The morning sun slowly rose above Mount Mahendra.
Golden light spread across the ancient forest.
Karna stood in the training ground, holding the heavy iron bow Parshuram had given him.
His arms were sore from yesterday's intense training.
But his posture remained steady.
Inside his mind—
'Pain means progress.'
Footsteps approached.
Parshuram walked into the clearing.
His expression was serious.
Today felt different.
The air itself seemed heavier.
Karna bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Guru."
Parshuram nodded slightly.
"Today your training will change."
Karna looked at him curiously.
Parshuram pointed toward a large stone platform nearby.
"Sit."
Karna followed the instruction immediately.
Parshuram sat opposite him.
For a moment, the sage simply looked at the rising sun.
Then he spoke slowly.
"Karna…"
"Do you know what separates an ordinary warrior from a legendary one?"
Karna answered honestly.
"Divine weapons."
Parshuram nodded.
"Correct."
"These weapons are called Astras."
The wind moved softly through the trees.
Parshuram continued.
"Astras are not ordinary arrows."
"They are weapons created using divine energy and sacred mantras."
"Each Astra carries the power of a god."
Karna listened carefully.
Even though he already knew this from the Mahabharata…
Hearing it directly from Parshuram was different.
Parshuram picked up a wooden stick and drew symbols on the ground.
"To use an Astra, three things are required."
He raised one finger.
"Control of mind."
Another finger.
"Control of energy."
And finally—
"Control of the weapon."
He looked directly at Karna.
"Without these three, an Astra will destroy the user instead of the enemy."
Karna nodded seriously.
"I understand."
Suddenly Parshuram stood up.
He picked up a bow resting beside a tree.
Then he placed a single arrow on the string.
His eyes closed briefly.
A strange energy gathered around the arrow.
The air itself became tense.
The ground trembled slightly.
Karna's eyes widened.
'This…!'
Parshuram released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow flew forward.
But before reaching the target—
It suddenly exploded into a burst of blazing fire.
BOOM!
A large rock in the distance shattered completely.
Smoke rose into the sky.
Karna stared in amazement.
'So this is the power of an Astra…'
Parshuram lowered the bow calmly.
"That was only a basic fire Astra."
"There are far more powerful ones."
Karna's heart beat faster.
At that moment—
The system appeared again.
DING
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED
ASTRA CONTROL – LEVEL 1
Effects:
Faster Astra learning
Improved energy control
Increased focus
Karna smiled slightly.
'Perfect timing.'
Parshuram walked back toward him.
His eyes were sharp.
"Today…"
"You will attempt your first Astra."
Karna stood up immediately.
He grabbed his bow.
Parshuram pointed toward a distant rock.
"Focus your mind."
"Feel the energy around you."
Karna closed his eyes.
The warmth of the sun touched his face.
Slowly he felt something inside his body.
A calm golden energy.
'Solar energy…'
The same power connected to his divine birth.
Karna placed an arrow on the string.
Golden light slowly gathered around it.
Parshuram's eyes widened slightly.
"Interesting…"
Karna opened his eyes.
The arrow glowed faintly.
He released it.
WHOOSH!
The arrow shot forward like a beam of sunlight.
THUD!
The rock exploded into pieces.
Dust filled the air.
Silence covered the training ground.
Parshuram stared at the destroyed rock.
Then he looked at Karna.
For the first time…
Genuine surprise appeared on his face.
"Your first attempt…"
"And you already succeeded."
Karna lowered his bow respectfully.
"I was lucky."
Parshuram shook his head.
"No."
"That was not luck."
He looked toward the bright sun in the sky.
Then back at Karna.
"You have a natural connection with solar energy."
Inside his mind—
'Of course I do… I'm literally the son of Surya.'
But Karna simply nodded.
"I will train harder."
Parshuram crossed his arms.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
"Because from tomorrow…"
His eyes became serious again.
"Your real Astra training begins."
That night…
Karna stood alone on the mountain cliff.
The stars filled the sky.
The wind blew gently.
Inside his mind—
A confident thought appeared.
'Divine Astras…'
'Soon I will master them all.'