Surya barely had time to breathe.

  Virat’s blade came at him in another swift, precise strike, his movements honed to perfection from years of disciplined training. Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying as Surya barely managed to parry. His arms ached from the force behind each blow.

  He had expected this body to carry him through the fight, relying on the muscle memory of the prince whose life he had inherited.

  But his instincts—his instincts were failing him.

  Virat pressed forward without hesitation, his footwork elegant and ruthless. His strikes weren’t wild swings, but measured, deliberate cuts meant to wear Surya down.

  It was working.

  The difference in their skill was painfully clear.

  Surya gritted his teeth, backing away. His breathing had turned ragged, his grip on his sword slick with sweat. The crowd watching from the stands remained silent, their eyes sharp with judgment.

  And then he heard it.

  A deep voice, carrying effortlessly through the arena.

  "Is this the extent of the Crown Prince’s strength?"

  It was his father.

  Maharaja Veerajit sat on his grand throne, watching him with an unreadable gaze.

  He wasn’t angry.

  He wasn’t disappointed.

  He was merely observing, as if waiting for Surya to prove himself worthy of his title.

  And in that moment, Surya felt something stir within him.

  He couldn’t afford to lose.

  Not here.

  Not now.

  The Truth Behind His Power

  Surya took a sharp breath, steadying himself.

  And then, his mind drifted back to the night before.

  After the duel had been announced, Surya had returned to his chambers, his thoughts restless.

  Even though he had inherited the body of a trained warrior, his mind was still that of a man who had never fought a real battle.

  How was he supposed to win against someone like Virat?

  That was when it happened.

  A sudden heat burned in his chest.

  A sharp pulse, like an unseen force awakening inside him.

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  Then—the blue translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

  [Divine Boon Unlocked]

  ? Asura’s Strength (Passive): Enhanced physical capabilities beyond a normal warrior.

  ? Mantra Mastery (Active): The potential for full mastery of all four elements.

  ? Astral Perception (Passive): The ability to see supernatural beings and hidden energies.

  ? Battle Instinct (Passive): Sharpened reflexes that improve in real battle.

  Surya had stared at the screen, his heart pounding.

  He knew from the prince’s memories that these abilities hadn’t existed before.

  They were new.

  They didn’t belong to Prince Surya.

  They belonged to him.

  And among all of them, one ability stood out.

  Mantra Mastery.

  An Impossible Power

  Surya’s fingers had clenched into a fist as he processed the meaning behind it.

  Mantras—**the sacred incantations that shaped the world through divine power—**were the domain of the Rishis.

  A warrior, no matter how talented, could only use basic mantras—simple enhancements or minor elemental attacks.

  Even the greatest Rishis, the scholars who dedicated their entire lives to mastering the divine arts, were bound by a strict limit.

  ? The most skilled Rishis could wield only one element.

  ? A rare few—legendary figures known across history—could control two.

  ? And in the myths, only one man had ever mastered three.

  Sage Dronacharya.

  A name that carried immeasurable weight in the histories of Suryavarta.

  Yet here, written in glowing letters before his eyes—

  All four elements.

  It was impossible.

  No warrior should have this power.

  No sage should have this power.

  But he did.

  It was a cheat skill. A power that should not exist.

  Surya had swallowed hard, realization settling in.

  This ability gave him the potential to command the elements—but not the mastery.

  Potential.

  The word repeated in his mind.

  Just because he had it didn’t mean he could use it.

  Not yet.

  Back to the Fight

  The memories snapped away as Virat’s sword came swinging down.

  Surya barely dodged, the blade slicing past his shoulder, leaving a shallow cut.

  Pain flared, but he didn’t flinch.

  His Battle Instinct flared to life, and suddenly—he saw it.

  Virat’s movements. His patterns. The way he shifted his weight just before an attack.

  It was like his body knew what was coming.

  Surya’s mind raced.

  He still didn’t fully understand his powers. He hadn’t practiced, hadn’t trained.

  But if there was ever a moment to test them—

  It was now.

  Surya gripped his sword, exhaling sharply.

  Virat lunged again, aiming for his chest.

  Surya moved.

  Faster than before.

  His sword met Virat’s in a sharp clash, but this time, he wasn’t just blocking. He was responding. His arms no longer shook under the force of the impact. His muscles tensed and adjusted automatically, as if his body had been waiting for this realization.

  The crowd stirred.

  Virat narrowed his eyes.

  Surya could see it—a flicker of surprise.

  And for the first time since the duel began, Surya smiled.

  Unleashing the Fire

  Virat stepped back, adjusting his stance. He was fast, powerful, but now, Surya was keeping up.

  The next strike came from Surya. A downward slash, forceful and precise. Virat parried, but his footing shifted slightly—off balance.

  He’s not invincible.

  A realization settled in.

  Surya wasn’t simply a lost soul in a foreign body anymore.

  He wasn’t just some overworked university student from another world.

  He was Prince Surya of Suryavarta.

  He wasn’t going to lose.

  Virat moved again, but this time, Surya reacted instantly. His body twisted, dodging a heavy strike aimed at his side. His free hand instinctively moved, forming a sign—one he had never used before.

  His voice came without thought.

  "Agni Raksha."

  The mantra left his lips, and for a brief second, heat crackled in the air. A faint shimmer of flame flickered at his fingertips before fading.

  It wasn’t enough to manifest an actual attack—but it was real.

  The crowd gasped.

  Surya’s own heart pounded.

  Virat’s blade stopped mid-strike. His eyes narrowed.

  Surya should not have been able to do that.

  Mantras belonged to sages. Warriors weren’t supposed to be able to wield them like this.

  And yet—he had.

  Even if it was only for a moment.

  A tense silence filled the arena.

  Virat exhaled, then smiled.

  “This just got interesting.”

  Then, he charged again.

  And Surya, for the first time since the battle began, felt ready.