Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Sumesh was trying his best to live in the world all alone. Since the day a cloaked man saved his life. He became determined to live and do his best to survive in the world. Like he thought, the discrimination didn't magically end due to his determination.

But he was mentally prepared for them. He went around different towns and cities, getting odd jobs to feed himself. He already went around many places to find his place in society. There was discrimination; sometimes he had to go hungry to survive.

Amidst this, his past time was to hunt. Sumesh learned hunting as he was never guaranteed food and for him, hunting was strangely easier than he thought. His senses were much better.

He could see and hear things a lot faster and clearer. Sumesh always thought it wasn't just him with this ability but as he worked in the different places. He got to know that he was an exception.

Sumesh, during his visit to different cities, noticed there were talks about the military academy opening the selection for the second batch soon.

The nearest academy was the one in Cochin and apparently the proctor for the new batch was going to be the Second Prince Bhairava Deva Raya. Sumesh was scared to attend at first but he remembered the words of the cloaked man.

'Just a whim could help him in his life.'

Sumesh was headed to the military selection in the Cochin academy.

He was walking through the huge roads wearing a leaf hat and a wooden slip that he made for himself while camping in the forest. The roads of the Empire were a benefit; thanks to them, he never got lost.

Although he didn't know to read and write. He just followed the road and asked for directions to patrol guards roaming. Some ignored him but some answered back so he could find the directions to the palace.

Sumesh had been eating boars, rabbits, and fish with some fruits during his travels to Cochin. With his hunting experience, the scrawny body was getting filed and some muscles were forming.

Sumesh could walk for long distances without much pain. His body was much more flexible.

After a few days of walking. He finally got to Cochin; he deviated in his path several times. He just walked during the night to make it for it and somehow reached the place. He could see the academy on the outskirts of the city.

Sumesh had a smile on his face. "Maybe I can get in."

He slept outside the city in a makeshift tent he carried around. The selection was in 2 days, according to the news he heard. Sumesh could see the preparations going on in the distance. He also eavesdropped on some people passing by to get the news.

Sumesh decided to train himself in the meantime. He just hunted for food as usual and trained his body. He didn't know any specific drills. He did whatever came to his mind.

The day finally came and Sumesh could see the crowds of people heading to the academy. He figured it was the selection day. He also packed his stuff and made his way early morning to the academy.

He walked faster, making his way to the huge gate of the academy.

There was a huge line of candidates near the gate, signing up for the selection process. Sumesh patiently waited in line with a smile. The others avoided Sumesh and stood a long way apart.

One by one, the candidates were let in and it was Sumesh's turn to sign up.

The soldier signing up candidates looked up at him with a disdainful look.

"My name is Sumesh and I am he–"

The soldier cut him off sharply. "This is not a place for beggars and lower-caste bastards." The soldier spat

"What?" Sumesh's eyes widened.

He could hear some giggles just behind him.

"What do you mean? You let them in." Sumesh asked.

"Look at you." The soldier said. "You are not fit for the Royal Army."

The soldier took a jab at his clothes. It was dirty, smelly, and torn in all places, but it was all Sumesh had. He didn't have any money to buy new clothes.

"Now go away." The soldier waved him off.

The world started to shatter in front of him. He thought he could change his life in the academy but it didn't seem that was possible. The pent-up frustration was spilling out. Sumesh could feel the disdainful stares behind him.

He turned to leave. Just then a voice came from the line.

"It's not your place to decide." A young man, well dressed with a good physique, came forward. "Why can't he go in?"

The soldier chuckled. "He just can't and that's final."

"But it's the instructors and proctors that decide who is worthy, not you." He yelled at the man. "The academy is open for all."

"Can't you see, it's not right for the beggar to come in as he pleases? Even the second prince is coming today."

The young man tried arguing for Sumesh as he watched. Someone stood up for him but to no avail. The soldier was adamant about not letting him in.

A commotion began to break out between the young man and the soldiers.

"I don't care if you are the son of a rich merchant or not. The word of the soldier is final here." The soldier screamed back.

Sumesh lost all hope.

"No need; I will leave. Don't fight." He said it awkwardly.

"See, he want's to le-"

"What's the commotion here?" A deep, commanding voice pierced through the air and suddenly a tall, cloaked man appeared.

Sumesh didn't even sense the man till now and he was suddenly standing near them.

Everyone else also was startled.

The well-dressed young man turned to him. "Who are you?" He yelled.

"Are you one of them?" He pointed at the soldier. "He isn't letting that guy behind me in because he is dressed badly. I thought the selection was open to everyone."

The tall, cloaked figure scratched his chin with his prosthetic and turned to the soldier. "Is this true?"

"Hmph. Why would I let beggars in? Today the prince is coming to proctor the exam." The soldiers said arrogantly.

"Oh…" The tall man just grabbed the soldier by the neck in front of Sumesh and lifted him up. "Who are you to make the rules huh?"

"Are you some official from the palace?"

The soldiers struggled in his grasp. He tried to squirm free but to no avail. Multiple gasps came from the crowd and Sumesh himself.

The soldiers began to gather, pointing their weapons at the tall man.

"Who are you? Leave him alone." Another soldier warned, unsheating his sword.

"Me? I am the Bhairava." He took off his cloak. "The second prince and the elder brother of the Emperor."

"Put down your weapons." Bhairava warned as he let go of the soldier. "If you care about your lives."

The soldiers awkwardly put down their weapons.

"And you." He looked down coldly. "You are fired from the army effective now."

"Take him away." Bhairava ordered the other soldiers who complied after knowing the real identity. "And the soldiers that watched the commotion will be suspended without pay till further notice."

The soldiers winced

"Let this be a lesson to you guys."

Bhairava came towards Sumesh, who was bewildered by the events unfolding right in front of him. The prince came and ruffled his dirty hair with a serious expression. "You can go in. There won't be any issues anymore."

As the prince turned to leave. He patted the shoulder of the young man that stood up for Sumesh.

"You also did well. It was the right thing to do. Keep it up."

'Is this the whim?.' Sumesh thought.

'I will do my best and win'