The waiting room felt as heavy as cold iron. It was packed with top 1st-year students from Class B to AA. Shiv sat in a corner, staring at his fists, when Piya from Class BB approached Kavya.
"Nice seeing you, Kavya," Piya said with a mocking smile.
Kavya narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here, Piya?"
"The same thing everyone's waiting for... a fight!"
Kavya replied coolly, "But how are you gonna fight? You're such a coward."
Piya's face flushed red with anger. She unleashed her martial arts skill—a 'Night Kick' slicing toward Kavya's face. But Drup Rathore from Class B jumped in and blocked it with his hand.
"Fighting in the waiting room is banned," Drup said calmly but firmly. "Class BB or A, rules are the same for everyone." Tears welled in Piya's eyes—Shiv noticed them sharply—but she quietly returned to her seat.
Drup introduced himself to Kavya as Class B's No. 1 student. She ignored him. Then Krishna Verma (Class AA's top 4) walked over to Shiv.
"So you're Aryaman Chandravanshi's son?" Krishna asked.
Shiv looked up, eyes steady. "Yeah, I'm Shiv Chandravanshi."
Drup (surprised): "Chandravanshi? Aryaman Chandravanshi's son?"
Shiv confirmed. Then Drup dropped a bombshell.
Drup: "And you cleared Level-5 of the Trial Room."
Krishna and Kavya were stunned but skeptical.
Kavya: "You're joking, right?"
Krishna: "Drup, you're buying this?"
Drup: "Ask Shiv."
Shiv: "Yeah, I cleared Level-5. Just a Trial Room."
His casual vibe convinced them. Krishna's face darkened.
Krishna: "You don't get it, idiot! That room's for 2nd-years to train their Third chakra. 1st-years die instantly—they're only on the first chakra!"
Shiv smirked. "Guess Sir made me a 'test subject.'"
Kavya muttered, "Knew Sir was a psychopath."
Suddenly, the announcer boomed: "From Waiting Room No. 3, Meera Jael! From No. 4, Kavya Agnihotri! To the ring!"
Kavya headed out. Shiv called, "Good luck, Kavya."
She blushed slightly. "Don't need it," and left.
Shiv and Drup watched on the wall monitor.
Shiv: "How'd you know about the Trial Room and Level-5?"
Drup: "My big bro told me—Vasu Rathore."
Shiv: "Vasu Rathore? So that's his full name!"
The match began in the ring. Kavya was a Muay Thai master. Meera specialized in 'Flash' Singnater skills.
Referee: "Fight!"
Kavya activated her first-chakra and unleashed an explosive kick. Meera blocked with her arms, but Kavya's chakra energy cracked the concrete floor beneath them—crunch!
Meera instantly triggered her Signature Skill 'Flashing Eye.' A blinding white light flashed—Kavya went fully blind.
Thud!
Meera's heavy kick slammed Kavya's ribs. A dry wood-snapping crack! echoed through the arena. Blood streamed from Kavya's mouth as she staggered.
Kavya steadied and backed off 6 meters. Vision blurry, pain excruciating, she smirked: "Your skill only works in a 5-meter range... Got your weakness!"
Meera laughed and charged. Kavya advanced with eyes closed. Meera thought she'd surrendered. "You get it—you're done!"
As Meera closed in, Kavya opened her eyes and hit 'Static Stop' Signature Skill. Meera froze like stone. Kavya struck, but Meera blocked last-second. Still, the damage was deep.
Meera (groaning): "Your hits are weakening! Game over!"
In victory frenzy, Meera lunged wildly—and closed her eyes. Her 'Flashing Light' barrier vanished.
Kavya: "This is my shot!"
Kavya poured her remaining chakra into another 'Static Stop.' Meera hung frozen mid-air for two seconds. Kavya blitzed behind her and slammed a brutal kick into her back.
Crack! (Horrific sound near Meera's spine)
Meera flew airborne. Kavya leaped up and unleashed "Nakshatra Strike: Chandra-Explosion Kick" combo. Punches and kicks rained down like stones—thwack! bam! pow! Finally, a devastating kick to Meera's gut—boom!
Meera crashed to the ground like a bullet, flat on her back—unconscious and broken. The floor was deeply cratered.
Referee: "Winner: Kavya Agnihotri!"
Kavya returned to the waiting room, drenched in sweat and bruises.
Shiv handed her water. "You lit the ring on fire, Kavya."
She blushed, taking it. "Just a warm-up."
Drup prodded, "But why so banged up?"
Kavya glared. "Shut it?"
Shiv smiled at the monitor. A new glint in his eyes. He knew his turn was coming