After an intense day of training, Rudra prepared to head back. He had already messaged his mother, reassuring her about his health and telling her not to worry.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Lily walking toward him. He paused and waited.
"Are you done with your training?" Lily asked softly.
"Yeah," Rudra replied with a nod.
"Do you have a moment?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
Rudra hesitated for a second, then said, "Well... okay."
"Good. Come with me," Lily said cheerfully.
Rudra followed her as they walked toward a restaurant near the gym. Seeing the unexpected destination, he grew even more curious about what Lily wanted to talk about.
After booking a table, they sat down. Lily seemed nervous, her leg bouncing restlessly under the table.
Noticing this, Rudra tried to ease the tension.
"Sister Lily, please don't be so nervous. Just tell me what you want to say—or I'm going to end up twice as nervous as you," he said with a joking smile. Still, his voice held a trace of urgency, driven by growing curiosity.
Hearing Rudra's words, Lily stopped bouncing her leg and took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Rudra, are you planning to take the prospective warrior assessment next month?" she asked, her voice laced with nervousness.
Rudra blinked, momentarily confused. Is that what she was so anxious about? he thought. But then he remembered all the care Lily had shown him over the past few months.
Lily's nature was exceptionally gentle—kind and thoughtful to those around her. But when she fought, she transformed into a fierce, almost terrifying presence, earning her the nickname "Bloody Witch." Still, that name didn't capture who she truly was. Beneath her battlefield ferocity, she deeply cared for her friends and family.
Realizing she was worried for him, Rudra felt a wave of gratitude in his heart.
"Of course," he said with a calm smile. "My strength and speed have already crossed the minimum threshold to become a warrior. Delaying it now might disrupt my path."
Though his voice was gentle, his words carried quiet determination.
"Also, I already dropped out of school," Rudra added. "So, I can focus entirely on improving my strength. At this point, I have no other path left—becoming a warrior is the only way forward."
Lily was stunned by his words. That's right… that's why he joined the gym in the first place, she thought.
After his reply, silence settled between them for a few moments.
"You don't have to worry about me, Sister Lily," Rudra said, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not that weak. And don't forget—I'm a genius."
Lily remained quiet; her expression unreadable.
"I'm not worried about you," she finally said. "It's just… there are people who don't want you to shine."
Even though she tried to dismiss it, the worry still lingered in her eyes.
Hearing Lily's words, Rudra's expression turned cold. The atmosphere around them suddenly grew heavy, charged with a chilling killing intent.
Lily's eyes widened in shock. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Rudra's hand.
"Rudra… are you okay?" she asked, worry clear in her voice. The sudden shift in his demeanour had left her shaken.
Her voice brought him back to his senses. Just moments ago, when Lily mentioned those people, a memory of his mother's anxious face flashed in his mind. Rage surged through him so intensely that he'd lost control, his killing intent spilling out unconsciously.
"I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice still carried a sharp edge. "It's just… I hate cowards like them. They don't have the guts to face me directly and always resort to underhanded tricks. I'm so pissed that if one of them appeared in front of me right now—I'd kill them."
His fists clenched as he spoke, eyes burning with fury.
Hearing Rudra's words and the anger in his tone, Lily let out a quiet sigh. She knew well that, while the government and major forces officially prohibited targeting or killing warriors, the reality was far murkier. There had been countless cases where talented individuals were plotted against—ambushed, manipulated, or even killed through indirect means.
"It's okay," Lily said softly, her voice filled with emotion. "No matter what happens, I'll always be with you."
Rudra froze, caught off guard by her words. The tension in his body slowly faded, his fury dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Something unfamiliar stirred in his heart—something warm, gentle, and quietly powerful.
He didn't understand why Lily had said that. After all, only someone who truly cared—who loved someone—would say something like that to comfort them.
Noticing the look on his face, Lily suddenly realized the weight of her words. She quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"I-I mean, if you're ever in trouble... just call me, okay? I'll definitely help you, no matter what," she added hurriedly, clearly trying to smooth over the moment. Yet, despite her flustered tone, a small, quiet hope lingered in her heart—one she secretly wished would come true.
Suddenly, Lily's phone rang. When she glanced at the caller ID, her expression shifted—she looked restless.
"Okay… thank you for your time. And… just be as careful as you can," she said quickly, clearly wanting to end the conversation.
"I will," Rudra replied with a calm nod. "And thank you for your concern, Sister Lily. As long as I live, I won't forget it."
With those parting words, he waved and turned to leave.
As Rudra disappeared into the distance, a middle-aged man approached Lily's table. The moment she saw him, her face lit up with a rare, almost childlike smile.
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About 20 minutes later, Rudra reached the 5th Residential Area.
Though it was already past eight, the market was still bustling with life. The streets were crowded with people—workers and labourers who only found time for shopping after long, gruelling days. Their clothes were dusty, their bodies worn, and the air thick with the smell of sweat and street food. Yet, Rudra felt no discomfort. He had seen both the heights of luxury and the depths of poverty—he belonged to neither, and understood both.
Upon entering his building, he didn't linger. He hurried up the stairs—his mother would be waiting.
Reaching his floor, he quickly unlocked the door. This time, the lights were on, and a rich, mouth-watering aroma filled the apartment.
Ma must've cooked something delicious, he thought, smiling.
"Ma, where are you? I'm home!" he called out joyfully.
Suddenly, he heard hurried footsteps coming from the kitchen. His mother, Devi, rushed out, her face filled with concern.
"Are you okay? Does it still hurt? Why didn't you tell me you were discharged? I was so worried!" she said angrily—but her voice trembled with worry more than anger.
"I'm really fine, Ma," Rudra replied quickly. "I didn't want to trouble you, so I didn't say anything. I'm sorry."He held his ears like a guilty child, asking for forgiveness.
"Okay, okay, I forgive you. But you must take care of yourself. You just got discharged, and you already went back to the gym?" she scolded, her voice still sharp with concern.
"I'm sorry, Ma," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "But I've got some good news. Want to hear it?"
"What good news?" she asked, eyeing him curiously.
"Not telling you," Rudra said with a mischievous grin, like a little boy playing with his mother.
"You! Fine then—no dinner for you," she replied, pretending to be angry.
"No, Ma, please! I'll tell you everything! But first… food. I'm starving," he said dramatically, placing a hand on his stomach.
Seeing his pitiful expression, her heart softened. Rudra was the only family she had left—and no matter what trouble he got into, she could never stay angry for long.
"Okay. But first, go take a bath—you stink like a pig," she said, pinching her nose.
"No problem!" he replied cheerfully, and walked off to the bathroom.
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After a refreshing bath, Rudra stepped out, feeling much better.
"All done? Then come and sit," his mother called.
He made his way to the dining table and sat down, waiting patiently.
Soon, his mother appeared, carrying a plate heaping with biryani—his favorite dish. His eyes lit up with joy.
She sat down across from him, and together, they began to pray. Since his childhood, Devi had always prayed before meals. Over time, Rudra had picked up the habit too. And strangely enough, every time he prayed before eating, the food somehow tasted even more delicious.
After dinner, as the warmth of the meal still lingered, Rudra decided it was time to share his decision with his mother.
"So," Devi said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "What's this good news you were teasing me about earlier?"
"Ma… first you have to promise me you won't get angry," Rudra said seriously. "Otherwise, I'm not telling you."
She raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you kidding me? Since when does good news make people angry?" She folded her arms. "Fine. I promise."
Rudra hesitated for a second, then took a breath.
"I… I'm going to take the Prospective Warrior Assessment next month."