In the University
Kairav sat in his usual place.
Karuna entered and took her seat three spots away, diagonally to his left.
She glanced at Arun.
Arun gave her a small nod.
Karuna hesitated… then stood and walked toward Kairav.
“Hey… Kairav, can you help me with these arithmetic sums?”
Kairav looked up once and gestured for her to sit.
They began.
Karuna struggled through the first few steps, losing track midway.
Kairav didn’t rush her.
He matched her pace, breaking the problem down and allowing her to reach the answer herself instead of simply handing it to her.
Patient.
Controlled.
This is the moment.
Master was clear—get close to her circle.
Kairav had been considering how to create an opportunity to connect with Yani’s two friends.
Across the room, Samarth Shakta entered.
His eyes landed on Karuna.
Then shifted to Kairav.
His jaw tightened for a fraction of a second.
His fist clenched before he lowered his gaze and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Moksh Asthikul took the seat beside Kairav.
A brief nod passed between them.
Guru Sariputta entered.
Karuna returned to her place.
Class began.
Assignments were presented one by one.
When Karuna stood, Guru Sariputta paused over her work.
“Improvement. Maintain it.”
She sat down, quiet relief settling over her.
The rest of the day passed as usual—lectures, drills, and breathwork.
Nothing seemed out of place.
After class, Karuna approached Kairav.
“Thank you… for the help.”
Kairav nodded and left.
In the Corridor
Samarth caught up with Karuna.
“You should be wary of that Urvasa boy.”
Karuna frowned.
“He’s just a quiet guy.”
Samarth exhaled lightly, as if restraining something.
“You’ve been around my sister for years,” he said.
“I’ve seen you… even if not closely.”
A pause.
“I’m just… concerned.”
Karuna softened slightly.
“I appreciate that,” she said.
“But instead of being wary, you should be thankful. He saved your sister from those Black Sage cultists.”
Samarth showed no outward reaction.
No surprise.
No visible shift.
Only a brief stillness in his eyes.
Inside, however, questions began to surface.
Karuna continued, recounting what Yani had told her.
Samarth listened carefully.
When she finished, he took a slow breath and stepped closer.
His hands settled on her shoulders.
Firm.
Grounding—but with a subtle intent behind the gesture. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Dear,” he said, his voice low and composed, “you are so naïve.”
Karuna looked at him in confusion.
“Tell me something,” he continued, holding her gaze.
“What occupation would Kairav have… in the deep forest at that hour?”
The question did not strike her immediately.
Then it did.
Karuna’s expression faltered.
She hadn’t thought about it.
Samarth noticed.
A faint smile formed.
Not warm.
“Exactly.”
His grip tightened slightly before easing.
“I won’t stop you from talking to him,” he continued.
“In fact, don’t step back now. That would raise suspicion.”
Karuna listened silently.
“Talk normally. Study. Keep it within the university.”
A pause.
“But avoid meeting him outside. Especially alone.”
Karuna nodded slowly.
“And if you notice anything odd—anything at all…”
His fingers pressed slightly against her shoulders before releasing.
“…come to me.”
Another nod.
“Let me walk you home.”
“I’m waiting for Arun and the others,” she replied.
“We go together.”
Samarth held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary.
Then he smiled.
“Of course.”
He stepped away, a faint grin lingering on his face.
The Next Day — Guru Goalpara’s Class
Bhuvan knelt on one knee.
“Forgive me for my failure.”
Arka waved his hand dismissively.
His mind was still occupied by the fight.
“It’s your fault. You underestimated him.”
Nag Suyash, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke.
“Or maybe… we didn’t understand him.”
Arka looked at him.
Suyash leaned slightly forward.
“Think about it. A man walks in from nowhere… no presence… no history that matters… and suddenly everyone’s watching him.”
A pause.
“We’re told he’s a shepherd who grew up in the mountains.”
Turang nodded.
“That’s what we know.”
Suyash tilted his head.
“Do we?”
Silence.
“A shepherd,” he continued, “comes into our world… and drops Bhuvan like it’s routine.”
His eyes shifted briefly toward Bhuvan.
“That doesn’t feel… off?”
Then he continued.
“What if that shepherd identity… is a construct?”
The theory settled over the room.
Suyash didn’t push further.
He let the thought remain.
Bhuvan frowned.
Turang shifted slightly.
“That’s not possible.”
All eyes turned toward him.
His tone was firmer than expected.
“The university’s vetting process is strict. Multiple layers. Multiple clans involved.”
A pause.
“Even nobles can’t bypass it.”
Suyash nodded slowly.
“Exactly.”
Arka’s brows furrowed.
Bhuvan and Turang exchanged a glance.
Suyash continued, his voice softer now.
“For a moment, let’s assume that identity is false… and he still passed every layer.”
A pause.
“…Then someone ensured he did.”
Bhuvan frowned.
“That’s a stretch.”
Suyash didn’t argue.
Instead, he asked,
“Then how do you explain his composure?”
No one answered.
“That kind of control,” Suyash added, “doesn’t come from tending sheep.”
Silence settled over them.
Turang crossed his arms.
“So, you’re saying someone is backing him?”
Suyash looked toward Arka.
“That’s one possibility.”
Divyansh spoke again, more slowly this time.
“If someone inside is backing him… that person has authority.”
Arka leaned back slightly.
“And maybe a motive.”
“Self-serving… or otherwise,” Suyash added.
A pause.
Then Turang spoke, almost reluctantly.
“What if that backing isn’t just internal?”
The atmosphere shifted.
Bhuvan looked at him.
“You mean… external?”
Suyash shook his head slightly.
“Difficult. There are too many control points.”
He paused.
“But if someone from inside was backing him and is now compromised… then…”
He let the thought trail off.
That was enough.
“We should inform the authorities,” someone said.
Bhuvan turned toward Arka.
“Tell your uncle.”
Arka shook his head.
“No evidence. Just assumptions.”
A pause.
“No point.”
The matter should have ended there.
But it didn’t.
Because the doubt remained.
Chitrak Panchbhuti suddenly dropped down beside them.
“Did you hear?”
No one responded.
He leaned closer.
“Kairav got inducted as a Royal Bounty Hunter.”
Everything stilled.
This time—
No one spoke.