The results of the first trial sent ripples through the gathered crowd like a stone thrown into still water.
Shiv Verma — the so-called disgrace of the Varma bloodline — had passed.
Not just passed, but with his Mulādhāra chakra fully stabilized, the crimson serpent-shaped resonance burned brighter than most. The very altar that had rejected dozens of aspirants lit up with ancient approval at his touch.
For a long moment, the entire arena was quiet.
Devraj's smirk was gone, replaced with a clenched jaw. Arjun's brow furrowed as he watched Shiv walk past, expression calm as ever.
"He… he actually awakened it?" Devraj muttered.
Arjun narrowed his eyes. "He didn't just awaken it. That glow… it was completely stable. He's had control for days, maybe weeks."
Another voice chimed in from their group — Nalin, tall and lean, known for his agility-based techniques. "So he was hiding this from us all along…"
"But still," Arjun said, regaining his composure, "It's just the base chakra. Nothing compared to us."
Devraj nodded. "Right. I've awakened the Svādhiṣṭhāna, my second gate. Shiv's nowhere near."
The initial shock began to fade, replaced by a resurgent wave of arrogance from the so-called prodigies. Let the cripple have his moment — it would end in the next round.
---
The elders began calling participants forward for the Test of Force — the Iron Wall Challenge.
One by one, the clan's young talents stepped forward.
Nalin, with his lithe form, struck first — his punch leaving a noticeable crack near the edge of the black stone. Modest cheers followed.
Next came Ravindra, brawny and hot-blooded, who let out a battle roar before slamming his fist. A deep dent formed.
Then Parth, cold and calm, whose precision allowed a clean, sharp impression in the very center.
Finally, Devraj and Arjun approached — not together, but back-to-back, like inevitable titans claiming their due.
Devraj let his chakra flare visibly around his body, golden-orange flames dancing over his shoulders as he slammed the wall with explosive force. A loud THUD rang out — a large depression appeared.
Arjun followed. His energy flowed with fluid grace, the second chakra's water-like essence coiling around his arm. He struck clean and strong — and to everyone's awe, left an identical imprint beside Devraj's.
A murmur passed through the crowd. "They're evenly matched…"
One elder whispered, "The future of the clan lies in these two."
But then — Shiv's name was called.
He stepped forward, silent, calm, his Dark Fury Staff strapped behind him. No display of aura. No explosive chakra storm. Just quiet steps and a straight gaze.
The crowd snickered. "He made it past the first trial. Good. Now let the wall break him."
"Does he even have the strength to punch?"
"Maybe he'll sprain his wrist."
Shiv placed the staff gently aside and cracked his knuckles. He closed his eyes, breath steadying.
Inside, he called upon the Nāga-Tejas, carefully as he had learned.
Only a portion, he reminded himself. Any more, and the wall will shatter completely. That would raise more questions than I can answer right now.
Fiery energy danced through his veins — not loud, but deep, ancient. He channeled it into his arm. His hand pulsed with barely-contained energy.
Then — he struck.
BOOM!
Not a dent.
Not a crack.
But a gaping hole, clean through the obsidian wall.
The impact left a wave of scorched wind in its wake. Dust exploded from the edges. The wall trembled slightly… and silence engulfed the arena.
No one spoke. No one breathed.
"W-What?" someone choked out.
"That… that wasn't just a hit! He pierced the wall!"
"Only someone with the Maṇipūra chakra — the third gate — could do that!"
"But he only opened his base! How is this possible?!"
Even the elders at the panel looked at each other, stunned. The judge holding the scoring tablet dropped it slightly.
Devraj's mouth hung open.
Arjun stepped forward, voice low. "That… wasn't chakra alone. What kind of power was that?"
And atop the dais, Mahādev Varma — usually a bastion of composure — raised an eyebrow for the first time.
He spoke, voice slow, deliberate. "Interesting."
Then came the backlash.
A few senior members stepped forward, fuming.
"This is not natural strength!"
"He's using some corrupt power!"
"Maybe he's possessed — or worse, consorting with demonic arts!"
Others joined in, voices rising.
Shiv didn't react — only met their accusations with a tired but patient stare.
Mahādev raised a single hand.
The arena froze.
His voice dropped like thunder.
"Enough."
The murmuring ceased instantly.
"I hear your accusations. But I see no evidence."
He turned his gaze, sharp as a blade, toward the dissenters.
"And in this clan — strength defines the right to speak. If you claim this boy cheats, then bring your proof. Or else…" he paused, his eyes glowing faintly, "hold your tongues, or risk your lives."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Mahādev looked at Shiv one last time.
"So. You were not the sheep we believed."
Shiv, calm but firm, replied, "No, I was just silent. Until now."
---