Garion crossed his arms, smiling just like usual.
"Don’t worry too much about it. Just think of it as a rite of passage. If you can survive, you’ll gain trendous strength like ."
The group went quiet for a mont.
Rynar rubbed his arm again, still looking uneasy.
"So basically, we have to nearly die to beco strong?"
Garion chuckled.
"You won’t die. Probably."
Rynor frowned.
"Probably?"
Garion smirked.
"Well, I didn’t die, did I?"
The disciples stared at him blankly.
Garion just laughed.
"Relax. Once you awaken it, you’ll understand why it’s worth it. Look at . After my awakening, I could stand toe-to-toe with Raviel. That’s proof enough."
Everyone nodded, slowly starting to smile.
Arden nodded, beginning to calm down.
"That makes sense. If each awakening changes the body at the cellular level, it would explain the massive jump in strength."
Dahlia crossed her arms, still frowning.
"Still... the pain sounds like sothing I’ll never forget."
Garion grinned.
"Don’t worry too much about it, and also to cheer you up more."
He tapped his chest.
"Just like mana traits, every unique physique is different. Each of you will awaken sothing based on your own talent."
Arden nodded seriously.
"So it’s not sothing we can copy or predict."
Garion smiled, turning to Arden
"Exactly, it’s completely personal. That’s what makes it exciting. Don’t you want to know what kind of unique physique you’ll awaken?"
The group looked at each other.
Rynar and Rynor both grinned. Dahlia smirked slightly.
Even Eliza, who had been quiet, nodded.
Arden spoke again.
"I’m curious. If the physique represents the body’s perfection, then discovering it might show who we really are."
Garion smiled proudly.
"Well said."
He turned toward the setting sun.
The sunlight reflected off the deck as the ship hovered steadily in the air.
He stretched his shoulders once and spoke casually.
"Alright then. Enough talk for now. We have a dinner to attend."
Rynor blinked.
"Dinner? Wait... What dinner?"
Garion looked at him with a smirk.
"At the Revalis Clan, of course."
Rynor’s jaw dropped.
"Wait, we’re eating there? "Are we eating there with the Patriarch and all the elders?"
Garion nodded.
"That’s right. Patriarch Raviel invited us personally. He said he wanted to talk about what’s next for us, as he sees as an equal."
Rynar leaned closer to Dahlia.
"Equals? I think he just wants to see what kind of people we are before we destroy his kitchen."
Dahlia rolled her eyes.
"Don’t embarrass us this ti. Please."
Rynor raised his hand dramatically.
"I’ll try my best, but no promises if the food slls too good."
Garion sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"That’s exactly what I was worried about."
Arden chuckled from the side.
"I’ll make sure they behave, Master."
Garion gave him a grateful nod.
"Thank you, Arden. You’re my only reliable one sotis."
Rynar groaned.
"Hey, that’s unfair! We’re reliable too."
Garion glanced at him.
"You? Back at dinnerti on Demon Gate Island, you were always the first one who went straight to eat and the one who started the dinner chaos."
Rynar scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Ah... right. But I was really hungry after a really heavy workout at that ti."
Rynor laughed.
"Yeah, and you got hit by Master’s towel for it."
Dahlia smirked.
"I rember that. You looked like you were about to cry."
"Shut up," Rynar muttered.
Rachel smiled softly, watching them bicker.
"You all have such a funny dynamic. It’s like a family."
Garion looked at her with a small grin.
"That’s what I’ve been trying to build. A proper sect that feels like a ho, not just a training hall."
Rachel nodded, her eyes warm.
"Then you’ve succeeded, Garion."
Garion turned back toward the others.
"Alright, enough chatter. Go wash up and get ready. I don’t want us showing up looking like we just crawled out of a battlefield."
Rynor looked at himself, noticing the dirt and soot on his arms.
"Oh. Yeah, I think we should."
Dahlia crossed her arms.
"You think?"
Arden straightened his clothes.
"I’ll prepare sothing clean for each of us."
Garion nodded.
"Good idea. We represent the God Gym now. Rember, this isn’t just dinner but the first ti we’ll sit as guests in another clan."
Rynar grinned.
"So it’s important?"
"Very," Garion said.
"We make a good impression tonight. Understand?"
The disciples nodded in unison.
Rachel smiled.
"Should I join as well?"
Garion nodded.
"Of course. You’re part of us now, Miss Rachel. You’ll co as one of our elders."
Rachel blinked, surprised.
"Elder? I..."
Garion smiled.
"You’ve already earned that title. Just being who you are is enough."
Rachel lowered her gaze, touched by the words.
"Thank you, Garion."
Garion turned toward the ship’s interior.
"Alright, everyone, move. Wash your faces, change your clothes, and make sure Rynor doesn’t eat anything before we arrive."
Rynor looked offended.
"What? I wasn’t even planning to!"
Dahlia raised an eyebrow.
"You’re literally holding a sandwich right now."
Rynor froze, then hid it behind his back.
"Uh... this doesn’t count."
Garion exhaled. "Rynor."
Rynor sighed, handing it to Dahlia.
"Fine. I’ll save it for later."
"Good," Garion said, smiling.
"Let’s go make a good impression."
The group started preparing, laughter and chatter echoing across the deck.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship slowly turned toward the glowing Revalis Clan below.
They were ready for the dinner that would mark the start of sothing bigger for all of them.
---
Raviel landed back inside the Revalis Clan courtyard, his clothes still slightly torn from the fight but his mood surprisingly bright.
Elder Rendric, who had been waiting nearby, quickly walked over.
"Patriarch! Are you alright? What happened out there?"
Raviel waved his hand casually. "Nothing serious. Just a good match."
He smiled faintly. "Now, prepare a huge dinner."
Rendric blinked. "Dinner?"
Raviel nodded. "Yes, I’ve invited Garion and his disciples to join us tonight. Make sure the cooks prepare plenty. They all look like big eaters."
Rendric hesitated. "Garion... and his disciples?"
Raviel smirked. "Exactly. Now stop asking and start working. I’m going to clean up first."
Before Rendric could even reply, Raviel turned and started walking toward his quarters, humming quietly to himself.
The elder stood there in silence for a long mont, completely stunned.
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