Chapter 5

Karthikeya entered the chamber, which, though spacious, did not match the grandeur of his former quarters in Thanjavur.

Seated within the chamber, Karthikeya found no respite, as pressing tasks awaited completion, particularly the daily mission from the system. Despite his fatigue, he resolved to finish it, considering that the system's loading icon was nearly complete. Today's exercises, or at most another day's session, would likely activate the system.

Taking a moment to meditate, fifteen minutes slipped by as he calmed both mind and body, preparing himself for Thulasi's arrival with his wine. As expected, a knock at the door preceded Thulasi's request for entry. "Enter," Karthikeya beckoned, and Thulasi, accompanied by a few servants, filed in, bearing barrels of wine.

"Leave them in the corner," Karthikeya instructed, pointing to a spot as the servants exited the chamber. Noticing Thulasi who didn't leave and stood with hesitat, glancing at Karthikeya with concern.

"Speak if you have something to say, Thulasi," Karthikeya prompted, sensing her hesitation.

"That... Your Highness Karthikeya, Lord Marthanda asked me not to provide His Highness with wine," Thulasi spoke with a hesitant and stuttering voice, clearly nervous about delivering the message.

"Oh, then why did you bring the wine?" Karthikeya inquired, a smile gracing his lips.

"Because, as your loyal subject, I cannot refuse your command, no matter the weight of the sin I bear in fulfilling it," Thulasi replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Thulasi, I understand your concerns, and I assure you, you have done nothing wrong. Trust in your king; have faith in me, I consume this wine as a part of my training. Please convey my promise to Marthanda that within two days, I will completely abandon this practice," Karthikeya declared with conviction.

"Yes, Your Highness, Karthikeya," Thulasi replied, surprised by the determination in Karthikeya's words. She turned to leave as Karthikeya approached the barrels. He began consuming the wine one after another, drinking as if it were water.

Standing to open area Karthikeya started his partice, his movements were precise and forceful, each punch, kick, and maneuver generating a strong current of air. With time, his body began to heat up, leading to a slight reddening of his skin as the perspiration rapidly evaporated.

Half an hour passed, and Karthikeya felt an imminent breakthrough, as if he were on the brink of shattering a barrier before him. With his persistence, the sensation intensified, gradually taking on a more tangible form. Executing a distinct standing punch, he heard a faint "tug" reverberate throughout his body, accompanied by a surge of warm energy coursing through him, permeating every limb, muscle, vein, and bone.

With the breach of the intangible barrier, a thread-like energy began circulating within Karthikeya's body, nourishing his bones, muscles, veins, and organs from within. A profound sense of tranquility enveloped his mind, easing his being, while his focus remained fixed on the system panel, the loading icon having undergone its first-ever transformation in the past two years, marking a moment of achievement.

(Ding!)

(Congratulations to the host for completing the beginner's mission. The host's physique has met the binding conditions.)

(Does the host wish to bind with the system?)

"Bind!" Karthikeya declared without hesitation, having anticipated the system's arrival for an extended period, the toil of countless days leading up to this moment.

(Binding process initiated....)

(Binding in progress...)

"Ah!!" Karthikeya gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to scream as tearing pain coursed through his muscles. Conscious of the need for silence to avoid drawing attention, he muffled his cries by biting down hard on a silk cloth, the strain evident as he knelt on the wooden floor. His eyes reddened, veins pulsating beneath his skin as though on the brink of rupture.

Gradually, the agony began to ebb, allowing him a moment to collect himself and draw deep breaths. Abruptly, a notification from the system seized his attention.

(Binding progress....99%)

As the message flashed, a new wave of excruciating pain swept through him, this time penetrating beyond the physical realm, as if tormenting his very soul. His body verged on paralysis, convulsing in an undignified display on the floorboards.

He could feel two streams of energy one soothing his pain and keeping him same while the other tearing his sanity.

"Ha... ha... ha!" Gasping, Karthikeya spat out the blood and saliva-soaked silk cloth, his body trembling and numbed from the ordeal.

"Finally!" Karthikeya said as he let out a deep breath.

(Ding!)

(Binding progress...100%)

(All system functions active and operational)

(Does the host wish to activate the system?)

"What! It's not over yet," Karthikeya muttered under his breath, almost petrified and disgruntled by the prolonged suffering he had endured.

(Ding! The host need not to worry, activating the system will not cause any physical or spiritual impact on the host.)

"Oh! Then, that's Comforting" Karthikeya exhaled, his features relaxing.

Regaining composure and steadying his still-twitching body, he settled into a seated position, instructing, "Activate the system."

Upon Karthikeya's confirmation, the system began preparations for its activation.

(Ding! Activating system core functions)

(Connecting to kingdom...)

(Connection successful, the system has connected to the Kingdom of Anuradhapura successfully)

(Loading functions, congratulations to the host for activating the system)

(System shop inactive) {requirements not met}

(System quest tab active)

(Resource dimension connected)

"What!" Karthikeya exclamed, " Why is the kingdom not Chola but Anuradhapuram?" Karthikeya inquired, perturbed by the unexpected revelation.

(Ding! The host is currently the king of the Kingdom of Anuradhapuram and is only a vassal to the Chola empire)

"Damn!" Karthikeya swore, immediately seeking clarification from the system, "Can I change this kingdom in any way?"

(Ding! Affirmative, host, you cannot change the kingdom but the host have two alternatives methods.

• Become king of Chola through tricks or conquest and assimilate the territory to your kingdoms.

• Change the name of the kingdom, do note that the host can only change the kingdom's name once every decade.)

"The second option wasn't vof any use, and the first would be challenging as Karthikeya knew his father had already decided to crown his elder brother Rajendra Chola and knowing his father he knew that once his father take a take a decision it's very hard to alter them," Karthikeya muttered to himself.

Karthikeya understood that he couldn't find a solution anytime soon and decided to address such matters at a later date, as he had more pressing concerns at the moment.

(Ding! Do mind host activation of the system will cause the host to be permanently connected to the Kingdom's prosperity and adversity)