Keet Shakti Academy

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Test of Shadows



The morning light broke through the clouds, casting long shadows over the academy's sprawling grounds. The buzz of the academy was alive as students moved in all directions, preparing for another day of training, missions, and exams. But for Armaan, today felt different—today, he would face a challenge unlike any before.

He stood at the edge of the training field, feeling a gnawing anxiety in his stomach. It was time for the first-year practical exam, the first major test of his abilities. His body ached from the previous day's training with Dhruv, but it wasn't the physical pain that lingered—it was the uncertainty. He wasn't like his classmates. He didn't have a hybrid power to rely on. He couldn't manipulate his smoke in the way the others controlled their hybrid forms. Yet, he had to prove himself today.

Rai stood beside him, his eyes focused ahead, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Ready for this?" Rai's voice had a calmness to it, but Armaan knew that beneath it was a hint of anticipation. He could sense his friend's competitive nature, always ready for the next challenge.

Armaan looked over at Rai, then down at his hands. "I have no choice," he muttered, clenching his fists. "I can't afford to fail."

Rai placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "You've been through worse, Armaan. And you've got a weapon no one else has—your mind. Don't forget that."

Armaan nodded, taking a deep breath. The wind picked up slightly, swirling the smoke around him. It had become second nature now, though he still struggled to control it fully. His hybrid power was unpredictable at times, but the cigarettes had helped him tap into something new. The real challenge, though, wasn't his hybrid—it was his ability to think, to survive in the chaos of battle.

The Challenge Begins

"First-year students, gather around!" The voice of Rajan Awasthi, the professor in charge of the exam, boomed over the field. He stood at the front, his eyes scanning the students as they assembled. Beside him, standing tall and imposing, was his assistant, Vikram Rathod, who gave them all a knowing smile.

"Today's exam will test your ability to adapt and think on your feet," Rajan continued. "You'll face off against multiple enemies in a controlled simulation. Your objective: survive for ten minutes and disable the opponents using your skills, not brute force. For those with hybrid abilities, we will monitor their usage. Keep your head and don't rely on power alone."

The students looked nervously at one another. No one had expected this type of exam, where their mental strength would be tested just as much as their combat abilities. Armaan's heart raced as the students were split into teams, each paired with a challenge designed to test their survival and adaptability.

When Armaan's name was called, he walked forward, his mind focused on the task ahead. His team was a mixture of familiar and new faces—Raghav, Samrudh, and Alisha. Each of them had a different style and approach to combat, but Armaan knew this wouldn't be an easy fight. They would have to rely on teamwork.

Good luck," Rai said quietly as Armaan moved to his designated area. He gave his friend one last nod before stepping into the simulation arena.

The Simulation: Battle with Shadows

The exam began with a loud, sudden noise—like the sound of a thousand battle drums pounding in sync. Armaan's heart skipped a beat, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to shift. The arena, once an open training field, transformed into a maze of shadows and light, its walls flickering with holographic projections.

Armaan's first instinct was to stay still, take in his surroundings. The smoke was swirling, but not as it usually did. It felt heavier, as if the very atmosphere was charged with tension. He focused, drawing in a breath, and the smoke began to flow from his body in response to his intent. It moved as though it were alive, a fluid current that stretched out from his hands, leaving faint trails behind him.

Raghav rushed forward, charging into the fray with a reckless energy, throwing punches as the shadows moved. Samrudh stayed by his side, calculating, striking with precision. Alisha, ever the strategist, began directing their movements, her eyes scanning for weak points. But Armaan was different. He held back, waiting for the right moment, trying to feel the pulse of the battlefield.

Suddenly, the shadows shifted, forming into tangible shapes. Figures emerged from the darkness, humanoid in form but with glowing red eyes and sharp claws—Fallen Hive soldiers. The creatures hissed, their movements unnatural, as they charged toward the students.

Armaan's pulse quickened, but instead of charging in, he focused on his breath. The smoke around him thickened, moving faster, swirling like a storm. His body seemed to respond naturally, his movements fluid but deliberate. As one of the Fallen Hive soldiers lunged at him, Armaan released a burst of high-speed smoke from his palm, sending it hurtling toward the creature.

The smoke hit the soldier in the chest, knocking it back with a force that startled even Armaan. It didn't just push it—it paralyzed it for a split second, leaving it vulnerable to Samrudh's next strike. His fists hammered down with quick precision, the force of his attack finishing off the creature.

Nice move," Samrudh called out, impressed.

Armaan barely had time to acknowledge the compliment before another soldier appeared from the shadows, slashing at him with its claws. The force of the blow pushed Armaan back, but he used the momentum, letting the smoke flow out from his body, making himself briefly invisible in the mist. He sidestepped the next strike, evading the attack by inches.

But the smoke—his power—wasn't stable yet. The longer he kept it up, the more it drained him, and he could feel his stamina depleting. He needed to finish this fast.

He focused again, this time releasing a thick, concentrated cloud of smoke from his hand, surrounding the approaching soldier. The smoke began to coil around its body, cutting off its air and visibility. The soldier's movements slowed, its claws fumbling as Armaan advanced.

Armaan didn't wait. He struck, landing a punch to the soldier's vulnerable side. It crumpled to the ground, motionless. But he couldn't stop—there were still more coming.

The Final Push

As the last wave of Fallen Hive soldiers closed in, Armaan's smoke began to thin. He was running low on energy, but his resolve was stronger than ever. He looked over at his teammates—Raghav was locked in combat with another soldier, Alisha was out of sight, trying to flank the enemies, and Samrudh was holding his ground, each movement precise.

This was it—the moment to show them that his hybrid power wasn't a weakness. He didn't need to rely on brute force or hybrid abilities like the others. He could use his mind, his strategy, and what little power he had left.

Armaan!" Alisha's voice cut through the air, and she nodded toward the group of soldiers closing in on Raghav. "Now!"

With a burst of speed, Armaan lunged forward, smoke trailing behind him. He moved like a shadow, unseen by the enemies as he passed. In one fluid motion, he released a cloud of smoke so thick it obscured the entire battlefield. The soldiers were blinded.

He moved in, quickly disarming one and incapacitating another with a strike to its neck. Within moments, the arena was clear of enemies. Armaan stood alone in the center, breathing heavily.

The simulation ended, and the shadows receded, leaving the academy grounds in their natural state. The students were left standing in stunned silence, their bodies aching but their minds racing.


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