Chapter 38: Change

Almost six months had passed since Harsha's visit to the mansion in Thanjavur, and many changes had taken place during that time.

Harsha had immersed himself in intense training, focusing on strengthening his body and skills. Each day was dedicated to rigorous exercise and discipline, reflecting his determination.

At the same time, significant progress was being made with the road networks. Prashant, who had learned much from Harsha about managing projects and organizing documents, had taken full charge of the road construction.

Under his careful supervision, both major highways and smaller roads were completed. The Emperor had recently praised Harsha for the impressive results, noting the substantial increase in trade with Europeans. The improved roads had made it easier for merchants to move goods, boosting the economy.

The new roadways had a transformative effect. The faster movement of goods led to a surge in trade, spurring the growth of new industries. Small towns and cities began to sprout up as people flocked to these areas in search of jobs and a better life. What had once been empty stretches of land were now vibrant economic activity centres, driven by the new roads that connected and sustained them.

Harsha was taking a rest in the training hall, overseeing the training of three people while reading a book. Varun, Narayana, and Viswa had become a trio in training and they trained daily with him.

Appointing Viswa as his subordinate took some time since he was of a lower caste. However, the Emperor decided to give in to Harsha's request and allowed him to appoint Viswa as his subordinate.

Viswa proved to be a useful asset. He was what you would call a "diamond in the rough." Viswa could grasp information quickly, like a sponge soaking up water. His body and martial capability were exceptional. Due to his rapid recovery and natural talent, he was a formidable warrior with a great sense of battle.

He was able to keep up with Harsha's training after a few months and had now achieved a level in martial arts similar to both Varun and Narayana on the surface.

"Stop training, take a break—sparring starts soon," he called out, closing his book with a soft thud that drew their attention.

"It's been a while since you guys have sparred against each other, so pair up and spar," he said, walking over to the exhausted trio as they drank water.

Viswa, now more muscular and nearly as tall as Harsha, looked noticeably healthier compared to his earlier signs of malnutrition.

"As the newest one here, Viswa will choose his opponent first," Harsha announced.

"Me? Your Highness?" Viswa stammered, his eyes widening as he looked at Harsha.

Harsha raised an eyebrow "Is there any other Viswa here?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

Viswa glanced nervously at Varun and then nodded. "Oh, then I will choose to spar with Varun first," he said.

Varun folded his arms and smirked. "The youngest thinks I'm easy to defeat, huh?" he teased, tilting his head slightly.

"No, brother, I know your strength," Viswa replied earnestly, meeting Varun's gaze.

Varun chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "I was just teasing," he said, grinning widely.

"Get ready to spar after the break then," Harsha ordered with a yawn, stretching his arms.

"Yes, Your Highness," both Varun and Viswa responded in unison, nodding as they took a moment to rest.

Harsha then gestured for Narayana to come closer. "So, what do you think—who will win the sparring match?"

Narayana approached, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Um, Your Highness, I believe Varun should win by a close margin. Viswa's martial ability and battle sense have certainly surpassed mine. The only thing he still lacks is physicality."

"Physicality?" Harsha raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I don't see much of a problem there. I could defeat both of you even with a worse physique. Maybe it's just a lack of experience."

Narayana thought 'Of course, monsters like you wouldn't be considered alongside normal humans like us.' He maintained his composure and nodded in agreement with a smile.

Viswa and Varun, both gripping their wooden swords tightly, stepped into the designated sparring area. They assumed their stances, each eyeing the other with determination. Narayana and Harsha watched from the sidelines, their eyes on the spar.

"START!" Harsha shouted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

With a burst of speed, Varun lunged forward, attacking with a flurry of strikes that caught Viswa off guard. The wooden sword whizzed through the air, each swing aimed precisely. Viswa quickly raised his sword, deflecting and blocking the blows. A powerful strike aimed at his head forced him to retreat, catching his breath as he assessed Varun's aggressive style.

Regaining his composure, Viswa prepared for the next onslaught. Varun charged once more, aiming directly for Viswa's midsection. Anticipating the move, Viswa leapt into the air, using Varun's back as a springboard to push himself away. He landed nimbly a few feet from his opponent.

Without hesitation, Viswa spun around and launched a series of attacks. His wooden sword whirled through the air in rapid swings. Varun, though taken aback by Viswa's swift counterattack, managed to defend himself, his sword went faster as it met each of Viswa's strikes.

Varun, with a swift motion, deflected Viswa's sword to the side. His wrist flicked expertly, redirecting the blade's momentum before delivering a quick swing aimed at Viswa's torso.

Viswa's reflexes were sharp. As the sword approached, he bent backwards with impressive flexibility, avoiding the swing entirely. His movements were fluid, showcasing his honed agility. With a graceful roll, he distanced himself from Varun, landing on his feet a few paces away.

"Hooo, impressive flexibility," Harsha remarked, his lips curling into a light smirk as he watched the duel unfold.

Narayana nodded, shifting his gaze toward Harsha. "Viswa has unnaturally good flexibility, Your Highness."

"Is that so?" Harsha's eyes gleamed with interest.

As Varun lunged forward, aiming a swift swing at Viswa's neck, Viswa stepped back with quick reflexes. In the same motion, Varun executed a precise sidekick toward Viswa's face. Viswa, anticipating the move, barely flinched as he bent his upper body at an unnatural angle to avoid the kick.

Seizing the opportunity, Viswa swung his wooden sword at Varun's shoulder. Varun effortlessly deflected the attack, his movements smooth and controlled. Without hesitation, Viswa backed up, then leapt forward, executing a powerful axe kick aimed directly at Varun's head.

Varun braced himself, raising his sword to block the descending kick. The impact shattered the wooden sword, splintering it into pieces and forcing Varun to stumble backwards.

Seizing the moment, Viswa charged forward, his eyes locked on Varun. With a powerful tackle, he drove Varun to the ground, pinning him beneath his weight. The match was over.

Harsha clapped slowly, "Well done, Viswa. That was good."

Varun, catching his breath, looked up with a grin. "You've really improved, Viswa. I didn't expect you to break my sword like that."

Viswa, still on top of Varun, offered a hand to help him up. "Thanks, Brother. I've been training hard to close the gap."

Narayana approached, nodding in approval. "Looks like you've made significant progress,"

"Thank you, Brother Narayana,"

"Avoid tackling on the battlefield; exposing your back can prove fatal," advised Harsha, looking down at both Varun and Viswa, who were breathing heavily on the ground.

"Understood, Your Highness," replied Viswa.

"Take a break; the next round is Viswa and Narayana," Harsha instructed, his voice carrying a note of finality as he settled back into his chair.

The sun was casting long shadows across the training hall, and the air was thick with the scent of sweat and exertion. The sounds of heavy breathing filled the space as Viswa and Narayana took their positions.

Despite Viswa's impressive progress, he found himself outmatched by Narayana. Narayana had undergone a remarkable transformation since Harsha began training him. Gone was the arrogance that had once clouded his potential. Instead, his massive physique and refined skills now shone brightly.

He moved with a newfound grace, his strength and control making him a formidable opponent. Viswa, despite his natural talent and rapid learning curve, lacked the battlefield experience that Narayana had accumulated. Though Viswa's time would surely come as his skills continued to develop.

As the final match approached, Varun and Narayana stepped into the arena. The tension was palpable, a silent anticipation hanging in the air. Varun, ever the strategist, used his shorter stature to his advantage. His movements were quick, a blur of aggression. He darted in and out of Narayana's range, striking at his opponent's lower body and joints with accuracy.

Narayana, with his broad frame and powerful swings, struggled to keep up with Varun's agility. His strikes, were wide and sweeping, leaving openings that Varun was quick to exploit. Varun's ability to weave through Narayana's defences and his knack for turning his smaller size into a strategic advantage were on full display.

As the match drew to a close, Varun's clever tactics and nimble footwork proved too much for Narayana. With each precise strike and deft dodge, Varun demonstrated that sometimes, size and strength could be outmatched by skill and strategy.

"That's enough sparring for today, Ensure you learn from your mistakes today," Harsha advised

"Clean up the mess and go rest," Harsha ordered as he left the training field back to his room.