The hall fell silent as Karikalan stepped forward, revealing his face to everyone. The years of training had carved him into someone unrecognizable — sharper, stronger, his aura radiating like fire.
Rajan's eyes widened. Elara's smirk faltered. Neither expected the boy they once humiliated to return like this.
Rajan lunged, his massive fist swinging toward Karikalan. But Karikalan bent low, dodging with fluid precision, and countered with a swift uppercut from his right hand.
The strike grazed Rajan's chin — a skin-of-the-teeth blow — yet its force left him stunned. Rajan froze, unable to move for a full minute, his body trembling from the shock.
Elara narrowed his eyes. "What happened to Rajan? I've never seen him stirred like this… not against that brat."
He stepped forward, halting the fight. "What a surprise, brat. You came back after five years — after I kicked you out of this college. And now you fight my loyal with bravery. I'll admit… I appreciate your resilience, and the promise you kept."
Karikalan's gaze burned. "Yeah, me too, Elara. I've been waiting five years for this tournament. Five years of pain, endured only for this moment — to kick your butt and throw you out of the stage. That's why I'm here."
Suddenly, Rajan struck from behind, his colossal punch landing squarely on Karikalan. The crowd gasped — surely this would end him. But Karikalan stood firm, unflinching, his body absorbing the blow as if it were nothing.
Elara's shock deepened. Wait… what is happening here? Rajan's punch could cripple anyone else. But him… he didn't even flinch. How is this possible?
"Enough, Rajan," Elara commanded, his tone sharp.
Rajan protested, "But Elara, we can't let this happen! He already tried to attack us—"
"That's enough," Elara cut him off. "Don't make things worse. We're leaving."
He turned back to Karikalan, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Well… if we meet in the finals, it will be interesting. I enjoyed our battle three years ago. But it won't happen. You'll be eliminated in the first round."
With that, Elara and Rajan walked away, their presence still heavy in the hall.
Karikalan smirked, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Well, Elara… in that case, I will definitely reach the final battle against you."
Karikalan rushed forward, kneeling beside the officers who had been brutalized by Rajan. His voice was calm but firm. "Are you all right, sir?"
One officer, trembling, nodded weakly. "Y-yeah… thank you, boy. If you hadn't come, he would have ended us."
Karikalan's eyes hardened. "It's my duty to help. But remember — wasting time in one of the greatest martial art tournaments, and pocketing money from the people, is strictly condemnable to me. I could have left you to Rajan… but I didn't. Because every being makes mistakes, every path can go astray. I helped you this time. But don't expect me to do it again. Next time, I will not stand by your side."
The officers bowed their heads, guilt flooding their faces. "You're right. It's our fault. We are guilty of what happened here."
Then, with loud voices that echoed across the hall, they turned to the crowd: "We apologise to everyone in this hall for what we have done to you. From now, the registration process will be extended from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.!"
The crowd erupted in cheer. Relief and joy spread like wildfire. For the first time, the hall felt united.
The officers, humbled, turned back to Karikalan. "Thank you… for making us realize our mistakes."
And in a gesture that shocked everyone, they registered Karikalan's name first — a mark of respect, and a silent acknowledgment that the boy who once trembled was now a man of strength and dharma.
The two walked away from the college grounds, the echoes of the incident still heavy in the air. Elara's face was twisted with anger as he turned to Rajan.
"Rajan… what happened? Why did you tremble against that brat? You're supposed to be the strongest in this college. Your fist can knock out any opponent. Tell me — what happened between you two?"
Rajan lowered his gaze, his voice heavy with unease. "Elara… he's not the same as he was five years ago. Even though his fist didn't touch me, I felt it. The shockwave of his punch struck the air itself — and it blew me back. I wasn't unconscious, but I was stirred, frozen. I think… this tournament will be tougher than I imagined."
Elara's eyes flared with rage. "Listen, you idiot. Why are you afraid of that brat? I know him. I know everything about that incident. But don't let fear conquer you. You are my right hand — my only best friend. If you fall, it's the same as me falling in this tournament. I entrust everything to you — my promise, my pride, my title. Don't isolate yourself with fear. Don't think about tomorrow. Think about the present. Me, our classmates, even Rani — we all believe in you. I want you to fight him, no matter what happens. Fight till the end. Even if you tremble. Even if your legs stir. Even if you faint — I will still support you until the end."
Rajan's eyes welled with emotion. He was both excited and saddened that Elara still believed in him despite his weakness.
"Elara… don't worry. I will do anything to win against that brat."
Elara smirked, his arrogance returning.
"Good. Then tomorrow, we begin training. I'll teach you some things myself."
The two walked into the fading light, their bond sealed by arrogance and loyalty. But beneath it all, the shadow of Karikalan's return loomed — a storm waiting to break.