**Scene: Morning of the Finals**
The sun rose over Medicine Hall Academy, casting a golden glow across the arena. Today was the much-awaited **Final Battle**. The **Principal of the Fresher Academy** and several teachers arrived early to witness the spectacle.
The referee stepped into the center of the stadium and announced, "Finals will begin in 30 minutes!"
He then turned to the crowd, raising a scroll. "The winning team shall receive the grand reward — **5000 Medi Coins**, **1 Tier-5 Beast Core**, and a direct recommendation for the **Outer Academy Advancement Trials.**"
Team 113 entered the stadium silently. Each member wore a serious expression, the weight of the moment pressing on them. They gathered in a corner, planning.
Suddenly, **Team 103** walked in. Only their captain, **Rydin**, stood strong — the other four teammates were covered in bandages, limping and sitting on stretchers.
Rydin stepped forward confidently, jumping into the arena and bowing to the teachers and principal.
"Three days ago, our team went on an E-rank mission," Rydin began. "Unexpectedly, we encountered a **Tier-3 Beast**. We managed to kill it, but at a terrible cost. My teammates are injured beyond fighting capacity. I stand here alone."
He revealed the mission report and the **elemental stone** from the beast.
The referee looked toward the Principal. "What shall we do?"
The Principal stood slowly. "Rydin, are you in any condition to fight?"
Rydin nodded. "Yes, Principal. I've fully recovered. I am fit for battle."
The Principal then turned to **Team 113**. "Are you willing to fight a **1 vs 1 match** for the finals? Or shall we declare you the winners by default?"
Before anyone could speak, **Gan Mu** stepped forward boldly. "We'll fight. We don't want victory handed to us."
The stadium erupted in murmurs.
**"Is she crazy?"** someone whispered. **"Rydin hasn't lost a duel in two years. They're all insane!"**
Rydin smirked, his plan working perfectly. Two days ago, he had *faked the mission report*. In truth, he had beaten his teammates into submission, promising to pay for their recovery and give them his winnings after he became champion. A senior from the Outer Academy even gave him a **Tier-3 Elemental Stone** to fake the mission proof.
The referee nodded. "Match will begin in 10 minutes."
Back in Team 113's prep corner, everyone debated who should fight. Rudra looked closely at Rydin's injuries. Something felt off.
"I don't think I can beat him yet," Rudra admitted. "But look closely — he's already injured. That's our chance."
Then suddenly, as both teams walked into the arena, Rudra **raised his hand** and addressed the Principal.
"Principal, I cannot fight someone who's already injured. This isn't a fair fight. I request that we **postpone the match by two days** so Rydin can fully recover. If not, declare **Team 103** the winners. We won't regret it, but I won't fight him like this."
The entire stadium went silent.
After a moment, the Principal gave a firm nod. "Request granted. Finals will resume in **two days**."
Team 113 returned to their quarters, but everywhere they went, they heard one name on everyone's lips.
**"Rydin… he's the genius of the academy."**
Gouri turned. "Who even is this Rydin?"
Suddenly, a voice called out.
**"Hey Rudra! How are you?"**
It was **Naran**, Rudra's childhood friend.
"Naran! Congrats!"
"Congrats? Our team lost in the finals. You congratulating me for that?" Naran teased.
Rudra grinned. "No, I can sense your energy. You've reached the **7th Chakra Gate**, haven't you?"
Naran laughed. "Yes! Finally did it."
Everyone around gasped. Naran was their age — how was he already at the 7th Gate?
Naran continued, "You want to know why Rydin is feared? He reached the **7th Gate two years ago.** He's now at the **peak** of that level. He hasn't lost a match in two years."
Parshu Si blinked. "Then why is he still here in the fresher academy?"
Rudra answered, "There are no yearly classes here. It's all based on **power**. Only those who reach **Beast Spark level** can enter the **Outer Academy**. Those who reach **5th Beast Rank** go to the Inner Academy. Rydin has been here for **four years** but never moved up. They still call him a genius."
Gan Mu narrowed her eyes. "How do you know so much about him?"
"Senior Mo told me. He and Rydin joined in the same year."
She shrugged. "Forget it. So, what are you up to now?"
Rudra turned serious. "I'm heading home to retrieve **Spiritual Techniques**."
"You never said you were a Spiritual Master," Gan said.
"I activated my first Spiritual Star at five years old. I'm seven now, and my spiritual power has grown. I'm ready to begin my path."
They walked toward the academy gate.
Gouri asked curiously, "Wait! What's a Spiritual Master?"
Rudra smiled. "Ask Gan. I've got to go."
As Rudra and Naran showed their badges and left the academy gates, Gan turned to the others.
---
### 🌟 Gan Mu Explains: What is a Spiritual Master?
She summoned a scroll in the air.
"These are **Spiritual Stars**. When you want to become a spiritual master, you must first *convert your spiritual energy into stars*. The number of stars reflects your control, wisdom, and potential."
---
### 🧙♂️ **Ranks of Spiritual Masters**
**1. Spirit Initiate** (10–100 stars):
* Learns basic formations, healing, and Granth crafting.
**2. Spirit Adept** (101–250 stars):
* Masters two-element techniques, creates recovery pills.
**3. Spirit Architect** (251–750 stars):
* Builds advanced formations and healing/spiritual Granths.
**4. Mystic Forger** (751–4799 stars):
* Can forge Beast Knight Granths and mystic techniques.
**5. Divine Spiritual Master** (4800–9999 stars):
* Regrow limbs, cure bloodline curses, revive near-death beings.
"But there's a rule," Gan said. "You can only learn **two techniques per rank**. That means just **ten techniques total** in your lifetime. So choose wisely."
Gan added thoughtfully, "A true **Spiritual Master** can walk all three paths — Medicine, Formation, Granth Creation. But doing so requires great knowledge, talent, and guidance."
Paths of Spiritual Masters
1. 🩺 **Medicine Path** — healing, stat buffs, antidotes.
2. 🌀 **Formation Path** — trap arrays, illusions, battlefield control.
3. 📚 **Granth Creation Path** — creating every type of Granth.
**Scene: Rudra & Naran**
Cut to Rudra and Naran walking beyond the gates. Before them stood **one Rank-2 monster** and **two Rank-1 monsters**, blocking their path. The journey ahead was already dangerous.
**To Be Continued...**