After a long journey, the students from various academies finally arrived at AP Academy, the strongest institution in the Northeast. The moment they stepped through its colossal gates, they were met with an overwhelming aura of prestige and history. Towering stone statues of past champions lined the grand courtyard, each name etched in gold—a reminder of the legendary warriors who once stood in their place.
Mri, Ayang, Jasmine, Tanuja, and Shahid, representing Jengraimukh Academy (Assam), walked with confidence, their eyes scanning the competition. Around them, elite S-Rank students from the Seven Sisters had gathered, each determined to claim the championship trophy and the title of The Strongest Academy.
As they reached the academy grounds, a deep, resonant voice boomed across the field.
> "Welcome, participants, to the Arunachal Pradesh Academy's Annual Academic Event!"
All eyes turned toward a lone figure standing at the podium. A tall man with long white hair, dressed in a dark cloak, observed them with piercing eyes. His aura was well-concealed, but its sheer weight pressed down on the field.
Miss Ananya, their instructor, stepped closer, whispering,
"That's Headmaster Dhruv Jomoh. Be careful. He's more than just a headmaster."
Mri narrowed his eyes. He could already tell—this man was dangerous.
The Survival Challenge: Rules
Headmaster Dhruv took a step forward, his commanding presence silencing the entire field.
> "Your first test begins now."
A holographic map flickered to life above them, displaying a vast stretch of dense wilderness labeled Dibang Forest Zone.
> "You will be dropped into the forest, an area teeming with mystical creatures, hidden traps, and—of course—rival students."
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.
> "Your goal is simple—survive for 24 hours and reach the designated safe zone."
> "There will be no outside help. You are all on your own."
Some students exchanged nervous glances, but Mri only smirked. Perfect.
What they didn't know—what none of them knew—was that a monstrous predator lurked deep within Dibang Forest.
Dropping Into the Wilderness
Shortly after, aircrafts hovered above the forest, releasing students team by team. Each squad plunged into the sky, free-falling towards the wilderness below.
Mri's team was the last to drop.
As the wind howled around them, they expertly adjusted their posture mid-air. The moment they neared the canopy, they twisted, controlling their descent before landing effortlessly on solid ground.
Silence.
Too silent.
Mri's instincts flared. Something was watching them.
A rustling noise. A low growl.
From the shadows, a massive black panther emerged, its piercing blue eyes glowing unnaturally. But this wasn't the real one.
It wasn't alone.
Three more stepped into view, surrounding them in a tight formation.
Mri cracked his knuckles, stepping forward.
> "Looks like the fun is just getting started."