Aquaonoi Fist, Level 3: Finger Lock Squeeze!
BAM! BAM! BAM! He struck repeatedly, slamming Lewosito mercilessly.
"LEWOSITO!!" Jash shouted.
Natasha, Atharv, and Kavishni froze in shock. "Huh?!"
Lewosito's body was flung back again. This time, the damage was worse—he was coughing blood continuously, his body trembling.
Sameer sneered. "What happened, poor boy? Going to cry on Kavishni's arm, coward?"
"Enough, Sameer!" Jash barked.
"Not now!" Sameer snapped.
Lewosito wiped the blood from his mouth. His eyes glowed with fire.
"…You've made me angry."
"Huh?" Sameer scoffed.
In a blink— FWOOOSH!
Lewosito vanished.
"What—?! Too fast?! But how— I can't defend!" Sameer panicked.
Lewosito reappeared right in front of him, fist blazing.
"Fire Fist!!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
The flames roared, shaking the air itself.
But then—suddenly—Lewosito felt his surroundings collapse into chaos. His lungs seized. He was drowning in deep, endless water. Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle... "How… did I get in water? I can't swim… gurgle... help me! I can't breathe…!"
Meanwhile, in the real world—
Sameer screamed as the Fire Fist struck. A deafening roar of flames swallowed him whole. His shrieks were muffled by the inferno as heat consumed his body. He stumbled, collapsing, a burning figure writhing on the cold ground.
"AAAAAAA! My body—it's burning! My Aquaonoi Fist… it's useless! No! A lake… I must…" Sameer crawled slowly, his voice cracked with agony. "I can't endure this fire…!"
And then—
"Red-Eye Illusion… dispelled."
The voice was calm. It was Veiron Guru.
Both Sameer and Lewosito gasped for air as the false visions broke apart. Sameer's eyes went wide in shock, his body frozen. Lewosito lay collapsed on the street, chest heaving, breath ragged.
Veiron stepped forward. His eyes were sharp.
"That is why you only gained the Aquaonoi Fist. Your body cannot endure fire. The body, the spirit, and the very nature of a person decide which power belongs to them. If the fist goes against their nature, no matter how hard they try, they will never control it."
He paused, staring at Sameer.
"Be grateful you gained the Aquaonoi Fist. Your body was never meant to withstand fire."
Sameer stammered, "H-How… how did you know I was here?"
"I overheard you hours ago," Veiron said sternly. "'I will attack Lewosito and defeat him in front of everyone! Why did he get that power from birth, and why didn't I?!'" Veiron's tone hardened. "You were jealous. That's why I followed you."
Sameer's lips trembled, but he stayed silent.
"Sameer," Veiron commanded, "you will now do the Iron Pillar until I tell you to stop. If you fall, your time resets. This is your punishment. Go."
"But Guruji—" Sameer tried.
"I said GO!" Veiron's voice cracked like thunder.
"Yes, Guruji…" Sameer lowered his head and obeyed.
Veiron turned to Lewosito. "Are you alright? I'm sorry for interfering. I had to create that illusion."
Lewosito, still panting, managed a nod. "Yes, Guruji… I'm fine."
Just then, a cab rolled up. The driver leaned out. "Hey! I already reached! Where are you?"
Atharv waved from the side. "Here, here!"
Lewosito and Atharv climbed inside. The driver started the engine, and the car rolled forward.
Lewosito clenched his fists silently. From now on… I will endure the Iron Pillar. I will run one hundred and fifty laps. No matter what.
Day 3
The training was nothing short of torture. Lewosito endured, standing against the Iron Pillar, sweat and blood mixing on his skin. Atharv fell again and again—but each time, he rose.
Lyron ran tirelessly, a faint smile on his lips, as if enjoying the struggle.
"Get up!" Alex's cold voice rang out. "No excuses!"
"All the students kept falling, and each time their time was reset—again, and again, and again."
Days passed—into Day 7.
Night Training (Day 7)
Rain poured violently. Thunder cracked the sky.
GROOOOAR!! Lightning tore across the clouds.
Lewosito's breath came heavy. Why do they keep training at night? The rain isn't stopping… it's only getting heavier.
GROOOOAR!!
From the shadows, Veiron observed. "Lewosito and Lyron are doing well. Atharv too—he is giving his best."
Ritesh Guru nodded. "And the others?"
"They're weak. Still stuck at the Iron
Pillar," Veiron replied bluntly.
Day 16
The Iron Pillar extended to 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Lewosito's arms and legs were swollen, raw with bruises. Blood trickled, his Fire Fist healing him—but slower now. What once healed instantly now took hours. His body trembled violently, but his eyes still burned with resolve.
"My fire saves me… but it's breaking me too," he whispered.
Atharv endured, pushing himself harder than ever. Lyron shocked everyone—his form was perfect, his stamina unshaken.
But the other students? Their bodies collapsed under the weight of exhaustion. Bandages failed to contain their bleeding. Their strength was crumbling faster than it grew.
Alex observed. "Lewosito, Atharv, and Lyron… these three stand apart. Lyron was special from day one. But Lewosito and Atharv—they're rising fast."
Day 26
"Run! Run! Run!" Veiron's command thundered across the ground.
Lewosito and Atharv's legs trembled, shaking violently, but they pushed on—running non-stop. Lyron sprinted effortlessly, his stamina seemingly endless.
"Really impressive," Sam muttered under his breath.
Veiron's eyes narrowed with approval. "Those who seek Mystical Fist Power must train intensely. No matter how much pain they endure, they keep moving. And I see that spirit in Lyron… and in Lewosito and Atharv too."
2:40 PM – Afternoon Iron Pillar Training
The skies ripped open with fury. Heavy rainfall poured, accompanied by a deafening thunderstorm.
KRRSSSHHHHH—BOOOOM!!!
Lewosito's arms ached, blood dripping. Only four days remain… I can endure three hours. I must.
GSSHHHHHHHHH!!! The storm grew louder, echoing his determination.
Atharv gritted his teeth. Now I don't feel pain as before. I can do this. I WILL gain the fist power.
Lyron chuckled lightly. Interesting. Interesting. Interesting. I'm enjoying this training…
A student collapsed nearby.
"Hey, last line boy!" Veiron roared. "Do it again. Your time reset!"
The boy broke into tears. "This is so hard…!"
But the storm drowned his cries. Training never stopped.
Day 30 – Final Day
July 12, 2025, 7:30 PM.
The Master Hall was silent, students gathered with anxious faces.
Veiron stepped forward. His voice carried authority.
"Only three students have been selected: Lewosito, Atharv, and Lyron."
Gasps echoed in the hall.
Veiron continued, "The rest of you must continue to work harder. As for these three—your next training will continue in Manali for the next 18 months. You leave tomorrow."
Lewosito bowed his head. "Understood, Guruji."
Later that night—
Atharv spoke to Lewosito. "So tomorrow, we're leaving for Manali. I already packed my bags."
Lewosito nodded. "I'll pack tonight."
From behind—"Hey, Lewosito! Atharv!"
Both turned. "Lyron?"
Lyron smiled. "Looks like we're going to Manali together."
"Huh? Together?" Atharv asked, surprised.
"Yes," Lyron confirmed.
Lewosito agreed. "Yes, all three of us. We'll go together."
Atharv said, "We should leave by 2 in the afternoon. There's also a bus at 5 o'clock, but it's better earlier."
Lyron nodded. "So we're going by bus?"
"Yes. Fisttonoi Headquarters already booked the tickets," Atharv replied.
"Good," Lyron said. "I'll wait for you at Borivali Highway."
Lewosito smiled. "We'll pick you up there. See you tomorrow."
The three exchanged goodbyes.
As Lewosito and Atharv prepared to leave, a voice called out—"Lewosito! Atharv!"
It was Kavishni, walking toward them.
Lewosito waved. "Hiii!"
Kavishni's smile was warm. "Today is my birthday. I've planned a party for all of you."
"Huh?! Really? Happy Birthday!" Atharv exclaimed.
"Happy Birthday," Lewosito added.
"Thank you, both of you. But you HAVE to come with me. My friends are already there—Jash and Natasha too. We tried to call you, but Lewosito, your phone was off, and Atharv wasn't answering."
Atharv scratched his head. "Ah, I left my phone at home."
Lewosito shrugged. "Mine's dead."
"So, you're coming now, right?" Kavishni asked hopefully.
"Yes," Lewosito replied. "It's your birthday. We must."
Atharv agreed. "Yeah. Wait here—I'll bring my car."
Minutes later, Atharv returned with his car.
"Sit in front," Lewosito told Kavishni. "I'll sit in the back."
Atharv asked, "Where's the party?"
"At the Dome, InterContinental, Marine Drive," Kavishni answered.
Atharv nearly choked. "That's… an EXPENSIVE restaurant!"
Kavishni chuckled softly. "I saved enough. Don't worry."
"Okay," Atharv said, impressed.
The car rolled forward, the city lights glowing against the night sky. They arrived at the Dome and took the elevator to the rooftop hall.
Lewosito's eyes widened the moment he stepped in.
"Huh?! What is… Sameer doing here?!"
Sameer stood up sharply, fury in his eyes. "What the hell is HE doing here?!"
Natasha whispered to Jash, "Go stop him, or he'll start fighting again."
Jash folded his arms. "Don't worry. He won't… not here."
Atharv, admiring the rooftop view, turned back. "This place is beautiful, Lewosito—" His words stopped cold. He too saw Sameer. "Wait… WHAT is he doing here?"
The atmosphere turned heavy.
Lewosito and Sameer locked eyes. The tension was suffocating. Sameer's fist clenched tight.
This bastard… Sameer thought. This time…
TO BE CONTINUED CHAPTER 5.5 THE PATH OF STRENGTH II