The academy's outdoor training ground was massive—one side peaceful like a park, the other intense like a military drill. Breathing sounds and impacts on punching pads echoed all around.
Instructor Sir Dikshit gathered everyone. He was a bald, ripped, tough guy.
"Listen up!" he barked. "Today, we have a new face among us..."
"Sir, just one?" a student named Akshat asked, mocking.
Sir Dikshit's eyes landed on him. "Speak out of turn again, Akshat, and you'll lose 5 points and be out of class. Now shut up. The world of martial arts is vast—Karate, Judo, Boxing, Kalaripayattu... everything's here. You don't have to master it all, just win. But remember, your success depends on your 'hard-work'."
Shiv raised his hand. "Sir, how many styles are there in the world total?"
Akshat laughed again. "What an idiot! He doesn't even know the basics!"
"Akshat! Another 5 points gone," Sir Dikshit roared. "Shiv, there are 164 certified styles total. Now stop talking and start working!"
Everyone got into practice. Shiv watched closely. Veer was using a mix of Kickboxing and Taekwondo. Aarav was practicing Kalaripayattu in one corner.
Shiv went to the boxing area where Kavya stood.
"What happened? Don't know where to start?" Kavya mocked. "I knew it—you're only here on your dad's name."
Shiv ignored her and struck a heavy punching bag. Each hit so forceful that the chains rattled. Sir Dikshit noticed.
"Good strength," he said, "but zero technique. Go to the testing room first and get your PCP (Physical Core Potential) tested. Training means nothing without it."
Aarav took Shiv to a room with a machine and helmet. The test began. The instructor's face turned pale as he stared at the computer screen.
"This... how is this possible?"
Shiv panicked. "What happened, sir? Am I sick? How many days do I have left?"
Shut up!" the instructor barked, his eyes glued to the machine's glowing display. Confusion clouded his face. His breath hitched, and for a moment, a heavy, suffocating silence filled the entire hall. "You... you are perfectly fine physically. But your 'Body Core' reading..."
He pointed a trembling finger at the display. A strange, flickering 'T' was pulsing there—a light unlike any elemental glow Shiv had ever seen.
Shiv felt a cold shiver run through his chakra.
"Sir? Fire, Water, Lightning, Wind, and Earth are common categories. Even the Unique ones—Z (Vapor), V (Mist), N (Static), and M (Marut)—have their own history. But 'T'?" He swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper.
"This is an totally unknown Core. What do I do now, Sir?"
The instructor remained silent for a moment, then muttered, "I will try to find out what this is... for now, you'll have to figure out the rest yourself."
Shiv lowered his head, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over him as he stared at his feet
When Shiv returned to the ground, all eyes were on him. Sir Dikshit sent him to the sparring ring. Kavya was waiting there. She was an Advanced Muay Thai expert with a 'Z' Core (Fire-Water mix).
"Today, I'll show you what happens to legacy brats," Kavya said, clashing her gloves. A faint steam rose from her body.
Sir Dikshit asked Aarav, "What was his Core result?"
"'T' sir... an unknown category," Aarav said, voice trembling.
"'T'? What the hell is that?" Dikshit thought in surprise. "Alright, let's see what this guy can do."
From the sidelines, Veer watched with a cold smile. "Kavya's a pro. This new guy doesn't even know how to channel Chakra yet. This isn't a fight—it's his funeral."