A doorman stood at the hotel's main entrance. As soon as Suresh stepped out, the man bowed and thanked him. Suresh smiled and thanked him back.
Outside the hotel, the team's formation was perfectly set in the cool morning air. Shiv was at the front, a different kind of spark shining in his eyes. Right behind him to the left was Aarav, with Veer walking beside Shiv. Viru followed them, while Ritika and Kavya brought up the rear.
Veer, sounding a bit annoyed, said, "Man, we've been here since yesterday and there's still no sign of a match. Did we come here just to sightsee?"
Walking beside him, Viru gave a short laugh and said, "That's because we arrived at night, Veer. Just have a little patience."
Veer shot him a furious glare."Viru's confidence crumbled instantly." a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he retreated with a terrified smile, eyes squeezed shut. Everyone quickly boarded the bus.
Wiping his sweat, Viru sighed, "Brother, I honestly thought I'd get hurt before the academy fight even started."
Shiv, Aarav, and Viru took the back seats. In front of them, Kavya and Ritika were busy chatting with the other girls. Looking at the crowds outside, Shiv said in shock, "I had no idea there were so many students in our Class-A."
Aarav gave a subtle smile. "You just never paid attention. Plus, everyone's been on high alert since the academy attack."
Leaning his head back against the seat, Viru added, "And you know what, Shiv? You're actually considered one of the top students in the class now."
Shiv's eyes went wide. "What? Seriously? "You're messing with me, right?"
Aarav placed a hand on Shiv's shoulder, gesturing for him to stay calm. Suddenly, Viru knelt up on his seat to peek over. He saw Suresh, still completely absorbed in a game on his phone. Viru couldn't help himself and blurted out, "Wait, are you still playing that?"
Startled, Suresh nearly dropped his phone. He turned around with a furious expression, but Viru instantly shut his eyes and faked being in a deep sleep. Suresh let out a long sigh and turned back to his game.
"Viru really almost got it today," Shiv whispered.
A sharp jolt signaled the bus had finally stopped. Every gaze was pulled toward the windows, where the Keebo International Academy stood in all its glory. The morning sun washed over the white stone and dark wooden pillars, turning the entire structure into a glowing fortress of gold.
"Is there no one here to welcome us?" Shiv asked.
Just then, a bright yellow Porsche pulled up sharply behind the bus. The Vice Headmaster and Principal Niraj stepped out. "It seems the students are a bit over-eager," the Principal remarked with that same strange, creepy smile.
The Headmaster scanned his ID card at the gate, and the heavy doors opened with a deep, echoing thud.
The interior was breathtaking, more like a royal estate than a school, with Japanese students wandering through gardens of vibrant green. Shiv froze in surprise—suddenly, their voices weren't just noise anymore. He could understand every word they were saying."
"Neural Translators," Aarav explained, sensing his confusion. "Everyone is connected."
The crowd began to part as a girl stepped forward. Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a silken veil, while the blue trim of her dark blazer swayed with every step she took. In her deep blue eyes, there was a strange flicker of mystery and pride.
She scanned the team and stopped, pointing her finger directly at Shiv. "So, these are the people from India's top academy? They look pathetic... especially this boy."
Shiv's jaw tightened in an instant."What did you say? Pathetic? Come on then, let's settle this right now!"
The girl wrinkled her nose in disgust. "He doesn't even have basic manners."
Aarav and Viru quickly grabbed Shiv and pulled him back. Veer stepped forward then, but he didn't even look at the girl. Instead, he addressed the Vice Headmaster standing behind her. "Let's move. We're here to fight. I don't have time for useless chatter."
The girl's face twisted in shock. "Are you... are you ignoring me?"
Veer didn't even bother to look back. "I'm not a child. I don't waste time on childish games."
The girl froze for a moment, then took a sharp breath. "We'll see just how strong you really are," she spat before walking away.
"That was Suzuka Fujiwara," the Vice Headmaster informed them. "Now, follow me to the training hall."
Five minutes later, they entered a high-tech training facility. Holographic displays flashed real-time data across the walls. Shiv's eyes lit up as he watched the profiles and progress of every student being tracked live.
However, on the far side of the hall lay a darkened room, shrouded in shadows.
Four students gathered around a U-shaped mahogany table, bound by a heavy, practiced silence. Their eyes burned with the quiet arrogance of power."
The boy in the center chair was rhythmically tapping his finger on the table—tap, tap, tap—the sound echoing through the room like a ticking bomb. Holographic interfaces floated before each seat, displaying the detailed profiles of Shiv and Veer.
Suzuka Fujiwara sat there, flushed with anger. "They're all weak. Not a single one is a real challenge," she insisted.
Across from her, a girl with vibrant red hair was casually enjoying a lollipop. She flashed a mischievous grin. "Are you so sure, Suzuka? I tried my best, but I couldn't dig up much on that one boy."
"Who? Veer?" Suzuka asked.
"No... Shiv," the girl replied, pulling the lollipop from her mouth.
"Shiv? He looks like the weakest of the lot," Suzuka scoffed.
Sakura Saionji—the red-haired girl—narrowed her eyes. "You're so naive. He is the last spark of the most powerful Royal Clan in India."
Suzuka's breath hitched. "You're joking."
"Has my information ever been wrong?" Sakura asked with a sharp, knowing look.
Suddenly, the rhythmic tapping from the boy in the center stopped. A deathly silence gripped the room. He raised his cold, piercing gaze and spoke in a voice that commanded absolute authority.
"Quiet. The time for talk is over. Now, it is time to show them what real power looks like. Be ready."