While Nivyansh was still talking, suddenly a boy came running towards them and told them that some people were beating up Prashant mercilessly. Hearing this, Nivyansh and Vyomesh rushed in haste to that spot, where they saw a strong and muscular youth about to land a powerful punch on Prashant. Seeing this, Nivyansh immediately attacked him with his powers.
That youth had not expected such an attack. And above all, Nivyansh's strike came so suddenly that, in order to dodge it, the youth had to let go of Prashant and retreat a few steps. Meanwhile, Vyomesh, seeing Prashant in pain, quickly went to him and helped him stand up by supporting his injured body on his shoulder.
On the other side, when the two brothers caught sight of Nivyansh, both of them burned with rage. Pointing their fingers towards Nivyansh, they said to the muscular youth who was with them:
"Brother Javed, that's the boy we were looking for! Because of him we were punished and banned from entering important places of the academy."
Saying this, Hrithik and Hrutesh glared at Nivyansh with eyes full of murderous intent.
Seeing those two brothers, Nivyansh grew a little uneasy. He hadn't thought they would cause trouble for him so soon, nor that, failing to find him, they would target Prashant and torment him this way. But that wasn't the real problem—he already knew that sooner or later they would create trouble for him. What truly worried him was the boy who had come along with them. Just by looking at him, Nivyansh could feel some real danger.
That very youth, whom the brothers kept calling Brother Javed, grew angry at Nivyansh's sudden attack. Ever since he had joined this academy, no one had ever dared to strike him like this. Somewhere deep inside, his pride was hurt. And when he came to know that this was the boy because of whom his companions were banned from important areas of the academy, he was a little surprised too.
Nivyansh thought to himself, So this is the boy they told me about. Javed looked at him in fury, releasing the power of the Seventh Star of the Blood Circulation Rank. Green energies surged from his body, revealing his Wood Element powers. Yet even after showing his strength, he didn't move from his place.
Nivyansh, feeling the pressure of his power, grew worried in his heart. This opponent was no Fourth- or Fifth-Star warrior, but a Seventh-Star—someone he could not handle even with his enhanced strength.
Knowing all this, Nivyansh still stared into their eyes and asked:
"Why are you people troubling my friend like this? As for that day, the matter was already cleared long ago. So why are you harassing us again?"
Deep inside, he already knew the answer, which was soon revealed through their words.
"Boy, what do you think? That we'd forget the punishment we got because of you and your friend so easily? Even if I take your life here, my anger won't be satisfied. But… the academy's rules won't let us kill you. Still, I can cripple you and your friend so badly that you will never be able to walk again!"
Saying this, the cruelty in Hrithik's eyes was clearly visible.
Meanwhile, some junior students who saw Nivyansh confronting the senior students of the southern wing grew secretly excited. They stopped to enjoy the scene, whispering among themselves.
"Brother, I think today we're going to see some real entertainment here," one student said, his eyes filled with jealousy as he stared at Nivyansh. That boy was none other than a member of the Sisodia family.
"Yes, Vinay brother, you're right. But that boy Nivyansh is from your family too, isn't he? Then why aren't you helping him? Do you trust him so much that he can handle them alone?" the student asked, curious to know his answer.
Instead of replying, Vinay burst into laughter.
"Hahaha…"
Manish, the boy beside him, asked, "Why are you laughing? What did I say?"
Vinay held back his laughter and said,
"Sorry, I just couldn't stop myself after hearing your words. The boy you're talking about is nothing but trash!" Then he started laughing again.
"What? How is that possible?"
"It's absolutely true. His father has been a General in our family for years now, but his son—despite reaching the Ninth Star—still hasn't advanced into the Blood Circulation Rank, and never will. So tell me, how can such trash, who hasn't even reached Blood Circulation Rank, defeat someone stronger than him? Forget defeating—he won't even be able to last a few moments in front of them. Yet he dares to argue with seniors far stronger than himself! Why would I help him? Just wait and watch what these people do to him."
Vinay's face clearly showed the jealousy he held against Nivyansh, born from his good looks and attractive presence, which Vinay secretly envied.
Then another student recognized the seniors and said in surprise, "Hey, that's Senior Javed! Ranked 98th in the outer rankings! And the other two are Hrithik and Hrutesh! But why are they fighting here?"
Hearing this, Nivyansh clenched his fists in anger. His eyes then fell on Prashant, whose lips were still bleeding and who couldn't even stand properly. Seeing this, guilt gnawed at Nivyansh—he felt responsible for all of it.
Vyomesh, still supporting Prashant, also grew troubled hearing all this. He never liked getting involved in such matters, but he couldn't just stand by while his friends suffered. Yet he too had a big problem: he came from an auctioneer's family, who only dealt in trade, not battles. Which made him weak in fighting.
Meanwhile, Hrithik, fuming with rage, charged at Nivyansh, gathering flames in his fists. But unlike before, this time he didn't get too close, because he had already realized that Nivyansh was strong in close combat, and his body was tougher than most. So from a distance, unleashing his full power, he roared—
"Class One: Fire Punch!"
A flaming fist shot forward rapidly towards Nivyansh.
But Nivyansh, who had long wanted to test his powers, and who had already been burning with rage, did not try to dodge this time. Instead, he countered head-on, extending his golden energy-filled claw.
"Class Two: Divine Claw!"
A massive golden claw, shaped like a hand, surged forth, colliding with the fiery fist. This was a Class Two lower-grade technique. The golden claw smashed through Hrithik's attack and slammed directly into his chest. Hrithik was sent flying twenty feet away, spitting blood as he crashed to the ground.
The surrounding students who had expected to see Nivyansh and Prashant beaten were left stunned. Many couldn't believe their eyes—had they really just witnessed this, or were their eyes deceiving them?
Even Nivyansh himself was shocked. He couldn't believe that simply achieving the Blood Circulation Rank had made defeating someone like Hrithik so easy.
On the other side, Vinay and his companions stood speechless. Manish asked him,
"Brother, you just said he was stuck at the Ninth Star. Then how did he defeat someone stronger than him?"
"That's what I'm wondering too! Because that attack… no one below Blood Circulation Rank could pull that off. Which means this trash has actually achieved Blood Circulation Rank. But how is that possible?" Vinay muttered, his face showing disbelief and growing bitterness towards Nivyansh.
Nivyansh, however, was still savoring his victory over Hrithik when suddenly Javed, who had been silently controlling his anger until now, stepped forward.
"Boy, I must admit—you did well to defeat someone like Hrithik in just one move. But don't forget—he was my companion."
Saying this, Javed didn't give Nivyansh any chance to reply. He instantly launched a powerful punch. Nivyansh hurriedly raised his palm to block, but the force of the strike pushed him back several steps.
From just that single blow, Nivyansh realized the strength of his opponent. His fists were already going numb.
But Javed didn't stop there—he unleashed a relentless barrage of punches. Nivyansh could do nothing but desperately defend himself, managing only the occasional counter, all of which failed one after another.
Finally, one heavy punch landed squarely on Nivyansh's chest, sending him flying several feet away. Blood gushed from his mouth as he hit the ground.
From this single strike, Nivyansh realized why Javed was ranked 98th in the outer rankings.
Coughing blood, he somehow managed to get back on his feet.
Watching all this, Vinay felt overjoyed. But his joy did not last long.
Because suddenly, a heavy voice thundered across the place—
"What is going on here?"
Everyone froze.
So what will happen next?
Will Nivyansh be able to face Javed?
And whose powerful voice was that?
To know the answers, keep following—
The Heartless Warrior.