TRAINING ARC BEGINS
DAY 1
"Today marks the beginning of your training," Master Rankoji declared, his voice echoing through the mountain range. "You will carry these weights from here to the mountain's summit. From the ground, that's about twenty to thirty kilometers—and then a climb of seven thousand meters. So stay charged with energy!"
Malak frowned. "Everything sounds fine, Master… but how much do these weights actually weigh?"
Rankoji grinned. "Not much. Only about twenty-five percent of Earth's total mass—around 1,860,150,300,000,000,000 tons."
Malak and Shivam froze. "WHAT?! That's insane, Master! You expect us to carry that?"
Rankoji waved his hand dismissively. "Relax! You're half demons, aren't you? Your bodies can naturally handle half of that—roughly 930,075,150,000,000,000 tons—without dying. With a little endurance training, you'll manage it easily."
Malak and Shivam exchanged defeated looks, their faces pale.
"...Alright, we'll try," they muttered.
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DAY 3
The two were still struggling to lift the smaller weights. Rankoji sat nearby, lazily floating on a pond while sipping a cold drink.
"Keep going, boys! Push yourselves! Grind harder!" he shouted, voice half-hearted—his other hand lazily scratching his belly.
Malak glared at him. "I swear, if I survive this training, I'm throwing him into that pond."
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DAY 7
After endless effort, Malak and Shivam finally managed to lift the weights. Step by step, they began walking, each breath heavier than the last.
Malak grunted, "Man, this is brutal… but I'll push through my limits. I'll conquer both body and mind. I'll reach the God Realm…"
His smirk turned mischievous. "...and maybe meet some heavenly beauties there."
Shivam sighed. "You're impossible. But you're right—it's tough. Still, I'll endure it… for the food, peace, and glory waiting in the God Realm."
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DAY 9
They finally crossed twenty kilometers and prepared to climb. Just then, Rankoji appeared before them, grinning.
"Stop right there! Time for an upgrade. Your weights are now 40% of Earth's mass—about 2,976,240,500,000,000,000 tons."
Malak and Shivam nearly collapsed.
"MASTER! That's not fair! We'll need two whole days just to move! How can we climb with that much?"
Rankoji's eyes burned fiercely.
"Don't whine! Be men! Take responsibility and stop crying like children. Or… maybe you've lost your manhood already after seeing such puny weights?"
Malak's pride ignited.
"Master, what did you just say?! We'll do it! We'll carry it—and we'll meet you at the top in two days. Just go enjoy your pond, old man!"
Rankoji smirked. "That's the spirit."
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SCENE CHANGE
At Master Kiyoto's training ground, Nikhil and Keshav were also pushing beyond their limits. Kamiro was merciless with Keshav, while Leosa trained Nikhil to channel his aura with calm precision.
Both students carried weights of 2,976,240,500,000,000,000 tons, their backs drenched in sweat.
Kamiro barked, "Keshav! You're training like garbage! What are you, a worm?"
Keshav's patience snapped. "Shut up, you bastard!" He charged at Kamiro, unleashing furious blows. Kamiro effortlessly dodged every strike until Keshav released Judgmental Strike—this time smaller, controlled, but immensely powerful.
The blast cracked the ground beneath them.
Kamiro smiled faintly. "Good. Very good. I'm proud of you, Keshav. You've finally made me grateful to be your master."
Keshav bowed slightly. "Sorry, Master."
Kamiro barked again, "Enough with your whining—go meditate!"
Keshav smirked. "Yes, Master."
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DAY 11
Malak and Shivam, now carrying over 2.9 quintillion tons, began climbing the mountain. Their breaths grew heavier, steps slower, but their will—unbreakable. Rankoji watched from afar, silently impressed.
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DAY 15
They finally reached the mountain's peak, their bodies trembling under 80% of Earth's mass—5,952,481,100,000,000,000 tons.
Both collapsed instantly, sleeping like the dead.
Rankoji looked down at them, his expression soft.
"They're incredible… body and soul, both indestructible."
He turned his gaze toward Malak, whispering to himself,
"Shahzad… your son is extraordinary. You'd be proud of him."
Tears welled in his eyes. Rankoji, once Shahzad's closest friend, still carried the guilt of failing to save him. But now, that guilt was fuel—to make Malak unstoppable.
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DAY 20
"Good morning!" Rankoji's booming voice shattered their sleep. "Wake up, you lazy demons! Today's a big day!"
Shivam groaned. "Ugh… what day?"
Rankoji grinned. "The 20th day of training, that's what! From today, your next ten days will be joint training—with your friends."
Malak jumped up, eyes gleaming. "Finally! Let's see how much they've grown!"
Shivam stretched. "Heh, this'll be fun."
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SCENE CHANGE
When Keshav and Nikhil heard about the joint training, both smirked devilishly.
"Time to make those two regret ever challenging us," Keshav said.
Nikhil cracked his knuckles. "Let's give them hell."
The air around them pulsed with power and mischief.
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