In the university—
Both classes had gathered around the wrestling ring.
The instructor, a fourth-rank Mayaveer, former senior officer in the royal millitary, stood at the center, his presence steady and controlled.
Beside him stood another instructor a third rank who served in the royal ground battalion for thirty five years—broader, heavier, and silent.
Today’s session focused on three things.
Movement.
Balance.
Defence within offence.
The students watched closely.
Not all of them understood.
But all of them paid attention.
“Hope you’ve grasped the basics,” the lead instructor said.
Nods followed.
Some confident.
Some uncertain.
“Good.”
A brief pause, the two instructor glanced around the hall, looking in the eyes of the young ambitious youth.
“Then let’s test it.” the instructor challenged
Faint smile appeared on his face.
A ripple of tension passed through the two groups.
“So, how about a match?” the senior instructor adds.
Silence held for a moment.
Then—
“I’m ready.”
A student from Guru Goalpara’s class raised his hand.
Arka’s lips curved slightly.
Not surprised.
Almost… pleased.
“Step forward,” the instructor said.
Heavy footsteps followed.
Bhuvan Vrishan entered the ring.
He belonged to the Vrishan clan—once a known noble clan, now merely one with a noble history.
His build alone drew attention: thick muscle, a grounded stance, and the kind of body that didn’t merely carry strength… it imposed it.
He didn’t rush.
He didn’t need to.
His presence filled the space on its own.
Close combat was his domain.
And he knew it.
“Anyone from Guru Sariputta’s class?” the instructor called out.
“Come on. Show some strength.”
A brief hesitation.
Eyes shifted.
Measured.
Avoided.
Then Bhuvan spoke.
“Urvasa.”
His voice carried easily across the ring.
“I’ve heard you like to fight.”
A faint smirk crossed his face.
“Come. Show your worth.”
A few heads turned instantly.
The name had weight.
“Ugh… I knew this would happen,” Kairav muttered under his breath.
He stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No display.
Just movement.
As he entered the ring, his expression remained unchanged.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Across the circle—
Arka’s smile widened. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
This was no coincidence,
His eyes gleamed with quiet intent.
He had been waiting for this.
The ring settled.
The air shifted.
Two figures stood facing each other.
One—
Built like a force that could break through anything.
The other—
Standing like he didn’t need to.
“Begin.” The green flag swung down.
Bhuvan moved first.
No hesitation.
No testing.
His foot dug into the ground, and the ring trembled beneath the force of his charge.
The distance collapsed instantly, his fist already coming down with full weight.
A few students leaned forward.
Arka smiled.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Kairav stepped off-line.
Not back—sideways.
The strike missed him by a breath and slammed into the ground with a heavy crack.
Bhuvan struggled to maintain his balance and dropped to one knee.
Dust burst upward.
A ripple moved through the crowd.
“…That would’ve ended it.”
Arka’s smile remained.
Kairav’s eyes stayed on Bhuvan.
Too direct.
No restraint.
Full commitment with every strike.
He observed the opponent.
Bhuvan rose, turned, and came at him again—faster this time.
A wide swing meant to trap Kairav in place.
Kairav stepped inside the arc.
Close enough to feel the air shift.
A few students frowned.
“What is he doing…?”
His palm brushed against Bhuvan’s torso for a fraction of a second.
Dense.
Solid.
Bhuvan stumbled, but managed to hold his ground this time.
Breaking through him head-on wouldn’t be efficient.
Kairav observed then slipped away before the follow-up attack came
One of the instructors narrowed his gaze.
Bhuvan’s jaw tightened.
“You think you can dance around me?”
He stepped in again, chaining his attacks—punch, elbow, shoulder—forcing pressure into every movement.
The sound of impact filled the ring— even when nothing connected.
Kairav adjusted.
Each strike missed by inches.
Not because Bhuvan was slow but because Kairav moved before each strike was completed.
The whispers began to fade.
“…He’s reading him.”
One set of light grey eyes narrowed with curious intent,
While a slightly dusky yet charming young man observed every move with focus.
Arka’s smile faded slightly.
He commits too early, Kairav analysed.
Bhuvan’s breathing grew heavier.
His attacks became sharper.
“Stand still!”
Kairav stopped.
The shift was immediate.
Even the air seemed to tighten.
Several students straightened unconsciously.
Confused, curious, contemplating
Arka’s brows furrowed.
“…Why would he stop?”
Bhuvan didn’t think.
He charged.
A straight punch.
Full force.
No adjustment.
Arka’s smile returned for a split second.
“This is it.” he celebrated
Instructors observed every move with caution
Kairav stepped forward.
Inside the strike.
Arka’s expression froze.
Kairav’s left hand redirected Bhuvan’s arm just enough to break the line of impact.
Then his right hand snapped forward landing a sharp blow to the shoulder cap.
The impact echoed.
Before Bhuvan could react—
Kairav shifted his weight and drove another strike upward— clean.
Precise.
Straight onto the chin.
Bhuvan’s head snapped back.
A few students inhaled sharply.
Balance broken.
Centre exposed.
Kairav moved.
Closer.
His foot planted hard.
One of the instructors leaned forward.
Using Bhuvan’s own forward momentum—
Kairav drove a final punch straight into his abdomen.
The impact sank deep.
Bhuvan’s body lifted— then crashed onto his back with a heavy bang.
The ground split beneath him.
Dust exploded violently outward.
Then Silence fell in the hall
When the dust settled— a shallow crater had formed beneath Bhuvan who laid semi consicous.
breathing
Unable to move
No one spoke.
Arka didn’t move.
His eyes remained locked on Kairav.
The confidence was gone.
Completely.
“…That…”
His voice trailed off.
Kairav stood a few steps away.
Calm.
Unchanged.
Too much strength.
Not enough control.
Kairav muttered inwardly then turned— and walked out of the ring.