While this was taking place in the Academy, far away on a hill that lay at the border of two royal families' territories, two groups of soldiers stood facing each other.
And then suddenly, a deep, commanding voice echoed across the area.
"Well, well... what a surprise! Today, the great third elder of the Sisodia family, Sushen himself, has graced the battlefield with his presence!"
The man speaking stepped out from the crowd of soldiers, and as he came forward, his figure gradually became clear.
He was an old man, dressed in black garments.
The moment Elder Sushen saw him, a complex expression appeared on his face—part shock, part fury.
With clenched fists and a scornful tone, he said:
"So it's you, old Teemar! No wonder I was hearing that endless nonsense just now.
Though I must say, I'm surprised to see you here."
The old man, Teemar, replied shamelessly, as if he hadn't even heard Sushen's words.
"It's been a long time, old Sushen. I thought you must have already gone to meet the gods by now.
But seeing you alive today... I must say, I'm disappointed.
Though perhaps it's for the best—you're still alive, and that means I still have a worthy enemy left in this world."
His tone carried the strange casualness of two old friends meeting after many years, yet everyone present knew the truth behind those words.
Their eyes revealed what their lips did not—they knew how deeply these two men hated each other.
After a moment, Teemar continued mockingly,
"Well then, tell me, what brings you here with so many soldiers?
Surely, you're not planning to attack us, are you?"
His expression turned sly and taunting as he spoke.
Elder Sushen, however, replied in a cold, steady voice.
"That is a question I should be asking you, Teemar.
What are you doing here with your men?
I didn't expect to see Mysore clan fighters among Gahlot soldiers.
Seems like the Gahlot family still hasn't learned from their past mistakes."
Before Elder Teemar could respond, the sound of laughter thundered across the air.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
Everyone turned toward the sound to see a man stepping forward.
His face was marked by a large scar, giving his expression a cruel, menacing edge.
Elder Sushen's eyes narrowed slightly, then widened in shock.
"Malkhan Singh! So you're here too—siding with the Gahlot family.
No wonder this old Teemar suddenly found some courage."
Sushen's voice trembled slightly with disbelief.
He hadn't imagined that a royal house like the Gahlots would ever stoop so low as to ally with the Mysore clan.
The Mysore clan—known throughout the lands as a tribe of looters and killers.
For them, raiding and murder were as ordinary as breathing.
And Malkhan Singh was no common member of that clan—he was one of its leaders, commanding his own faction.
His word alone was enough to send dozens into battle without hesitation.
Malkhan Singh laughed again, addressing Sushen.
"So, you're the famous Elder Sushen! I've heard quite a lot about your swordsmanship. But today—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His gaze had fallen on someone standing quietly beside Sushen.
The smirk vanished from his face, replaced by pure rage.
His eyes turned bloodshot as he shouted, pointing his finger in fury.
"Raktaab! You filthy wretch!
So you've been hiding here all this time!
And I've been hunting for you for so long!
Did you really think you could kill my brother and escape me?
You may have slipped through my hands that day—but today, I'll have your head!"
Raktaab, who had been silent until now, muttered under his breath,
"So, this is the one..."
Elder Sushen turned to him and asked,
"Raktaab, what is this man talking about? Do you know him?"
"Yes, Elder. I've fought him once before," Raktaab replied calmly.
Malkhan Singh growled, his teeth grinding in rage.
"So, you still remember me? Good.
Then you must also remember how you begged for your life after killing my brother!
That day, I swore I'd burn in revenge until I sent you to join him!
Only your death will bring peace to my brother's soul!"
Raktaab stepped forward, unfazed, and said coldly,
"Oh, so he was your brother?
To be honest, it doesn't matter to me whether he was yours or someone else's.
If he hadn't died by my hand, someone else would have killed him soon enough."
Furious beyond control, Malkhan Singh thrust out his hand—
a massive sphere of energy formed instantly, pulsing with earth energy.
He hurled it toward Raktaab.
Raktaab only smirked.
In an instant, he summoned a blood-red spear of energy and flung it to meet the attack.
The two powers collided mid-air, exploding with a deafening roar.
The ground trembled violently as a shockwave swept across the hill, scattering dust and debris everywhere.
When the smoke began to clear, both Raktaab and Elder Sushen were still standing firm.
Their soldiers, seeing this, regained some confidence.
Malkhan Singh's face twisted with rage at seeing his attack neutralized.
Elder Sushen shouted angrily,
"Malkhan Singh! Have you forgotten where you are?
You stand on our land—the Sisodia border!
Do you think the Sisodia family fears your Mysore clan?
Or that because you have the Gahlots behind you, you can do whatever you wish?"
Malkhan Singh's voice thundered in reply,
"Elder Sushen, I have no wish to disrespect your family.
But this man beside you murdered my brother.
Hand him over to me, and I give you my word—
I will not interfere in any matter between the Sisodias and the Gahlots!"
The Gahlot elder immediately snapped,
"Malkhan Singh! What nonsense is this?
How dare you make such an offer?"
But Malkhan said nothing, waiting calmly for Elder Sushen's response.
Sushen fell silent, his eyes thoughtful.
To him, the offer didn't sound entirely bad.
After all, he never truly liked Raktaab—especially because of the close favor Raktaab enjoyed from the family's leader.
Besides, Raktaab wasn't even a true member of the Sisodia bloodline.
Yet Sushen also knew that handing him over would draw the leader's wrath.
He hesitated for a moment—then made his decision.
Raktaab, however, grew tense.
He could see the conflict on Sushen's face, and it made his pulse quicken.
He knew many of the elders despised him.
If Sushen decided to surrender him, he'd be walking into certain death.
Even if he could defeat Malkhan Singh, he wouldn't stand a chance against all of them combined.
But the silence didn't last long.
Finally, Elder Sushen spoke.
"Malkhan Singh, no matter what grudge lies between you and Raktaab,
he is a commander of our allied Gahlot forces.
You can forget about us handing him over.
And besides, why should we believe your words?"
Malkhan's expression hardened.
"Very well, Elder. Then let's see how you fare against us!"
He turned toward Elder Teemar and said,
"Elder Teemar, if you help me kill Raktaab,
I swear on my clan's honor—your family alone will have full claim over the iron ore in these hills.
The Mysore clan will never touch it.
You have my word."
At this, Elder Teemar's angry eyes suddenly lit up.
The offer was too tempting.
He nodded slowly, and without another word, the armies of both houses advanced toward each other.
Moments later, the entire hill roared with the sound of clashing weapons and exploding powers.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Academy, Nivyansh and his friends were talking when they suddenly heard an announcement.
"Attention, attention!
All students are to assemble immediately in the main field.
An important announcement will be made shortly!"
The voice echoed across the Academy grounds, and students began rushing toward the field.
Nivyansh and his companions exchanged glances and started moving too.
Prashant asked,
"Nivyansh bro, what could this be about? Everyone looks so tense."
Vyomesh replied,
"I think it's about the upcoming Academy Competition."
"What?" both Nivyansh and Prashant exclaimed in surprise.
"But Vyomesh, how do you already know that?" Nivyansh asked curiously.
Vyomesh grinned.
"Oh, that's not all, Nivyansh bro. I've also heard that today, students' power levels will be tested.
Those who fail... will receive fewer resources this term."
By now, the three of them had reached the main field,
where hundreds of students had already gathered—each wondering the same thing:
What could be so important that they were all summoned here in such haste?
So, what will happen next?
What is this announcement that awaits them?
And will the fierce battle between Raktaab and Malkhan Singh bring a new twist to this story?
To find out, continue reading the next chapters of — The Heartless Warrior.