Chapter 7: Once again in school

You know what the worst part about growing up again is? Having to go through school all over again, Anuj thought, still staring blankly at the classroom that he was. Sure, school can be fun as a teenager because you at least have the option to say no to things, but at 10 years old? Not a chance.

He sighed inwardly. "I was hoping that when we came to the Brahmastra Society, we'd be done with all this "school" nonsense. But here we are, sitting in a classroom, just a day after that fun and exciting tournament. Totally unfair."

Anuj thought but still looked at the center of podium.

Guru Vishran stood before the 64 students, his face composed.

"Today," Guru Vishran began, his deep voice commanding the attention of all the students, "Your period of adaptation to the Brahmastra Society ends. From this point forward, your training will become more structured and rigorous."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "You will remain here until you turn 18."

Anuj's heart sank a little at that. Great the school thing was not over and now we have to live in hostel too. He tried to push away the thoughts of how long it would be before he could see the outside world properly.

"Wait," Indra raised his hand, unable to stay quiet, as always. "So… we're stuck here until we're adults? No leaving at all?"

Guru Suryakant smiled slightly, knowing that the question would come. "Not quite. You will be allowed to leave during holidays to visit your families and friends. But aside from those breaks, yes, you will stay within the boundaries of the Brahmastra Society. This is for your own good."

Amrita frowned, her brow furrowed. "Why can't we just leave and come back? I mean, we're kids can't we visit our parents?"

Guru Vishran's gaze softened, understanding the weight of his words on these young students. "The reason is simple—your Astras are still developing, and the world outside is not ready for them, nor are you ready for the world. You are dangers for the outside world, and your training here is essential to prepare yourself ."

Dev, ever the serious one, nodded but raised his hand. "But what about our Astras? Can we use them outside when we visit?"

"Only in life-threatening situations," Guru Suryakant answered sternly. "Your Astras are sacred and powerful, and the world outside is not meant to witness their use except under the most extreme circumstances. If you ever use your Astra outside the Society's grounds without due cause, you will be held responsible for the consequences. Do you understand?"

The students exchanged uneasy glances. Anuj couldn't help but feel a knot forming in his stomach. I mean what does the kids would know about it I guess their rule is important after all to keep all of us in check and Life-threatening situations? What does that even mean?

I mean it's 1960's there shouldn't be any danger other than bullets and we can easily deal with this kind of situation when we are grown so not to worry.

Indra whispered under his breath, "So basically, we're like caged birds until we 'grow up,' huh?" But he didn't raise the question again.

Guru Vishran continued, "From now on, you will have a strict schedule. You will attend classes in the morning—math, science, social studies, English, Hindi, and any other subjects you wish to pursue. The education you receive here will prepare you for life outside the Society when you leave at 18."

Indra face twisted and he groaned loudly. "Math? Social studies? Really? I thought we were here to become warriors, not school nerds."

A few students laughed, but Guru Suryakant shot him a look that quickly silenced the chuckling. "Knowledge is just as important as physical strength, Indra. Without a sharp mind, you will fail to control your Astra. You cannot be a warrior if you do not understand the world around you."

Anuj couldn't help but agree with Indra's sentiment. Maths? Why? I already know enough about those numbers from my previous life. Isn't fighting and training supposed to be the focus? But he kept his thoughts to himself, knowing it wouldn't be worth questioning the Gurus as they will tell you something again.

Guru Vishran stepped forward again. "After your academic studies, you will spend the afternoons training in martial arts and weaponry. Each of you will be given a weapon of your choice. It is essential that you master one weapon to its fullest extent, whether it be a sword, a spear, or a bow. Your Astra alone will not always be enough."

"Can we choose now?" Arjun, the hulking boy who had won most of the fights the day before, asked eagerly.

"Yes," Guru Suryakant replied. "By the end of the week, you must select a traditional weapon that suits your fighting style. Once you've chosen, you will spend years mastering it. You can change it if you like anything else but Do not take this decision lightly."

"We will also give you the training of modern firearms like guns and grenades as well as basic knowledge about the spy work like how to walk without noise and how to make the situation to your advantage e.t.c" he further added

Anuj listened carefully, though he wasn't sure what kind of weapon would suit him. Garudastra is supposed to make me fast, right? So maybe something light? A bow? No, that doesn't feel right… wait we will also use guns what is this, a Ashram or a millitary facility? 

"But when we will be trained for Astras? I mean the entire reason we are here, are we not?" a girl named Leela asked, raising her hand.

"Yes," Guru Vishran said. "In addition to your weapon training, each of you will work with your respective Astra teachers. For many of you, this will be the hardest part. The bond with your Astra is not something that can be forced. It must be nurtured over time."

Amrita raised her hand. "And what if we can't? What if we never fully connect with our Astra?"

The question hung in the air, the anxiety it brought settling over the group. Guru Vishran paused for a moment before responding truthfully. 

"Some of you may struggle more than others. Not everyone will advance to the higher tiers of their Astra. That is the truth. But you are all here because you have been chosen by an Astra, and that alone means you have the potential. Whether or not you realize that potential depends on your discipline and will."

Amrita looked down at the ground, her fingers fidgeting. Well I will be totally be awesome if not I who would became the most powerful and remain with Dev?

Dev shot her a glance, reading her mind. "Quit thinking about delusions, Amrita. You need to focus."

Indra, on the other hand, leaned over and whispered to Anuj, "Yeah, but what if our Astras are just being lazy and don't want to wake up? Look at my Vajra Astra—still not awakening, even though I love it so much." He said this with a pout, rubbing his face affectionately against the hilt of his blade like it was some pet he was trying to charm into responding.

Anuj forced a smile and quipped, "I think the Astra isn't awakening because it wants to stay away from you," letting out a small laugh. Indra rolled his eyes playfully, but inside, Anuj felt a pang of frustration gnawing at him. If only Garudastra would respond to me.

Guru Suryakant clapped his hands, drawing their attention back. "Now, beyond martial arts and Astra training, you will also learn practical life skills. It is important that when you leave this place, you are prepared to live independently. "

"You will each have to choose a skill to master—whether it be cooking, fashion designing, doctor, engineering or something else but useful. You must be able to sustain yourselves in the world beyond the Society."

Indra raised an eyebrow. "So we're training to be warriors and learning to cook? Sounds like a weird combination."

"It's not weird," Amrita countered. "If you can't feed yourself, you're not going to survive long as a warrior. You can't rely on your Astra for everything."

Guru Vishran smiled slightly. "Amrita is right. The world beyond these walls is not forgiving. If you cannot cook, build, or heal, your Astra will do you no good. Each of you must choose a life skill that you will dedicate time to mastering."

Anuj's mind wandered as the Gurus talked about life skills. Being a doctor or something like that sounds like a waste, he mused. Sure, being a warrior is cool, but money... money is practical. He considered different options, and the idea of ring fights crossed his mind. *That could be the best way to make money—fighting professionally. But then again, it's too high-profile. Nothing I'm thinking of seems useful...He sighed inwardly, still unsure of his path.

But… I don't want to study again it is very taxing, I've already spent so much of my life learning things in my past life. Now I'm starting over again.

"How do we choose?" Pooja asked, a girl who had struggled with her Earth Astra during the fights.

"We will guide you," Guru Suryakant said. "Each of you will spend time learning different skills before making your choice. Once you choose, you will have dedicated lessons each week to master it."

The students nodded, though some looked less thrilled but more disappointed about the prospect of studying.

Dev raised his hand again. "And what about tasks? You mentioned that once we're grown enough, we'll have tasks to deal with, when we met before?"

Guru Vishran exchanged a glance with Guru Suryakant before answering. "Once you've proven yourselves capable, you will be assigned tasks or missions that require you to venture outside the Society. These will not be simple errands. They may involve protecting important assets, retrieving ancient relics, or even defeating the threats that cannot be handled by ordinary people."

A murmur rippled through the group. Missions outside the Society? The idea seemed exciting, but Anuj couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, I mean what if it said to murder someone, I can't do that?

Indra's eyes lit up at the thought of leaving on missions. "So we're basically going to be warriors in training and adventurers? That's kind of awesome."

"Yes, Indra," Guru Suryakant said, "but do not mistake these tasks for mere adventures. They will be dangerous, and they will test your abilities in ways you cannot yet imagine. Only when you are ready will you be allowed to undertake them."

The group fell silent for a moment, each student processing the immense responsibility that lay ahead.

After a few moments, Guru Vishran clapped his hands again. "That is the path before you. You will train, you will learn, and you will grow. But it is up to each of you to determine how far you will go. Your time here is not endless, but it is precious. Use it wisely."

As the Gurus dismissed the students, the courtyard buzzed with conversation as they broke off into smaller groups, discussing the weight of their new reality.

Anuj, Indra, Amrita, and Dev walked together, each lost in their own thoughts. Anuj couldn't shake the feeling that his future was filled with obstacles and can't wait to strangle the one who sent him here.

"Well, I guess this is our life for the next few years," Indra said, shrugging. "Could be worse, right?"

Amrita sighed. "Yeah, but… I still don't know if I'm ready for all of this."

"You'll be fine," Dev said firmly. "We all will. We just need to be stronger than enemy."

Eighteen years old… that's years from now. So much can happen. I just hope I can figure out Garudastra before then, Anuj thought, clenching his fists slightly.

As they walked toward the dormitories, the echoes of the Gurus' words stayed with them, a reminder that their future was now tied to the fate of the Astras they wielded.