1st July, 2057
Rudra woke up early, the anticipation of the day pushing away any traces of sleep. He quickly went through his morning routine, took a refreshing shower, and sat down for a light breakfast. Today wasn't just any day—it was the day of the Quasi-Warrior Examination.
After finishing his meal, he stood up and grabbed his bag.
"Mom, I'm heading out now. I'll probably be back by afternoon," he called out.
His mother stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Her face beamed with pride, though her eyes carried a hint of worry beneath the smile.
"Okay, be careful. And best of luck, beta," she said warmly.
Rudra hugged her briefly—strong and reassuring—then turned and walked out of their modest apartment building.
Today, he would be taking the Quasi-Warrior Exam at the headquarters of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, located in New Delhi City—specifically, at the legendary Extreme Dojo.
The streets buzzed with their usual morning rhythm as Rudra made his way to the nearest train station. Boarding the metro, he found a quiet corner and stood silently, eyes focused, mentally reviewing everything he had trained for.
After a short ride, he got off at the nearest subway stop to the headquarters. From there, a ten-minute walk led him through a more elite part of the city, where towering buildings and sleek martial arts centers stood like monuments to power and discipline.
And finally—he arrived.
…
…
'So, this is the Evergreen Residential Area people always talk about… Quiet and magnificent.'That was Rudra's first thought as he stepped into view of the prestigious district. The air felt different—cleaner, calmer. Everything around him radiated luxury and power.
This was where the true upper echelon of society lived. High-level warriors, government officials, and elite corporate figures called this place home.
Rudra wasn't here to admire the view, though.
The Extreme Dojo, headquarters of the Extreme Martial Club, was located deep within this very residential area. Its presence made this place not just luxurious—but dangerous to any outsider with ill intent.
As he approached the entrance, a sudden voice stopped him.
"Sir, this is the Evergreen Residential Area. Please do not proceed further without clearance."
A line of six soldiers stood firmly at the gate. Each wore full military gear, their rifles loaded and held with trained precision. One glance at their uniforms told Rudra everything—these weren't police. They were military personnel, likely special forces tasked with guarding this exclusive district.
"Sir, please step back. If you cross the yellow line, we are authorized to shoot on sight!"
Just as the rumours said.
Rudra exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting over the high-security gate and the imposing walls beyond. This was the Evergreen Residential Area—not just a neighbourhood, but the main base of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall in New Delhi City.
It was more fortress than residence.
Not only did it house the prestigious Extreme Dojo, but it also served as the protected enclave for the families of the martial artists under the Extreme Martial Arts Hall's umbrella.
"They say everyone living here is a martial artist or their direct kin... Even the city police aren't allowed to interfere inside."
The thought echoed in Rudra's mind as he adjusted his posture and stepped forward, careful not to cross the yellow line.
"Good morning, Officer."He raised his hand in a respectful salute.
"I'm here to take the Quasi-Warrior test—it's scheduled on the 1st of every month."
His tone was calm, respectful, but firm. He was speaking to a man entrusted with the lives of elite warriors' families—a responsibility not taken lightly.
"Oh?"A doubtful voice rang out from the nearby guardroom. A man stepped forward, his uniform crisp, a faint frown lining his face.
He gave Rudra a long, scrutinizing look—eyes narrowing as if trying to figure out if this was some kind of prank.
"You're just a kid," the man finally said, tone laced with suspicion.
"Don't try to mess with us. You could end up in jail for impersonating a trainee."
Clearly, he didn't believe a word Rudra had said.
Rudra sighed internally.
He was qualified to take the Quasi-Warrior Test. But thanks to his youthful appearance, this sort of misunderstanding wasn't new to him.
Instead of arguing, he chose the most straightforward response.
"Sir, this is my Trainee ID card. Please take a look."
He pulled the ID from his bag and handed it over to the security official.
The man took the card sceptically and swiped it through the verification panel.
A soft beep sounded.
The screen lit up—and in the next moment, the officer's expression shifted dramatically. His eyes widened as he focused on a single word in the profile:
Status: SPECIAL
It wasn't Rudra's age that shocked him now.
In the entire base city, only one person held the authority to assign a Special status on a trainee's record—the Supervisor of New Delhi Base City himself.
That realization hit the officer like a shockwave.
He stiffened, eyes darting back to Rudra with a completely different expression. The arrogance vanished, replaced by professionalism—and a hint of guilt.
"My apologies, young man." His tone was respectful now, almost cautious.
"I misunderstood your identity. You may proceed to take the test."
Without delay, he turned to one of the uniformed guards nearby.
"Escort him to the Extreme Dojo. Make sure he's guided properly."
"Yes, sir!" the guard responded with a salute, then turned to Rudra with a polite gesture.
"Please follow me."
As Rudra followed the guard through the gate and into the secured residential district, he could feel the shift in atmosphere—like a door to a new world had just opened.