Morning sunlight slowly spread across Mount Mahendra.
The forest was quiet.
Only the sound of wind moving through the trees could be heard.
Karna stood in the training ground, his bow resting in his hand.
Bruises from yesterday's battle with Parshuram were still visible on his body.
But his eyes remained calm and focused.
Inside his mind—
'Fighting Guru directly showed me how big the gap still is.'
'But I will close that gap.'
Footsteps approached.
Parshuram walked into the clearing.
Today he carried something unusual.
A long wooden chest.
He placed it on the ground carefully.
Karna looked at it with curiosity.
Parshuram opened the chest slowly.
Inside were several ancient scrolls and weapons.
Old arrows.
Strange talismans.
Sacred carvings covered them.
Even the air around the chest felt powerful.
Parshuram spoke calmly.
"Yesterday you proved your endurance."
"Today you will begin learning the knowledge of ancient weapons."
Karna's eyes sharpened.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
Parshuram picked up one of the scrolls.
The paper looked extremely old.
He unrolled it slowly.
"These are the mantras of astras."
"Most warriors cannot even understand them."
He looked directly at Karna.
"But you might."
Karna stepped closer.
Strange symbols filled the scroll.
But surprisingly…
They felt familiar.
Inside his mind—
'The system must be helping me understand this.'
Suddenly the system appeared.
DING
KNOWLEDGE ABSORBED
New Skill:
ASTRA THEORY – LEVEL 1
Effects:
• Faster Astra learning
• Better energy control
• Ability to understand divine mantras
Karna smiled slightly.
'Perfect.'
Parshuram watched him carefully.
"Repeat the mantra."
Karna closed his eyes and spoke the words slowly.
Golden energy faintly gathered around his body.
Parshuram's eyes widened slightly.
Inside his mind—
'He understood it immediately?'
Parshuram nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
Then he pointed toward a large stone target.
"Now combine the mantra with your Solar Astra."
Karna took a deep breath.
He placed an arrow on the bowstring.
The warmth of the sun flowed into him again.
Golden light gathered around the arrow.
This time the energy felt more stable.
More controlled.
He released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
BOOM!
The arrow exploded against the stone target.
But instead of scattering wildly…
The energy remained focused.
The stone shattered cleanly.
Parshuram crossed his arms.
A proud expression appeared.
"Your control improved already."
Karna bowed respectfully.
"Your teachings are excellent, Guru."
Meanwhile…
Hidden near the edge of the forest…
Vrinda watched the training again.
Her eyes sparkled with amazement.
'His arrows shine like sunlight…'
She smiled softly.
'Karna is really incredible.'
Suddenly a small branch snapped beneath her foot.
CRACK!
Karna immediately turned.
His warrior instincts activated instantly.
He fired an arrow toward the sound.
WHOOSH!
The arrow landed in the tree beside Vrinda.
Stopping just inches away.
Vrinda froze.
Her face turned pale.
"I-It's me!"
Karna relaxed immediately.
He walked toward her.
"You shouldn't hide near a training ground."
Vrinda scratched her head awkwardly.
"Sorry…"
Then she looked at him excitedly.
"But your training is amazing!"
Karna chuckled slightly.
"It's mostly painful."
She laughed.
"Still impressive."
Behind them, Parshuram watched quietly.
A small smirk appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'Youth…'
But he didn't interrupt.
At that moment—
The system appeared again.
DING
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED
SOLAR ASTRA – LEVEL 2
Effects:
• Stronger solar arrows
• Faster energy gathering
• Increased attack range
Karna felt another surge of power.
His connection to the sun became even stronger.
Inside his mind—
'My power is growing quickly.'
Far away…
In the royal palace of Hastinapur…
Prince Duryodhana sat in the royal hall.
The traveler from yesterday continued speaking.
"That young warrior is unlike anyone I have seen."
"Even Parshuram praises him."
Duryodhana leaned forward.
Interest filled his eyes.
"A warrior praised by Parshuram?"
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'I must meet this man.'
Back on Mount Mahendra…
The sun slowly moved toward the afternoon sky.
Karna stood once again in the training field.
His bow ready.
His eyes filled with determination.
Inside his mind—
'This is only the beginning.'