The morning sun bathed the Glory Academy Arena in golden light, its rays shimmering off the grand structure like a promise of dreams yet to be fulfilled.
Standing near the main gate, Gourav Dutta inhaled deeply, feeling the electric buzz of the tournament day. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from anticipation.
A familiar voice called out to him.
"Gourav!"
He turned and spotted two figures waving at him — his elder sister, Nur Rani Dutta, and his big mom. Their presence immediately put him at ease, like a warm blanket on a cold night.
Gourav smiled and hurried toward them, happiness flickering in his chest. But as he reached them, he couldn't help but notice something missing.
"Where's little mom?" he asked, looking around hopefully.
Big mom's smile weakened slightly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied gently, "She got caught up with some urgent work at home. But she told me to wish you the best of luck."
Gourav's heart sank a little, but he nodded, trying not to let it show.
Still, another question burned inside him.
"And Father?" he asked quietly.
This time, big mom hesitated. For a brief second, sadness flickered across her face. She took a deep breath and said, "He had some sudden work at the office. He couldn't make it."
But the truth was much more painful.
(Flashback)
Earlier that morning, inside their home, a confrontation had taken place.
"You're not coming?" big mom had asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Standing stiffly with arms crossed, his father had replied coldly, "No. When he doesn't listen to me, why should I care about him?"
Big mom's heart cracked hearing those words. She stepped forward, pleading, "He's your son! It's his first tournament. He needs you!"
Without responding further, his father grabbed his keys, slammed the door, and walked out — leaving behind a silence that was heavier than any argument.
(Present)
Big mom exhaled slowly, masking her pain behind a small smile.
She placed a comforting hand on Gourav's shoulder.
Meanwhile, Nur Rani tried to lighten the mood.
"Good luck, little bro! And remember—win your match... and don't come back with broken bones!" she teased, giving him a playful nudge.
Gourav chuckled. His sister always knew how to make things feel normal again.
About Nur Rani Dutta:
At 23 years old, Nur Rani had already graduated from university and had developed an impressive ability — Super Sonic Sound. Though powerful, she preferred to stay humble, supporting her family from behind the scenes.
Looking at them, Gourav's chest swelled with gratitude. Even if not everyone was here, those who truly mattered had shown up for him.
He took another deep breath, clenched his fists, and set his gaze firmly toward the arena entrance.
This is it, he thought. I will make them proud.
---
The arena was alive with energy.
Students, teachers, and spectators filled the massive stadium seats, their cheers creating a wall of sound. The ground rumbled slightly with excitement as the tournament matches continued.
Inside the combat ring, a fierce match was unfolding between two contestants.
One was a boy named John, ranked 21st, possessing the ability to manipulate water. His opponent was Rina, ranked 9th, a master of martial arts with the deadly skill of Ice Sword summoning.
Gourav stood with his friends near the staging area, watching intently.
John tried to drench the field, turning it into slippery chaos, hoping to gain an advantage. But Rina was relentless. Moving like a blur, she maneuvered across the watery battlefield and struck with her ice-forged blade, breaking through John's defenses.
With a final elegant strike, she disarmed him completely.
"Winner: Rina!" the announcer declared loudly.
The crowd exploded into cheers, chanting, "Ice Sword Queen! Ice Sword Queen!"
Gourav's friends shifted nervously beside him.
One of them, Rahul, whispered, "The top ten are on a completely different level… do we even stand a chance?"
Gourav smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Rahul's shoulder.
"If you accept defeat even before stepping into battle," he said calmly, "then you have already lost. Victory only belongs to those who refuse to give up — even against impossible odds. Remember that."
His words, simple but powerful, sparked a fire in the eyes of his friends. They straightened their backs and stood a little taller.
Just then, the booming voice of the announcer echoed again through the arena:
"Next match: Gourav Dutta versus Aditya Rathore! Contestants, prepare yourselves!"
Gourav's heart skipped a beat.
The time had come.
His friends clapped him on the back.
"All the best, Bright!" Rahul called out with a grin.
Only his close friends called him Bright — a nickname that one day the whole world would know. But for now, it was just a precious reminder that he wasn't alone.
Gourav smiled, waved, and stepped into the entrance tunnel leading to the arena.
From the stands, his big mom and big sister watched anxiously.
"Relax, Mom," Nur Rani whispered, squeezing her mother's hand. "He's going to win. I know it."
Big mom nodded, though her heart hammered in her chest.
---
Inside the Arena
The world outside faded away as Gourav entered the ring.
Standing opposite him was Aditya Rathore — a broad-shouldered boy known for his Stone Skin ability. His body shimmered slightly under the sun, like a living statue of stone.
The referee stood between them.
"Rules are simple," he announced. "Use your abilities and martial arts freely. Victory is decided by surrender, knockout, or incapacitation. No killing is allowed."
The crowd fell silent in anticipation.
The referee raised his hand high.
"BEGIN!"
---
Aditya wasted no time, charging forward with a roar.
His stone fists gleamed dangerously as he swung a powerful punch straight at Gourav's face.
But Gourav stayed calm.
Focus. Watch. Move.
At the last moment, he sidestepped, letting the punch sail past him.
The ground cracked where Aditya's fist landed, sending dust and debris into the air.
Without hesitating, Gourav countered — channeling thunder energy into his fist.
CRACK!
A spark of lightning burst from his hand as he struck Aditya's ribs. Though the stone armor absorbed most of the impact, Aditya stumbled back, grimacing.
The audience gasped, surprised at Gourav's quick reflexes and power.
Aditya growled and slammed his stone fists into the ground.
Sharp rocks erupted upward, racing toward Gourav like jagged spears.
Gourav's feet moved before he could think — his Thunder Steps activating instinctively.
Flash!
He zipped sideways in a blur of motion, narrowly dodging the rocks.
In a breathtaking move, Gourav appeared behind Aditya, twisting mid-air, and delivered a spinning kick to his back.
BOOM!
Aditya crashed forward, slamming into the arena floor.
The crowd roared with excitement.
Aditya struggled to rise, cracks forming across his stone armor. He bared his teeth in frustration, his movements slowing as fatigue set in.
Meanwhile, Gourav stood tall, electricity crackling gently around his body.
His breathing was steady. His heart, calm.
He remembered the faces of those who came to support him.
For them, he thought. And for myself... I will not lose.
Aditya charged again, but this time Gourav was ready.
With precision and lightning-fast reflexes, he ducked, weaved, and unleashed a devastating combo — punch, elbow, knee — every strike laced with thunder energy, every move sharp and clean.
Finally, a powerful uppercut lifted Aditya off his feet.
Aditya collapsed, unable to rise.
The referee rushed forward.
"Winner — Gourav Dutta!" he announced.
The arena erupted into deafening cheers.
From the stands, big mom and Nur Rani screamed with joy, tears shining in their eyes.
Gourav smiled quietly, raising his fist in the air.
Today, he had taken his first step.
Today, he had proved that he could shine, even without everyone's support.
But deep in his heart, he knew this was only the beginning.
The real journey had just begun.
On the other side ,in a dimly lit office room, a man sat alone, staring at a small TV screen.
His sharp eyes, usually cold and distant, softened as he watched the boy on the screen raise his hand in victory.
He didn't say anything.
But the slight trembling of his fingers and the rare smile tugging at his lips spoke louder than words.
His chest tightened with emotions he thought he had buried long ago.
"...Well done, my son," he whispered so quietly that even he wasn't sure he had spoken.
For a moment, all his anger, pride, and regrets melted away — leaving only a deep, aching happiness.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued.....