Inside A Ruins, Underground.
"Maka bosuda aag!" a voice echoed through the stone tunnel.
It was Yuvraj Hamsa.
He was running.
Chotu was ahead of him, sprinting at full speed, claws scraping against stone as Hamsa kept pace behind him.
Behind them—Fire.
Not a spark. Not a stray flame.
A full, roaring wall of fire surged through the tunnel, chasing them with an enthusiasm that felt… personal.
They burst into an open chamber where Mina, Garuda, and Ranapala were gathered, having rushed in moments earlier after hearing the shout.
For a single, very brief moment—Everyone froze.
Because the one man currently running at them like his life depended on it… was the one man who you saw running and high tail it from there like your existence depended on it.
Hamsa didn't slow.
"RUN."
That was all he said as he shot past them.
There were no questions nor hesitation.
Garuda moved first, then Mina. Finally Ranapala followed half a heartbeat later—still trying to process what he had just seen, and failing completely.
Behind them, the fire surged into the chamber.
And just like that—the entire group was running.
The floating balls of fire they had been using for light winked out one by one, abandoned as everyone diverted their mana to strengthening their bodies.
"Guys—" Hamsa called out over the roar. "I'm going to step aside. You run past me without stopping—"
"Are you crazy?!" all three of them snapped in unison, rank and station forgotten.
"Just shut up and listen!" Hamsa shot back.
They didn't argue further.
"I'll hold the fire for a few moments," he continued, voice sharp, controlled. "At the same time, I'll lift all of you. Brace yourselves—spread a thick mana zone. Once you're airborne, move toward the nearest ventilation shaft. Maintain balance, push wind in the opposite direction you want to go."
He didn't slow.
"Garuda—you hold onto Chotu. Let him blast through anything blocking the shaft. Don't stop."
"How are you getting out?" Garuda demanded.
"Better yet," Mina added, breath tight, "can you not just extinguish it? Why only hold it back?"
"I can stop it—for a moment," Hamsa replied. "But I don't know the source. Hold it too long and best case—we survive. Worst case—we blow ourselves and this entire place sky fucking high."
That shut them up. And few seconds later as they passed by branch tunnels and smaller ventilation shafts—
"There!" Hamsa snapped.
A ventilation shaft large enough to fit them.
"NOW!"
Mana exploded outward from him.
Stone cracked as he tore open the wall, widening the opening just enough. At the same time, his mana wrapped around all four of them—lifting them off the ground.
They were weightless and carried forward only by inertia.
Then Hamsa moved.
Like it was routine.
He pivoted and forced himself into the opening he had just created, ignoring the part of his mind that screamed about destroying ancient carved stone.
Behind him, the others reacted instantly.
Garuda grabbed onto Chotu, pulling him close as he expanded his own mana, letting it merge with Hamsa's far denser Mana Zone. Mina and Ranapala followed, reinforcing the zone.
In one heartbeat—they were inside.
In the next—they were moving.
Wind mana surged, pushing them forward through the shaft as Chotu blasted through debris, shattered rails, and collapsed sections without slowing.
Behind them—Hamsa turned.
One hand thrust back as he secured his feet by covering it with the stone and binding it with the ground.
A spiraling blast of wind roared outward, forcing the fire-laden air backward, redirecting it into the surrounding tunnels and the functioning ventilation shafts they had passed by.
He held it—Just long enough.
Then he felt it.
They were far enough.
Without hesitation, he released the hold and launched himself upward, slamming through the ceiling above as the shaft behind them began to collapse under the damage.
Stone gave way and debris fell and Hamsa vanished upward into the darkness.
-----
Surface.
It was a semi-open area within the vast complex of ruins.
The three of them—and the tiger—burst out into it, collapsing or slowing as they caught their breath, their bodies settling after the rush of adrenaline and intense use of mana.
In the distance, at the base of the largest structure, a temporary camp stirred. Royal Guards and servents rushed toward them, having heard the explosion caused by Chotu blasting through the shaft.
"We made it…" Ranapala muttered, lying flat on the ground, still trying to breathe.
Mina, on the other hand, recovered quickly. She was already on her feet though still visibly drained, speaking with a few guards, issuing quick instructions.
Garuda stood still as he had fully recovered and beside him, Chotu paced, restless.
Both of them were focused on one thing—sensing the same person—Hamsa.
Garuda closed his eyes briefly, reaching out. He could feel it—his brother's mana. Alive and moving fast.
"Still inside…" he muttered.
They turned toward the shaft they had emerged from. And Garuda's jaw tightened upon seeing it had collapsed. Then turning to his side—
"Oi—no, you don't," he snapped, grabbing Chotu as the tiger began charging mana for another blast.
Chotu roared in protest, thrashing against him. Then the ground trembled faintly under the gathering force.
Then—
BOOM.
The collapsed shaft exploded outward as fire burst into the open air.
Then several other shafts across the ruins followed, erupting one after another, flames surging out like the complex itself was breathing fire.
Then—
BOOM.
Another explosion, smaller then the rest but there was a large mana signature out of it.
A figure shot out of one of the shafts.
Yuvraj Hamsa.
He was flung upward, inertia carrying him high before he ceased actively pushing himself. Mid-air, he twisted and brought himself to a halt—suspended nearly fifty meters above the ground.
He hovered there.
Still and looking down.
From above, he could see the fire venting from multiple shafts, a result of him forcing it back through the tunnels. Below, the ground was still clouded in dust, obscuring sight.
But he didn't need sight as he could feel The mana signatures of every person below.
Then he raised his left hand, preparing to manipulate the wind—to clear the dust—
But he stopped.
Below, his Royal Guards had already formed up, spears planted, mana surging through them.
A coordinated sweep of wind followed and the dust was blown aside in an instant as the ground came into view.
-----
Base Camp.
They were back at the camp.
Ranapala, having taken a direct hit from the debris Chotu had blasted loose in the shaft, had been moved to a separate tent. Priests were tending to him now. Hamsa had already dealt with the worst of his injuries—careful not to fully heal him. As revealing that much would raise questions he had no intention of answering.
Reason being, very few knew the full extent of what his healing agility was capable of—his parents and his younger brother know, though that too was by chance as the Yuvraj accidently healed his near severed arm during a spar between father and son.
Mina on the other had, fully recovered, had already returned to work. She now led a group of Royal Guards and agents, ensuring the incident had not been orchestrated by someone.
And finally the Yuvraj Hamsa sat inside the main tent as a servant applied a medicinal paste to his chest and arms. The burns were minor, but still visible.
"Things seem fine now," Rajkumar Garuda said as he entered.
"Good," Hamsa replied. "You're not injured anywhere, are you?"
Garuda let out a small breath as he sat down. "You checked me yourself."
He picked up a cloth, wiping his face, then reached for water.
"Hm."
The servants finished their work and quietly withdrew.
For a moment, there was only the sound of Garuda drinking.
"You were right not to bring any civilians or camp followers here," he said after a while. "The guards and servants are talking enough as it is. I can't imagine what a normal crowd would be like. They'd probably start worshipping you."
Hamsa stood up slowly, testing his movement.
"It's nothing unexpected," he said. "Even these men would do the same if Gopal had been here."
Garuda snorted lightly. "That man worships you regardless. This would just add fuel to it."
He leaned back slightly, a faint grin forming.
"I'm fairly certain he's at the other camp right now—indoctrinating any one who would listen."
"That's true. But that aside, now what. Do you want to stay here more or should we come back later. The main entrance has collapsed." Rajkumar Gaurda asked.
Yuvraj Hamsa though for a moment then spoke.
"Lets leave. I am not sure how much time I need in the MDZ, so lets go now. It's better to be ahead of schedule and have extra time." Hamsa said.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Several Weeks Before.
City: Takshashila.
University.
On one of the higher floors of the right wing of the vast learning centre of Takshashila, an open-air hall slowly emptied as Acharyas, Gurus, and a handful of advanced students made their way out.
"Every time I go in there, my head hurts," a girl in her late teens muttered.
"When are you leaving?" an old Guru asked, glancing at her.
"Guru ji," she shot back, "do you people feel no remorse for working me to the bone?"
"It is hardly our fault that you are the best student I have had since Ram," the old man replied calmly. "And he was—"
"I know, I know," she cut in, irritation clear. "Your student from over a century ago. And since him, you've never seen anyone like him until you took me in."
The Guru only smiled faintly.
Ashwini let out a breath, then spoke again. "But that aside… are you sure you want me to go? He'll be here in a month."
"Ashwini," the Guru said, his tone more measured now, "I told you during the meeting. The Yuvraj is someone we must observe carefully. Ram would not have written what he did unless he meant it. And from what we have gathered so far… much of it appears to be true."
Ashwini frowned slightly. "If what the letter said is true, then why worry? If even the Acharya believes the Yuvraj can handle those matters with ease, why should I trouble myself with going there?"
"You say that," the Guru replied, a hint of amusement in his voice, "but you are dying to meet him. I am quite certain of it."
Ashwini's expression hardened. "Again with that nonsense, Guru ji. I've already told you—your assumptions are wrong."
The old Guru only smiled wider, which did nothing to ease her irritation.
"…I'll leave this evening," Ashwini said at last, turning away. "Help me with the launch."
Without waiting for a response, she walked off.
---
Afternoon.
Ashwini's Room.
It was a room in the residential quarters of the university, where students and Gurus alike resided.
Large by the standards of the university—though modest in truth—measuring roughly twenty-five square meters. The space was divided into two sections: a living and sleeping area, and a smaller utility section with an attached washroom and bathing space.
Ashwini lay resting in a hammock.
Her skin carried a dark complexion, contrasted by sharp brown eyes that seemed far more awake than her relaxed posture suggested.
She was tall by this world's standards, her frame balanced with natural curves that drew attention—envy from women, and no shortage of glances from men. Her hair, long enough to reach her knees, was currently tied up in a loose bun.
She wore a fitted white pant and t-shirt, clinging to her form—only a part of her full attire. The rest lay prepared nearby: layered pieces of metal and leather armor, reinforced with cloth, all crafted using mana crystals and mana-rich silk as their primary materials.
Her gear was ready.
It was clear she was preparing to leave.
But for now—She rested and thought.
-----
[Ashwini's POV]
Ugh… this is so tiring. First, go east and deal with those ghoul-looking things… and now I have to leave again.
UGH.
Ashwini rolled over in her hammock, letting it sway slightly as she shifted.
I really thought being reincarnated into this world would be better... well, it is.
But it's also so much more tedious than I expected.
...
My name was Ashwini in my past life. And right now I go by the same.
From the name, you'd probably think I was Indian… but well—
I was born in international waters. My birth parents were most likely illegal immigrants. From there, I somehow ended up in India, where I was adopted.
Not long after, my family moved east—jumping between Southeast Asia and East Asia, lets just day my parents had their disagreements...
That's where I grew up.
And then… as an adult, I moved to the west and studied and during that time even found a lover and got engaged.
But by bad luck followed me and he died in an missile strike on a supply hub he was at. And then I got captured by the Indians.
But due to my Indian origin, I was given a pardon and found a job working for a filthy rich family.
But then I died due to a stupid accident on the job.
…
Anyway.
After that, I was reborn—or transmigrated—into this world. I'm still not entirely sure which. As my memories came back in pieces, scattered at first, then fully returning when I turned ten.
And at eleven, my mana circuits awakened.
That… was the most confusing part.
Not the culture. Not the people. Not the common sense. Nothing in the world—
But the existence of something like this—something supernatural, that only existed in fiction back in my old world.
And with that came something even stranger.
Once a living being's mana circuits awaken in this world, their growth accelerates. Rapidly, almost unnaturally from the little biology I know.
I've barely entered my teenage years…
And yet, I already have the body of someone in their late teens. Maybe even early twenties.
Not that I mind as this body is—by all accounts—far better than the one I had in my past life.
...
Anyway enough about me, on to this Yuvraj. Hamsa Deva Varman
From everything I have heard of the guy and seen, I an a 100% sure this guy is similar like me.
A reincarnated person.