CHAPTER 20 - Basics are important.

Later in the day, Zewoulf and Azyl went to tell Nigel of their decision and then Zewoulf spent some time with him to discuss how the students could cooperate. As Azyl was not going to cooperate with anyone this time, he just returned back to his room. Standing in the empty room, he once again thought what should he do to kill time. He didn't feel like meditating yet, and he had just woken up and was not in the mood to lie down again.

So he went over to the rack where he kept his clothes and stuff, and the smoothly pulled out a bamboo cylinder case. He had learnt to take good care of his flute from the granny that taught him to play flute. So with the help of his father, he had made this case that protected his flute. Inside it even had a cotton padding to cushion it as well. Playing flute had always been the only task that he paid special attention to, other than maybe sleeping. So naturally he came to love and care for his flute as well over the years.

Taking his flute from its case, he decided that today he would practice his basics once more. He hadn't played for two weeks and even though he had played really well yesterday, basics were important. Practicing the notes in repetition was important to remain fluent as always.

Slowly he started at a slow pace, going from low to high and then high to low. While adding variations to the order of notes, he started picking pace. Time passed as he continued to play the notes in a smooth rhythm, maintaining his breathing rate. Breathing was another aspect that one must have good control over to play the flute.

Fingers and breathing made its core for playing the instrument. With focus he continued to play the notes from one end to the other. As he picked pace, sometimes he would make an error, his finger might press on the wrong hole or his breathing would catch up. Seeing that he was reaching his limit, he once more slowed down the pace and kept on. An hour later he could feel his thumbs were getting a little stiff, but he kept on. Practicing to his limits was also important. He had not learnt flute from some professional teacher. The granny who taught him had only picked up playing flute by the ear and he was similar.

He knew no techniques of how the pros would play, only the basics. The exercises and routines that he used to practice were self taught. But every note that he played was aimed to be perfect. To the normal people, they would feel really mesmerised by his playing maybe. But to anyone who paid attention they would be able to point out the few mistakes he made. But it wasn't this aspect which would catch a person's notice when they heard him play.

When Azyl played, a strange feeling permeated around him. It was as if his feelings were being conveyed through his sound. This was a level of playing that only came from within, it required dedication to achieve it.

As soon as he started playing, it caught the attention of the senior professor who was paying attention to find out about potential irregular. His mind quietly followed the direction from where the sound was coming and soon reached the place. In his mind, he could see that the sound was coming from the dorm that he was already aware of. He was not at a level where he could enter the dorm with his mental energy, but he had another way to verify who was inside the room, playing that flute without being discovered.

He made his way outside the building and came across a window that was open but had blinds obstructing the view. He stretched his hand and a light breeze blew out, through the open window and slightly raised the blindings. The window was situated opposite to the entrance to the dorm room and allowed a person to peek at the whole room.

Yes, his method was to simply taking a peek .

The professor took a quick glance and immediately identified the person. He was not shocked deeply as he expected the outcome slightly. Looking at the focused look on Azyl's face, as he played the flute, the professor dispersed his power of wind that he had used to raise the blinds and left as silently as he had come.

Even thought he was careful with his actions and maintained stealth while always observing his surroundings, it was still better to be done as soon as possible. Now that he was sure of the person that could be an irregular, he just had to continue with the plan that was made by him and the Vice-principal. They could not allow the other faction to become aware about this. If they could hide his talent in the upcoming initiation, it won't be until next years initiation that Azyl would show a rapid growth. And only then would he be confirmed to be an irregular, if he truly was one. By then, they would have moved forward with their plan.

And just like that, unknown to Azyl, he was made to join the Yoga class, no matter the result of his test tomorrow. He did not even know that he was involved in some conflict.

But all that was still far away, as before anything, he was going to face the changing point of his life in tomorrows initiation test. Of course it was known to none at his point.

.......

"Sir, it is the third candidate. It will be easier to put him in the yoga class as long as he performs average in the prana level test and doesn't raise any eyes in the third phase. I will proceed as per the plan." The professor took out a device from his pocket as he contacted the Vice-principal.

"Hmm." From the other end there was only one sound of confirmation.

Knowing that he had completed his task, he put away the strange circular device. Now all he had to do was wait and see how the initiation played out tomorrow. As long nothing extraordinary occurred, it was going to be a situation that would play out as they had planned. And at the end, their faction would have gained an irregular. It would not be a problem even if he was not an irregular, as he had witnessed himself that the kid seemed to have some strange talent. They just had to make sure that the opposition was not able to get their hands on him.

......

The day passed for the new students and the day of initiation arrived. Today would be an important day for all of them, as it decided their future. Everyone was filled with anxiety, eagerness and excitement to give their best and prove their potential. Everyone got up early to get prepared and adjust their mental state before the test began.

All except the one person who was still sleeping cozily in his bed, wrapped up in a sheet and unwilling to open his eyes.