Keet Shakti Academy

The morning mist hung low in the academy grounds, shrouding everything in a veil of mystery. Armaan stood at the training field, his heart racing in anticipation. It had been a week since he unlocked the smoke power with the special cigarettes, and already, he could feel the weight of his new abilities. But with great power came greater responsibility, and Armaan couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to challenge him beyond what he had already faced.

"Focus, Armaan," Dhruv's voice echoed from behind, as always calm but carrying a sense of purpose. "Your body and mind have to be in sync. This power, this smoke, it's part of you now. You'll learn to use it, but only when you master control."

Armaan clenched his fists, eyes narrowing as he looked at his opponent. A fellow student stood across the field, watching him carefully—Raghav. The cocky first-year, who had shown no mercy in their earlier sparring sessions, was challenging him again. But today, Armaan was different. Today, he had a power he could wield—albeit with a level of unpredictability.

Raghav grinned, showing his teeth. "You ready to get smoked out, Armaan? Or is that new power of yours just for show?"

Armaan felt his blood heat up, the challenge sparking something within him. "Let's see if your words are as sharp as your attitude."

"Enough talk," Dhruv interrupted, stepping between them. "This isn't about words. This is a lesson in control. Armaan, show me what you've learned."

Armaan nodded, his heart pounding as he squared up to Raghav. He focused on the cigarettes still in his pocket—only four cigarettes a day, and the special ones were reserved for situations like this. He would have to fight with what he had.

Dhruv's words echoed in his mind: "You're not just learning to fight. You're learning to survive."

The Beginning of the Fight

Raghav lunged first, his speed impressive, but Armaan was ready. His body had been trained to react, his senses sharper, his instincts honed through Dhruv's brutal methods. He shifted, his body swaying, dodging the incoming strike with ease. The air around him seemed to hum with energy as he moved, the smoke trailing from his body as though it had a mind of its own.

Raghav missed his first strike, but he didn't back down. He was quick, relentless, and Armaan was just starting to feel the heat. The smoke around him grew thicker, swirling in the air, reacting to his emotions, his focus.

"Is this all you've got?" Raghav sneered, swinging again, this time with more force.

Armaan didn't answer. He dodged again, using the momentum to shift his body and create space between them. As he moved, he exhaled, and a thin stream of smoke shot out of his body from his hands, extending like a whip toward Raghav. The smoke wrapped around his opponent's arm, binding it in place for a split second.

Raghav stumbled, his eyes widening in surprise, but Armaan didn't wait. He pushed forward, landing a series of rapid, precise punches to Raghav's midsection. Each hit felt like it landed harder than the last, the smoke enhancing his strikes.

But Raghav wasn't finished. He grinned and, with a surge of strength, broke free of the smoke's grip, slamming Armaan back with a powerful kick.

Armaan was sent flying back, crashing to the ground. His breath was heavy, but he quickly recovered, pushing himself up. The pain reminded him of one thing: he wasn't invincible yet.

Smoke and Mirrors

Raghav charged again, but this time, Armaan was ready. He had learned one thing in his training—control. This time, he didn't just dodge. He let the smoke flow from his body in a controlled burst, faster and thicker, swirling around him like a mist of darkness. It wasn't about brute force—it was about timing.

As Raghav swung, Armaan stepped sideways, releasing a burst of smoke from his hand at just the right moment. The smoke clouded Raghav's vision, and he hesitated, momentarily blinded. Armaan took advantage of the moment, sending a rapid succession of kicks to Raghav's midsection, each strike hitting faster than Raghav could react.

But even with the smoke, Armaan wasn't immune to Raghav's power. The first-year retaliated with a low sweep, knocking Armaan off his feet. As he fell, he exhaled sharply, releasing another wave of smoke, but this time, it didn't feel right. The smoke didn't move the way it should—it felt heavier, like it was resisting him. He felt the energy draining from his body as the nicotine buzz began to wear off.

"You're not getting away with that trick again," Raghav growled, stepping closer.

Armaan gritted his teeth, pushing through the dizziness. He had one more chance. One more strike.

He breathed in deeply, focusing on his lungs, drawing in every bit of nicotine he had left. He knew this was the moment. With a final burst of energy, he unleashed all the smoke he could, spinning it into a violent cloud that rushed toward Raghav like a living entity.

This time, the smoke didn't just blind—it disoriented

Raghav staggered, his movements slowed as the smoke seemed to cloud his mind. Armaan darted forward, landing a series of quick jabs before pushing Raghav to the ground with a final, powerful strike. The first-year struggled beneath him, but Armaan held him down, breathing heavily.

I'm not done," Armaan said through clenched teeth.

Raghav's eyes widened as the smoke began to clear. "What... is this?"

Armaan slowly stood up, offering his opponent a hand. "This is only the beginning."

Dhruv's Approval

The training ground was silent for a moment. Armaan stood, breathing heavily, his body aching but victorious. He had won, but it was the type of win that left him with as many questions as answers. He wasn't powerful yet—not in the way his classmates were. But he had taken a step forward.

Dhruv's voice broke the silence. "Not bad, kid. You've got potential. You're not there yet, but you've got the basics down. Now we build from there."

Armaan looked over at Dhruv, still processing what had just happened. "I... I don't know how to control it."

Dhruv smirked. "That's the fun part. It's not about control, Armaan. It's about letting go. Letting the smoke become a part of you, not something you control."

Armaan nodded slowly, understanding. It wasn't just about manipulating the smoke—it was about becoming one with it.

"And remember," Dhruv added, "those cigarettes are a tool. Don't use them recklessly. You've got enough power now to make your enemies regret underestimating you. Just don't burn yourself out too quickly."

Armaan nodded again, a renewed sense of determination burning inside him. He wasn't just a student at Keet Shakti Academy anymore. He was becoming someone worth fearing.

The future was ahead of him, and he was finally starting to see the path forward.