As I chewed, the warmth of the food seemed to settle deep inside me, grounding me in a way that felt both foreign and familiar. The spicy drink, though not what I was used to, felt like it revitalized me, pushing away the remnants of fatigue from the hunt and the weight of the changes that had surged through me.
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the feast began, the firelight flickering in the darkness, casting shadows on the faces around me. There were no questions about where I'd been, no demands for explanations. They were all just... proud. Proud that their prince had returned, stronger than before.
I glanced at my father, Hiranyadhanus, who was speaking with some of the older warriors. His gaze flickered over to me occasionally, and when our eyes met, a subtle nod passed between us—an acknowledgement, an unspoken promise of what was to come.
The feast stretched late into the evening, but as the stars began to fill the sky, my mind shifted to the coming trial. The trial of the warriors.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the next step in my journey. My training would begin tomorrow, and it was clear from my father's words that it wouldn't be easy. But there was something about the challenge that stirred excitement within me. The beast mastery, the connection to the forest, the strength that was already growing inside me—it all felt like a preparation for something greater, something that I was meant to rise to.
The night passed slowly, the warmth of the fire and the tribe's cheer filling the air, but as it drew on, fatigue finally caught up with me. I found a quiet corner near the huts, away from the noise of the festivities, and let myself drift into a light sleep, the sounds of the tribe fading into the background.
***
The sun had barely crested the horizon when I was woken by a voice — sharp, firm, but not unkind.
"On your feet, Yuvraj."
I blinked the sleep from my eyes and looked up to find the young warrior from before — the one who'd first challenged me at the village gates. He stood above me, already dressed in light leathers and carrying two practice spears. His braided hair was damp with morning dew, and his breath puffed in the cool air.
"I'm Kava," he said, tossing one of the spears toward me. "Your sparring brother. You and I are going to be spending a lot of time together."
I caught the spear clumsily, nearly fumbling it. My muscles were still sore from the hunt and feast, but something deeper stirred — a readiness that defied the exhaustion.
"Didn't think training started this early," I muttered, rising to my feet.
Kava smirked. "Among the Nishada, warriors don't wait for comfort. The jungle won't wait, and neither will your enemies."
He turned, gesturing for me to follow.
We made our way down a winding trail leading away from the village, deeper into the jungle. The mist clung to the undergrowth, and birds called lazily overhead. It wasn't until we reached a sunlit clearing surrounded by ancient trees that Kava finally stopped.
"This," he said, planting his spear in the ground, "is where your real life begins."
Before I could think of anything else, he lunged at me with the tip of the spear directed at my chest. My instincts flared immediately, a primal response from the Feral Instinct that had awakened inside me. I sidestepped, moving with a speed and fluidity I hadn't thought myself capable of. The spear whooshed past me, just inches from my ribs.
Kava's eyes widened in slight surprise. "Not bad, Yuvraj," he grinned, stepping back and shifting into a ready stance. "But you'll need more than that to survive here."
I quickly assumed a defensive posture, spear raised in front of me. My grip felt sure, the weight of it strangely familiar, like it had been an extension of me for years.
Kava circled me, eyes calculating. "You've got the instincts, but instincts aren't enough in combat. You need technique. And I'm here to make sure you get it."
Before I could react, Kava charged again, his spear a blur. This time, I wasn't fast enough to evade the thrust. His spear grazed my arm, leaving a thin, sharp cut that stung immediately. I hissed but didn't back down.
He stepped back and assessed me. "You're stubborn. Good. But you need to think before you react. Fight smart, not just fast."
I clenched my jaw, nodding. "I'll do what it takes."
He gave a sharp nod in return and lowered his spear. "That's the spirit. Now, let's see if you can adapt."
For the next few hours, Kava pushed me through a brutal training session. Each move, each strike was calculated to make me think, to teach me control. Every time I faltered, Kava didn't hesitate to correct me, pointing out flaws in my stance, the way I held the spear, my timing.
Despite the aches that started to settle in my muscles and the sweat that drenched my clothes, I felt something inside me begin to click. The Feral Instinct wasn't just about awareness—it was about enhancing my reflexes, sharpening my responses. With every movement, I felt more connected to the rhythm of the battle, as if the forest itself was teaching me how to fight, how to survive.
By the time the sun was high in the sky, I was exhausted but exhilarated. Kava, on the other hand, seemed almost unaffected, his posture still light and ready. He gave me a sharp nod of approval.
"You've got potential, Yuvraj. But there's still a long way to go. The tribe doesn't honor just strength or bloodline—it honors those who can endure and prove themselves time and again."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, meeting his gaze. "I'm ready. I won't back down."
Kava's grin returned. "We'll see. But don't expect to become a warrior overnight. This jungle is unforgiving, and so are the trials you'll face. But if you can survive this, you'll be ready for anything."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of training. By the time the evening approached, I had a clearer sense of what lay ahead. I wasn't just preparing for a trial—I was preparing for a future that required more than just strength. It required intelligence, adaptability, and the will to overcome anything that the world threw my way.
That night, as I sat by the fire with Kava and the others, I found myself reflecting on the path I had chosen. I had not simply awakened into this world—I had claimed my place here, not as a prince, but as someone who had earned the right to stand among the warriors of the Nishada.
The trials would be tough, and the journey would be long. But I wasn't afraid anymore. This world was my test, and I intended to pass it.
The fire crackled in front of me, casting shadows that danced like spirits. But my focus was on the system panel showing—
[E-Rank Shastra Mastery: Spear (Not Acquired)]
[Trigger Condition: Reach beginner proficiency in Spear techniques, or land a hit on Kava.]
[Current Progress: 20%]
A progress bar! perfect for powering up my determination.
The night was quiet, the stars above scattered like diamonds against the deep indigo sky. As I stared into the flames, I thought about my next steps. Kava's lessons had shown me that I was far from ready, but the potential within me, that primal drive, was something I could refine. My Feral Instinct was there, waiting to be harnessed with control and precision.
I glanced over at Kava, who was sharpening his spear with a calm precision. His form was effortless, his movements fluid and sure. There was no doubt he had mastered the art of combat. Yet, I could see a flicker of something—an understanding that even though he had more experience, I had something he didn't: the determination to forge my own path, to prove that I could thrive here, not just by birthright but by my will and ability.
"I'll be ready," I muttered under my breath, barely audible over the crackling of the fire.
Kava looked up, catching my words. His lips curled into a slight smile. "You're already more ready than most would ever be. But don't get cocky. It's the jungle that decides who's worthy."
He then turned his attention back to his spear, but I could see the respect in his eyes. It wasn't given lightly, but it was there.
As the firelight flickered around us, I felt a wave of quiet determination settle over me. Tomorrow would bring more training, more challenges, and I would face them head-on. I wasn't just the prince of this land anymore. I was becoming something more.