The morning arrived with a golden glow spreading across the skyline of Neo-Kashi.
For the first time in years, Aarush Vayu woke before his alarm.
He sat upright in bed, staring at the ceiling while reality slowly settled over him.
Today was the day.
After years of dreaming, studying, and countless failed attempts to convince himself that he belonged among the gifted, he was finally leaving for Dominion Academy.
The thought filled him with excitement.
And fear.
A lot of fear.
Outside his window, Spirit Rails illuminated the dawn sky like glowing rivers of blue light. Airships drifted between towering crystal structures while rune-powered advertisements flickered across distant buildings.
Neo-Kashi was already awake.
Aarush wished he wasn't.
A sharp knock sounded from the door.
Without waiting for permission, his grandmother entered carrying two cups of tea.
"You're awake."
"I haven't slept."
"That's not the same thing."
Aarush accepted the tea and smiled weakly.
Savitri Vayu sat beside him, watching the city beyond the glass.
For a moment neither spoke.
The silence felt comfortable.
Familiar.
The kind of silence only shared between people who had spent years living together.
Finally, Aarush sighed.
"What if I don't fit in?"
His grandmother didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she took a slow sip from her cup.
"What makes you think that?"
Aarush laughed nervously.
"Have you seen Dominion Academy students?"
"They're geniuses."
"Most come from powerful magical families."
"Some have already mastered spirit techniques."
"Others can communicate with beasts."
He stared at his hands.
"I'm just..."
"Average."
The word lingered in the air.
Savitri shook her head.
"No."
Aarush blinked.
"No?"
"No."
Her eyes met his.
"Average people don't spend years helping injured animals."
"Average people don't throw themselves into danger for strangers."
"Average people don't keep trying after being told they aren't good enough."
Aarush opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because for once...
He didn't know what to say.
His grandmother smiled softly.
"Power can be taught."
"Knowledge can be learned."
"Character cannot."
The words settled deep within him.
He wasn't sure why.
But they felt important.
Almost like a lesson she had been waiting years to give.
A distant announcement echoed through the apartment complex.
The Sky Rail would depart in forty minutes.
Time had run out.
The journey had begun.
Neo-Kashi Central Station was crowded with students, families, travelers, and merchants.
The massive terminal stretched across several levels, its glass ceiling revealing the endless network of Spirit Rails crossing the heavens above.
Everywhere Aarush looked, he saw Academy uniforms.
Future mages.
Future scholars.
Future leaders.
People who looked far more confident than he felt.
He tightened his grip on his travel bag.
Then he noticed his grandmother standing quietly beside him.
For the first time, she looked older.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like someone preparing to let go of something precious.
Before he could speak, she placed a small object into his hand.
A silver pendant.
Old.
Ancient.
The metal carried a faint moonlit sheen despite its age.
At its center was a symbol Aarush didn't recognize.
A dragon intertwined with a wolf.
"Our family heirloom," she said.
Aarush frowned.
"I've never seen this before."
"You weren't meant to."
The answer only created more questions.
Before he could ask any of them, the boarding announcement sounded.
Sky Rail Seven.
Destination:
Vayo Central.
Dominion Academy.
Final boarding call.
Aarush looked toward the platform.
Then back at his grandmother.
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Finally, he stepped forward and hugged her.
Awkwardly.
Quickly.
Like every teenager trying not to be emotional in public.
"I'll make you proud."
Savitri smiled.
"You already have."
Something about the way she said it made his chest tighten.
Then the train doors opened.
And there was no more time.
The Sky Rail accelerated silently across the heavens.
Transparent walls revealed breathtaking views of Dominion below.
Forests stretched beyond the horizon.
Floating islands drifted among the clouds.
Spirit sanctuaries shimmered with magical energy.
For a while, Aarush simply stared.
The world suddenly felt much bigger than he had imagined.
"First time?"
The voice came from beside him.
Aarush turned.
A girl about his age sat across the aisle.
Silver eyes.
Dark braided hair.
Academy uniform.
Confident expression.
The kind of person who looked completely comfortable wherever she happened to be.
"Is it that obvious?" Aarush asked.
"A little."
She extended a hand.
"Kiara Vashisht."
"Aarush Vayu."
Their handshake lasted only a moment.
Yet something about her presence immediately felt different.
Interesting.
Like the beginning of a story neither of them understood yet.
The train continued its journey through the clouds.
Then the atmosphere inside the carriage changed.
Several passengers moved toward the windows.
Murmurs spread through the cabin.
Aarush looked outside.
Far below, thousands of people filled the streets of a nearby city.
Banners waved above the crowd.
The protest stretched across entire districts.
Even from this distance, the anger was visible.
Kiara's expression darkened.
"Another one."
Aarush frowned.
"What are they protesting?"
She pointed toward a massive banner.
Even from above, the message was clear.
MAGIC CREATES INEQUALITY
Another followed.
END BLOODLINE PRIVILEGE
Then another.
ONE DOMINION FOR ALL
Silence settled between them.
The train slowly passed overhead.
The crowd became smaller.
More distant.
Yet the feeling remained.
Aarush watched until the protest disappeared beyond the horizon.
"Do you think they're right?" he finally asked.
Kiara stared out the window.
For a long moment she didn't answer.
Then she sighed.
"I think fear makes people believe dangerous things."
The Sky Rail continued toward Vayo.
Toward Dominion Academy.
Toward destiny.
Neither of them noticed the man standing atop the protest platform.
Watching the departing train with a smile.
A calm.
Patient.
Dangerous smile.
The world knew him as a reformer.
A visionary.
A political leader.
But history would remember him by another name.
Viraj Vritra.
And his story was only beginning.