A few weeks passed by in a whirlwind of relentless training and unyielding determination. Anirudh and Ishan began to feel a new energy surging within them, a testament to their hard work and resilience. Although Anirudh was still unable to land a blow on Lector, he had made significant progress. He could now react to Lector's attacks in real time, devising new strategies and methods with each passing day. His movements were sharper, his mind quicker, and his spirit unbreakable.

Similarly, Ishan's training was showing remarkable results. The soldiers he faced were becoming increasingly formidable. The second set wielded bamboo sticks, the third set carried metal rods, and the fourth brandished katanas. Despite the relentless bloodbath, Ishan had managed to clear almost four sets of rows. The sticks and rods no longer caused him much pain; his skin had toughened considerably. While the katanas could still cut him, they did so with much greater difficulty. However, he hit a plateau when he encountered the soldiers of the fifth row.

These soldiers were unlike any he had faced before. They possessed supernatural strength and were masters of various martial arts. When Ishan was on the verge of defeating the first soldier, she manifested a weapon that defied normalcy. It was not just a sword or bat; it had a golden glow, as if tiny light bulbs were embedded within it. This weapon inflicted far more damage than a regular blade, burning wherever it touched. This was the hardest challenge Ishan had encountered so far, and he found himself stuck at this point for about two weeks. Despite the immense difficulty, he remained resolute, determined to overcome this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

Once back in their room at night, the boys would usually gather to discuss how their day went, sharing stories of progress and setbacks. Akash often led these conversations, his eyes lighting up as he described his work with Dr. Obi on a bio-weapon designed to eliminate large swaths of zombies at once. He was also collaborating with three other scientists on an anti-fungal agent, taking great care to avoid the fungus developing resistance. Only three scientists were involved to minimize the risk of the resilient fungus spreading in the worst-case scenario.

Anirudh spoke with a mix of pride and frustration about his training. He detailed how his endurance, strength, speed, and skill were steadily improving. Sparring with other skilled fighters, and primarily with Lector, had become his daily routine. Although he still harboured a deep dislike for Lector, he had developed a grudging respect for his abilities and dedication. Anirudh was acutely aware that Lector never fought him with full seriousness. His current goal was to earn enough of Lector's respect to compel him to fight seriously.

Ishan, on the other hand, often bragged about his sessions with a confident smile. His training had noticeably increased his strength and durability, and he relished in recounting the intense battles he faced. Each session pushed him further, honing his skills and toughening his resolve.

Amidst these lively discussions, Avyan sat mostly in silence, feeling a growing sense of inadequacy. Unlike his friends, he had nothing substantial to report. His training seemed stagnant, limited to basic exercises like push-ups and crunches which he himself decided to do rather than just sitting and waiting around. He felt useless and feared he would be of no help to his friends if this continued. When he voiced his concerns to Elara, she would only assure him that the training was proceeding as intended. His requests to speak with Grand Marshall Pulkit were repeatedly denied, adding to his frustration.

One day, as Elara walked through the corridor, Avyan decided he couldn't take it any longer. He followed her and shouted, "Let me meet Pulkit!"

Elara quickened her pace, replying curtly, "It's not possible. You can't meet him."

Desperation fuelled Avyan's actions as he sprinted forward, blocking her path. "It has been weeks. I have not done anything. I don't think this is how it was supposed to go. I just need to talk to Pulkit once. Please, do me this favour, Elara."

With a swift push, Elara sent Avyan sprawling to the ground. "No matter how many times you ask me, unless Lord Pulkit wants to meet you, you can't meet him."

As she started to leave, Avyan's mind raced for a solution. He couldn't let her go without getting some answers. He shouted, "Okay, just let me meet Zeesham once!"