The morning sun cast long shadows over the training grounds of Kanchenjunga Military Academy (KMA). The day had barely begun, but already, the cadets were hard at work—running drills, doing push-ups, and practicing military strategies. It was a place where only the strongest and most determined survived, and Naina Singh Ahluwalia was more than determined. Today, she would face yet another trial, but this one was different. Today, the stakes were higher than ever.

Naina’s mind was heavy with the thought of her brother, Naveen Singh Ahluwalia. Though she had only just begun her journey at KMA, the weight of proving his innocence hung around her like an invisible shackle. Every training session, every moment at KMA, was a reminder of why she was here. She wasn’t just learning how to be a soldier—she was learning how to fight for justice.

As she jogged along with the rest of the cadets, she noticed Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat standing at the edge of the training field, his eyes scanning the group. His presence was always commanding, and today was no different. His sharp gaze seemed to settle on her for a moment, and Naina couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and trepidation.

“Cadet Ahluwalia, keep up,” Rajveer’s voice rang out sharply, pulling Naina out of her thoughts.

Her pace quickened, but even then, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Rajveer was watching her more closely than usual. Was it because of her performance, or was it something more?

---

After the morning’s grueling physical training, Naina found herself at the mess hall, grabbing a quick bite before her next session. It was here that she ran into her closest friends—Yadiuvansh “Yudi” Sahni, Ali Baig, Aalekh Sharma, and Amardeep “Amar” Huda. They had become her support system over the past few days, offering not just encouragement but a sense of normalcy in a world that had suddenly grown unfamiliar and dangerous.

“You’ve been looking distracted during training,” Yudi remarked with a teasing smile, as Naina sat down beside him.

Naina gave him a small smile but didn’t say anything. Yudi had always been the observant one, and while she appreciated his concern, there was something she couldn’t share—not yet. She couldn’t risk anyone knowing too much about her mission, about why she had come to KMA.

“I’m just focusing on my training, Yudi,” she said, her tone neutral.

“Well, if you’re focusing on your training, then you’d better step it up,” Amar said, grinning. “You can’t afford to fall behind, especially not now.”

“Trust me, Amar,” Naina replied, her eyes narrowing slightly, “I’m not going to let anything stand in my way.”

As they ate, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—talk of upcoming exams, rumors about upcoming training missions, and the usual banter. But Naina’s mind was still far from these distractions. Lala Gehlot. His name was a constant presence in her thoughts. She had overheard whispers about him from other cadets, and she knew he had something to do with what had happened to Naveen. What if Lala was still involved in the academy, in ways that no one could see?

Her train of thought was interrupted when Captain Abhimanyu Rai Chauhan walked into the mess hall, his eyes scanning the room before locking on Naina’s group.

“Cadet Ahluwalia,” he called, his voice not unkind, but his presence authoritative. “I need to speak with you.”

The rest of the group exchanged looks, but Naina stood up without hesitation. She had learned quickly that in the world of KMA, when a senior officer asked for your attention, you didn’t waste time questioning it.

---

In a quiet corner of the academy, Captain Abhimanyu led Naina to a small office. He motioned for her to sit across from him. There was a weight to the air in the room, an unspoken tension that made Naina uneasy.

“Cadet Ahluwalia, I’ve been made aware of your… situation,” Captain Abhimanyu began, his tone measured but firm. “I understand that you’re here for personal reasons. But I need to remind you that KMA is a place of discipline. Your personal mission cannot interfere with your duties here.”

Naina kept her expression neutral, even though her heart was pounding. She knew exactly what he was referring to—her brother’s case. “I understand, sir,” she replied, her voice steady. “I’m here to do my duty, just like everyone else.”

Captain Abhimanyu nodded slowly, but his eyes seemed to study her, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. “You’ll need to stay focused, Cadet Ahluwalia. People here will notice if you slip up. And you’ll be held accountable for every failure.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and cold. But Naina wasn’t about to back down. She had come this far, and there was no turning back now.

---

Later that day, as Naina made her way back to her dorm, she found herself deep in thought again. Lala Gehlot—the name seemed to echo in her mind. Who was he, really? And why did he seem to hold so much power over the academy?

As she walked, she almost didn’t notice Rajveer Singh Shekhawat standing at the entrance to the dormitory. His presence, as always, was commanding. But today, there was something different about his gaze—a flicker of something unspoken.

“Cadet Ahluwalia,” Rajveer said, his tone sharp as always. “You’re still not keeping up with your training. You need to improve, and fast. I expect nothing less than your best from now on.”

Naina’s jaw tightened, but she nodded. “Understood, sir.”

As she walked past him, she could feel his eyes on her back. There was something about him—something that made her feel both anxious and comforted. She didn’t know if it was the professionalism he exuded or the fact that her personal mission seemed intertwined with his own past. Rajveer was more than just a mentor. There were layers to him, just like there were layers to this academy.

But Naina couldn’t dwell on that now. She had to stay focused. Every day at KMA was a test—physically, mentally, and emotionally. And as she lay in bed that night, Naina knew one thing for sure: Lala Gehlot was more than just a shadow in the academy. He was a force that had shaped everything, and he was the key to uncovering the truth about Naveen’s downfall.

The fight for justice was just beginning.