The island seemed peaceful in the early morning, but Mukul sensed the tension immediately. Today, the twenty masters had planned their first real-life survival encounter—a simulated attack by a wild beast, designed to test their reflexes, elemental mastery, and combat strategy under pressure.
Li Wei stood beside him, his calm presence reassuring. "Mukul, this beast is not ordinary. It will test your instincts, your control, and your ability to combine what you have learned. Trust yourself."
Mukul's small hands clenched, and his heart pounded. He had faced mechanical predators and simulated hazards before, but this challenge was different—it felt alive. Aria Nakamura handed him a small staff and whispered, "Your skills are enough. Remember you're training and stay aware of every detail."
As he stepped into the clearing, the ground trembled. From the dense foliage, a massive creature emerged, blending features of the island's native predators. Its eyes glowed with energy, and its movements were swift and unpredictable. Mukul froze for a heartbeat, then remembered the lessons of his masters: adapt, observe, and integrate.
Amara Nkrumah's rhythmic drumming echoed in his mind. Mukul focused, channelling wind and water to sense the beast's movements, using earth energy to stabilise himself, and fire to sharpen his reflexes. The creature lunged. Mukul leapt aside, rolling gracefully, feeling the elements flow through him.
The beast attacked again, faster this time, and Mukul realised brute force alone wouldn't work. Drawing on Rajveer Singh's inner-strength techniques and Aria's shadow movements, he used a combination of swift martial arts strikes and elemental bursts, forcing the beast back temporarily. He could feel the rhythm of its energy, almost like a dance, and began anticipating its attacks.
Suddenly, the beast's roar created a shockwave. Viktor Volkov's frost energy and Thiago Oliveira's agility techniques flashed through Mukul's mind. He twisted mid-air, using a gust of wind to lift him from the ground and land safely behind a boulder. The creature's strikes smashed the earth, sending tremors, but Mukul held his stance, integrating every skill he had learned.
Diego Ramirez's dual-blade combat inspired Mukul's strategy. Though he had no actual weapons, he mimicked the movements with energy strikes, creating illusions and misdirects that disoriented the beast. Khadija Al-Farsi's stealth and illusion training allowed him to vanish briefly, reappearing in a safer position.
The beast circled, growling, testing his limits. Mukul's mind raced—he remembered Isabella Rossi's fluidity in movements and Camil Vargas's energy control. Combining their teachings, he created a balanced flow of elements, dodging, striking, and countering with precision. Each attack and defence blended seamlessly, a testament to his growing mastery.
Minutes felt like hours. Sweat dripped down his face, muscles burned, and his small body ached, but he never faltered. Finally, sensing a perfect moment, Mukul summoned a concentrated burst of wind and fire, amplified with earth stability. The blast created a barrier that forced the creature back into a simulated cage, ending the trial without harm.
The clearing went silent. Mukul panted, mud-streaked and exhausted, yet a triumphant smile spread across his face. He had faced a living threat, combined all his training, and emerged victorious. For the first time, he truly felt the depth of his power—not just his physical and elemental abilities, but his mind, strategy, and instinct working in harmony.
Li Wei stepped forward, a rare smile breaking his usual stoic demeanour. "Mukul, today you didn't just survive—you commanded, adapted, and triumphed. You are learning to think, act, and lead even at your age."
Aria nodded, pride in her eyes. "This is what makes a master: the ability to remain calm, integrate knowledge, and act decisively. Mukul, today you've proven you can handle real challenges, not just training simulations."
Mukul's chest heaved, adrenaline still rushing, but a quiet confidence settled within him. He had faced danger, survived, and applied everything the masters had taught him. The island was no longer just a place of lessons—it had become a proving ground for his strength, intelligence, and courage.
As the creature returned safely to its enclosure, Mukul looked at the horizon. He knew bigger challenges were coming, but for the first time, he felt truly ready. His journey of growth, mastery, and adventure was only beginning—and he was eager to face whatever lay ahead.