A week had passed since the strange Shakti disturbance near Lady Vanshika’s residence and Kartik Mahakil’s latest unsuccessful attempt to persuade Adhira Vardhanya to go on a date with him.
Shaktiveer Territory had returned to its familiar rhythm.
Merchants opened their shops, children played along the pathways, and elders gathered beneath the shade of old trees.
The incident near Vanshika’s residence remained a mystery to those who had witnessed the aftermath, but the territory’s peaceful atmosphere had endured.
Beside the pond, in the quiet residence surrounded by natural beauty, another ordinary morning was beginning.
Vivaan slowly opened his eyes.
He rubbed them with both hands, his midnight-blue hair falling messily across his forehead.
Still half asleep, he turned toward the other side of the bed.
Empty.
Vivaan blinked.
He pulled the blanket aside and examined the room, hoping his mother might simply be standing somewhere nearby.
When he found no sign of her, he puffed out his cheeks in exaggerated disappointment.
Mom woke up before me again.
Unfair!
He sat up, crossed his arms, and shook his head as though he had just discovered a serious flaw in the rules of the universe.
After a moment, Vivaan climbed out of bed and hurried toward the kitchen.
The wonderful smell of breakfast reached him before he arrived.
Inside, Vanshika stood beside the cooking counter, preparing their morning meal.
Her long midnight-blue hair flowed down her back, and her elegant blue-and-white clothing shimmered softly beneath the morning light.
Several utensils moved around her with precise, effortless movements as she finished preparing the dishes.
Vivaan stopped in the doorway and watched her for a moment.
Then he leaned against the frame, narrowed his Cosmic Galaxy Eyes, and announced his grievance.
“Mom, you woke up before me again!”
Vanshika glanced over her shoulder, amusement immediately appearing in her expression.
“Good morning to you too, sweetheart.”
Vivaan folded his arms more tightly.
“That’s not an answer, Mom.”
Vanshika placed a dish on the counter and turned toward him with an exaggeratedly innocent expression.
“Are you suggesting that your mother has done something suspicious?”
Vivaan nodded solemnly.
“Yes.
You woke up before me, and now you’re acting innocent.”
Vanshika pressed a hand against her chest, pretending to be deeply wounded.
“My own son suspects me before breakfast.
What a terrible morning!”
Vivaan tried to maintain his serious expression, but his lips twitched.
“Your acting isn’t convincing, Mom.”
Vanshika laughed and pulled out a chair for him.
“Then sit down, little detective.
Let’s see whether your investigative skills are as impressive as your appetite.”
Vivaan immediately climbed into the chair, though his attention soon shifted from his mother’s suspicious behavior to the delicious breakfast spread before him.
Vanshika placed a plate in front of him and took the seat beside his.
“Tell me, sweetheart, what are your plans for today?”
Vivaan picked up a piece of fruit while considering his answer.
“I’m going outside for a walk.”
Vanshika gestured toward the food on his plate.
“Wonderful.
Eat your breakfast first.”
Vivaan glanced at the plate, then toward the doorway.
“Mom, I’ll eat when I come back.”
Vanshika raised one eyebrow.
“And what happens if you become hungry halfway through your walk?”
Vivaan shrugged confidently.
“I’ll come home.”
Vanshika rested her chin on one hand, considering his response with mock seriousness.
“And if you become hungry before you can get home?”
Vivaan thought for a moment.
“I’ll find something to eat.”
Vanshika gave him a knowing smile.
“Such as the delicious snacks at the nearest market stall?”
Vivaan paused.
His mother had identified a weakness in his argument.
“Possibly,” Vivaan admitted.
Vanshika gently pushed the plate closer to him.
“Then let’s avoid making your walk an excuse to replace breakfast with snacks.
Eat properly first.”
Vivaan sighed dramatically and picked up his food.
“Fine, Mom.
I’ll eat.”
Vanshika smiled approvingly and resumed her own breakfast.
For a few minutes, everything proceeded peacefully.
Then Vivaan began slowing down, clearly believing he had eaten enough to satisfy any reasonable mother.
Unfortunately for him, Vanshika had a different definition of reasonable.
She placed another portion on his plate.
Vivaan stared at it.
“Mom, I think you’ve mistaken me for a family of four.”
Vanshika burst into laughter.
“Really?
And who was the person planning to leave the house without eating breakfast?”
Vivaan lifted one finger, preparing to defend himself.
“I wasn’t skipping breakfast.
I was postponing it.”
Vanshika nodded solemnly.
“An extraordinary distinction, sweetheart.
Perhaps I should write it down for future generations.”
Vivaan grinned, pleased that she understood his argument.
“I’m glad you appreciate my reasoning.”
“Of course,” Vanshika agreed, placing a little more food on his plate.
“And I appreciate that you will finish your breakfast before leaving.”
Vivaan’s grin disappeared.
“Mom!”
Vanshika simply smiled.
“Just a little more.”
By the time breakfast ended, Vivaan had eaten considerably more than he had originally planned.
He leaned back in his chair, placing a hand over his stomach.
Vanshika looked at him with satisfaction.
“Now you can enjoy your walk without worrying about being hungry.”
Vivaan slid out of his chair and hurried toward the entrance.
“Finally!”
Vanshika watched him go, shaking her head affectionately.
“Vivaan, sweetheart, your shoes!”
He stopped in the doorway and looked down at his feet.
He was still wearing his indoor slippers.
“Oh.”
Vivaan hurried toward the shoe table and began searching. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
He checked the shelves, looked beside the furniture, and even glanced beneath it.
After several seconds, he straightened and called toward the kitchen.
“Mom, where are my shoes?”
Vanshika appeared in the doorway, amusement sparkling in her Cosmic Galaxy Eyes.
“Have you looked beside the shoe table?”
Vivaan glanced at the floor again.
“Yes, Mom!”
Vanshika tilted her head.
“Carefully?”
Vivaan crouched down and searched the same spot once more.
This time, he noticed his shoes resting neatly beside the table, exactly where they belonged.
He stared at them before picking them up.
“They weren’t there before.”
Vanshika approached him, struggling to keep a straight face.
“Of course, sweetheart.
Perhaps your shoes decided to go for a walk of their own and returned just in time.”
Vivaan looked at her suspiciously.
“Are you teasing me?”
Vanshika knelt in front of him and gently brushed the strands of hair falling across his forehead.
“Would your mother ever do such a thing?”
Vivaan considered her expression.
“Yes.”
Vanshika laughed softly as she helped him put on his shoes and fastened them properly.
“An unfortunate lack of trust in your own mother.”
Vivaan stood up and grinned.
“It’s based on experience.”
Vanshika gave his hair a final affectionate stroke.
“There.
Now you’re ready for your grand expedition.”
Vivaan turned toward the door with renewed enthusiasm.
“I’m going to discover something interesting today!”
Vanshika followed him with her gaze.
“Please discover it somewhere reasonably close to home.”
Vivaan gave her an innocent smile.
“I’ll consider it.”
Vanshika narrowed her eyes playfully.
“That answer worries me.”
Vivaan hurried outside before she could question him further.
He had barely taken two steps when Vanshika appeared directly in front of him.
Vivaan stopped abruptly and looked up at her in surprise.
“Mom!
How did you get here so quickly?”
Vanshika stood with her hands behind her back, wearing the serene smile of someone who had anticipated his every move.
“Your mother possesses many talents, sweetheart.”
Vivaan narrowed his eyes.
“That’s another suspicious answer.”
Vanshika laughed and extended one hand.
“Perhaps.
But this time, I really do have something for you.”
Vivaan’s curiosity immediately overcame his suspicion.
“What is it, Mom?”
Vanshika raised her other hand and pressed her index finger gently against the air beside her.
The surrounding space fractured.
Fine cracks appeared across the invisible surface, spreading outward like delicate lines across transparent glass.
A moment later, the fractured space separated, revealing the familiar Unbounded Spatial Portal.
Its center glowed royal purple, while celestial-golden edges surrounded the opening.
Straight golden lines shifted constantly into elaborate geometric patterns, changing shape before the eye could fully follow their movements.
Vivaan’s Cosmic Galaxy Eyes brightened.
He had seen the portal before, but he still enjoyed watching its intricate structure.
Vanshika reached into the portal and withdrew a magnificent imperial card.
Its surface combined deep royal purple with polished golden accents.
Intricate celestial-golden inscriptions decorated the edges, while an elaborate emblem gleamed at the center.
The card looked both elegant and mysterious, its magical radiance shifting gently in the morning sunlight.
Vanshika placed it in Vivaan’s open palm.
“This is a special Exchange Credit Card, sweetheart.
Keep it with you and use it whenever I’m not with you and you need to make a purchase.”
Vivaan examined the card, tracing the edge with his thumb.
Then he looked up at his mother.
“Whenever you’re not with me?”
Vanshika nodded.
“That’s right.
You can use it when you need something while you’re out, without having to worry about carrying ordinary currency.”
Vivaan slowly closed his fingers around the card.
“Mom, that’s not going to happen.”
Vanshika tilted her head, curious about his response.
“What isn’t going to happen, sweetheart?”
“You not being with me.”
For a moment, Vanshika’s playful expression softened.
Vivaan looked at her with complete certainty.
“Why would I need to use it because you’re not with me?
I’ll just stay with you.”
Vanshika gently touched his cheek.
“You can enjoy spending time with me and still have adventures of your own, my son.
I won’t always be standing beside you every second of the day.”
Vivaan considered her words.
Then he smiled brightly.
“That’s fine.
I’ll still find you.”
Vanshika laughed softly.
“Of course you will.”
Vivaan looked down at the card again.
His expression gradually became mischievous.
Rather than placing the card in his pocket, he lifted one hand and pressed his finger against the space beside him.
Vanshika immediately recognized what he was doing.
A fine crack appeared in the air.
Then the space shattered into countless invisible fragments, revealing another Unbounded Spatial Portal.
Its center was royal purple, framed by celestial-golden edges and constantly changing geometric patterns.
Vivaan held up the imperial card with a triumphant grin.
“See, Mom?
I can keep it somewhere safe.”
He slipped the card inside his portal.
The card vanished from sight, and the portal closed.
The fractured space repaired itself instantly, leaving no visible trace of the opening.
Vanshika stared at her son. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Vivaan returned her gaze with an innocent smile.
For a few seconds, she remained silent.
Then she covered her mouth as laughter escaped her.
“Sweetheart, it has been only a week!”
Vivaan lifted his chin proudly.
“And?”
Vanshika gestured toward the place where his portal had disappeared.
“You’ve already learned to activate and use my Spatial Treasury technique!”
Vivaan grinned.
“I told you I would learn it.”
Vanshika shook her head in affectionate disbelief.
“But a week ago, you couldn’t even open a spatial portal.”
Vivaan raised one finger, ready to explain.
“A week ago, I hadn’t learned to control my Shakti properly.
I had already synchronized with the technique, but I couldn’t activate it until I developed enough control.”
Vanshika’s amusement gave way to genuine curiosity.
“And you’ve developed that control in just one week?”
Vivaan nodded confidently.
“I’m at the Shakti Sensing Realm, Three Stars now.
I’ve been practicing every day, and once I learned to sense and manipulate my Shakti, using the technique became much easier.”
Vanshika regarded him with undisguised admiration.
He had understood the difference between synchronizing with a technique and learning to operate it.
More importantly, he had practiced consistently instead of expecting his new abilities to work automatically.
She knelt before him and drew him into a warm embrace.
“My goodness, sweetheart.
You really are a little genius.”
Vivaan hugged her back, smiling.
“Does that mean I can learn more techniques now?”
Vanshika laughed against his hair.
“I should have known that would be your next question.”
Vivaan pulled back just enough to look at her.
“It’s an important question, Mom.”
Vanshika gently ruffled his hair.
“Then here’s my important answer: keep strengthening your foundation.
Your progress is wonderful, but I want you to develop control alongside your Power.
You don’t need to rush just because you learn quickly.”
Vivaan nodded seriously.
“I understand, Mom.”
Then he glanced toward the path leading away from their residence.
“Can I go now?”
Vanshika stood and gave him an amused look.
“Yes, my little adventurer.
You may finally begin your grand expedition.”
Vivaan immediately took off running.
“Thank you, Mom!”
Vanshika called after him, raising her voice just enough for him to hear.
“Vivaan!
Don’t go too far!”
Vivaan turned his head while continuing down the path, his midnight-blue hair fluttering behind him.
“You’ll find me!”
Vanshika burst into laughter.
“That is precisely what I’m worried about!”
Vivaan’s cheerful laughter drifted back toward the residence before he disappeared around the bend.
Vanshika watched the empty path for a moment, her expression full of happiness.
She was pleased that her son was becoming more independent, even if his definition of a reasonable adventure remained questionable.
After a moment, she turned and walked back inside.
She had work waiting for her, breakfast dishes to put away, and a strong suspicion that Vivaan would return with several new questions before lunchtime.
Neither mother nor son noticed the pair of eyes watching from beneath the pond’s surface.
The Lurking Fish Shark Beast had remained hidden there throughout the week.
It had watched the residence, studied the protective formation, and observed the strange inhabitants who lived beside the water.
It still couldn’t understand how its previous attack had been absorbed so completely.
Now its attention followed Vivaan as he ran away from the house.
The boy was alone.
The creature’s body shifted beneath the water.
Shakti began gathering around it, slowly at first and then with increasing intensity.
Ripples spread across the pond as the beast prepared another attack, its gaze fixed on the boy disappearing beyond the trees.
It was about to move when a shadow fell across the water.
The creature froze.
Vanshika had returned.
She crouched beside the pond, her long midnight-blue hair falling over one shoulder as she looked directly into the water.
Her Cosmic Galaxy Eyes regarded the submerged creature with an expression so calm that it seemed almost impossible for her to be concerned about anything at all.
Vanshika rested one hand against her knee and addressed the beast as casually as she might speak to a mischievous child.
“Hey, Fish Shark.”
The creature’s eyes widened.
Vanshika tilted her head, maintaining her pleasant smile.
“Don’t you dare attack my son.”
The beast immediately stopped gathering Shakti.
Vanshika gave the water a gentle tap with her fingertips.
“Go on.
Find somewhere else to swim.”
The creature remained motionless, uncertain whether she was threatening it or simply giving it an instruction.
Vanshika stood and brushed her hands together.
“Good fish.”
Then she turned away and walked back into her residence.
The door closed softly behind her.
Silence returned to the pond.
The Lurking Fish Shark Beast remained submerged, its eyes wide with disbelief.
A stream of bubbles escaped its mouth as it slowly retreated into deeper water.
What kind of woman is she?
The creature stared toward the residence.
She said in a gentle way still I’m sweating while I’m underwater!
It had survived for an extraordinarily long time, yet it had never encountered anything quite like this.
It had been preparing to attack.
Then the woman had appeared, spoken a few words, and left as though nothing unusual had happened.
The creature cautiously shifted farther into the pond.
But its gaze soon returned to the path where Vivaan had disappeared.
It had been warned.
It had also been humiliated.
And although fear urged it to remain hidden, curiosity continued to pull its attention toward the boy.
The beast’s eyes narrowed.
Whatever it decided next, it would have to be careful.
Because the woman beside the pond was clearly not someone it could afford to underestimate.
To Be Continued…