The training days were relentless, but Arav was starting to feel the fruits of his labor. His mastery over the Aakasha Vidya techniques was improving, and his cultivation had advanced to Adept Realm Stage 3. He felt stronger, more focused, and a little restless. After all, training day in and day out could feel isolating. He decided to head to the mission hall—not for a mission just yet, but to stretch his legs and maybe see some familiar faces.

The mission hall was a chaotic mix of voices, with cultivators crowding around bulletin boards and others seated in small groups discussing their plans. As Arav scanned the room, he spotted two very familiar figures near the corner.

Dhiran and Buddhi.

“Oi, is that Arav?!” Buddhi’s loud voice echoed through the hall.

“Buddhi, don’t yell in the hall,” Dhiran muttered, trying to shush him, though a grin tugged at his lips.

Arav grinned as he made his way toward them. “Well, well, look who it is! The firecracker and the walking boulder.”

Buddhi snorted, crossing his arms. “You call me firecracker, but I’m pretty sure you caused most of the explosions back in training.”

Dhiran smirked. “And I don’t remember being a boulder last time I checked.”

“Fine, fine,” Arav said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Buddhi the Blaze and Dhiran the—uh—Rock of Wisdom?”

“That’s worse,” Dhiran said with a shake of his head, but the amusement was clear in his eyes.

“It’s been what—weeks?” Buddhi said, practically bouncing on his feet. “Where have you been hiding, Arav?”

“Training,” Arav replied. “Naresh has been working me to the bone. What about you two? Still making trouble?”

“Me? Trouble?” Buddhi said with mock innocence. “I’m practically a saint on Sangri Peak. Well… except for that one time I accidentally set a dummy on fire during sparring.”

Dhiran raised an eyebrow. “Accidentally?”

Buddhi waved him off. “Details.”

“And you?” Arav asked Dhiran. “Still as calm and boring as ever?”

“Boring?” Dhiran replied, pretending to be offended. “I’ll have you know, Yumi Peak has its own share of excitement. Just last week, we had a meditation contest.”

Arav blinked. “A… meditation contest?”

“Yeah,” Buddhi said, stifling a laugh. “The excitement was overwhelming, I’m sure.”

Arav chuckled. “Touché.”

They found a quieter spot in the hall to sit and catch up, the lively banter flowing easily.

“So, Adept Realm Stage 3, huh?” Buddhi said, nudging Arav. “You’re moving fast. Trying to make the rest of us look bad?”

“Please,” Arav said with a grin. “You’re both just lazy.”

“Lazy?” Dhiran asked, feigning insult. “I’ll have you know I reached Stage 2 last night.”

“Show-off,” Buddhi muttered, crossing his arms. “I’m still at Stage 1. But you know what? Quality over quantity.”

“Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?” Arav teased.

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Buddhi smirked. “Oh, you’re asking for it, Srivastava.”

Dhiran shook his head, laughing softly. “Some things never change. Honestly, though, it’s good to see you both. Training’s been… intense.”

Arav nodded. “Tell me about it. Naresh is great, but he doesn’t let me slack off. If I make one mistake, it’s 1000 laps around the courtyard.”

“At least your instructor isn’t a sadist,” Buddhi said. “Ours made us do sparring matches blindfolded. Against opponents with weapons.”

“Sounds fair,” Dhiran said dryly.

“I swear, one day I’m going to snap,” Buddhi muttered. “What about you, Dhiran? Yumi Peak still as serene as ever?”

“Mostly,” Dhiran admitted. “Though our instructor’s been pushing us harder lately. Something about strengthening our connection to the earth.”

“Boulder training?” Arav asked with a smirk.

“Something like that,” Dhiran replied, rolling his eyes.

The three of them laughed, the sound a welcome reprieve from the intensity of their training.

“You know,” Arav said, leaning back. “It’s been a while since we’ve all just… talked. Feels good.”

“Don’t get all sentimental on us now,” Buddhi teased, though his grin softened. “But yeah. It does.”

Arav and Dhiran exchanged a look before following him.

“Some things never change,” Arav said with a grin.

“And that’s probably for the best,” Dhiran replied, his smile matching Arav’s.

The mission hall buzzed with the usual chatter of disciples poring over the mission board, debating rewards, and gauging dangers. Arav stood with his arms crossed, Buddhi leaning lazily against the board, and Dhiran quietly observing the crowd.

“This one,” Buddhi said, jabbing his finger at the parchment titled The Quest of Nyigong Thicket. “Twelve Dhara stones for grabbing some old relic? Sounds like a decent payout.”

Arav raised an eyebrow. “Decent payout? Did you read the part about the forest? Twisted trees, ghost lights, mythical monsters... not exactly a picnic.”

“Good,” Buddhi said, smirking. “Then we will have something interesting to talk about when I walk out of there with that Lumring Stone.”

Arav rolled his eyes. “You really don’t take anything seriously, do you?”

“Not unless it’s on fire or chasing me,” Buddhi replied with a grin.

Dhiran let out a soft chuckle. “You’re going to regret that attitude when the will-o’-the-wisps show up.”

“What even are will-o’-the-wisps?” Buddhi asked, tilting his head.

“Spirits,” Dhiran explained. “They lure you off the path. Follow them, and you’re as good as gone.”

“They do,” Arav said, his voice serious.

Buddhi stared at him for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh. “You’re both hopeless. It’s a forest, not some cursed dungeon. We go in, grab the relic, and get out. Easy.”

Dhiran sighed. “I hope your optimism lasts.”

As they continued discussing the mission, a familiar voice interrupted them.

“So, you three are finally heading out on a mission together?” Naresh’s voice carried its usual mix of authority and mild amusement as he approached.

Arav turned and gave a respectful nod. “Yes, sir. The Nyigong Thicket mission.”

Naresh’s expression darkened slightly. “Nyigong Thicket. You’re aiming high.”

“Isn’t that the point?” Buddhi said, grinning. “We’re not going to waste our time on something easy.”

Naresh’s sharp gaze landed on Buddhi, wiping the grin off his face. “Easy missions build experience. Difficult ones test your limits. Nyigong Thicket does neither. It changes you.”

Dhiran frowned. “Changes us how?”

“The forest is ancient, tied to forces most people can’t even begin to understand,” Naresh explained. “It’s alive in ways you aren’t prepared for. It will test not just your skills, but your mind and your resolve. This isn’t a mission you rush into.”

Arav nodded, his expression thoughtful. “We’ll be careful, sir.”

“You’ll need to be more than careful,” Naresh said, his tone firm. “Stay together, trust your instincts, and remember—no reward is worth your life. If the forest feels wrong, leave.”

“Got it,” Buddhi said quickly, eager to move on.

Naresh’s gaze lingered on the three of them for a moment before he spoke again. “You three have potential. Don’t squander it on reckless decisions. Come back in one piece.”

Later that day, the trio gathered near the edge of the sect grounds, preparing for their journey. Buddhi was packing extra food, Dhiran was double-checking their route, and Arav stood nearby, lost in thought.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Buddhi said, glancing at Arav. “Second thoughts?”

Arav shook his head. “Not exactly. Just… thinking about what Naresh said.”

“Don’t be scared ,” Buddhi replied. “He probably hope we are not cocky! .”

“Or maybe he knows something we don’t,” Dhiran said softly.

Buddhi groaned. “Great. Now you’re both going to be paranoid the whole way.”

“It’s not paranoia if it keeps us alive,” Arav said, his tone light but firm.

Dhiran smirked. “For once, I agree with Buddhi. Let’s not overthink this. We’re a good team. We’ll handle whatever comes our way.”

Arav glanced at his friends, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“Of course I am,” Buddhi said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Now, let’s get moving. The sooner we start, the sooner I can prove you two wrong.”