Chapter 179: Chapter 177: Lesson Was So Profound... Devara Need Time To Adjust...

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

Guys I hope you put more comments and power stones... Which will encourage me...

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After suffering a series of devastating defeats at every betting stall he encountered, Kumara Varma wisely decided it was time to demonstrate his expertise elsewhere.

Preferably somewhere that didn’t involve losing more gold.

Thus, he proudly led Devara and Sage Veenadhara toward another section of the military camp.

This time, they arrived at a large blacksmith’s tent.

The rhythmic sound of hammer striking metal echoed from within.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Several blacksmiths worked tirelessly around glowing furnaces.

Sparks flew through the air.

Molten metal glowed bright orange.

Half-finished swords, spears, shields, and armor pieces were arranged around the workshop.

Visitors gathered nearby to watch the craftsmen at work.

The scene was impressive.

The blacksmiths folded heated steel.

Sharpened blades.

Fitted weapon handles.

Every movement reflected years of experience.

Naturally...

The moment Kumara entered, he immediately began explaining everything.

As though he personally forged every weapon present.

"Observe carefully."

He pointed dramatically toward a sword.

"The balance is important."

The blacksmith nearest to him glanced over with a annoyed look on his face.

Then returned to work.

Kumara continued confidently.

"The shape of the blade determines its effectiveness."

The blacksmith slowly raised an eyebrow.

Devara nodded politely.

The sage listened with amusement.

Soon Kumara was describing weapon construction with such confidence that several visitors actually began listening.

A few even believed him.

One particularly confused farmer eventually asked,

"Did you make these weapons?"

The nobleman puffed out his chest.

"Not personally."

A pause.

"But I understand them."

The blacksmiths exchanged looks.

"...."

"...."

"...."

One old smith quietly muttered,

"That’s a relief."

The others nearly laughed.

Eventually the tour concluded and the trio exited the workshop.

The moment they stepped outside, Kumara froze.

His eyes widened.

His posture immediately changed.

His shoulders straightened.

His chest expanded.

His expression became what he believed was charming.

Princess Indhumati was approaching.

Along with her companions.

And quite a few maids.

Kumara immediately ran his fingers through his hair.

Then adjusted his clothes.

Then adjusted them again.

Then checked his posture.

Then adjusted it once more.

The transformation was so sudden that Sage Veenadhara stared openly.

"Remarkable."

Devara nodded as he shifted his attention to something that is worth the time.

"What is?"

"The speed."

"What speed?"

"The speed at which he changed species."

Devara nearly laughed.

Meanwhile, Kumara had already stepped forward.

A dazzling smile appeared on his face.

Or at least what he believed was dazzling.

"Princess!"

Indhumati greeted him politely.

"Kumara."

The nobleman placed one hand over his chest.

"What brings you to this side of the camp?"

He gestured around dramatically.

"This area is mostly occupied by warriors and soldiers."

Then, for reasons known only to himself, he subtly flexed his arm.

The movement was not subtle.

At all.

Several maids immediately noticed.

The princess’s companions noticed as well.

Whispers began spreading among them.

A few covered their mouths.

Others looked away.

One maid nearly burst out laughing.

To Kumara’s immense satisfaction, several girls were clearly giggling.

He completely misunderstood the reason.

’They’re impressed.’

The thought immediately appeared.

’Naturally.’

’That is the effect Kumara Varma has on people.’

Meanwhile, the ladies were discussing something entirely different.

"Did he just flex?"

"He absolutely did."

"Again?"

"Again."

One of them nearly laughed herself breathless.

Princess Indhumati decided not to intervene.

There was simply no point.

Instead, her attention shifted elsewhere.

Toward Devara.

"...."

The merchant had wandered away slightly. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He stood near a weapon display.

Examining a sword resting upon a stand.

Not touching it.

Simply looking at it.

His expression seemed thoughtful.

The princess watched him for a moment.

Then suddenly an idea appeared.

A wonderfully mischievous idea.

Her eyes brightened slightly.

Several of her friends immediately noticed.

They knew that look.

It usually meant trouble for someone.

This time...

That someone happened to be Kumara Varma.

The princess turned back toward him.

"Kumara."

The nobleman immediately straightened.

"Yes?"

A sweet smile appeared on her face.

One that instantly filled him with hope.

The princess gestured toward Devara.

"We came because we want to witness something interesting."

The nobleman blinked.

"Interesting?"

She nodded.

"We came to see how you decided to train this merchant."

Kumara immediately puffed out his chest.

"Indeed."

The princess exchanged a glance with her companions.

Several of them were already struggling not to laugh.

One maid spoke up.

"Young Master Kumara’s martial wisdom is famous."

Another nodded.

"Very famous."

A third added.

"There is much one can learn from him."

The maids were enjoying themselves immensely.

Unfortunately for Kumara, he interpreted every word literally.

His confidence doubled.

Possibly tripled.

The princess continued.

"We wished to witness your teaching."

Kumara’s eyes widened.

The maids nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes."

"We came specifically for that."

"We didn’t want to miss it."

The nobleman looked ready to ascend to heaven.

His crush had personally come to watch him demonstrate his greatness.

What more could a man ask for?

Nearby, Devara slowly realized what was happening.

"...."

Then looked toward Princess Indhumati.

The princess smiled innocently.

Far too innocently.

Devara immediately understood.

She was doing this on purpose.

And judging by the amusement in her eyes...

She intended to enjoy every second of it.

Meanwhile, Kumara was already imagining future songs about this moment.

Naturally, he accepted.

"Of course."

He folded his arms confidently.

"I shall begin immediately."

The maids cheered.

The princess smiled.

Sage Veenadhara quietly sat down.

He sensed entertainment approaching.

And Devara...

Devara looked up toward the heavens.

For a brief moment, he genuinely wondered if Pushpasura would choose today to awaken.

Because somehow that seemed less troublesome than whatever Kumara Varma was about to do next.

Kumara Varma immediately began issuing orders.

Several nearby soldiers looked surprised.

But since he technically belonged to the royal family, they obeyed.

A few moments later, two practice swords were brought over.

The wooden weapons were designed for training rather than actual combat.

Kumara accepted one proudly.

Then handed the other to Devara.

The moment the sword entered his hand, Devara instinctively felt its balance.

Its weight.

Its center of gravity.

The habits of countless years surfaced automatically.

Fortunately, he suppressed them immediately.

Otherwise someone might notice.

For a brief moment, Devara assumed they were about to spar.

That seemed logical.

If Kumara wished to teach him, a demonstration would be the obvious approach.

Instead...

Kumara walked backward.

And backward.

And backward.

Until several feet separated them.

Then he dramatically pointed his sword toward Devara.

The crowd gathered nearby.

Princess Indhumati and her companions watched with great interest.

Several soldiers had also stopped what they were doing.

Even the blacksmiths were curious.

Kumara cleared his throat.

"Observe carefully."

Devara nodded.

The nobleman raised his sword.

"This is the foundation of swordsmanship."

His voice carried the confidence of a grandmaster preparing to reveal ancient secrets.

Then...

He moved.

Or rather...

The sword moved.

In a way that was difficult to describe.

The blade went left.

Then right.

Then upward.

Then downward.

Then somehow diagonally.

Then in a circle.

Then another circle.

Then what appeared to be an attempt at drawing a flower in the air.

Then a shape that vaguely resembled a fish.

Nobody understood what was happening.

Not even the sword.

The poor training sword seemed confused about its purpose in life.

Meanwhile, Kumara continued enthusiastically.

"Like this!"

The blade wobbled again.

"And this!"

Another strange movement followed.

"And then this!"

The sword nearly slipped from his hand.

Devara stared. His face gradually darkened.

"...."

Not because he was angry.

Because he was suffering.

As a swordsman.

As a warrior.

As a human being.

Every instinct inside him was screaming.

The movements before him violated principles of balance.

Principles of momentum.

Principles of combat.

And possibly several laws of nature.

Princess Indhumati lasted three seconds.

Then she burst out laughing.

A genuine laugh.

"-Hahaha!!!"

The kind she usually tried to suppress in public.

Her companions quickly followed.

Soon several maids were holding their stomachs.

One nearly stumbled into another.

Even a few soldiers looked away to hide their smiles.

The blacksmiths had completely stopped working.

An old swordsmith rubbed his forehead.

Another whispered,

"Should we tell him?"

The first shook his head.

"No."

"Why?"

"I want to see where this goes."

Meanwhile, Kumara interpreted the laughter completely differently.

His chest swelled with pride.

"They are impressed."

The thought immediately appeared.

Naturally.

What other explanation could there be?

The nobleman continued.

"Now you try."

Devara looked down at the wooden sword in his hand.

Then at Kumara.

Then at the sword again.

A long silence followed.

"...."

"...."

"...."

The king genuinely didn’t know what movement he was supposed to imitate.

The fish?

The flower?

The confused windmill?

Eventually he picked the least dangerous option and slowly copied the motion.

The crowd laughed even harder.

Because somehow Devara’s deliberate attempt to imitate Kumara looked more convincing than Kumara’s original version.

Princess Indhumati actually had tears forming in her eyes.

This was far more entertaining than she had expected.

Kumara nodded proudly.

"Excellent."

The soldiers exchanged glances.

Excellent?

One veteran sergeant standing nearby quietly whispered to another.

"If my instructor had seen that movement..."

The second soldier nodded.

"He would’ve retired."

Meanwhile, Sage Veenadhara was having the time of his life.

The sage sat comfortably beneath a nearby shade and watched everything unfold.

At one point he was laughing so hard he nearly fell over.

Devara, however, was slowly questioning reality.

He had trained under legendary warriors.

He had learned from masters.

He had exchanged techniques with experts.

He had seen divine weapons.

Yet never...

Not once in his entire life...

Had he witnessed someone wield a sword in such a uniquely confusing manner.

The most astonishing part?

Kumara looked completely serious.

The nobleman genuinely believed he was teaching.

Finally, Kumara lowered his sword.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Good."

He nodded.

"Very good."

The princess immediately covered her mouth again.

The maids were suffering.

Several soldiers had strategically turned their backs to avoid laughing openly.

Then Kumara placed a hand on Devara’s shoulder.

A gesture full of confidence.

"You possess talent."

Devara blinked hearing the compliment.

"I do?"

"Indeed."

The nobleman nodded solemnly.

"I can see it."

The king suddenly felt afraid.

Because if this was Kumara’s idea of talent...

The next lesson would probably be even worse.

And judging by the excitement in Princess Indhumati’s eyes...

She absolutely intended to stay and watch every moment of it.

Kumara Varma, completely unaware of the suffering he was inflicting upon everyone present, nodded with satisfaction after concluding the sword lesson.

"You learn quickly."

Devara wasn’t sure whether to feel proud or insulted.

Before he could respond, Kumara snapped his fingers.

"Bring a spear!"

Several soldiers looked at each other.

One silently prayed for strength.

Another looked toward the sky as though seeking guidance from the gods.

Nevertheless, a training spear was brought.

Kumara accepted it proudly.

Then spun it once.

Or at least attempted to.

The spear nearly smacked a passing soldier.

The man ducked just in time.

Princess Indhumati immediately turned away to hide her smile.

The maids were already preparing themselves.

They could sense what was coming.

And it did not disappoint.

Kumara took position.

Feet apart.

Chest out.

Spear raised.

Then he began.

"Hyaaah!"

The spear thrust forward.

"Whoosh!"

The spear swung sideways.

"Fwooom!"

The spear spun above his head.

"Baam!"

A downward strike followed.

Devara blinked seeing what the guy was upto.

Then blinked again.

"...."

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

As a matter of fact...

The spear wasn’t really moving that much.

Kumara was.

The nobleman was jumping.

Spinning.

Twisting.

Turning.

Pivoting.

Leaning.

At one point he seemed to rotate more than the weapon itself.

Devara watched silently.

"...."

The princess watched silently.

The soldiers watched silently.

Even the spear looked exhausted.

"Hyaa!"

Kumara lunged.

"Boom!"

He swept the spear dramatically.

"Crack!"

A thrust followed.

The only thing cracking was the patience of the audience.

The most astonishing part was the sound effects.

Every movement came with one.

Every.

Single.

Movement.

According to Kumara’s narration, each attack was generating shockwaves powerful enough to flatten armies.

Unfortunately, reality stubbornly refused to cooperate.

The spear produced no shockwaves.

The air remained intact.

Nearby tents survived the encounter.

A small bird landed on a fence and continued watching peacefully.

Devara felt his soul leaving his body.

The sword lesson had been bad.

This...

This was something else.

It was less spear training and more interpretive dance.

A very confused interpretive dance.

Princess Indhumati finally lost the battle.

She laughed. Completely.

Several maids joined her.

Soon the entire group was struggling to maintain composure.

Even some soldiers were coughing suspiciously.

One blacksmith actually walked away.

Not because he had work.

Because if he stayed any longer he was going to laugh in front of royalty.

Meanwhile, Kumara mistook every reaction as admiration.

Naturally.

Why wouldn’t he?

Clearly everyone was witnessing greatness.

"Hyaaah!"

Another spin.

"Whoooosh!"

Another thrust.

"Boom!"

A final dramatic pose.

Then silence.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Kumara stood proudly.

Sweat covered his forehead.

He looked immensely pleased with himself.

"Did you see that?"

He asked.

Devara stared.

For several moments he couldn’t find words.

Many words existed in his mind.

None were suitable.

Finally he nodded.

"Yes."

"I demonstrated advanced techniques."

Kumara declared.

Devara nodded again.

The king had officially reached the limit of what he could endure.

If this lesson continued, Kumara would probably move on to archery.

And Devara genuinely feared what that might look like.

The nobleman was already preparing to continue.

"Now-"

Suddenly Devara raised a hand.

His eyes widened dramatically.

"Oh no."

Kumara paused.

"What happened?"

The king slapped his forehead.

"The merchant stall."

Everyone looked confused.

"The merchant stall?"

Devara nodded urgently.

"I completely forgot."

The lie came instantly.

"I promised my business partner I would inform him about something important."

Very important.

Extremely important.

Life-savingly important.

Namely: escaping this training.

The king looked toward the village.

Then back at Kumara.

His expression carried the urgency of a man who had just remembered his house was on fire.

"I must go immediately."

Kumara frowned.

"But the training-"

"No time."

The answer came instantly.

"What about spear-"

"Tomorrow."

"What about-"

"Tomorrow."

"What about advanced lessons-"

"Tomorrow."

Before Kumara could formulate another objection, Devara had already started walking away.

Then faster.

Then even faster.

Within moments he was halfway down the road.

Princess Indhumati watched him leave.

Then she looked toward Kumara.

Then toward the rapidly retreating merchant.

And finally burst into laughter again.

Even Sage Veenadhara was impressed.

The sage stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"A masterful escape."

Meanwhile, Kumara stood frozen.

Still holding the spear.

Watching his student flee from education.

The nobleman sighed.

Then nodded wisely.

"I understand."

Everyone waited.

Kumara folded his arms.

"The lesson was so profound."

The crowd immediately knew where this was going.

"He clearly needs time to absorb it."

Princess Indhumati laughed so hard she nearly dropped her fan.

And far away, Devara continued walking toward the village.

Not once.

Not twice.

But several times he glanced over his shoulder to ensure Kumara wasn’t following him.

Because at that moment, fighting Pushpasura seemed considerably less exhausting than attending another one of Kumara Varma’s martial arts lessons.

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(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.

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