"YOU OLD GEEZER!" shouted a curious Lohit, the Sector-Chief of the Western sector of Swarnaa, as he fell on his backside. "Why are you bullying us young folk?"
"Putting yourselves and 'YOUNG' in one sentence is blasphemy towards young people," Vrat said sarcastically, levitating in the air. "You passed the century mark decades ago. Moreover, it's a training session among ward-chiefs, not bullying." He was wearing a small white turban now, matched with a white tunic and grey pants.
"We are still young compared to a five-century-old senile elder," Keshi mouthed, picking up his spear. He and the other three were wearing their training outfits, which were just like their normal uniforms except for the badges and the insignia. "And you have already mastered the five Chakras, why don't you become Marshal? Or do you just want to bully us?"
"My promotion depends on my choice; it's none of your concern," spoke the old man in a calm voice. "I don't understand why you guys are so lazy. You can't even touch me; think about what will happen when that Sharv comes."
"See… that now is taunting. And it is bullying." Jwala conjured a vortex of fire. "Don't you have something else to do?" He pointed his hands towards Vrat, and the flame vortex moved and engulfed Vrat. But unexpectedly to Jwala, the fire then condensed into an arrow, hovering above the index finger of old Vrat. And with a flick, Vrat returned it.
"CHEATER!" Jwala bellowed in frustration after the arrow exploded under his feet before he could move. "HOW THE HELL CAN YOU CONTROL MY FLAME VORTEX!"
Vrat, still levitating calmly, was thinking something deep. 'You naive children. I have lived with Keepers and understand what they can do, at least. And if Sharv is really a Keeper, as Marut said, then you are doomed. But I can't tell you since the City Magistrate didn't.'
"Old man, I think you have beaten us enough. Why don't we stop now?" Keshi offered.
"You guys need to train. Whether that Sharv is a Voidheart or not, he is an extremely powerful warrior. You need to be prepared."
"And why should we follow your orders?" Lohit said with frustration.
"Because the City Magistrate has ordered you guys to follow my command," Vrat commanded, "In writing." He added, bringing out a letter with the City Magistrate's stamp.
'You guys don't know, but if Sharv is allowed to roam, then he is definitely one of the best in the Keepers community. They don't let their offspring roam the world otherwise.'
The commanders, oblivious to this, sighed after reading the letter and just assumed their positions for training.
"Slow down, so that your landing does not stir any trouble," Sharv warned Suvan as the city was now in view. He himself didn't slow down, but his Air Chakra started shining bright green. He landed without a sound and without any movement in the air behind a large, abandoned mansion near the City walls in the Northern Sector of Swarnaa. After a few seconds, Suvan also landed, not as smoothly but discreetly. He had already ported his mace to a spatial pouch to remain discreet.
"We will first walk by sector then move to the Central Sector. First task: Acclimatize," Sharv said.
'Interesting,' Suvan just mused to himself but nodded and followed Sharv.
Once they entered the main street, Sharv was introduced to a completely new world. The clothing made zero sense to him, as both men and women were wearing different kinds of pants and shirts: some shredded pants, patched-up pants with cloth fibers still hanging out, and many other fashionable designs in any color one could think of. While shirts were generally unicolor, different kinds of slogans and designs were also visible. The most unique were T-shirts, worn by teenagers, with weird cartoon designs in 3D pictures.
What surprised Sharv was that most people with designer clothes wore boots and had some gadgets to capture photos. The concept was new to someone who had lived his whole life in seclusion, but he understood it from the military camp.
"I wonder if those devices can be used to work as watchtowers or something like that," he wondered.
"Yes, they can be," Suvan, who had heard him, immediately answered. "But a Chakra Master can easily manipulate a simple device like that to get the desired result."
"So there are no inspection devices?"
"There are. Some devices or systems which capture PRĀNÀ are used for surveillance. But they aren't used in this city because it does not have any dangers in general. The jail might have one, though," Suvan clarified.
"Hmm," Sharv nodded. After the interaction, Sharv focused on locals and local shops. He was surprised to see the technology: gadgets consisting of only transparent glass but still completely private and performing any menial task you might want, TVs and Computers of the same kind which could be rolled up and worn as bracers, and many other things.
Sharv entered a shop which had transparent glass doors, letting people get a sneak peek at the devices on the shelves. A woman greeted them with a smile, while the man behind the counter in front of the shelves just smiled amicably.
"Welcome, my name is Lux. How may we be of help?" the man spoke cheerfully.
"Hello, myself Àrì Màrdàn (Ari Mardan)," Sharv said with a smile, lying 'uncomfortably' through his teeth. However, this single line created a jaw-dropping moment for Suvan. "And this is my old friend, Van."
Suvan redeemed himself and gave a curt nod with a forced smile. 'I thought he was a simple young lad, just like I once was,' he thought, cursing himself.
"After selling our properties at the village in the East, we are now set to tour the world. So we need a device… something like the… what is it… S.E.G, is it?" Sharv questioned, a finger resting on his chin and his right arm crossed on his chest. Suvan was controlling himself from opening his mouth and staring at Sharv's face.
"Yes, Mr. Ari is right. S.E.G, Smart Electronic Guide, is the best suited and one of the latest and best devices for new travelers. It guides you as an assistant and lets you capture every moment you live. But may I ask, what will be the budget available for us to use?" Lux explained briefly and then pointed to the main problem.
"Budget… That's a good question." Sharv looked at Suvan. "Even though Van here didn't have many properties to sell to begin with, you can show me the best you got."
'This brat,' Suvan was fuming inside. "C'mon, I am not that broke, Sh… you shithole." Suvan fumbled.
'I am sorry, man. I almost slipped in the very first sentence I spoke. I am not speaking anymore.' His mind was speaking gibberish, but he didn't let any of this show on his face.