Training Time!
Shailya, you didn't know about this programme?" Vahalla asked, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and reproach.
"Nope," Shailya replied, his tone defensive.
"You never wanted to take the test, did you?" Vahalla pressed.
"Yes… but how do you know this?" Shailya asked, curiosity piqued.
"I will answer you some other day. For now, you need to focus on your training rather than on your friends," Vahalla said sternly.
"I'm Vahalla, your master," he declared.
"I hadn't accepted you as my master," Shailya retorted.
"You have already," Vahalla said with certainty.
The memories buzzed in Shailya's mind, reminding him of his initial reluctance. He never wanted to enroll as a cadet. Shailya held a grudge against the Malwai Government, but because of his father's will and his family's noble reputation, he felt compelled to enroll. Miraculously, he was strong enough to pass the first two exams. However, after receiving the certificate, he resigned himself to working under the government. Deep down, his grudge towards the government still simmered.
The northern frontier provinces, such as Banglavaram, Sakhyavaram, and Fakutun, were war-prone regions, and the conflict that started 48 years ago showed no signs of ending. Citizens were dying, and neither the Malwai nor the Muvah wanted a peace treaty. The war had become an apocalyptic nightmare. Even the members of the King's Place lacked the courage to stop these wars. The Mallu-Muvah War was the main source of income for other nations, as they supplied weapons to both sides. Every year, thousands of commoners died, but no one was willing to give up. It had turned into a gruesome game for the kings, who used people as pawns to attack each other.
Two years ago, the Royal Prince of Eunea, Mr. Jane Williams, raised an argument to cease the war, calling it a deadly conflict. Prince Williams died later that month, and terrorist groups from opposing nations were blamed for the crime. Since then, no one dared to speak out against the war, which continued under the guise of bureaucratic silence.
"You were the one who asked me to talk to you. You weren't forced," Vahalla said with a straight face.
"Nuh-uh, I asked you to just talk, not follow me everywhere," Shailya countered.
"This is what it is. Accept your fate. You are now tied to me before death and after death, whatever," Vahalla insisted.
"Shailya, this is not the time to chat. Forget about that and focus on what is next."
"Huh? You were the one who brought up this topic," Shailya pointed out.
"Don't be stubborn. Head to the nearby forest in the south. It is time we start training," Vahalla said seriously.
"Me… stubborn?" Shailya mumbled, glancing at the time.
"Shut up, child. Accept me and train with me. Just give me some time. I promise you," Vahalla said, desperation creeping into his voice.
"What promise?" Shailya asked.
"I, Vahalla the Great, promise the son of the Mahoraga clan to make him my disciple at any cost and make him strong enough to protect this Universe and surpass me. He will be the 9th Generation 'Chakradhari,'" Vahalla swore to the Fire God.
This was the moment Vahalla's behavior completely changed. He chose Shailya as his successor, officially in front of the Gods, the Deities, nature, the Sun, the Earth, and all humanity. His voice was so loud that even the people of Mexico could hear him, though they did not understand what was happening. His voice shook the tectonic plates for a few seconds, guiding anyone to the right path. The serial killer, Jahangir, surrendered himself to the government. Thieves, bandits, and other criminals stopped their activities for 10 minutes. Even the Beasts from the Dark and Elves from the Light heard him, despite being in different dimensions.
"If he can manipulate people by just increasing the volume of his voice, why did he not use it on his enemies?" Shailya wondered.
He was now totally devoted to Vahalla. He agreed to be trained by him and went to the forest in the south to begin his training. Shailya's special training included:
Increasing his capacity to hold "Powers" without iko.
Enhancing his strength.
Concentrating on a certain point for hours.
Fighting despite being weakened and fatigued.
Defending himself and those he wanted to protect.
Using swords, spears, axes, gunpowder, and other weapons.
Strengthening his ability to hold back his power and not release his full potential, even in war.
Overcoming traps and detecting any attack or bloodlust directed at him. His senses for detecting attacks gradually improved.
Developing the ability to ride horses and other animals.
Learning to fly without touching the ground and jump higher than a fir tree.
Preparing himself for the worst.
It has been days since I started to train with you, Vahalla. Now I feel stronger than anyone else on the ground," Shailya said on the 4th day of training.
"Never think you're the strongest. There are people still better than you in every aspect, and you need to learn from them. Always think you need to learn more. Starve to learn, never let the fire of learning extinguish from your heart," Vahalla advised, his voice steady and unwavering. He was teaching Shailya not just physical skills but also the values that would guide him.
"Fine, Mr. Old Man Vahalla," Shailya said, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"Cut it out. I'm not old. Just look at me. I'm roughly your age," Vahalla replied.
"Haha... I'm just 20," Shailya said, chuckling.
"Me too," Vahalla said with a smirk.
"Oldie," Shailya teased.
"Quiet, someone is approaching," Vahalla said, his senses sharp.
"Oh my... Shailya, you still practicing here?" Samrat asked as he approached.
"Samrat... you here? But why?" Shailya asked, a little confused.
"Your mother sent me here."
"I'm coming in a few moments. Let me pack up my stuff."
"I'll be ahead of you," Samrat said.
"As you command, boss," Shailya replied with a grin.
It was already the 4th day. Tomorrow, Shailya would leave town for Marinabad Military Base. Orders in the letters said that every candidate should arrive at night on Sunday to proceed with the training from Monday.
"Shailya, I want to tell you something," Vahalla said, his tone serious.
"What is it?" Shailya asked.
"How should I put it... It is just that I'm not a human."
"You have already said this many times."
"Never have you thought about who I am?"
"Nope! I know that you're my master, my guardian."
"Oh dear! I am a divine soul."
"Divine Soul?"
"Divine Souls are entities that know much more about 'Powers' than the general public. They never die. This means I don't have a physical body. Unless someone can sense infrasonic and ultrasonic waves, like the deaf and blind people who master the technique to sense objects, I will be part of your soul."
"My soul!?"
"See, the Mahoraga clan has 9 generations, and each generation remains in a realm. Including me, I can still talk to them. Your clan is one of the five clans that know how to use 'powers.' We Chak-"
"Stop it, Vahalla."
"What happened?"
"I need to go, or someone else will be here soon," Shailya said, glancing around nervously.
"Shailya, Shailya. Just come out already," Samrat shouted his name from a distance.
Shailya went back to his house, ate his dinner, and went to bed. He was lost in thought about the dream.
"Tomorrow is your finale," Vahalla whispered in his mind.
"Ehh? Let me sleep," Shailya mumbled, turning to the other side.
As Shailya closed his eyes, the weight of Vahalla's words settled in his mind. The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, and the truth about his lineage and powers was slowly unraveling. Little did he know, the next few days would not only test his physical and mental limits but also reveal secrets that could change the course of his life forever.
Outside, a pair of watchful eyes observed the house from the shadows, a figure cloaked in darkness. The figure whispered, "The time is near. He will play a crucial role in the coming conflict."
With this new chapter of his life about to unfold, Shailya drifted into a restless sleep, unaware of the larger forces at play and the destiny that awaited him.
[To be continued in Chapter 5]