The next morning did not begin with movement.
It began—
With denial.
The training ground was quieter than usual.
Not empty.
Not still.
But… restrained.
Even the wind seemed to move differently, brushing lightly across the dust as if unwilling to disturb what was about to unfold.
The students stood in formation.
Waiting.
The instructor stood before them.
Unmoving.
As always.
"Today," he said, his voice carrying evenly across the field, "you will not use what you rely on."
No names.
No explanations.
But understanding spread.
Slowly.
Like weight settling into the ground.
Karna did not move.
But inside—
Something shifted.
This was not another exercise.
Not another lesson layered in abstraction.
This was direct.
Yesterday's flaw—
Named without being spoken.
Exposed.
And now—
Targeted.
Beside him, Duryodhana crossed his arms, his expression already edged with irritation.
"…So we're pretending to be weaker now?"
The instructor did not look at him.
