CH 15 Test Results

When they all emerged, all of them found themselves back in the arena where they had started from. Something that Rudra found puzzling was the fact that the audience seemed to be seated just like before, as if they had barely spent hours instead of days.

Just as Rudra was wondering what was up, the same voice that announced their results.

"Survival Test completed. Results will be displayed on your status screens. The academies that have offered a place for you will also be mentioned there. All of you may be offered additional benefits made by whichever academies that put a greater value in you. You have half an hour to make your choice."

Just as they were dismissed, Rudra suddenly found his hand being grabbed from behind. As he turned around, he saw it was Mukti. She gave a small smile as she came and stood alongside him while looking up at him. She was like a petite doll next to him, but didn't seem like she minded that.

Before he could ask her which academies, she was offered, he saw rest four of his recently made friends join him. Anshu and Shyam were in the lead while Gayathri and Ananta followed behind while lightly bickering.

"There you are Rudra" Ananta said, using this moment to get away from Gayathri "SO, which Academy have you decided to join?"

"Of course, he will be joining us in Golden Academy of Dwarka, Right Rudra?" Gayathri came to his other side, as one side was completely taken up by Mukti, and grabbed his arm, "He won't be leaving me, his little sister, alone in there."

Rudra smiled at how Gayathri was behaving. During the time the six of them spent in the test, Rudra was the only one who didn't mind Gayathri constant energetic and bubbly nature, making her imprint on him and start calling him her big brother.

"Aren't you older than him though--" Ananta barely commented before Gayathri's punch drove him to the ground and nearly caused him to faint. She glared at him while pouting like a chipmunk.

"Okay calm down little sis,��� Rudra said, patting Gayathri's head to calm her, and sent a pitying look to Ananta.

"Never comment on a girls age if you don't want to face their wrath dude," Rudra advised, Mukti nodding furiously on the side, as she gave her own glare to Ananta.

"Damn its Gayathri," Ananta shouted while he got up holding his chest "That bloody hurts like I was hit by a hammer. Did you really have to hit that hard for a casual comment?"

"Hmph, you deserve it for being a jerk!!" Gayathri said while still pouting.

"Alright calm down guys," Shyam said, being a mediator "Now, Rudra why don't you check your acceptance list? Four of us have already decided, only you and Mukti are left. Let's see how many have you both got accepted in. Mukti you first!"

Mukti checked her status screen with a nod and recited the academies that accepted her, "Dark Tower, House of Thoth, Spirit Paradise, Black Snow, Golden Academy of Dwarka."

A bit of silence reigned after that, before Gayathri broke it, "Five??!"

"Not just that" Shyam clarified in a serious manner "Three of them are House of Thoth, Spirit Paradise, and Black Snow. They are the top 3 in terms of difficulty to get accepted into, and she got accepted into all three."

Rudra looked at her, impressed with the popularity of this quiet girl. Mukti smirked a bit on seeing his expression, making him turn his head away in embarrassment.

"Not surprising." Mukti turned to Shyam to clarify "I am Preta. I am rare. My test is not the reason. They want my potential."

"Ah, I understand now." Shyam said while nodding, he understood now as he was knowledgeable about these things "Specialisations of House of Thoth, Spirit Academy and especially Black Snow are perfect for you. Plus, I think you have Telemancer and Necromancer classes, don't you? No wonder even Black Snow sent you the invitation, they practically hold monopoly over Necromancy."

"Mm, True." Mukti nodded while frowning, sneaking glances at Rudra for some reason. Seeing him focus on his own status screen, she waited in anticipation.

"Hmm, this is weird," Rudra said, confused and stunned and what to make of what he was seeing.

"What happened?" Mukti asked hurriedly. 'Did he not get any? That is impossible though!! I refuse to believe someone with his versatility and potential won't be chosen. In some ways he even surpasses me after all.'

"Is there something wrong?" Shyam called out worriedly. 'Did this guy really not get selected? Do I have to pull some strings? No, I don't believe that old geezer will be such an idiot to let go off him. What is up then?'

"Umm, I have been selected as a normal student by five academies," Rudra said "But two academies are offering me Personal Disciple status. It appears that there are two masters who think I am suitable to inherit their arts."

An even more deafening silence followed, more than Mukti's acceptance to Black Snow. This was a personal Disciple Status! Rudra had basically got a gold spoon till he graduates out of whichever academy he chooses out of the two. All his needs and expenses will be taken care of the academy. This was something that one could only wish but not get.

Even Shyam was stunned as this was not something he could have imagined. With his status as an heir of the Yadav clan, he had enough sway to guarantee Rudra's admission, but becoming a personal disciple was under no one's influence. One had to genuinely catch the eye of an expert and make them willing to take a chance at you.

"What are the academies you got accepted in?" Anshu asked excitedly.

"The Divine Sun, Gaia's Hope, House of Thoth, Monster Hunter Academy, and Desert Sand gave me normal acceptance" Rudra said "Golden Academy of Dwarka and Shen Long Academy gave me personal disciple status."

"Shen Long? How is that possible? They chose one of us??" Anshu was surprised.

"Something wrong with them choosing me?" Rudra inquired.

"The thing is, they never pick anyone from outside their territory" Ananta said.

Gayathri nodded in affirmation and explained "They are the holy ground for Ki cultivators as they have a pretty long legacy about Ki. Moreover, they are highly discriminatory about other communities and try to suppress other academies at each chance they get."

"But they never chose anyone outside their academy territory till now. Why would they suddenly choose someone they know is from Golden Academy of Dwarka's territory? Moreover, offering personal disciple status? Something definitely is wrong in this scenario."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

While Rudra was discussing this anomaly with his friends, elsewhere Shiva was glaring at the result screen with her hands clenched. The old man beside her was looking at her with worry too.

"Shiva are you sure? You know that man is just baiting you!! Sure, the chances were high that Rudra would have chosen Shen Long Academy otherwise, but by attaching yourself to Rudra and us you gave him a clear target at you."

"I have no choice old man" Shiva said with her teeth gritted "He ruined my life, not going to let him ruin my little brother's as well. Also, it is high time I came out from the shadow of that incident. He thinks I am over, But I am just getting started."

"Moreover, my little brother will be many times stronger than I am one day." Shiva said while smiling finally "Until then, I will be his mentor and guardian. I joined your academy precisely to be his mentor, I don't care about anything else."

"That is okay" the old man said while stroking his beard "you can do as you like. It has been long time since I saw the Nanotech Goddess in all her glory. And as for that piece of scum from Shen Long, you have my full support and backing. Just because I have been staying quiet, the world has forgotten about the true might of Dwarka. Let's both of us come out of hiding this time, it is going to be so much fun. Bahahaha!!"

"That it will be" Shiva said "I can't wait for Rudra to realise that it will be me he will be studying under. I am waiting for you little brother, don't disappoint me!"