Three days later, the courtyard of the Imperial Arena was brimming with excitement.
Nobles, ministers, generals, and even foreign envoys had gathered to witness the Heir Selection Duel. It was not only a test of strength—but a symbol of succession. Whoever performed best today would gain massive political momentum.
And standing beneath the carved stone dragon archways were three young men.
Devansh Yadav stood like a mountain, his muscles bulging under crimson armor. His weapon: a blood-forged halberd, taller than most men.
Raghav Yadav looked calm, scholarly. He held no weapon—only a folded fan. But countless people feared him more than his warrior brother. His cultivation was imbued with mental techniques and illusion formations.
Then there was Priyanshu Yadav—the forgotten third prince.
Wearing plain white robes, he carried only a wooden practice sword. The nobles whispered.
"That's a joke, right?"
"He brought a stick to a spiritual duel?"
"I heard he nearly died last week."
But Priyanshu didn't flinch.He smiled.
[System Notification: Duel Arena Activated][Hidden Mission: Humiliate Both Brothers Without Killing Them]Reward: 200 Evil Karma, Special Ability — Shadow Step (Teleport within 30 meters once per hour)
The king sat atop a high platform, surrounded by elders. His eyes lingered on Devansh and Raghav… then briefly on Priyanshu, as if he were a passing cloud.
"Begin!" the emperor declared.
Devansh didn't wait. He lunged first, halberd tearing through the wind. The aura of fire around him exploded as if a volcano had awakened.
But Priyanshu's feet moved lightly.
He dodged, his figure blurring like smoke.
[Skill: Cloak of False Humility activated — all opponents perceive your strength as two realms lower.]
Devansh laughed. "Still running?"
But Priyanshu's wooden sword snapped forward, brushing Devansh's ribs.
Snap!
The halberd-wielding prince froze. A sharp cut had appeared through his armor.
"What?!"
Before he could react, a second figure attacked Raghav, now casting an illusion formation with his fan. The entire arena shifted into a maze of mirrors and fog.
"Let's see you dodge this."
Priyanshu stood calmly. His smile deepened.
[System Skill Unlocked: Mirror Mind – Immune to Illusion below Domain Realm]
With a single step, he vanished—reappearing right behind Raghav.
Thwack!
The wooden sword struck Raghav's back, shattering his spiritual shield and sending him tumbling into the sand.
Gasps echoed.
A third strike hit Devansh on the back of his head—gently—but with enough force to daze him. Both brothers were left lying in the arena dust.
The crowd was silent.
No one understood what just happened.
"Third Prince… won?"
The Tyrant Monarch's eyes opened wide. He hadn't sensed the full blow. Not even the elders had.
One old general chuckled. "Hidden blade. I like it."
Priyanshu bowed to the emperor. "I hope my play didn't offend."
[Mission Complete: Humiliate Both Brothers Without Killing Them][Evil Karma +200][New Skill: Shadow Step Acquired]
As he walked off the stage, his robe fluttered behind him like ghostly mist.
His brothers stared at him—eyes filled with confusion, fear, and disbelief.
And Priyanshu?
He didn't look back once.
"Let them guess," he thought. "This was just the opening move."
The world only saw a smiling weakling today.
But the shadows had begun to twist—and the real villain had already taken the first piece off the board.