'Oh, I like the quarter. It doesn't have any distractions, which translates to more training and study,' Raktaa said. Then she seemed to think about something and spoke again after a pause. 'Do you think it's time I told you how to properly use your powers and merge with me?' Raktaa asked in an uncertain voice.
"You were thinking about that, huh?" Shambhu said, acknowledging her thoughtfulness. "Is your memory back?" he asked.
'No, it is still sealed as the aftermath of my sacrifice. But I think I do gain knowledge if I focus on specific information constantly or if a piece of it is revealed to me,' Raktaa said, still with uncertainty.
"Is that what you think, or is it the truth?" Shambhu wanted to be sure.
'It is a hypothesis. In my dimension, knowledge is only given to the worthy. I am unworthy because I sacrificed my deityhood, but you becoming worthy of it probably unseals my memory because of our link,' Raktaa clarified.
"So, did you learn something new?" Shambhu asked.
'After knowing about you having PROTECTOR'S BLOOD, something was peeking inside my mind but was unclear. After thinking about it constantly, some new information has been built up in my mind,' Raktaa said. The generally playful tone of Raktaa was nowhere to be heard; her voice was serious.
"Built up?" Shambhu questioned.
'Yes, built up. I am not sure if it was unsealed or if my mind built it up to give a solution,' Raktaa said. 'This knowledge was the basis of my hypotheses, though,' she added, in an apologetic tone.
"Don't worry. Let's wait for our classes as we planned. If you unseal some knowledge about the subjects taught, then your hypothesis would be correct," Shambhu consoled her. "And then we can do what you say. But let's sleep first. We can't be late on our first day," he added. Raktaa agreed with him.
The next morning he was awake before the AI assistant could wake him up. He took a shower and completed his daily morning routine. He then put on the black dhoti, which was part of his uniform, and sat down to read the second book given by the Academy. As the name suggested, it was the conduct code for a Protector.
'So this is the ceremony planned for today,' Raktaa said.
"Yeah, it looks like it," Shambhu agreed.
"It's time to move out for the ceremony, else you might be late," the AI assistant reminded him.
Shambhu looked at the AI monitor. It was 7 o'clock already. He was so immersed in the book, he didn't notice when two hours went by.
"Yeah, I should go now. But may I give you a name first?" Shambhu asked the AI assistant. "It's weird calling you AI all the time."
"Yes, you can," the AI answered in the same robotic voice.
"What do you think about the name Mitra?" Shambhu asked with a thoughtful look.
"I accept being a friend," the AI accepted.
"Then Mitra, show me on the display so I can check my dress." Shambhu put on the red shirt, part of the uniform, and checked his hair. He just parted it from the left and let his long hair flow naturally. Then he moved out, saying bye to Mitra.
Other students were also going to the Gñyanà Kendrà for the oath-taking ceremony.
"Hello, neighbour," Shambhu heard a cheerful voice from his left. It was Daru. "You fought really well yesterday," Daru started with a compliment. He was wearing the general uniform: red shirt and black pants.
"Thanks, but that hammer style of yours was fantastic too..." Shambhu complimented back and let the end of the sentence flow as if asking for a name.
"Ah, Daru. My bad. What's yours?" Daru asked.
"Shambhu. But how are you my neighbour? Weren't your token number 40-something?" Shambhu asked with a genuine, curious look. He was 91st in the line according to the token.
"I don't think it was used in allotting the quarters," Daru replied.
"Do you wear dhoti all the time?" he asked after taking a look at Shambhu's dress.
"Yeah, I have worn it for all my life, plus it is comfortable," Shambhu replied.
"You know what? I don't like the pants too, but when I asked them about a green dhoti, they said green dhoti wasn't allowed. So I just took the black pants," Daru complained.
"But you could take a black dhoti, just like me, couldn't you?" Shambhu stated.
A surprised, opened mouth, thoughtful, all-in-one look appeared on Daru's face. "I was too hungry at the time, mate. I didn't think about that," he said. "By the way, did you talk to the AI assistant? I asked different theories of the books they gave me and it answered too," Daru said slightly laughing. "But still, I wanted to talk to somebody else about the academy and everything else," he added.
Daru was like a cheerful chatterbox, talking non-stop about something.
'We can see that,' Raktaa mused.
'Yeah, he is like a male you, just more talkative,' Shambhu teased her.
"We are here. And we haven't even gotten to the main point," Daru said. The one-mile walk was over, and they were outside Gñyanà Kendrà. Over 50 other students were already present there, and more were coming. After some time, they were all there. When the clock hit 8, Guruvar Shuka came out of the building. He was wearing his usual golden-bordered white dhoti, with flowing hair and a handlebar moustache.
He swept his serene blue eyes over the present students. His gaze paused on Shambhu, giving him an acknowledging look, then continued.
Then his voice swept over the students.
"I hope you had a good first night in the academy. I am happy to see that you all are punctual," Shuka said with a smile. Then he asked in a serious tone, "Do you have any questions before you take the official oath of being a Protector?"
There was no sound for some time except the flowing wind. "Good, I take that as a no," Shuka said happily.
"I like determination. Now let's move to the ritual grounds," Shuka said with a nod, turned back, and started walking. The students followed him in line.
They did not venture into the building itself but a hallway, leading to the central square yard around which the rectangular building was built. The hallway followed the same light blue colour pattern as the building, with some nature carvings of red and green on the side walls and the roof. It was an arched hallway of approximately 3 meter width and 5 meter height.
As they entered the open yard, the atmosphere changed. A warm energy filled the whole yard. In the centre of it, there was a square pit, with small stairs in it, starting from four sides of it then decreasing in length as they reached towards the centre. It was about two to three feet deep. Dry branches of different trees were already put in them, with careful design, to keep the airflow. Around it, different types of ritualistic havan materials were put in different platters. The walls of the yard were yellow, and red Swastikas were painted on them. Four men wearing saffron and red dhoti without any upper garments were sitting around the pit.
'That's where Guru Angira is,' Shambhu noticed the man in the red dhoti and thought.
"Guru Angira, you can start the ritual."
Just as Guruvar Shuka said this, a panting guy entered the yard. He probably had run with all his might, for who knows how long.