The dorm room glowed with soft lantern light as Maarun returned that night, his mind still reeling from the courtyard announcement. Dev and Roshan were already there, lounging on their mats, faces lighting up when they saw him.
"Maarun!" Dev leapt up. "You did it, man! Fire House!"
Roshan joined in, grinning. "We thought you were done for! What happened?"
Maarun sat down, exhaling slowly. "It wasn't easy. Guruji made me go through all the elemental trials. Water, air, earth... and fire. But none of them gave me any signal, any acceptance. Still, I kept going. And somehow, Guruji saw something. He said I had fire in me—not outside, but in my will."
Dev nodded. "That sounds like you. You never give up."
"Yeah," Roshan added. "And clearly, that impressed him. You earned it, brother."
They laughed together for a moment before Dev suddenly smacked his forehead. "Oh no! I forgot something. Rajyashri! She called me to meet her in Devakunta—it's the garden between the boys' and girls' hostels. I completely lost track of time."
"Rajyashri?" Maarun raised an eyebrow.
"A girl from Bhūmigriha," Dev said with a goofy smile. "Beautiful, smart—just wow. Come on, both of you. She said I could bring friends."
Curious and amused, the trio snuck out and made their way toward Devakunta. Moonlight danced across the path, and the distant sound of insects added a quiet rhythm to their steps.
Rajyashri was already waiting in the garden. She looked radiant in the moonlight, her long hair flowing behind her. She smiled as Dev approached.
"You're late," she teased.
"Blame him," Dev gestured to Maarun. "Had to congratulate a Fire House hero. This is Maarun and Roshan."
Rajyashri greeted them warmly. "Hello. Roshan, I've heard of you—your library trial was impressive."
Then her gaze turned to Maarun. "And you... the boy from ashes and blood. Entering Fire House without even a dice trial. Interesting."
Maarun blinked. "How do you know all this?"
She smiled mysteriously. "I listen. And I observe. And that's why I called Dev. I want to enter the Gurukul Library—Agnyagranthakosha."
Roshan tensed. "That's off-limits without permission."
"Yes," she nodded. "But I need a book—Bhūmisāgara. It's said to hold knowledge on training two elements together: Bhūmi and Jala."
The boys exchanged stunned looks.
"Is that even possible?" Roshan asked.
"I don't know," she admitted. "Some old masters could do it. Maybe some senior students. I've even heard rumors Principal Mahasthana can use three elements. But it's never confirmed."
"And you want to find out?" Maarun asked.
"Yes. I need your help."
There was hesitation at first, but the curiosity and thrill of it all soon won over their fears.
Later that night – Agnyagranthakosha
Under cover of night, the four of them made their way toward the great stone building of Agnyagranthakosha. Rajyashri distracted the guards near the entrance with a cleverly staged conversation about a lost pendant, drawing their attention. Dev and Maarun moved quickly, silently pushing the heavy doors open just enough to slip inside.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of parchment and history. Towering shelves lined with ancient tomes stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, bathed in shadows. Every step echoed.
They moved cautiously. Roshan took the lead, using his water affinity to draw condensation from the air and lightly mist book spines—revealing hidden engravings as the moisture reacted with dust and old ink.
At one point, they had to duck behind a collapsed shelf when a patrol passed just outside. Rajyashri rejoined briefly to keep an eye out before slipping back to stall a wandering scribe. Maarun and Dev continued down the aisles, clearing the path and holding a door open that creaked dangerously.
Minutes passed like hours.
Then—
"Found it!" Roshan whispered, his fingers trembling as he pulled a dark-bound tome from the shelf. It was engraved with golden Sanskrit: Bhūmisāgara.
He carefully tucked it into a cloth wrap, and they reversed their steps. Dev checked the path, Maarun kept watch, and Rajyashri returned just in time to walk out with them as if nothing had happened.
Back in Devakunta
Under the stars once more, they settled near a stone bench. Maarun turned to Rajyashri.
"What's in that book?"
Rajyashri opened the cloth gently and ran her hand over the cover. "It teaches how to harmonize Bhūmi and Jala. Techniques to adapt, train, and channel both elements at once. I haven't read it fully, but from what I've heard, it's a treasure of ancient elemental philosophy."
"Is that even allowed?" Dev asked.
"It's not about allowed," she replied. "It's about discovery. There are whispers that some Gurus know it. Some seniors may have learned it in secret. And there's a rumor Principal Mahasthana can control three elements. But it's just that—a rumor."
"Wow," Roshan murmured. "Dual-element training. Real or not, that's big."
Maarun chuckled. "You guys are chasing legends. I'll just be happy if Fire House accepts me for real."
They all laughed. The night had bonded them in secrecy and adventure.
As lanterns flickered in the distance, they returned to the dorm, whispering goodnights and exchanging smiles.
Roshan clapped Maarun on the back. "Big day tomorrow. Your first as a Fire House student. Get some rest, ember boy."
Maarun smiled. For the first time, he felt like he truly belonged.