By the time Rudra turned seven, the palace had changed its rhythm.
Guards no longer lounged.
Ministers chose words carefully.
Nobles measured loyalty twice before speaking once.
The crown prince did not demand obedience.
He inspired vigilance.
—
[Dharma–Karma Chronicle: Influence Radius — Expanding]
—
Rudra's days were divided between study and training.
Politics in the morning.
Weapons in the afternoon.
Meditation at night—not to calm his mind, but to sharpen it.
He learned law to understand how it failed.
History to see how power rotted.
Strategy to know where mercy ended.
One evening, while sparring with his instructor, Rudra paused mid-strike.
"Someone is coming," he said.
The instructor frowned. "Your Highness?"
Too late.
The courtyard lights went out.
Silence fell like a blade.
Then—movement.
Five shadows dropped from the walls simultaneously.
Professional.
Disciplined.
Prepared to die.
The system reacted instantly.
—
[Threat Level: Critical]
[Multiple Assailants Detected]
[Authority Release: Restricted]
[Recommendation: Tactical Elimination]
—
Rudra inhaled.
He stepped forward.
Not running.
Not retreating.
The first assassin struck.
Rudra pivoted, wooden staff snapping upward with impossible precision. The man's throat collapsed before he hit the ground.
The second came from behind.
Rudra ducked, swept low, and drove a heel into the knee joint. Bone shattered.
The third hesitated.
That was his mistake.
Rudra's eyes met his.
The air thickened again.
—
[Authority Pulse — Focused]
[Effect: Paralysis (Mental)]
—
The assassin screamed without sound, mind crushed beneath invisible pressure.
Guards arrived moments later.
Blood stained the stones.
Rudra stood untouched.
When King Rajendra reached the courtyard, he did not scold his son.
He studied him.
"You will outgrow this palace," the king said quietly.
"Yes," Rudra replied.
That night, Parashuram returned.
No announcement.
No ceremony.
He stood beneath the moonlight, axe resting against his shoulder.
"You survived," he said.
"I adapted," Rudra corrected.
Parashuram laughed.
"Good. Then you are ready."
The system pulsed.
—
[Path Confirmed: Parashuram Training]
[Duration: 8 Years]
[Outcome Projection: Extreme Ascension]
—
Queen Sharmila wept quietly when she heard.
King Rajendra placed a hand on Rudra's shoulder.
"Return stronger," the king said. "Return as king."
Rudra bowed—not as a child.
As an heir.
As dawn broke, the crown prince left the palace.
No procession.
No farewell speeches.
Only purpose.
As the city vanished behind him, the system delivered a final note.
—
[Childhood Phase Complete]
[Next Phase: Ascension Through Trial]
Rudra did not look back.
The palace had taught him what power feared.
The mountains would teach him what power *required*.
-- chapter 5 ended --