10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p9MUgWJAjThe Mock Battle
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILD4gdd6DN
The next morning on the training ground, Jafar appeared completely subdued. A bandage was wrapped tightly around his wrist. Surprised to see this, Trainer Hridoy questioned him—
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSpieW6ZyA
Hridoy: "Jafar, what happened to your hand?"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimUnXX03ub
Jafar: (Casting a sideways glance at Aryan) "Nothing, Sir. I just sustained a minor injury while practicing last night."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxJpRhGp8C
As usual, Aryan was standing at the very back of the line. A mysterious smile played upon his lips. Nila noticed that today, Jafar was genuinely terrified to even look in Aryan’s direction.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihKLzjsfN2
Hridoy: "Very well. Today, our team combination will be tested. Aryan, you will duel Jafar today. However, you will not use real swords, but wooden ones. I want to see if you can defend yourself."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLAheVopB
Jafar’s heart skipped a beat. He knew exactly what had transpired the previous night. But there was no way to disobey the trainer's command.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcfVS05TU7
Aryan: (Thinking to himself) "Sir Hridoy wants to test me? Fine, I will display just enough to keep Jafar terrified, but not enough for Sir to gauge my true strength."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsWWMZ9fNQ
Everyone gathered in a circle in the middle of the field. Trainer Hridoy handed two wooden swords to Aryan and Jafar. Jafar’s hands were still trembling; he could not shake off the numb sensation from the night before.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9xGAy8JAe
Hridoy: "Begin! Jafar, show us your best offense. And Aryan, let's see how long you can hold your ground."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvMU7EQiGX
With a roar, Jafar lunged at Aryan. He was desperate to strike Aryan down in front of everyone to avenge the humiliation of last night. Aryan, however, stood in a completely relaxed posture. Whenever Jafar swung his sword, Aryan evaded it with a very basic step backward.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1QmGkItZc
Jafar: (Panting heavily) "Why are you backing away like a coward? Stand and fight if you have the strength!"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMa6HrSItU
Aryan smiled faintly. He knew Sir Hridoy was closely observing his every movement. If he pulled off something extraordinary right now, the secret of his power would be blown.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfguCuE8H4
Aryan: (Whispering) "Jafar, your sword makes a lot of noise, but it lacks substance. Look to your right."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatmcpXjNlE
Confused, Jafar glanced to his right, and in that split second, Aryan lightly tripped Jafar’s leg with his wooden sword. Jafar hit the ground with a loud thud. The entire field fell dead silent.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvV3qdnon9
Hridoy: (Frowning) "Jafar! Where is your focus? You fell from a simple trip?"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytnvnsdbaH
Humiliated, Jafar scrambled back to his feet. He realized Aryan was playing with him. He charged again, but this time, Aryan deliberately blocked Jafar's strike with his sword and feigned weakness, acting as though Jafar’s sheer strength was pushing him back.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zTuSQKq1f
Aryan: (Pretending to be exhausted) "Argh! Brother Jafar, you possess immense power. I can't hold on anymore."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXwSDRWDqF
Sir Hridoy let out a heavy sigh.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrIEAoVPNA
Hridoy: "That’s enough. Aryan, your defense is decent, but your body lacks power. You won't survive the kingdom's trial like this. And Jafar, overconfidence will be your downfall. From today, you must work much harder."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7IufzTtcB
A Conversation in the Dining Hall
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLOyjuHaLl
During dinner that evening, Nila came and sat beside Aryan. She had noticed that Aryan hadn't broken a single drop of sweat during the duel, whereas Jafar was in a pathetic state.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMNeWE16wR
Nila: "Aryan, why did you lose on purpose today? I saw that you could have easily defeated Jafar much earlier if you wanted to."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZAbC5WIov
Aryan: "Nila, the fruit that ripens early gets eaten by the birds first. I don't want anyone to know what I am capable of before the examination. It is always better to keep the enemy in the dark."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0qDpgAsO3
Nila: "But do you know? The examination ten days from now will test not just martial skills, but also mystical powers. Swords alone won't suffice there."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g9yXRo3pz
Aryan's eyes lit up. Mystical energy or 'occult power'—this was his true domain.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9MKlRGhQ7
Day 10: The Eve of the Examination
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLef19Z9pKU
Tonight was the final night of training. The highly anticipated examination was scheduled for the next morning. A tense excitement gripped the entire team. Jafar had not ventured anywhere near Aryan for the past few days. Sir Hridoy gathered everyone.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJxsL6XuPW
Hridoy: "We will set out tomorrow at dawn. The first selection round will take place at the arena in the kingdom's capital. Remember, it's not just about one winner; our entire team must emerge victorious. Jafar will lead the team."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxh5dyH9dC
When everyone went to sleep, Aryan stood all alone under the open sky. He could sense that the wind was carrying a different message tonight. Far away, deep within the woods, he perceived a pair of glowing red eyes. A mysterious shadow was watching their camp intently...
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbTUSUK9w3
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eGr5oJ9ZC
and then Add to home screen.