flow anymore but density. You must compress it, refine it into something that can affect the world outside your skin.
"The Final Transformation – the leap from Level 7 to Rank Two, the Pulse Awakening.
"These transformations are why very few reach Rank Two. They're not hurdles. They're rebirths. Each time, your Prāṇa dies—so it can be reborn stronger."
"This is what separates the dabblers from the warriors. A spring that runs wild becomes a flood. A spring that runs dry is useless. But a spring that flows—calm, strong, focused?"
He looked across the room.
"That can split stone. That can shape mountains."
Rudra sat perfectly still, eyes fixed on the drawing.
Spark. That wild flicker. He remembered it—the moment he first sensed Prāṇa. Ripple. That feeling of control in his fight with Vaishnav, the subtle pulsing current. But Spring…
He'd felt that too. During his dance. During the fight.
Not wild. Not unstable. But deep. Strong.
He clenched his fists slowly under the desk. But… I only just broke through.
Shouldn't I still be at the Ripple?
His eyes narrowed slightly. There was something about his Prāṇa, something different.
I need answers, he thought. And soon.
The Gamma Training Grounds
After the lecture, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. Theory faded behind, replaced by grit and sweat.
The Gamma Sector training field was vast—an arena the size of a fortress courtyard. Dirt paths cut between raised stone platforms, obstacle walls, weighted dummies, and rows of weathered equipment racks. Cracked stone tiles showed past impacts, and the air was thick with Prāṇa from a hundred years of battle and training.
"This is where Gamma earns its bruises," Harry said, walking beside Rudra. "You asked about ranks?"
Rudra nodded, his eyes scanning the massive grounds.
"Alright. It's simple." Harry spoke fast. Academy students are divided into 3 ranks / grade Initiate Rank , Adept Rank and finally Archon rank , "We're all Rank One right now. That's Initiate Rank, Levels One to Three of Prana initiate. We've barely started."
"Next is Rank Two: Adept. Levels Four to Six. That's where things get intresting . You start getting real strength, techniques, and mission permissions."
"And then?"
"Rank Three: Archon. Levels Seven and and peak of Prana Initiate. Those are apex of the academy students. Most graduate from the academy at this level.
Rudra nodded slowly. It helped to have a framework.
The Challenge
As they neared the center of the field, Rudra spotted the instructor.
Not just big—massive. The man was a wall of muscle, with dark skin, a thick beard, and arms like tree trunks. He wore simple brown training hides, but nothing about him was ordinary. His presence alone made the ground feel heavier.
"Master Earth," Harry whispered. "Best trainer in Gamma. Also the worst. You'll see."
The man's eyes swept the students with calm intensity. They landed on Rudra for a second. A flicker of interest. Recognition, maybe.
Then he spoke.
"Circle up!"
His voice didn't roar—but the earth trembled.
Instantly, over thirty students formed a wide circle around him.
Rudra felt the energy shift. Everyone was focused. Even Vaishnav and his friends looked sharp.
"It's Earth Day," one boy whispered with excitement.
"Finally," Vaishnav muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Been waiting weeks."
Master Earth stood completely still.
Then—
BOOM.
A wave of energy exploded outward from him. Dust lifted in a perfect ring. The ground within fifty meters changed—darker, denser. Air warped slightly with pressure.
"Domain: Weighted Earth," Master Earth said. "The rules are simple. Reach me. Touch my shoulder. You have 3 hour."
A collective breath.
He continued, holding up a glowing vial. The pill inside shimmered like solidified sunlight filtered through stone.
"Reward: A personal session with me. And one Perfect Quality Prāṇa Path Expansion Pill."
Gasps. Someone actually dropped their weapon.
"Path Expansion Pills," Harry breathed. "They widen your channels. Strengthen flow. That's not just a boost—it's a breakthrough."
Master Earth's gaze turned to Rudra.
"New student. Doesn't know the drill. Someone explain it to him."
Then—he lay down.
Flat on his back. Arms crossed. Eyes closed.