Gurukul –
Central Viewing Hall...
The large magical screen cast shifting shadows across the hall as everyone sat in rapt attention.
From high-ranking Brahmāṇsh council members to junior students, all eyes were fixed on Rudra's journey through the dense forest.
"____"
Guru Arvind stood with his hands behind his back, watching silently but intently.
Beside him were Amirtha, biting her lip nervously, and Shiva, arms crossed, trying to appear calm.
As Rudra moved silently through the forest surrounded by poisonous snakes, wolves, a giant python, and other lethal creatures, one council elder's eyes narrowed.
"____"
"They're not attacking him... yet they are alert. He's either extremely lucky or—"
"—he's being acknowledged,"
Guru Arvind interrupted softly, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"The forest knows him."
A murmur passed among the observers as they watched Rudra stroll through what should have been a deathtrap for anyone else.
Amirtha exhaled in relief when Rudra passed the second checkpoint without a single injury.
Sigh~
"I told you he was different."
She whispered to Shiva, forgetting she was very nervous just a moment ago.
"Hmph. I know he can do it."
Shiva grunted, though his lips twitched upward slightly.
He was the most worried one when he learned about the test context from Amirtha just now.
When Rudra reached the open field and met the five warriors, the atmosphere in the viewing hall shifted immediately.
"These aren't sparring partners."
said one of the younger students.
"They're brutes!"
As Rudra faced off against the first opponent, the agile dual-dagger wielder, everyone leaned forward.
When he caught the arm mid-strike and launched a counter, sending the man flying—
Cheers erupted from the students, while the elders simply nodded in approval.
"Clean technique. Excellent body control,"
muttered Master Raj, an expert in close-quarters combat.
"He didn't panic under pressure."
Then came the Gada user.
Gasps echoed when the massive warrior's mace shattered stone.
"That would've broken bones if it hit."
Tejas whispered, wide-eyed.
When Rudra outmanoeuvred the powerhouse, striking precisely and bringing him down, the council members began murmuring.
"He reads opponents quickly."
noted an older councilwoman.
"That takes battle sense, not just training."
Next came the spear fighter.
They watched Rudra stay on the move, reading patterns.
"He's not just using strength. That's pure strategy,"
Meena said, eyes sparkling.
"He's adapting to every style."
The final fight had everyone tense.
The dual-wielder with sword and axe moved like a storm.
Even Guru Arvind's jaw clenched slightly when he saw the axe gazing at Rudra's shoulder.
"____"
Then, Rudra's sudden headbutt and takedown combo left the warrior disarmed and stunned.
For a moment, silence.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Clap~ Clap~
Clap~ Clap~
Then, slow claps from one of the council heads, followed by more applause from the students.
"Not bad for a boy who just arrived,"
One elder said, nodding.
Nod!
"He's not just talented. He's... meant for this. A prodigy!"
Amirtha was smiling now, pride glowing in her eyes.
Even Shiva and others jumped excitedly and celebrated the thrilling win of their friend.
Guru Arvind finally spoke.
"The Brahmāstra chose wisely."
The scene on the screen shifted to Rudra walking away from the battleground, collecting himself, and Hammy scurrying beside him.
The council continued watching—
But now with eyes that held expectation, and for some... hope.
While everyone was still absorbed in watching the test unfold, the doors of the central viewing hall opened with a quiet creak.
Mohan Bhargav stepped in, his presence catching the attention of Guru Arvind, who quickly approached and welcomed him.
After a brief,
hushed conversation sparked by Mohan's earlier call,
Guru Arvind guided him toward the front of the hall.
As they entered, Mohan's gaze fell on the large screen at the centre of the room, where the live feed of Rudra's test played out.
Though he had missed the action-packed third stage, murmurs among the spectators told him all he needed to know—
Rudra had cleared it impressively.
The screen now showed the boy traversing the forest with a strange companion—
a red squirrel perched on his shoulder, animatedly chattering away as if holding a conversation.
Mohan raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Is he... talking to a squirrel?"
Guru Arvind chuckled softly.
"Apparently, yes. And from the way it's reacting, it's talking back."
The few members of the Bramansh Council who had gathered to oversee the trial looked notably intrigued and pleased.
One of them leaned back and remarked,
"He not only has the strength and instincts, but there's something... natural about him. Like the forest itself favours him."
Another nodded, watching as the squirrel—
now affectionately dubbed "Hammy" by Rudra—
performed little twirls and gestures as Rudra continued his journey.
Though they couldn't hear the exact conversation, the almost human-like responses from the squirrel told them all they needed to know:
Rudra was no ordinary candidate.
Mohan watched in silence for a moment longer, his scientific mind ticking.
"____"
"So… this is the boy who might wield the final Brahmastra."
Guru Arvind simply gave a knowing smile.
Woods...
The forest was unusually quiet.
Rudra moved carefully through the trees, senses heightened.
Suddenly, his ears picked up the sound—measured, deliberate footsteps crunching the forest floor in the distance.
He stopped in his tracks.
Beside him, Hammy's ears twitched sharply.
She let out a rapid burst of squeaks, her tiny body alert.
Rudra nodded.
"I hear it too. That's not wildlife."
The rhythm, the weight of the steps—it was unmistakable.
Humans, from the sound of it.
'This is it. Stage four.'
Ten armed men would be sweeping the woods, trained to track and subdue.
Rudra had to avoid them entirely without engaging.
No direct confrontation is allowed.
He scanned the dense woods, mind racing for a hiding spot.
That's when Hammy started squeaking urgently and tugging at his sleeve.
"You know a place?"
He asked, understanding her hyper chatter with ease.
To anyone else, it would've sounded like meaningless squeals and chirps.
But to Rudra—
Thanks to his Nature's Son trait—
It was clear communication.
Hammy bobbed her head rapidly, tail pointing like an arrow.
"Come, come! I know a perfect spot! Safe, tight, hidden! You'll love it! I promise!"
Rudra didn't hesitate.
He followed as she darted through the undergrowth, weaving between trees, over fallen logs, and finally toward a low ridge.
There, nestled at the base of a small hill, was a narrow crack in the stone.
"____"
"You sure I'll fit through that?"
Rudra whispered, eyeing the gap.
"Fit? Pfft! You're bendy. Just squeeze a bit. I'm telling you—five-star hiding spot!"
She chattered, already wriggling in.
With a soft breath, Rudra followed her lead.
The space was tight, scraping his shoulders as he slid in, but after a few meters, it opened up into a concealed natural alcove on the other side.
Surrounded by stone and shadow, it was the perfect hideout—
completely out of sight, with no clear paths leading in.
Rudra crouched low, catching his breath.
"Well done, Hammy,"
He whispered.
"You're a lifesaver."
Hammy puffed up with pride, twirling her tail like a ribbon.
"Told ya! Best scout in the woods!"
With the hiding spot secured, thanks to Hammy's energetic guidance,
Rudra settled into the small alcove tucked beneath the hill.
The cool stone around him offered a sense of calm, a stark contrast to the tension he felt just moments earlier.
Outside, the forest buzzed with faint sounds—
distant bird calls, rustling leaves, and the occasional footstep of a patrolling pursuer.
It wasn't just the wildlife that made this forest dangerous—
It was the openness of it.
The trees, though plenty, were spaced far apart and thinner than what he'd prefer for cover.
With trained trackers on the hunt, the lack of dense foliage made hiding on the move nearly impossible.
Rudra leaned back against the stone wall, breathing deeply as he thought things through.
"The trees are too thin. Not much cover if I start running now…"
He muttered under his breath.
Hammy, perched on a rock nearby, tilted her head.
"We're not moving yet, right? 'Cause those scary guys are still out there."
Rudra nodded.
Nod~
"Exactly. I'm thinking of waiting for nightfall. It'll be harder for them to spot me in the dark. Shadows, trees, and silence—I'll use all of it."
Hammy nodded so fast that her head became a blur.
Nod~
"Smart! I like the dark. It's like playing hide-and-seek with extra spice!"
With his decision made, Rudra leaned back and closed his eyes briefly, not to sleep—
But to conserve energy.
He knew the moment the sun dipped below the treetops,
The real challenge would begin.
As the hours passed,
the sunlight filtered differently through the canopy.
The orange hue of the evening began to settle over the forest.
The birds changed their tunes.
The wind cooled.
Rudra opened his eyes slowly, gaze focused.
"Not long now,"
He said calmly.
Hammy squeaked quietly beside him, her little body coiled like a spring, ready for action.
In the quiet of the forest, Rudra waited—
not like a prey, but like a predator biding his time.
The night would be his ally.
Hammy nodded furiously.
Nod~
"Yes-yes-yes! Night is best! I'll help! I'm small and sneaky!"
Rudra offered her a faint smile.
"I know you will."
Gurukul...
Central Viewing Hall...
The large screen still displayed the forest clearing where Rudra sat quietly, his back resting against the stone wall of the hidden crevice.
His eyes were closed, face relaxed, breathing calm.
He looked very calm and composed.
The room, which had been filled with murmurs, predictions, and quiet awe just minutes ago, had now grown quieter.
"____"
"____"
"____"
"He's not going to move until nightfall,"
Shiva commented, folding his arms.
"Smart choice,"
muttered Tejas, nodding in approval.
"That forest's too open in daylight. He's waiting for the right moment."
Amirtha, who had been silently observing Rudra's every move since the beginning, exhaled softly, a small smile playing on her lips.
"He's calm. Calculated. Not rushing. That's the difference between someone who wants to survive… and someone who knows he will."
A few members of the Brahmānsh Council exchanged approving glances.
"He's not just instinctive,"
one of the elder council members noted.
"He's patient."
"Very rare for someone his age,"
another agreed.
Meanwhile, Mohan Bhargav stood near the back, his eyes narrowed as he studied Rudra's resting form on the screen.
Even though he had missed the earlier part of the trial, he was beginning to understand.
His guts say the boy was no ordinary candidate.
"I see what guru Arvind meant now…"
Mohan whispered to himself.
As time passed and Rudra remained still, simply resting, conserving energy, many of the onlookers began stepping out of the hall.
Some went for tea.
Others stretched their legs or chatted outside.
Only a handful remained behind—
Amirtha, Guru Arvind, Mohan, and a few students who were too invested in the stream.
They left word with others near the exit:
"If anything happens—anything—call us immediately."
Inside, the glow of the screen flickered gently as the forest dimmed with the fading light of day.
And in that clearing, Rudra remained still—
like a shadow waiting for the night to rise.
After a few hours of quiet rest, Rudra slowly opened his eyes.
The shadows had grown longer, the sky outside the clearing now bathed in a dusky orange glow—
signalling that nightfall wasn't far away.
He looked around and noticed Hammy was nowhere in sight.
"Probably off chasing butterflies or looking for berries,"
Rudra murmured to himself with a faint smile.
Knowing Hammy, she either got bored or spotted something shiny and darted off.
He wasn't too worried—
Hammy was quick, energetic, and sharp in her own hyperactive way.
She'd be back soon.
Rudra reached for his backpack and unzipped it carefully.
Inside, things were still neatly arranged from earlier.
He took out the remaining bread from the opened packet.
There were still two full bottles of fresh water, an unopened package of sliced bread, and two ten-rupee biscuit packets tucked to the side.
Supplies were holding up decently, but he knew he couldn't afford to waste time on a proper meal once night fell.
As he chewed on the last few slices of bread, his gaze remained sharp, focused.
His mind was already preparing for the next phase.
The moment the stars claimed the sky and darkness wrapped the forest, he would begin his move—
slipping past the armed men who were surely out there, lurking, searching.
As the forest grew darker, cloaking itself in thick shadows, Hammy zipped back into the clearing—her paws full of berries and her mouth full of chatter.
"Found some juicy ones!"
she squeaked proudly, popping a berry into her mouth before climbing up Rudra's arm.
Rudra smirked.
Smirk~
"You went on a snack break while I'm planning a stealth operation?"
Hammy pouted dramatically.
"Hey! Multitasking, okay? I was scouting and snacking. I'm a professional."
She twirled once on his shoulder and tucked the rest of the berries inside his jacket.
"They're clear. At least for now."
"Good,"
Rudra said softly, adjusting the strap of his pack.
"Time to move."
Hammy settled into his collar.
With that, Rudra stepped out of the hidden crevice, every movement a study in grace and silence.
The forest was alive with the gentle rustling of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
His senses heightened, he moved through the woods like a passing breeze—
soft, undetected, invisible.
"Left side—owl,"
Hammy whispered.
"Noted."
"Snake by the next tree trunk—curious but harmless."
"Got it."
Their teamwork was fluid, quiet, and efficient.
Hammy, with her small size and energy, provided the perfect scout, while Rudra used his Nature's Son trait to read the forest like a living map.
No creature challenged him.
In fact, many simply watched with mild curiosity—
as if sensing he was part of the forest itself.
Each sound, each shadow, each shift in the trees was taken into account.
He wasn't just sneaking past danger.
He was moving in harmony with it.
As Rudra crept silently between the trees, a faint murmur floated through the night air.
"…haven't seen anything yet."
"Keep your eyes sharp. He's gotta be nearby."
"Command said he's not allowed to attack us directly. But that doesn't mean we can slack off."
Rudra froze mid-step.
His breath slowed.
Muscles coiled like a spring.
The voices weren't far—
maybe twenty meters ahead.
Hammy, peeking from under his collar, whispered,
"Three. No—wait—four! I see four of them."
She tilted her head, ears twitching.
"They're fanned out. Two are coming this way."
Rudra slowly backed up, eyes scanning for movement.
His Nature's Son trait kicked in—he could sense the unease in the trees, the soft rustle of grass disturbed by heavy boots.
He crouched behind a large, twisted root system, completely blending into the shadows.
The moonlight barely touched his black clothes, making him indistinguishable from the night around him.
One of the armed men passed just a few feet away, muttering to himself,
"Forest's too quiet tonight…"
Hammy whispered,
"Should I throw a berry at his helmet?"
Rudra smirked and gave her a subtle "no" with a raised brow.
'Cute idea. But not tonight, Hammy.'
He waited, letting the moment pass, counting the seconds until the footsteps faded deeper into the woods.
Then, with the quietness of mist, Rudra slipped from his hiding spot, circling wide away from the path the men had taken.
Every step was calculated.
Every breath was controlled.
The night, the forest, even the creatures seemed to cooperate.
Owls didn't hoot. Branches didn't snap.
The moon hung high above the dense canopy, casting patches of silver light on the forest floor.
Rudra moved like a whisper, weaving through shadows, his body perfectly in sync with the rhythm of the woods.
As he neared a cluster of trees, Rudra paused—
his instincts tingled.
"____"
Something was off.
Kneeling quietly, he examined the mossy earth.
Tripwire.
Barely visible.
He followed it with his eyes—
two sharpened bamboo stakes were rigged to snap from opposite trees if disturbed.
He shifted his weight backward and silently rolled beneath the trap's path, disturbing neither branch nor leaf.
Once clear, he murmured,
"Too close."
Hammy, clinging to his shoulder, whispered with wide eyes,
"That would've been very pointy."
Further ahead, Rudra spotted torchlight flickering between tree trunks.
Two soldiers moved in a wide sweep, checking bushes and tree bases. Rudra immediately lay flat, half-covered by a bush.
One soldier stopped barely three feet from him.
The man adjusted his boots.
"I hate this. Who hides in the woods like a squirrel?"
Hammy twitched.
"Rude!"
Rudra placed a gentle finger to her head in warning.
She pouted but stayed quiet.
Only when the soldiers moved on did Rudra crawl backward, circle wide, and rejoin his original path.
Moments later, a glint of thin wire caught his eye—
a net trap,
woven between two trees and buried beneath leaves.
One step forward and he'd be strung up like a prize catch.
He placed a stone nearby, tossed another behind him as a decoy, and triggered the trap from a safe distance.
The net snapped up with a loud crack.
Instantly, voices rang out from nearby:
"What was that?!"
Rudra sprinted behind a large oak, controlling his breathing.
The armed man ran to check the trap, allowing him to slip away unnoticed.
After hours of silent movement, Rudra finally spotted the fourth checkpoint in the distance—
a clearing with a green flag and a white line etched into the earth:
the finish line.
But just as he was about to move in, a soldier stepped out from behind a tree, barely five meters away.
Another followed.
Then another.
He was surrounded.
No way to sneak past them now.
Hammy's ears perked up.
"Time to be the hero!"
Before Rudra could stop her, she jumped from his shoulder, dashed to the edge of the clearing, and pelted three soldiers with acorns she had saved in her pouch.
"HEY!"
one of the soldiers yelled as he got beaned on the forehead.
"What the—?!"
They turned to chase her, shouting and stomping after the darting squirrel who zipped between trees like lightning.
Rudra didn't waste a second.
He burst forward, silent and swift, sprinting across the line just as the soldiers turned around.
By the time they returned, the flag was fluttering in the wind… and Rudra was nowhere in sight.
He hid just beyond the clearing, catching his breath.
Moments later, Hammy popped out of a nearby bush, victorious and smug.
"See? Told ya I'm a genius."
Rudra smiled, gently scratching her head.
"Thanks, partner."
Checkpoint Four—cleared.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone!!!
Which will motivate me more.