The following week, the first-year students gathered in the main lecture hall for one of the most important decisions of their academic lives.
Today, they would select their primary professional path.
Hunter.
Summoner.
Or Magician.
Although all Awakeners learned basic cultivation, each path emphasized different strengths and methods of combat.
The choice a student made now would shape the direction of their training for years to come.
Principal Rao stood on the stage, his voice carrying easily through the vast hall.
"Talent gives you possibilities.
"Discipline turns possibilities into results."
"But the path you choose determines how you will express your strength."
Behind him, three large symbols appeared on the projection screen.
A sword.
A beast.
A staff.
"The Hunter path focuses on body strengthening and close combat.
"The Summoner path centers on forming bonds with spiritual beasts."
"The Magician path emphasizes precise control of spiritual energy and elemental techniques."
He paused.
"Choose according to your nature, not according to what appears glamorous."
Senior students stepped onto the stage to demonstrate each profession.
A Hunter shattered a thick stone slab with a single punch.
A Summoner called forth a silver wolf and fused partially with it.
A Magician launched a series of lightning bolts that struck multiple targets with flawless accuracy.
The audience watched with awe.
Rohan whispered, "They all look incredible."
Krishak nodded.
"They each have strengths and limitations."
When the students were asked to submit their choices, Krishak selected:
Hunter
To others, this seemed natural.
He had already demonstrated extraordinary physical ability.
But his reasons were deeper.
A perfect body was the foundation of all higher cultivation.
Whether one pursued summoning, magic, or cosmic laws, the body remained the vessel.
If the vessel was weak, everything built upon it would be unstable.
Krishak intended to master every path eventually.
But the body would come first.
Rohan chose the Hunter path as well.
He grinned.
"I prefer straightforward solutions."
Krishak smiled.
"That suits you."
Aisha selected Magician.
Her calm temperament and strong spiritual sensitivity made it an excellent fit.
Vikram also chose Hunter, determined to surpass Krishak through direct competition.
Several students with natural affinities selected Summoner.
The class quickly divided according to their chosen specialties.
That afternoon, the Hunter students reported to a reinforced training hall.
The instructor was a broad-shouldered man with scars along both arms.
"Name's Instructor Rajan."
He looked over the group.
"If you're here, you've chosen the path of close combat."
He struck his fist into his palm.
"That means pain will become your closest companion."
Some students shifted nervously.
Krishak remained calm.
Rajan noticed and gave him a brief, approving glance.
Instructor Rajan wrote three words on the board.
Strength. Speed. Control.
" "These are the pillars of a Hunter."
He turned to the class.
"Without strength, you cannot break defenses."
"Without speed, you cannot seize opportunities."
"Without control, both are wasted."
Krishak mentally noted the alignment with his own philosophy.
Earth's terminology differed, but the underlying principles were universal.
The Hunter curriculum was far more demanding than the general program.
Students would now focus on:
Advanced body conditioning.
Combat drills.
Weapon familiarization.
Tactical movement.
Resistance training.
Most first-years looked both excited and apprehensive.
Krishak looked quietly satisfied.
This was precisely the environment he wanted.
At the end of class, Vikram approached Krishak.
"This changes nothing.
Krishak raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't expect it to.
Vikram clenched his fists.
"I'll surpass you."
Krishak met his gaze calmly.
"Then train well."
The sincerity of the response left Vikram momentarily speechless.
Back in his dormitory, Krishak reviewed the day.
His path at the academy was now formally aligned with his true goals.
The Hunter profession would provide resources and structured training while he continued developing his own superior methods in secret.
Through Master Kiran, he was already shaping the first generation of disciples.
Through the academy, he was gathering knowledge, influence, and allies.
Krishak looked up at the stars beyond his window.
Each decision, no matter how small, moved him closer to the future he envisioned.
A future where Earth would no longer be limited to the King Realm.
A future where humanity would rise to stand among the stars.