The morning sun spilled gold across the training ground of Agnigriha. Maarun stood with the other novices, hands clenched around Dviprakāsha, the twin-crystal lighter gifted to all new Fire House entrants. He watched flames dance across the palms of other students—fierce, alive. His own spark flickered weakly and died.
Across the yard, Aksharā trained with her group, focused and elegant. She didn't need Dviprakāsha. Flames responded to her fingertips like they were born there. Maarun watched as she shaped a wheel of fire mid-air, spun it, and let it collapse into a trail of embers. Her laugh echoed among her teammates.
He bit his lip and turned back to his training. The others were progressing fast. Maarun could barely summon heat without the crystals. He tried again—flick, spark, puff. Gone.
Tejodhāra arrived with a sweep of his cloak. The fire within his voice was unmistakable.
"Students," he announced, "Tomorrow, you shall face your first Intra-House Trial. This is not combat—but performance: fire shapes, throws, defenses. The battlefield—Yuddhāgni Maṇḍala—will test more than skill. It will reveal your connection to Agni."
He paced slowly. "These trials determine your ranks: B for beginner, H for intermediate, L for elite. Each rank has stars—three. Win battles, complete missions, earn your stars. Aksharā stands at H1. Maarun,"—he paused—"you are B0."
A few chuckles rippled. Maarun's ears burned.
"You will face a B1 opponent. His name is Yaman. If you succeed, you rise. If not, you remain among the unranked."
Maarun opened his mouth to protest, but Tejodhāra's gaze silenced him.
More names followed. Aksharā would face another H1. And then, a hush. The name Kālaketu was spoken—L1. The crowd shifted. Even Aksharā looked... different. Alert. Slightly flustered?
Maarun noticed.
That evening, the four of them gathered at Devakunta. The moon was climbing, jasmine in the air.
"I'm going to fight Yaman," Maarun said, staring at the sky. "He's B1. I'm still trying not to burn my own hands."
"Finally!" Dev said, practically bouncing. "Some real action!"
Roshan frowned. "Wait, other houses will be there too?"
Rajyashrī strolled in, arms folded. "Of course. Every year. After Agni's trials, it'll be Bhūmi, then Vāyu, then Jala. They all observe each other's duels."
Dev raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"
Rajyashrī smirked. "Because I've been here. Unlike you two amateurs."
Maarun blinked at her. "Wait—what's your rank again?"
"B3," she said.
"WHAT?!" Dev and Roshan nearly choked in sync.
Rajyashrī shrugged. "It's not that serious. In B rank, you follow orders. Real rank begins at H1. That's when you lead."
"A certain someone is already H1," Maarun muttered.
"Aksharā," Roshan said. "She defeated Rudra, right? From Jala?"
Rajyashrī nodded. "Yeah. That guy's tough. Even I'd hesitate to face him."
"I saw him," Roshan said, eyes wide. "During my water trial. He looked like he was the ocean."
Dev leaned back, smirking. "And you lost to that girl from Vāyu."
"Vaivikā," Rajyashrī said with a scowl. "Don't remind me. But this year? I'll crush her."
Maarun sighed. "I think Aksharā likes Kālaketu. She straightened up when his name came up."
Dev smacked his forehead. "Still on about her? She's H1, you're zero."
"I'll change that," Maarun said firmly. "I'm going to beat Yaman."
Rajyashrī gave a short laugh. "Good. You should. Or you'll keep sweeping the training yard."
Roshan leaned toward her. "So what's after B3?"
"You get assigned a small mission," Rajyashrī said. "Complete it well, you become H1. Then you command a team. Go on ranked missions. Do serious stuff."
Dev whistled. "And after that? L rank?"
"L is rare. It's for legends. Only a handful are L1. Kālaketu is one of them."
"Vaivikā?" Maarun asked.
"H2," Rajyashrī answered. "Stuck there two years. She keeps losing during mission evaluations."
Maarun rubbed the back of his neck. "That's... a lot to take in."
"Then take it in," Rajyashrī said. "Because tomorrow is your first step. Don't trip."