Keet Shakti Academy

The day after Armaan's victory, the academy grounds were unusually quiet. Most of the students had gathered to talk about the previous day's battle, and whispers about Armaan's sudden rise in skill spread through the air. His performance had turned heads, especially with his use of his smoke powers, which had seemingly come out of nowhere. But despite the praise, Armaan couldn't shake the feeling that something still wasn't right. He had unlocked his power, yes—but it felt unstable, fleeting, like he was just scratching the surface of something much deeper.

As he sat in the training courtyard, his thoughts were interrupted by Rai, who was approaching with a determined look on his face.

Hey," Rai greeted, sitting beside Armaan. "I saw what you did yesterday. That was impressive."

Armaan smiled weakly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't much. I mean, yeah, I finally used the smoke, but it still feels... unfinished. Like I'm only using part of it."

Rai raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You're being too hard on yourself. You literally stopped Tanmay and Raghav in their tracks. You showed them what you can do."

"But that was a fluke," Armaan muttered, glancing down at his hands. "I still can't control it properly. I can only release the smoke when I need to. But once I'm in the fight, it's like my power becomes more of a distraction than a weapon."

Rai sighed, leaning back on the grass. "You've only just unlocked it. It'll take time. But what you did yesterday? That was impressive. We're all watching you now."

Before Armaan could respond, a loud voice interrupted them.

Hey, Armaan! Over here!"

It was Tanmay, storming over with a scowl on his face. Behind him was Raghav, who looked less angry but no less annoyed.

Armaan immediately stood, feeling the tension rise. He had expected something like this after his fight, but now that it was happening, he wasn't sure how to respond.

What's up?" Armaan asked cautiously, trying to keep his voice steady.

You think you've earned some respect?" Tanmay sneered, his fists clenched. "You may have won yesterday, but that was just a fluke. We'll see how you handle real opponents."

Raghav stepped forward, his usual smug expression replaced with something more calculated. "Tanmay's right. Yesterday was a fluke. We weren't prepared. But next time? We'll be ready."

Armaan's stomach twisted as he looked at the two of them. Despite the challenge, he couldn't help but feel the pressure building in his chest. He was still learning to control his smoke, still grappling with his own insecurities. But the thought of failing in front of them again was unbearable.

"You want to fight again?" Armaan said quietly, his voice firm.

Tanmay smirked. "You think you can handle it? You were lucky yesterday. Let's see how lucky you are today."

Armaan took a deep breath, his hand instinctively moving to the pouch of cigarettes that still rested in his pocket. But before he could reach for one, a familiar voice broke through the rising tension.

Enough."

The voice was calm, but the authority in it made the air seem to still.

Armaan turned to see Dhruv standing at the edge of the courtyard, his gourd still in hand, eyes narrowed as he assessed the scene before him.

"Do you two think this is how you train?" Dhruv's tone was sharp, no trace of humor. "You think this is how you improve? Fighting someone who has no idea what they're doing is not a lesson, it's a distraction. And I won't tolerate distractions."

Tanmay and Raghav faltered for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

"Armaan's training isn't your business," Dhruv continued, his gaze sweeping over them. "If you want to be the best, stop wasting time with petty challenges. Get to work."

The two first-years exchanged a look, and after a moment of silence, they turned and walked away, leaving Armaan alone with Dhruv and Rai.

Rai chuckled under his breath. "You have a way with people, huh?"

Dhruv didn't smile. "If you're going to make it through this academy, Armaan, you need to focus on yourself. Don't waste your time with their nonsense."

Armaan nodded. He was starting to understand what Dhruv had been trying to teach him—not just in combat, but in life. Control, patience, and focus were the keys to unlocking his full potential.

Dhruv tossed a gourd of water toward Armaan. "Now, don't think this fight's over. You still have a lot to learn, kid. Martial arts is just the start. The real work begins when you start mastering your power."

Armaan caught the water, looking at Dhruv curiously. "How do I master it?"

Dhruv's gaze softened, but his words were still firm. "You'll know when the time is right. For now, just keep training. When you're ready, you'll unlock what's inside."

Later That Night:

Armaan found himself back in the secluded area where he had first unlocked his hybrid power. He had been practicing his martial arts all day, honing his movements, when a thought struck him—what if the key to controlling his smoke wasn't just in his body? What if it was in his mind?

He sat down in the clearing, eyes closed, trying to concentrate. The world around him felt distant, the night air cool and calm. He focused on his breathing, trying to quiet the thoughts swirling in his head. In the distance, he could hear the sounds of the forest, but they faded away as he focused inward.

As he meditated, he felt a shift. His body still thrummed with the energy of his hybrid power, but there was something else—a quiet, deep focus that began to settle in his chest. The smoke, always so unruly, started to respond to his will.

A light breeze picked up, and Armaan opened his eyes, watching as a thin wisp of smoke began to rise from his hand. He didn't need to try to control it, not this time. The smoke swirled, slow and steady, like it was part of him.

"Control," he whispered to himself, the word grounding him. "Focus."

The smoke responded, flowing more freely, more smoothly than before. It wasn't chaotic. It wasn't an uncontrolled burst. It was his.

Armaan smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. He wasn't just learning how to use his hybrid powers. He was learning how to become one with them.