Dear readers,
In the previous chapter, I unintentionally shared incorrect information regarding the strength levels and their respective power benchmarks. I sincerely apologize for the oversight and would like to rectify it now:
* **Level 1:** Strength ranges from **60 kg to 90 kg**
* **Level 2:** Strength ranges from **200 kg to 240 kg**
* **Level 3:** Strength spans **300 kg to 340 kg**
* **Level 4:** Strength increases from **500 kg to 540 kg**
* **Level 5:** At this level, a warrior is capable of **lifting or exerting a force equivalent to 1 ton**
* **Level 6:** Power elevates to an astounding **10 tons**
* **Level 7:** Individuals at this stage can exert a force of **100 tons**
I will be updating the relevant chapter next Sunday to include these accurate figures. Now, let us return to today's chapter.
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**Chapter: A Clash of Arrogance and Courage**
By this point, Aryan had already entered the mess hall of the academy. Like all the other students, he joined the food line patiently, waiting for his turn. After receiving his meal, he calmly found a spot, finished eating quietly, and then exited the mess to head toward his dormitory. As he walked back, something strange caught his attention.
A young man—about **18 or 19 years old**—was clearly harassing a girl who seemed to be around **16 or 17**. Aryan's sharp gaze fell on the scene. The boy was trying to forcefully convince the girl to accompany him somewhere.
> "Listen, Renu," the boy said with a smirk laced in entitlement. "I know you have trouble walking due to your leg condition. That's exactly why I'm insisting that you come with me to the neighboring nation's capital, where the finest physician—**Dr. Bhanu Pratap**—resides. Maybe he can fix your leg entirely."
Hearing this suggestion, the girl—Renu—snapped in irritation, her voice laced with both anger and quiet defiance:
> "Avinash, I agree that I have a problem with my legs. But that doesn't mean I'll start trusting the words of *just any random guy*. And anyway, who are *you* to give me such advice? What even is our relation?"
Her words, though brave and firm, betrayed a flicker of fear in her eyes. A fear that seemed to have taken root deep within her.
Renu was no ordinary girl. She was the **only daughter of Vinayak Tomar**, the head of the **Tomar family**, one of the **four most powerful families** in the nation of **Rudrapur**. She had been raised with love, affection, and unimaginable privilege. Her family gave her all the freedom she could ask for. Yet despite everything, a timid, anxious nature had somehow embedded itself into her psyche.
Nobody in her family truly understood the origin of this fearfulness. Despite repeated efforts by family elders—including the family head—to help her overcome this mental barrier, none had succeeded.
Now, when Avinash heard her rejection, his expression twisted with rage. His face flushed red, and he bellowed:
> "You arrogant bitch! How *dare* you reject *my* proposal? Do you even *know* who I am? I am **Avinash Rohilla**, the eldest son of the **Rohilla family**—another one of the four most dominant families in this nation. I am destined to lead the Rohilla family in the future. And yet, a worthless, crippled mutt like you dares to insult me?"
His eyes burned with fury as he continued:
> "Have you forgotten that the *last time* you refused me, I was the one who damaged your leg? And even after that, you *still* haven't learned your lesson? Fine. This time I'll make sure *both* of your legs are completely paralyzed!"
At this point, Renu's brave front finally shattered. The mere thought of reliving that past trauma turned her pale. Even though she knew Avinash couldn't actually get away with such acts anymore—not without consequences—his words alone were enough to shake her to the core.
Indeed, when he had first harmed her, the Tomar family had been furious. Her father and the elders were so enraged that they had seriously considered **destroying the Rohilla family altogether**. The matter was resolved only after great effort and political maneuvering, and Avinash was punished severely—*by his own family*—to prevent a full-blown inter-family war.
But as the old saying goes: *"A devil beaten by sticks does not stop dancing."* Despite the punishment, Avinash had not changed. He continued to harass Renu, believing himself invincible.
Watching this unfold from a distance, **Aryan** felt a twinge of pity for Renu. But he didn't want to intervene. She was, after all, a stranger to him. In this world, stepping into someone else's fight could mean putting yourself at risk—for nothing. So he decided he would stay out of it and let the scene play out.
However, as Avinash's threats escalated, Aryan's tolerance began to wear thin. The scene shifted from persuasion to harassment—pure and cruel. That's when Aryan made up his mind. *Enough was enough.* Avinash needed to be taught a lesson.
He quietly began walking toward them, his steps calm but purposeful. Avinash, unaware of Aryan's approach, raised his hand—ready to slap Renu.
Renu, paralyzed with fear, instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for the impact.
But... it never came.
Seconds passed. Then a full minute. Two minutes. Still—no slap.
Confused, Renu opened her eyes, only to see a shocking sight.
Standing in front of her was a **boy around 16**, with strikingly handsome features that could make even immortals blush. He had a divine presence, one that could drive any girl mad with admiration. Renu found herself captivated, unable to take her eyes off him.
This boy—**Aryan**—was holding Avinash's wrist mid-air, having stopped the slap mere inches from her face.
Avinash was stunned.
> "Who the hell do you think you are, interfering in the matters of a **Rohilla heir**? I will make sure you pay for this with your life!" he roared, now trembling with rage.
With that, he tried to slap Aryan instead. But Aryan didn't move. He caught Avinash's hand again—this time with even more force—and held it firmly in place.
Avinash struggled. He used all his strength, trying to free his arm. But it was useless.
His shock was justified. Avinash, despite being 18, had already achieved **Level 3 Martial Spirit Gathering Stage (early phase)**—a feat few his age could claim. That was why his family was grooming him as the next head of the Rohilla clan.
Yet, here was a 16-year-old, effortlessly overpowering him.
The **Rohilla family**, despite all their prestige, believed in one thing: *Power speaks louder than words.* Their ideology was simple—only those who assert strength have the right to rule. Therefore, even Avinash's vile actions were often overlooked.
If ever someone managed to injure Avinash, the family would simply offer an apology—while plotting revenge in secret.
It was this blind encouragement that turned Avinash into the monster he had become. He now believed that strength gave him the right to kill, punish, or torture anyone. And since the ruling class benefited from such violent prodigies, they often looked the other way.
But what Avinash hadn't expected today—was **Aryan**.
Aryan looked straight into Avinash's eyes and said in a calm, deadly voice:
> "I don't care who you are. I don't care how powerful your family is. In my eyes, real strength doesn't need to shout or threaten. It shows itself through actions, not empty intimidation. You're nothing but a low-life punk who's been harassing a defenseless girl. That makes you pathetic."
He tightened his grip one final time before letting go.
Then, turning toward Renu, Aryan asked gently,
> "Are you alright, young miss?"
He called her *young miss* because of her elegant clothing—suggesting she came from a wealthy family. He normally despised rich brats for their arrogance. But Renu was different. Her demeanor was humble, almost fragile, and it softened his view of her.
Blushing, Renu asked:
> "Thank you... but, um... may I ask... from which branch of the Tomar family do you belong? There are many members in my family—some core, some distant relatives..."
Aryan chuckled, replying,
> "I'm afraid I'm not from your family at all. You're probably wondering why a stranger would help you, right?"
Renu, slightly embarrassed, looked down. Her cheeks turned bright red.
Seeing her shy reaction, Aryan couldn't help but laugh softly.
> "Young miss, I'll be taking my leave now. I hope you have someone trustworthy from your family nearby—perhaps a sibling? You shouldn't be walking around alone. Anyway, next time we meet, I hope you'll be free from this drama. Goodbye."
With that, Aryan turned and walked away toward his dorm.
Avinash, still on the ground, boiled in rage. His fury was so intense that if anyone had dared cross him at that moment, he might have killed them on the spot.
As Aryan and Renu walked away, Avinash screamed with blind rage:
> "Enjoy your peace while it lasts, boy! Because tomorrow—I'll come to your room myself. And that'll be the end of you!"
And with those words, he stormed off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the academy housing zone.
As Aryan disappeared into the distance and Renu left the scene, the air crackled with the promise of an impending storm. The clash between power and justice had only just begun.