One year later. Ruhi, her friend Anya, and her younger sister Diya, who was now in the first year of the Warriors Academy, walked together toward the Yggdrasil tree . out of the guarded  tree stood the great auditorium where all the programs of the Earth Realm or even combined Realm programs always took place. Today was the results day.

Anya’s heart was beating fast. She tucked her light brown hair behind her ear, the strands catching the light as her orange eyes shone with nervousness. She was worried about how she had done. Out of all the three schools in the Earth Realm, forty eight students had participated in the exam. Anya had been one of them, so was Ruhi but Diya was not as she was in 1st year she will give the exam next year.

The three girls went to the large board where the results were put up.

Ruhi’s eyes widened. Her name was right at the top. She had secured the highest marks, a full hundred. Her breath caught and her lips parted in disbelief.

Diya clapped her hands and pointed at the board. “Oh my god sister, look at this. There’s a guy named Ekaksh who got twenty seven and a half. Isn’t that the lowest score ever ? I heard the passing marks were twenty seven.”

Anya laughed softly. “Yeah, I do agree. I feel pity. I don’t know how he’ll survive.”

Ruhi smiled faintly. “Don’t worry about him. I hope he’ll do fine.”

They continued looking at the board. The second highest score belonged to a boy named Aarav, who had scored ninety eight. His name glowed near the top. Not far down, they found Anya’s name as well. She had scored eighty nine out of hundred, which was a decent score too, earning her the eighteenth rank out of all forty eight students.

The three of them exchanged glances, excitement bubbling up as they turned and walked into the auditorium for the announcement ceremony.

The scene shifted to Aarav, a boy with striking white hair and calm blue eyes, standing beside his best friend Karan, who had black hair and warm brown eyes. The two of them were just outside the auditorium when Karan held out a small box with a grin.

“Yo man, have some sandwich,” Karan said cheerfully. “I know you’re rich and you probably have all the fancy food at home, but this is what my mother cooked. Sometimes you just feel like eating something made by your mom, right? It just tastes different.”

Aarav accepted the box quietly, his calm nature never fading. “Thank you, Karan. You’re right. Food made with love… it always has something special in it.”

For a moment, his eyes grew distant. A memory flickered in his mind, a flashback of eight years ago. Even though his parents had not been warriors, they had been royalties who carried themselves with dignity. That fight all those years back had taken them both, leaving Aarav behind with his little sister. The entire fortune and royal wealth had fallen into his hands, but no amount of gold could replace the warmth of a mother’s food or the comfort of his father’s presence.

Karan nudged him gently, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Come on, let’s go see how badly you’ve beaten me.”

They walked up to the results board together. Karan scanned quickly, then clapped Aarav’s shoulder. “Yo man, look at this. You got the second highest score. Ninety eight. Gentleman as always. But wait… who got the first?” His eyes squinted at the list. “Some girl named Ruhi. Huh, interesting.”

Aarav’s lips curved in a faint smile. “I suppose she did better. She must be talented.”

Karan moved his eyes down until he spotted his own name. “Oh yes, here we are. Eighty nine. Seventeenth rank. Not bad at all. Hey, some girl named Anya got the same marks as me, but look at that. They gave me the higher rank. Guess it’s because of my attendance and… obviously my superior magic skills.” He puffed his chest out proudly, then immediately laughed. “Okay maybe just the attendance part. But still, I’ll take it.”

Aarav chuckled softly. “Yes, you deserve it.”

Karan leaned in closer. “Bro, I heard we’ll be divided into houses now. I honestly wasn’t paying attention when the professors explained it. Can you run me through what the houses are?”

Aarav nodded, calm as ever. “In the Galaxy Realm there are four houses. Nebula, star, Supernova and Comet. Each represents a different aspect of cosmic power. In the Earth Realm we have six houses, named after precious stones. Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, and Onyx. They all carry the qualities of their stones. And in the Underworld, things are different. They don’t use jewels or stars. They divide them differently. The Dreams , the Nightmare, and the illusion.”

Karan whistled low. “Man, that sounds like a lot. But hey, I just hope we end up in the same house. Otherwise, who am I supposed to be with?”

Aarav gave him a rare smile. “I hope so too. I would prefer to keep my only friend close.”

“Your only friend?” Karan raised his eyebrows playfully. “That’s a lot of pressure, Aarav. Guess I’ll just have to be your best friend forever then.”

The two of them laughed together as they walked into the auditorium, the warmth of their friendship making the nerves of the results day feel lighter. They found their seats, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The auditorium glowed with lanterns of every color, banners of the six houses fluttering above the stage. The murmur of excited voices filled the air until suddenly, silence swept over the room. At the center stood the prince of the Earth Realm, tall and composed, with the princess beside him, her eyes sharp and confident. Both of them wore the warrior’s crest proudly upon their armor.

The prince lifted his hand. “I congratulate the new batch of warriors . Today, your journey begins. You will be tested, forged, and prepared to carry the honor of the Earth Realm.” His voice rang clear and commanding.

He raised his other hand, motioning toward the banners. “There are six houses, each with their own spirit and strength. Ruby House, led by Captain Alexander. Sapphire House, led by Captain Arya. Emerald House, led by Captain Vamika. Topaz House, led by Captain Nivan. Amethyst House, led by Captain Dravin. And Onyx House, led by Captain Felix. Each of you will be sorted into one of these houses, where your training shall shape your destiny.”

With a sweep of his palm, the prince summoned a current of wind. A glowing satchel appeared, filled with slips of paper, and drifted across the rows of students. Each slip bore the crest of a house. One by one, the students reached in and drew their fate .

students were divided into house by they qualities.

Ruhi’s fingers trembled as she picked her chit. When she opened it, her heart leapt. “Topaz…” she whispered. Anya leaned over, her orange eyes shining, and grinned. “Me too!” Both girls clasped hands, delighted.

Across the hall, Karan and Aarav also unfolded their slips, exchanging smiles. “Topaz,” Karan said proudly. Aarav gave a small, satisfied nod. “Looks like we’ll be training together after all.”

The students were guided to their house tents lined neatly at the edges of the auditorium grounds. At the Topaz tent, Ruhi and Anya arrived first, followed by Aarav and Karan. Soon after, a girl with long black hair and sharp eyes entered. “Jiya,”.

Then came Vedant, whose confident smile lingered too long on Ruhi. He seemed almost eager, as though already imagining standing by her side. Next arrived Ekaksh, quiet at first glance, but his eyes softened the moment they fell on Ruhi. Something in his chest sparked, a childish crush igniting before he could stop it.

And finally, he entered. Kian. He was steady, his black hair brushing lightly across his forehead, his dark eyes unreadable yet captivating. Ruhi and Anya both gasped, their hearts racing. In an instant, a memory crashed back five years ago, by the rushing sea, when Ruhi had slipped and nearly fallen. It was Kian who had caught her hand, pulling her back to safety. She remembered the warmth of his palm, the tiny birthmark etched there. As her gaze flicked to his hand now, she saw it again. Her breath caught. It was him.

Jiya’s eyes narrowed, glaring kian . Vedant straightened his back, determined to impress. Ekaksh couldn’t stop staring, caught in the glow of a new feeling. And Kian? He simply stood, calm and unreadable, yet his presence filled the tent with quiet power.

Captain Nivan soon arrived, flanked by his squad leaders. “Welcome to Topaz House,” he announced firmly. Beside him stood the vice captain, Aryan, and the three senior members Sara, Zara, and Arjun.

“All of you, line up,” Nivan ordered. The eight new recruits quickly formed a row. His sharp gaze swept over them. “Each of you will introduce yourself. State your name, your marks in the test, the magic you can use, and your aim as a warrior.”