The Challenge

News of Arjun defeating the noble boy spread through the Gurukul like wildfire.

For the civilian students, it was an event worth celebrating. They had long been looked down upon by the noble students, treated as inferior simply because of their backgrounds. But now, one of their own had stood up and defeated a noble with ease. It was a small victory, but it meant everything to them.

Students whispered in the hallways.

"Did you hear? A first-year civilian is at the Third Realm of Body Tempering!"

"That noble got humiliated!"

"Finally! Someone who can stand up to them!"

Meanwhile, the noble faction was furious. The idea of a commoner being stronger than them was unacceptable. Nobles prided themselves on their elite bloodlines, their better resources, and their higher status. For a mere civilian to defeat one of them was an insult.

Since none of the first-year noble students could defeat Arjun, they decided to take a different approach—they reached out to the second-year students.

Their goal was clear.

Teach Arjun a lesson.

Arjun, unaware of their schemes, went about his day as usual.

After class, he walked toward the canteen, feeling a bit hungry. He hadn't eaten much since arriving at the Gurukul, and after all the training and meditation, he needed some food.

The canteen was a large open space where students could sit together and eat. As Arjun took his food and found an empty seat, he barely had time to sit down before—

CRASH!

A chair flew toward him, aimed directly at his side.

But Arjun's reflexes were too sharp. He shifted his weight slightly, avoiding the attack without even standing up.

A boy stood before him, smirking. He was tall and muscular, wearing the robes of a second-year student. His eyes were filled with arrogance.

The entire canteen fell silent. Students turned to watch the scene unfold.

Arjun's expression darkened as he looked at the boy. He wasn't angry at being attacked—he was angry at the sheer pettiness of it.

"Another noble, huh?"

He sighed and asked calmly, "Why are you doing this?"

The second-year student crossed his arms, smirking. "So you're the so-called genius civilian everyone is talking about?"

Arjun remained silent.

The boy chuckled. "You humiliated one of our noble brothers. That's unacceptable. You need to be put in your place."

Arjun's eyes narrowed. "So you attack me in the canteen?"

The boy sneered. "Fighting outside the arena is prohibited. Otherwise, I would have already beaten you up."

Arjun scoffed. He could tell this guy was arrogant, but he also wasn't stupid. If he was following the rules, then that meant he wasn't underestimating Arjun completely.

The boy took a step closer. "That's why I'm challenging you to a proper duel."

The tension in the canteen rose instantly.

Students started whispering.

"A second-year student is challenging Arjun?!"

"This is unfair!"

"That guy is at least in the Fourth Realm!"

Arjun's expression remained neutral. He had expected retaliation from the noble faction, but this was quicker than he thought.

The boy smirked. "Tomorrow morning. Fighting Arena. Don't be a coward."

Arjun stared at him for a few seconds, then simply nodded.

"Fine."

The boy smirked wider, satisfied. He turned and left, while the nobles laughed behind him.

But while the nobles mocked Arjun, the civilian students were furious.

They quickly rushed to Arjun, voicing their support.

"Arjun, you can't lose!"

"Show those arrogant nobles their place!"

"We'll all be there to support you!"

But Arjun simply ignored them. He had never cared for fame or attention.

Without another word, he finished his meal and walked back to his dorm.

Arjun returned to his room and sat cross-legged on his bed. Meditation was the key to his strength.

"Tomorrow, I'll be fighting a Fourth Realm cultivator."

Arjun closed his eyes, feeling the energy in his body. He had been trying to break through to the Fourth Realm, but there was a bottleneck.

The transition from the Third Realm to the Fourth was not easy.

His breathing slowed down, his body relaxed, and his mind focused on the energy flow within him.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through.

He sighed, opening his eyes.

"Not enough. I need more time."

Arjun knew forcing a breakthrough would be reckless. If he didn't succeed, he could damage his foundation. It was better to rest and go into the fight at his peak condition.

With that thought, he lay down on his bed.

Tomorrow was going to be interesting.