章 3: The First Sword
Four years had passed since my rebirth into the world of the Mauryan Empire, and my life had begun to take shape. I was no longer just a curious child; I was a learner, hungry for knowledge. I spent my days with books, maps, scrolls, and the teachings of my mother, the queen. She had always encouraged me to study the ways of the empire, to understand its intricacies, its vastness. The knowledge of kingship, politics, military strategy, and the art of governance filled my mind with purpose.
But there was one thing I had yearned for since my first memories of this life—swordsmanship.
I had watched the warriors practice, their swords gleaming like thunder under the sun. Their strength, their skill, and their grace with the blade intrigued me, excited me, and burned a fierce desire within me to become one of them. But I was only five. Too young, my father's advisors had said.
"Patience ,my child" my mother would say, her voice gentle but firm. "Your time will come."
But it didn't stop the frustration building inside me.
One evening, I sat in the royal gardens, my tiny hands gripping a wooden sword, practicing the movements I'd seen the guards perform. I couldn't help but imagine myself standing in the battlefield, my blade cutting through the air, commanding respect and admiration.
Finally, after countless pleas, my father, the emperor, agreed. "You may begin training,But only if you can prove yourself worthy."
---
I was finally granted a personal teacher, Mahendra, the head of the royal guards. He was a stoic man, muscular and stern, with a gaze that seemed to pierce through my very soul. I felt his skepticism the moment I met him.
"You're too young for this, you should play like a normal child of his age " Mahendra said bluntly as he looked me up and down.
I nodded, eager, a fire burning in my chest. "I will prove myself that I can do this and also I AM NOT NORMAL" I replied.
The first few weeks were grueling. The sword was heavy in my small hands, and my body ached from the constant training. But I didn't give up. I couldn't. I needed to prove to myself and to the world that I wasn't just a child.
As the days passed, Mahendra's opinion of me slowly began to change. The guard who had once doubted my abilities now looked at me with something different—respect. The intricate techniques I had learned from the books and my keen observation began to translate into actual skill. I moved with precision, my strikes were calculated, and my stamina improved. Six months into the training, Mahendra was no longer a teacher to me, but a true mentor.
"You're not like other children," he said one day, his voice low. "You learn faster than anyone I've ever seen. I've trained warriors twice your age, and none have matched your speed."
I smiled, the compliment washing over me, though I didn't let it get to my head.
"You're a once-in-a-century genius, Vidhyut," Mahendra continued, his eyes softening. "There's more to you than I ever imagined."
---
One afternoon, my father called me into the royal court. I was nervous but excited. This was the moment I had been waiting for. He wanted to know about my progress—how I was doing in my training, what I had learned, and if I was truly deserving of the praise I had received.
I walked into the court, my chest puffed with pride. My mother was present, seated beside my father, her face glowing with a mix of love and hope. The other queens sat in their usual places, regal yet distant.
The emperor, dressed in his royal attire, motioned for me to step forward. "Vidhyut," he said, his voice booming in the great hall, "tell me, what have you learned in your training?"
I stood tall, my heart racing but my voice steady. "Father, I have learned discipline, strategy, and the art of the blade. It is not just strength that makes a warrior, but the mind that guides it. I've studied not only the sword but the mind behind it."
The emperor's voice, commanding yet warm.
"Ashoka," he began, "You have impressed us all with your achievements. But today, you will face a true test. It is not enough to excel in combat or study. A ruler must understand the world, command armies, and outwit his enemies. Today, I test your mind and your ability to lead."
Ashoka stood tall, unwavering in the face of the challenge. "I am ready, Father."
The emperor smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Very well. You will be given a scenario. A rival kingdom is advancing upon us. You must devise a strategy to defend our lands and our people."
Ashoka nodded, his mind already whirring with possibilities. He had studied countless battles, learned strategies from both history and his own observations of the court. He could already picture the battlefield in his mind's eye.
With a calm, measured tone, Ashoka began outlining his plan, speaking of troop placement, the importance of terrain, and the strategic use of deception. His words were clear, precise, and full of wisdom beyond his years.
"Father," he said, his eyes locking with Emperor Bindusara's, "We will create false camps in the northern hills to mislead the enemy, while secretly reinforcing our southern defenses. I will send a small contingent to act as scouts and sabotage their supplies. The key to victory is not brute force but foresight."
The courtiers, including Sushim, looked at him in stunned silence. Even the emperor himself was momentarily taken aback by the depth of Ashoka's strategy. He had expected intelligence, but not such a refined, strategic mind at such a young age.
"Well spoken," the emperor said, his voice filled with admiration. "You have proven that your intellect matches your sword skills. I am proud of you, Ashoka."
Ashoka's chest swelled with pride, but his eyes were set on something deeper. This was only the beginning. His path to greatness had just begun.
But not everyone in the court shared the emperor's enthusiasm. Sushim's eyes burned with jealousy, and his mother, Queen Charumitra, was visibly upset by Ashoka's rising prominence.
The emperor smiled, clearly pleased with my response. "You were able to show me you are worthy of the attention and training given to you , tell me , what is it that you seek?"
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