"Oh my God," Rook muttered aloud, and it sent shivers down his spine. The circled area marked by the beasts proved to actually be the place he had tripped into while running from the encircling rats. It was then that he actually died, and he did not know this.
The memory sent shivers of fear through him. "What creature can this be?" he wondered, knowing very well he wouldn't dare to go to that place again until he was strong enough.
He folded up the map and went back to his prep for university. He did, but still couldn't decipher how to unlock the other slots, which seemed endless. And it turned out from the moment when the first slot had been bought, the map disappeared, with a 24-hour timer displayed.
The university halls were packed with students of all the years, who were blabbering and giggling within themselves. Rook had fitted earplugs and was reading articles on portals attentively.
Probably, Ayush was sitting right beside him and going on and on about how his life was luxurious in a manner that visibly gnawed at Rook's nerves.
Suddenly, a voice reverberated from everywhere and nowhere. "Dear students," the voice began, and suddenly all the students and instructors stood upright, as if a king had entered a room. The instructors and professors lessened their auras, showing respect for the speaker.
"I am your principal. Due to some issues, I am not able to attend the meeting directly," the voice carried on. Everybody felt the weight of the words.
Even Rook and Ayush, who were usually so carefree, stood ramrod straight, paying the utmost respect to the speaker.
Rook could feel the intensity in the room shift. The air seemed to thicken with the presence of authority. The voice of the principal was like any other, but it carried a power that commanded attention and reverence.…"We have important matters to discuss today," the principal went on, "matters which will shape your future here at the university."
His words sent a shock wave through the auditorium. Never in their lives had the students and professors ever heard of such an announcement. "From this day henceforth, every student shall descend into the portal as part of training," said the principal, not giving a single reasoning for this sudden change in curriculum.
Questions swirled in Rook's mind. Why this sudden mandate? What could it be about? The time wouldn't allow him to dwell on these doubts. The answers would come later. Now he must look ahead.
Having received the principal's dismissal, the students dispersed to classes, with most buzzing in a mix of curiosity and excitement laced with apprehension. Rook and Ayush went into their classroom and took seats at the back.
Ayush, the clingy one, now dropped right beside Rook. Rook just couldn't help but feel a mix of irritation and curiosity about this clinging classmate.
Professor Arya entered the room, a mix of frustration and anger on her face. She was rubbing at her temples, clearly nursing a headache. All the dissatisfaction sat right on her face.
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"Rook and Ayush, come to the professor's cabin," she ordered and didn't even wait for the response to turn on her heel and leave.
Rook's expression never changed, but he was racking his brain with questions. What had they done? Why were they being singled out? In the midst of this whirlwind storm raging within him, he got up and followed Ayush out of the classroom.
Rook was definitely aware that the curious and admiring glances of the other schoolmates focused on them as they strolled down the corridors. Whispers followed soon after their passage, thus confirming Rook was not wrong; he had, indeed, preceded his reputation.
"Is that him?" one asked his schoolmate in a really low whisper, his eyes so wide with wonder. The other nodded, reversing Rook's identity. Their gazes made him stand alone. It was much like being under a spotlight—a feeling he'd encountered earlier than at this portal world here at the university.
Yet, Ayush didn't seem troubled by anything. Serenity and confidence were written all over his face, and with every step he took ahead, it was royalty—just like the queens and kings of England.
He couldn't suppress the burning curiosity toward the mysterious classmate of his. "First of all, I must find out the secrets of the guy beside me," he resolved to find out what actually lay behind those mysterious eyes of Ayush.
By the time they reached Professor Arya's cabin, she was already behind her desk and looked more composed than she had in class. She motioned for them to sit.
"Rook, Ayush," she began, her voice grave, "you both have remarkable potential in your respective fields. Potential, however, isn't enough. Prepare yourselves: the principal's new directive about the portals is only a part of something much bigger—the honing of your abilities in preparation for what really lies ahead."
Rook sat forward, his ears up and alert. He still had no clue why they were there specifically, but Professor Arya's words suggested it was more than just a routine check-in.
"You will be entering a high-tier portal for your next training session," she continued, "This isn't just about surviving. It's about thriving. You must push yourselves beyond your limits."
Ayush nodded, maybe immune to the announcement. For Rook, however, this mix of excitement and anxiety made for high-tier portals that were quite infamous for their unpredictability and danger. This was to be a case of testing their mettle.
As they emerged from the professor's cabin, Rook's mind had soared with all sorts of possibilities. It was possible that the high-tier portal held answers to mysteries he had been in search of, or it might be the end of him. Whichever the case, he was more than ready to front whatever lay ahead.
With Ayush by his side, he had a feeling of strange brotherhood, despite differences. They were both journeying on, in search of answers and power in a world with unknowns.
The rest of his day was a blur of preparation: going over the notes, training the body, and inspecting the mind armor. The lingering fear of that round beast marking in the pocket world haunted him, but it also burned into his determination.
Secrets of the portals, the pocket world, and Ayush were all in store for him to uncover. Nothing now would stand in his way.
—-------------
Rook stepped into the pocket world; his thoughts again overwhelmed his sensations. He needed to find a safe place to study and increase his power. Walking through the grassy plains, he saw a cotton beast eating some grass not far from him.
"The beasts' population increases day by day," he thought, looking at how often he was encountering them.
He kept on searching until he found quite a secluded cave for himself. It looked untouched and safe enough for what Rook wanted to do. Crossing his legs and straightening himself inside, he put his mind into focus.
With one simple thought, he summoned the four gene crystals from the white dimension and watched as they materialized before him. All were pulsing with energy, ready to use.