The Brewing Storm

The training hall was buzzing with tension. Every student present—whether noble or civilian—had their eyes glued to the two figures standing in the center of the room.

Arjun and Damien.

The weight of their conversation hung in the air.

"Another battle? So soon after Arjun's victory?"

"Damien isn't just any noble… he's in the Fifth Realm of Body Tempering!"

"Can Arjun really stand a chance against him?"

Whispers filled the hall, but Arjun remained calm. He could see the sharpness in Damien's gaze—a fighter's eyes, someone who had trained hard, someone confident in his strength.

"This guy is leagues above Jay Shetty," Arjun thought.

His instincts screamed at him that Damien was dangerous.

But Arjun wasn't afraid.

He smirked. "So, you want to fight me now?"

Damien chuckled. "Not yet."

The crowd around them collectively exhaled, some students visibly relaxing.

"I like to fight at my best," Damien continued, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "And right now, you're still adjusting to your new strength. It wouldn't be fun if I crushed you too easily."

Arjun's smirk widened. "Big words. But you assume you'd win."

Damien simply shrugged. "I don't assume. I know."

The sheer confidence in his voice made the noble students grin.

"Cocky civilian," one of them muttered.

But the civilians weren't backing down. They had seen Arjun's strength firsthand.

One of them shouted, "Arjun beat Jay in one punch! What makes you think you'll be different?"

Damien turned his gaze toward the student and chuckled. "Jay was arrogant. He thought being one realm ahead was enough. I know better."

His attention returned to Arjun.

"In three days, let's settle this in the arena," Damien said. "That should give you enough time to adjust to your breakthrough."

Arjun crossed his arms. "And what if I say no?"

Damien raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll just find other ways to make you fight."

The message was clear. If Arjun refused, the noble faction would make his life hell.

He sighed, stretching his arms. "Fine. Three days it is."

The students erupted in excitement.

"A fight between Arjun and Damien?! This is going to be insane!"

"Can Arjun really beat someone in the Fifth Realm?"

"No matter what happens, this will be a historic battle!"

As Arjun returned to his room, Zhao Yufeng and Zhao Yufei were already waiting for him.

"Arjun!" Yufeng rushed up to him. "Are you crazy?! Damien is in the Fifth Realm!"

Yufei, usually calm, also looked concerned. "He's not like Jay Shetty. Damien is strong."

Arjun sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "You think I don't know that?"

"Then why did you agree?" Yufeng asked.

Arjun looked at him seriously. "Because I had no choice."

The room fell silent.

Yufei frowned. "You mean… he would have forced you anyway?"

Arjun nodded. "If I refused, he would've found ways to corner me. It's better to fight him head-on rather than deal with constant harassment."

Yufeng sighed. "I get it, but… can you win?"

Arjun didn't answer immediately. He sat on his bed, deep in thought.

"Damien is in the Fifth Realm. That means his physical strength, stamina, and energy are all above mine."

"But something happened to me when I broke through… my strength feels different. I need to figure out exactly what changed."

He clenched his fists.

"If I want to stand a chance, I need to train harder than ever before."

Yufei sat beside him. "What's the plan?"

Arjun took a deep breath. "For the next three days, I'm going to push my body to its limit. I need to understand my new strength and refine my techniques."

Yufeng grinned. "Then we'll help."

Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Help?"

Yufei nodded. "You're fighting against a Fifth Realm cultivator. You can't afford to train alone."

Yufeng smirked. "We'll be your sparring partners!"

Arjun chuckled. "Alright, but don't cry if I hit too hard."

Yufeng scoffed. "Tch. We'll see who ends up crying!"

For the next two days, Arjun trained harder than ever.

He sparred with Yufeng and Yufei, pushing his reflexes and combat skills to the next level.He tested his strength against heavy boulders, lifting and striking them to understand the true extent of his power.He ran through the dense forest outside the Gurukul, dodging trees and branches, sharpening his agility.He meditated for hours, trying to connect with the mysterious golden energy within him.

Through all this, one thing became clear—his body had transformed.

His movements were faster. His strikes carried more force. His energy reserves were far greater than before.

And the golden symbol in his consciousness… it seemed to be getting stronger.

But he still didn't fully understand what it was.

"There's more to this power… but I don't have time to figure everything out now."

All he could do was keep training.

The sun rose, casting a golden glow over the Gurukul.

Students from all classes flooded toward the fighting arena.

This wasn't just another fight—it was the most anticipated battle of the year.

Arjun vs. Damien.

The nobles were confident.

"Damien is in the Fifth Realm. Arjun doesn't stand a chance."

"Civilians get lucky sometimes, but this time, reality will put them back in their place."

The civilians, however, believed in Arjun.

"He broke through mid-battle last time. Maybe he can do it again!"

"If anyone can defeat a noble, it's him!"

Inside the waiting area, Arjun was adjusting the wrappings on his hands when Yufeng and Yufei walked in.

"You ready?" Yufei asked.

Arjun grinned. "Always."

Yufeng smirked. "Then go out there and show that noble bastard what a real fighter looks like."

With that, Arjun stepped into the arena.

Damien was already waiting. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp.

"You actually showed up," Damien said with a smirk.

"I keep my promises," Arjun replied.

The referee stepped forward.

"Both fighters, introduce yourselves!"

Damien stepped forward. "Damien Veras, Third Year, Fifth Realm of Body Tempering."

Arjun followed. "Arjun, First Year, Fourth Realm of Body Tempering."

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"Arjun made it to the Fourth Realm!"

"But will it be enough against Damien?"

The referee raised his hand. "BEGIN!"

BOOM!

Damien exploded forward with inhuman speed.

Arjun barely dodged as a fist grazed past his face, sending a shockwave through the air.

"He's fast! Not normal fifth realm cultivator."

Arjun countered with a quick punch to Damien's ribs, but—

BAM!

Damien caught his fist with ease.

"Tsk." Damien clicked his tongue. "You're strong… but not strong enough."

Before Arjun could react, Damien kicked him in the chest.

WHAM!

Arjun flew backward, crashing against the ground.

The civilians gasped.

"Arjun!"

But Arjun wasn't done yet.

He got back up.

Damien raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Still standing?"

Arjun wiped the blood from his lips and grinned. "That all you got?"

Damien's smirk disappeared.

"You really don't know when to quit."

The two fighters locked eyes.