Adiya's POV

I took Sahil's advice very seriously. From the next day, I started waking up earlier than the other pupils. I would gather my bow and arrow and try to aim at the mango sculpture  that was still hanging from the tree.I started eating more nutritious food to build my strength. I would exercise and meditate more during my free time .

I would assume the leadership of the small groups made by our Guruji while performing the morning chores.

I would help the students to by heart the complicated poems and mantras. My math was excellent so I would help students who were my juniors to solve math problems. The change in my behaviour didn't go unnoticed. I observed Sahil and Guruji smiling at me at various occasions when I assumed the leadership.

It was a noon time when we all students were provided sometime to take the nap. Usually I would either sleep or roam around the forest, collecting and studying different types of herbs. So as I was wondering into the forest, I saw Sundri, the calf of our Guruji standing a few strides away from me.

Let me tell you one thing. I love animals. They are selfless, loyal (more loyal than human beings) and almost always ready to be cuddled. I loved to feed grass and bathe Sundri and the other calves.

I whistled a little so that Sundri could come towards me. Probably she too was wondering into the jungle like me. Sundri looked at me but didn't come towards me. That made me feel odd. Usually the animals in the ashram respond to me.

I went closer to find her legs tied with the rope to a bark of a tree. And I knew one thing. My Guruji or any student would never ever tie any animal of the ashram that too in the middle of the forest. It was probably work of the outsiders who would sometimes wander into the forest or create mischief.

I freed her from the rope and took her towards the ashram. I took her inside the shed that was stood close to Guruji's hut. I saw Sahil. He was reading something.

"Where is Guruji?" I asked him.

"He and the other students have gone outside the forest in the village to collect alms from the villagers." Said Sahil.

Sometimes Guruji would go to the village along with the students and students would collect food from the villagers. We, the students were considered scholars so were highly respected amongst the people. We lived the life of a monk so collecting food  from the people was a routine.

"Someone just tied Sundri in the forest" I told Sahil.

And he looked tensed. "Last night Guruji informed me that someone is trying to steal the livestock of the people in the village and the forests. I guess it's the work of the thieves or bandit." He said.

Suddenly I saw few people emerging out of the bushes, wearing black robes. They were the bandits I guess. Me and Sahil rushed towards the hut of Guruji where the spare swords were kept and grabbed ours.

Now there is a golden rule in the ashram.... you have to lay down your life to protect your Guruji and his personal properties if the situation demands. It's because the relationship of the guru and student is sacred.

"Pupils! I want you all to report here with your swords!" I Shouted.

I imitated Guruji who would shout in the same manner to call every student present in the campus to report to his hut immediately. It would happen very rarely. Only during the crises.

The surprised students immediately came out of the hut with swords in their hands, even though some of them initially wondered  if I was playing a prank.

As soon as they saw the bandits, they assumed the position.

"Sahil, I want you and Rishabh to protect the shed!" I ordered a very surprised Sahil. Usually he was the one who would be in charge and ordered everyone around.

"Everyone! Cover Guruji's hut! Create a circle around it!"

I Shouted and every student immediately assumed their position surrounding Guruji's hut. Everything happened in few seconds!

"Girl! I warn you! I know your Guru isn't present here right now. If you want to avoid any injuries to yourself and your fellow classmates, surrender your livestock!" The leader Shouted (I assumed he was leader because he had a different coloured robe unlike the other bandits donned black coloured robes)

"I am not scared of anyone here! It's my Guruji's property! I warn you that if you dare to take even one step ahead, your heads would be slashed by my sword! You have no idea whom you are challenging!" I roared back. And then I realised. Everything was happening by itself. I had no I intention to assume any leadership. My fearlessness was just inbuilt.

"Who are you? A mere girl?" Laughed the leader and I threw a javelin that was kept nearby at the bandit next to him. Immediately it hit his leg and he fell down with a thud followed by a scream of pain.

How dare he called me a mere girl! I am going to be the future ruler of all these lands!

I looked everywhere around me. They were around 10 people and we were around 9 students. We all were equipped with bows and arrows. Suryansh held his sword and gave me a signal that he was ready.

"Attack!" Shouted the leader and we were attacked from all the sides.

For some reason, even I was surprised of my own behaviour. Because I chose the leader to have one on one. Or rather he chose me.

As he ran towards me with his sword, I blocked his sword using mine. And then pushed him using all the force. It was tough because I was of shorter height. But Sahil was right. I had been following exercises and diet which he had instructed in past and I could feel my strength helping me.

I started attacking him while he started dodging. I could see wet mud behind the leader. As he was too busy defending from me, he didn't get the time to turn around and see the pit of wet mud. One step back and he fell. He slipped and I attacked his sword with mine. His sword fell at aside and as his hands tried to grab it, I attacked his hand with my sword resulting his hand getting injured.

"Don't you dare!" I warned him as he tried to reach for the sword with his other hand.

I Shouted. And all the fights between the students and the bandits stopped as everyone looked at me.

"Bandits! Stay where you all are else your leader's hand would be slashed!"

The bandits stopped, looking at each other unsure what to do next.

"Drop your weapons now!" I Shouted.

They all dropped their weapons. One of the student brought a few ropes which we used to tie all the bandits.

When our Guruji returned to the premises, he smiled as he saw the bandits tied to the bark of the tree.

Guruji told me that he was really proud of me.

Sahil just gave me his heart melting smile. And I guess that was my reward for the day.

After that event, I was sure about one thing. I had genes of my parents and grandparents. And I am meant to be a ruler! A leader! A mentor for lakhs of people!

From that day, I never looked back. I knew that I was a little hot headed ferocious warrior.... I had found myself..