As the shimmering light of the portal faded, Aamir's eyes adjusted to the brightness of AmritaKshetra, the capital city.
He took a tentative step out of the portal's archway, awestruck by the sheer scale and energy of the city around him.
Gone were the familiar sights of home; here, towering buildings rose up, adorned with vibrant banners, while people bustled along wide streets lined with shops and carts.
"Welcome to AmritaKshetra, Aamir," Navin said, stepping out beside him with a proud smile. "This city is the heart of the realm, and it has a heartbeat all its own."
Aamir nodded, speechless. The sounds, the scents, and the sights overwhelmed his senses, but he couldn't stop grinning.
The warm sunlight glinted off the golden domes of buildings, and the gentle hum of magical energy buzzed faintly in the air.
Riya stood by his side, her eyes wide with excitement. She reached out, grasping his arm as if to steady herself.
Navin led them down the broad avenue from the portal station, guiding them through a maze of bustling streets until they reached a quieter residential area.
The contrast was striking—here, the noise of the markets faded, replaced by the soothing sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves.
They arrived at a spacious home nestled among flowering gardens, with a peaceful courtyard and a fountain that gurgled softly.
"This is where you'll stay while you're here in the city," Navin said, opening the door. "Make yourselves at home."
Aamir looked around the house, struck by its beauty. The polished floors gleamed, the walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and sunlight streamed through large windows, giving the space a warm, welcoming feel.
He turned to Navin, gratitude plain on his face. "Thank you, Uncle. This… it's more than I expected."
Navin smiled warmly. "You're family, Aamir. Besides, it's good for you to be comfortable; you'll need all your strength for what lies ahead."
Riya explored the house excitedly, running her fingers over the finely carved wooden furniture and peeking into each room with delight.
She let out an audible gasp when she discovered a room with a massive bookshelf filled with tomes on history, magic, and lore.
Navin chuckled, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. "I'll be back shortly," he said, grabbing his satchel. "In the meantime, Aamir, why don't you take a walk around the city? There's nothing like discovering AmritaKshetra for the first time."
Aamir nodded, and after a quick snack, he set off with Riya, heading back toward the bustling main streets.
They wandered through the crowded market square, where street vendors shouted about their wares, from shimmering fabrics and trinkets to exotic foods and potent magical charms.
The air was alive with energy—musicians played cheerful melodies on corner stages, children ran laughing through the streets, and the smell of spiced meats and sweets wafted through the air.
As they walked, Aamir noticed groups of young people his own age, some dressed in distinct academy robes, others with weapons or staffs slung across their backs.
They all looked confident, a little mysterious, and he found himself wondering if they would soon be his classmates at Nalanda University of Wizardry and Warfare.
As Aamir and Riya passed through a wider avenue near the academy district, Aamir slowed his steps.
A small crowd had gathered ahead.
Three older students stood near an open practice square. Judging by their uniforms and relaxed posture, they were seniors—maybe second or third years. None of them looked tense. None looked like they were trying.
One of them lifted his hand casually.
A thin stream of fire appeared—not roaring, not wild. It twisted like a ribbon, circling his wrist before snapping forward and striking a wooden target. The wood didn't burn. Instead, a perfect black mark appeared at its center, smoking faintly.
Another student stepped forward, his eyes half-lidded. A faint red aura shimmered around his body—adrenaline energy, but compressed so tightly it barely leaked.
He flicked two fingers.
The air cracked.
A stone placed ten steps away split cleanly into three pieces without exploding, without dust—just precise, surgical force.
The third laughed and clapped. "Too much. You'll scare the first-years."
"Only the weak ones," the second replied calmly.
Aamir stood frozen.
There was no shouting. No strain. No loss of control.
Just… mastery.
His chest tightened.
"So…" Aamir said quietly, eyes locked on the scene, "you can mix magic and adrenaline energy like that?"
Riya nodded slowly. "They make it look easy."
Aamir swallowed. Easy.
He knew how hard it actually was.
Navin had been watching Aamir's expression carefully.
"Yes," he said at last. "You can use power like that."
Aamir turned to him, eyes burning with curiosity. "Then why does it feel so unstable when I try?"
Navin stopped walking.
He looked at Aamir—not gently this time, not casually. His voice lowered.
"Because power isn't the problem," Navin said. "Control is."
He gestured toward a nearby stone wall—thick, old, and unmarked.
"Let me tell you something," he continued. "With enough control, a person doesn't need to break walls. They don't need explosions."
Aamir frowned. "Then what do they need?"
Navin's gaze sharpened.
"They can kill a person standing behind that wall," he said calmly, "without even cracking the stone."
A chill ran down Aamir's spine.
Navin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Those seniors aren't stronger than you because they have more energy. They're stronger because they waste none of it."
Aamir looked back at the wall.
For the first time since arriving in the capital, AmritaKshetra didn't feel welcoming.
It felt dangerous.
Riya pointed out an older man at a stall selling magical stones and charms. He held up a bright blue stone, its surface etched with intricate runes.
"This charm wards off evil spirits," he told them, his voice smooth and practiced. "Very useful for young travelers."
Aamir thanked the man and moved on, realizing how vast and varied the magical items in AmritaKshetra were. This city truly seemed to have something for everyone.
They passed a blacksmith's forge where weapons gleamed under the heat of flames and a shop filled with strange, glowing plants that emitted soft, colorful lights.
After a few hours of wandering, their legs grew tired, and they decided to head back to Navin's house. The afternoon sunlight slanted lower in the sky as they retraced their steps.
Navin greeted them at the door, waiting with a tray of snacks and cold drinks. He gestured for them to sit in the cozy living room, where the scent of jasmine filled the air. As they settled in, he grinned at their expressions of awe and excitement.
"It looks like you enjoyed yourselves. What do you think of AmritaKshetra so far?"
"It's incredible," Aamir said honestly. "I've never seen anything like it."
Riya chimed in, "It's like a different world. There's so much to see and do!"
Navin nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "It can be overwhelming, but soon it will feel like home." He paused, his expression thoughtful. "You'll be spending a lot of time here because your academy term begins in three days."
Aamir felt a surge of excitement and nervousness at the mention of the academy. Would he be able to keep up?
Navin seemed to notice his hesitation. He placed a reassuring hand on Aamir's shoulder. "Don't worry, Aamir. You're more prepared than you know. And you'll have Riya with you, too."
Riya gave Aamir a determined grin. "We're in this together, remember?"
Aamir nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. Whatever challenges awaited him at the academy, he wouldn't be facing them alone.
Navin continued, "Tomorrow, I'll take you both to the academy. I want you to get a feel for it before training begins. You might even meet some of your future classmates."
That night, as Aamir lay in his bed, he found it hard to sleep. His thoughts drifted to the grand city, the academy, and all the unknowns that lay ahead.
Instead of lying awake, he closed his eyes and entered a meditative state, focusing on controlling his adrenaline energy.
He felt its powerful currents pulsing through him, stronger than ever before.
For hours, he practiced holding the flow steady, like trying to tame a roaring river. Gradually, the doubts that had gnawed at him began to fade, replaced by quiet determination.
As the night deepened, Aamir opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, a small smile playing on his lips. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it head-on.