The morning sun slowly rose above Mount Mahendra.
Golden light spread across the ashram.
Birds chirped softly while a cool breeze moved through the tall trees.
But the peaceful atmosphere did not last long.
Because today—
Parshuram had decided something.
Karna stood in the training field with his bow.
His body had become stronger over the past weeks.
His movements were sharper.
Faster.
More precise.
Parshuram stood across from him with a wooden training axe resting on his shoulder.
His eyes were serious.
Very serious.
"Karna."
Karna bowed slightly.
"Yes, Guru."
Parshuram spoke calmly.
"From today… your training enters the final stage."
Karna's eyes sharpened.
Inside his mind—
'Final stage already?'
Parshuram continued.
"You have learned control."
"You have learned endurance."
"Now you must learn battle instinct."
He pointed toward Karna's bow.
"Fight me."
Karna froze for a second.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'A direct battle with Guru again.'
But this time—
He felt stronger.
Karna slowly lifted his bow.
An arrow appeared between his fingers.
Golden energy began gathering around him.
Across the field—
Parshuram stepped forward.
His movements were calm.
But terrifying.
"Begin."
The moment the word left his mouth—
Karna fired.
WHOOSH!
The arrow moved like lightning.
But Parshuram tilted his head slightly.
The arrow passed beside him.
Karna fired again.
And again.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Multiple arrows rushed toward Parshuram.
But the sage moved effortlessly.
Every arrow missed.
Inside Karna's mind—
'His movement… is incredible.'
Suddenly Parshuram disappeared.
Karna's eyes widened.
Before he could react—
THUD!
A wooden staff struck his shoulder.
Karna rolled across the ground.
Dust filled the air.
But this time—
Karna did not panic.
He stood up instantly.
His eyes became calm.
Focused.
Golden light gathered around his bow again.
But stronger this time.
SOLAR ARROW RAIN
Dozens of arrows filled the sky.
They rained down toward Parshuram like falling sunlight.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions echoed across the training field.
Smoke covered the ground.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then a voice came from the smoke.
"Better."
Parshuram stepped out.
Not a single injury.
But his smile was wider.
Inside his mind—
'He forced me to move seriously.'
Karna breathed heavily.
But he did not lower his bow.
Inside his mind—
'I can still fight.'
Suddenly—
DING
The system appeared.
COMBAT INSTINCT AWAKENING
New Skill Unlocked:
Sun Warrior Reflex
Effects:
• Faster reaction speed
• Improved battle prediction
• Enhanced movement during combat
Karna's senses sharpened instantly.
The world around him felt slower.
Parshuram moved again—
But this time Karna reacted faster.
He dodged the strike.
Even Parshuram looked slightly surprised.
Then the sage laughed loudly.
"Excellent!"
"This is what I wanted to see!"
Not far away…
Vrinda watched the battle from behind a tree again.
Her hands were tightly clasped.
Every time Karna was hit—
Her heart skipped.
Inside her mind—
'Please don't get hurt…'
Meanwhile…
Far from the ashram.
A group of horses moved quickly through the forest path.
Royal banners fluttered in the wind.
At the front rode a young prince.
Tall.
Proud.
Confident.
Duryodhana.
One of the soldiers spoke.
"Prince, the ashram should be near."
Duryodhana looked toward the distant mountain.
A smile appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'A warrior trained by Parshuram…'
'I must see him with my own eyes.'
Back at the ashram—
The battle between Karna and Parshuram finally stopped.
Karna stood breathing heavily.
Sweat covered his body.
Parshuram looked satisfied.
"You have grown greatly."
Karna bowed.
"Your training made it possible, Guru."
The sage turned toward the sky.
The sun was now high above them.
Then he spoke something unexpected.
"Karna."
"Soon you will leave this ashram."
Karna looked surprised.
Inside his mind—
'Leave?'
Parshuram continued.
"Your destiny lies beyond this mountain."
"In kingdoms…"
"In wars…"
"In history."
Karna looked toward the bright sun.
Inside his mind—
'The world beyond…'
A small smile appeared on his face.
'I'm ready.'
But at that exact moment—
A royal horn echoed through the forest.
HOOOOORN!
Both Karna and Parshuram turned toward the forest path.
Several horses were approaching.
Royal soldiers.
And at their front—
A young prince.
Duryodhana had arrived.