Everyone returned to house expect Rudra
**Gan Mu:**
"Where did Rudra go?"
**Parshu Si:**
"Someone from Class B came to meet him. He said he'd be back a little later."
*A few minutes later, Rudra walked into the house. His gaze was serious, his brows slightly furrowed. Gouri Mu noticed his unusual silence.*
**Gouri Mu:**
"Is something wrong, Rudra?"
*Rudra blinked as if pulled from deep thought.*
**Rudra:**
"Huh? No, nothing's wrong. Why?"
**Gouri Mu:**
"You've been quiet since class. If something's bothering you, you can tell us. We're your team."
**Sesh Pam:**
"Is it because you have two elements? Maybe you're worried about controlling them?"
**Rudra:**
"No, not at all. My mother was an advanced spiritual formation master. She told me balancing elemental power isn't that difficult. I just need to keep both elements in harmony... She gave me this Granth too."
*He revealed his **Griffin Spear Granth**, glowing softly.*
**Rudra:**
"She said it was made using an ancient Griffin soul. I don't have doubts about my future…"
**Gan Mu:**
"Then what's troubling you?"
*Rudra hesitated, then sighed.*
**Rudra:**
"The boy who came to meet me… his name is **Naran**. My childhood friend. He has the shadow element. Back when we were five, we used to fight almost every day. Most of the time, I won..."
---
### Rudra vs. Naran – Age 5 (Flashback)
*A dusty field behind a palace. Two young boys face each other, barefoot and covered in dirt.*
**Young Rudra:**
"This time, you better not run into the shadows again!"
**Young Naran:**
"I won't need to! Today, I'm not holding back!"
*Naran's hands pulsed with faint black smoke. Rudra's fists sparked with tiny bursts of flame and electricity.*
*They charged.*
**Clash!**
Rudra threw the first punch. Naran blocked it and countered with a swift kick. Rudra ducked, rolled, then swept his leg out — Naran flipped backward, a streak of shadow trailing his feet.
*Rudra's left fist ignited as he swung a wild hook — it grazed Naran's shoulder, burning the cloth.*
**Young Naran:**
"Still using fire like a brute!"
*Naran cloaked his arm in shadows and dashed forward. Rudra met him with a lightning-infused palm. Their fists collided — sparks against darkness.*
**Boom!**
A shockwave of dust exploded outward. Both boys skidded backward across the dirt.
*Rudra wiped his lip, grinning.*
**Young Rudra:**
"Not bad... but I'm not done yet!"
*He burst forward again, this time his fists flickering with both fire and lightning. Naran defended, shifting through his own shadow, but Rudra was faster — he tackled him down, pinning his rival.*
**Young Rudra:**
"Got you."
**Young Naran (breathing heavily):**
"Tch... One day… I'll beat you."
*Rudra stood up, offering a hand.*
**Young Rudra (smiling):**
"Then keep trying."
---
### \[Return to Present]
**Rudra:**
"That was the last time I really fought him. Two years ago, he was only at the 2nd chakra point, and I was already at the 3rd. Now, he's reached the peak of the 6th chakra point... while I'm still just under 5."
**Parshu Si:**
"He came a long way. But you've got nearly half a year before the tournament."
**Rudra:**
"I know. He worked harder than anyone else. He didn't even have the resources I did—and he still surpassed me. If he keeps going like this, he'll reach the 7th chakra point in just three months. I have no choice now… I have to push harder."
**Gouri Mu:**
"Then do it. Work harder than him. You can surpass him."
**Rudra:**
"…Yeah.
You're right."
*The sparks in his eyes returned—calm, focused, and fierce.*
That Night – Training Under the Moonlight
Rudra stood in the backyard training ground, moonlight reflecting on his sweat-covered face. His fists glowed with flickering fire and crackling lightning.
Rudra:
"Fire Fist – 8 rounds! Lightning Blade – Slashs. combo! Lightning Steps – Dash mode
Hours passed as Rudra pushed his limits, pouring every bit of spiritual energy into sharpening his elemental techniques.
Suddenly…
Voice:
"Still training like a maniac, huh?"
Rudra spun around. Naran stood in the shadows, smirking.
Rudra:
"Naran… you followed me?"
Naran:
"You said we'd fight again someday. Why not now? Just a friendly battle."
Rudra smirked and nodded.
Rudra:
"Fine. Let's see how far you've come."
Sparring Match: Rudra vs. Naran
Naran stepped forward, his body coated in a faint black aura.
Naran:
"Shadow Strike!"
He vanished for a moment, then reappeared behind Rudra, aiming a chop laced with dark energy.
Rudra blocked with his lighting blabe, sparks flying.
Rudra:
"Lightning Counter!"
Their clash shook the training ground. Naran slid back and grinned.
Naran:
"Shadow Bind!"
Dark tendrils erupted from his shadow and wrapped around Rudra's legs.
Rudra:
"Tch—Lightning Steps!"
He blinked from view and reappeared mid-air.
Naran:
"Shadow Cloak!"
His body melted into darkness, dodging Rudra's aerial flame punch.
They clashed again and again—fire, lightning, and shadow colliding under the moon.
Finally, both fell to one knee, breathing hard.
Naran:
"Still strong as ever… but next time, I won't go easy."
Rudra:
"Same here. Thanks, Naran. I n
eeded that."
They bumped fists, smiling.
To Be Continued...