The tension in the stadium was at its peak. Shiv asked Kavya sitting nearby, "Your match is next?"
"Yes," Kavya replied curtly.
"Aren't you going to see Piya? She lost—she'll need you," Shiv tried to reason.
Kavya's face hardened, "No, Shiv. This is our personal matter—stay out of it."
Shiv let out a cold breath, "Fine, but one day you'll realize what a huge mistake you're making."
Just then, the referee's voice boomed, "Next match! Kavya from Class-A and Krishna Verma from Class-AA, come to the ring immediately!"
Kavya marched toward the ring without looking back. Ridika glanced at Shiv, "Shiv, maybe you've figured out their past, but you can't do anything. Focus on the match for now."
Veeru nodded in agreement, but Shiv couldn't sit still. He stood from his seat and said, "I'll be right back."
"Hey! Where are you going?" Veeru called after him, but Shiv ran out of the stadium.
Inside the ring:
Krishna Verma and Kavya faced off. The moment the referee said 'start,' Krishna shot forward like lightning and threw a straight punch at Kavya's stomach. Kavya dodged by leaning left sharply and countered with a powerful kick to Krishna's gut. Krishna staggered back, but a flurry of strikes began between them.
"Both their power levels seem equal," Veeru commented.
Ridika said, "Yeah, Kavya's completed her Martial Mastery—she's just polishing it now."
Then Kavya ramped up her speed. Krishna was stunned; before he could recover, Kavya locked his body, spun him in the air, and slammed him backward. Blood trickled from Krishna's mouth, but he smiled, "You're really skilled, but I'll win!"
(Visual: Medical room.)
Piya had regained consciousness. Her secretary Radha Kalyani stood by her side. "I lost... this is so humiliating," Piya sobbed.
Radha said gravely, "Ma'am, I have to tell you something very important. It's connected to your life, way more than this match."
Piya wiped her tears and asked, "What is it?"
"Ma'am, the doctor confirmed your old spinal injury has worsened badly. Because of it... you can never walk the martial arts path again. You can never fight."
The ground slipped from under Piya's feet. "No! You're lying! This can't be!" She started screaming and crying like a madwoman.
Outside the medical room door, Shiv froze. Sweat beaded on his skin. He'd come to boost Piya's spirits, but he'd overheard this bitter truth. In rage and grief, he punched the nearby wall hard. The punch was so fierce that blood started dripping from his knuckles.
Just then, Radha Kalyani came out. She saw Shiv's hand and said, "So you heard?"
"Will she really never fight again?" Shiv asked in a low voice.
"No doctor in India can fix it. You'll need 'Pop Doctors' for that," Radha explained.
"Pop Doctors? Who are they? Will they come for money?"
Radha shook her head, "No, Shiv—they're not ordinary doctors. They can save even the dying with their medical martial power. They don't lack money. To call them, you need top-level connections or win that special tournament where the victor gets one wish. But The only catch is that reaching the Third Chakra is a requirement, though those up to the Fifth Chakra can occasionally enter. Make no mistake, this is no joke—it's not like your typical academy tournament; this is far more dangerous."
A new spark and determination lit up Shiv's eyes. He clenched his bloodied fist and said, "Then I'll fight in that tournament on your behalf. I'll win that wish and bring those Pop Doctors here to heal Piya!"