Chapter 86 Morning Assembly

Rishi got up early today and prepared. He had gotten his hair cut the day before; he looked at himself, set his hair, and then looked at the person in the mirror. He looked even better today because he took the time to dress up properly.

He wore a white shirt, a navy blue blazer with grey stripes, and black pants. It was the uniform of the academy. "I'm looking even better today, but why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?" Rishi asked himself in the mirror. After some thought, he remembered, "Badge, where is my badge?"

Rishi opened his table drawer, found his badge, put it on, and looked again. "I look great now."

"Rishab, hurry up or we'll be late," Lalit said. Rishi looked in the mirror one last time before joining Manu and Lalit at the student mess for breakfast; Rishi decided to eat something light.

Rishi and his friends began approaching the academy's assembly ground after finishing their breakfast. This venue was a ground filled with grass and surrounded on all sides by buildings; Some students arrived early, but the majority preferred to arrive one minute early.

Rishi and his roommates were five minutes early; they began chatting. After a while, Ajit, Jay, and Dev joined them.

"Where is Dilip?" asked Rishi.

"He'll be late as usual," Dev replied.

"Why can't he come on time, even on important days?" Ajit remarked.

"Relax, Bro; the prize will be awarded at the end. Even if he arrives late, he will not miss it, "Dev responded.

"However, from what I've heard, they don't allow anyone to enter the assembly late," Lalit said.

"We are exempt from this rule; All prefects are from our class. Even if he arrives one minute before the end of the assembly, no one will stop him, "Dev responded.

"What are you two discussing?" A voice called out from behind the group, and everyone turned to see it was Dilip. He looked so different today that even his parents might not recognize him. Today, he had also come prepared.

"Dilip, you look great today," Rishi said.

"Not much; I just washed my mouth before coming, I would have looked even better if I had taken a proper shower, but you know water is a precious resource; I can't make myself waste it for washing my already clean body," Dilip replied.

"Let's go, Dev; our classmates are waiting," Ajit said. Students were separated by batch and class, with first-year students on the right side, second-year students in the center, and third-year students on the left. Students from the same class formed a line based on their height.

Rishi and Manu were of similar height, while Jay was slightly shorter and Lalit slightly taller; they stood together at the end of the line. One student attempted to stand between Rishi and Manu, but when he saw their faces again, he apologized and ran away.

Before the guild competition, few students knew about them, but afterward, they all became famous, especially Rishi, whose clips were very popular, especially the one in which he took out three assassins at once. Some students feared him, while others refused to fight him for no reason.

All of the teachers took their places on stage; some students who were good at music were present with their instruments on the left side of the stage to sing prayers. The podium was right next to them.

The head girl took a position in front of the students; she was Shruti Rawat the most popular girl in the academy. She had silky silver hair tied in a ponytail, a slim build, and entrancing emerald green eyes.

A red badge with the words 'Head Girl' set her apart from the crowd. Many girls envied her, while others despised her for being so good. Rishi crept behind Manu when he noticed her turning around.

When Kajal looked at her, a fire ignited within her. It wasn't because of jealousy or hatred but because of a competitive spirit. She also aspired to be a head girl in her third year; Shruti smiled as she noticed Kajal staring at her before turning back.

Rishi breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Shruti turn back; he didn't want to be seen by her here. She was also the reason he was confident that even if his identity were revealed, no one would dare to touch him, but he chose to conceal his identity because he feared her more than all the other students put together.

He'd only met her a few times, but every time she bullied him. She once locked him in a cage with a wild beast and another time she threw him in a well during the Holi Festival.

She was the most insane girl he had ever seen. The students at the academy had no idea what kind of past she was hiding; her beautiful, graceful, and mature face was simply a mask she used to hide her true self.

Rishi was not the same weak kid of the past, but he also knew that the Shruti in front of him was much stronger than her previous self. If she had the strength to become the 'Head Girl' she could be one of the strongest girls in the academy. Rishi decided to join the academy because it was her final year.

Rishi consoled himself, saying, 'If things get out of hand, I'll just run away using 'Shadow Walk' I don't need to be afraid of her.'

'Just wait until I am stronger than you; then I will exact my revenge on you,' he said, looking back at her.

Shruti came to the stage and said, "Stand at ease," the students chatting among themselves stopped; everyone obeyed her command and moved their right leg away from their other leg, looking in front with their hands behind them. This all happened in unison, resulting in a lovely sound.

The principal entered and climbed the stage, followed by a tall, handsome, and muscular boy with black hair and grey eyes. He walked confidently, his head held high, and his red badge moved up and down with him.

His name was Sameer Tyagi, the current "Head Boy" of Mazar Academy, the most famous person in the academy, as well as one of the strongest students.

"Attention," Shruti said after the principal and head boy approached the stage, Every student obeyed her command and brought their legs together to form a 'V' shape, Their hands also formed a fist beside their pockets. They faced forward, their backs straight and their chests out.

"Ready for prayer," Shruti said, and everyone joined their hands in front of their chests and closed their eyes in prayer. Following that, the students on stage began singing and playing instruments, and other students followed suit, creating a lovely atmosphere.

Everyone felt a little lighter and more at ease after the prayer; Rishi noticed that the entire world appeared blue briefly before returning to its normal colour.

After prayer it was time for the 'Prize distribution ceremony' in which everyone who had won something was to be rewarded, the winners' names were called, and they proceeded to the stage to accept their prize.

The student whose name was called went to the stage and stood before the principal. The principal asked the student some questions before shaking hands with them.

The principal was a retired Colonel of the Indian Army; he had short white hair and a 'French cut' beard. Despite being old, there was a strong aura surrounding his body. His demeanor was such that even the children fromthe big clans showed respect to him.

A girl brought the certificates and medals on the medal tray. The principal handed the certificate to the students, after which he awarded their medal. The cameraman clicked pictures of the principal and students.

Rishi and the other students patiently waited for their turn. Shruti announced, "Next the prize will be given for the Guild Competition."

Shruti said, "The guild that had secured the third place is Exodia." The students clapped and cheered. After it Shruti announced the names of the participants, they came to the stage one by one.

"Aditya Tyagi," Shruti announced, after which Aditya went to the stage to get his certificate. All members of Exodia entered the stage one by one and shook hands with the principal, after which they were given certificates, medals, and their prizes.

"The guild that have come at second place is Exodia." All students clapped and cheered for Mineva. Shruti announced the names of the members of Mineva one by one, The participants entered after their names were announced.

Kajal stood in front and shook hands with the principal, after which the principal asked her and the other members some questions before he gave them their medals, certificates, and prizes.

"The winner of this year's group competition is All-STARS," Many students clapped, while some cheered. Shruti announced the names of all the participants, and they stepped onto the stage after their names were announced.

Dilip's name was announced first, he stepped on the stage with his same arrogant face, but when he saw the principal, he also became serious. The principal looked at Dilip and smiled, After Dilip, the names of the other members were called, and Rishi's name was called last.

Rishi separated from his line and started walking confidently toward the stage. He climbed the steps and joined his guild while they let Rishi come to the front, The principal brought his hand forward for a handshake. Rishi shook hands with him and felt the power and aura of the principal for the first time, It was overwhelming but Rishi controlled himself and maintained the same expression.

The principal smiled and distributed their certificates and medals, after which he gave them the trophy and the prize. The cameraman took a nice picture of the principal handing the trophy to members of the All-STARS Guild.