Chapter 7: The Threshold of Nalanda
Aamir felt a wave of nervous excitement wash over him as he stood at the grand entrance of Nalanda University of Wizardry and Warfare, with Riya at his side. The towering gates, adorned with intricate runes that pulsed with faint magical energy, loomed before them like the threshold to a new world. Inside, he could see groups of students milling about, their expressions a mixture of focus and anticipation.
"This place is huge," Aamir muttered to Riya as they made their way through the entrance, taking in the vastness of the campus.
"It's going to be amazing!" Riya replied with a broad smile. "I've heard so much about it, and now we're finally here."
The day before, Navin—Aamir's uncle and the Lord Commander of AmritaKshetra—had personally handed them their official academy uniforms. Aamir had been surprised by the weight of the moment as Navin, ever composed, explained the importance of the trial ahead.
"You'll wear these during your trials," Navin had said, his voice steady yet filled with an underlying intensity. "Until you pass the entrance exams, you are considered outcore students. But don't mistake that for weakness. You have much to prove."
Aamir took the uniform with a nod, feeling the weight of the situation settling in. He wasn't officially enrolled yet, but just being here was already a huge step forward. Riya, looking equally excited, couldn't help but bounce on her feet.
"Thanks," she said enthusiastically, already eyeing the beautiful designs embroidered into the fabric.
As they walked deeper into the university grounds, a group of students crossed their path in the bustling courtyard. At the center of the group was a tall boy with striking blond hair, surrounded by a small crowd. His confident, almost arrogant demeanor made him stand out.
"Hey, outcore boy!" one of the students called out as they passed by Aamir. The boy with the blond hair turned to face him with a smirk. "What's your power level? Do you even have any idea what you're getting into?"