Arden flinched, his shoulders tightening. He clearly didn’t want to talk, but Garion wasn’t the type to let things slide.
Garion let out a long sigh and crossed his arms.
"You’ve been acting strange lately. Dahlia says it’s been a month already. So talk to . What’s going on?"
Arden shook his head. "It’s nothing, Master. I’m fine."
Garion frowned. "You’re lying. I can hear it in your tone."
Arden stayed silent for a few seconds before quietly asking. "Master... do you know my full na?"
Garion raised an eyebrow. "Your full na? Of course, it’s..."
He stopped, realizing he didn’t actually know.
Arden frowned bitterly. "Arden... Avenora."
Garion blinked, stunned. "Wait... Avenora? As in the Avenora Clan?"
Arden nodded slowly.
Garion laughed. "No wonder! I was wondering why you look so damn handso and a bit too elegant for a fighter."
He flicked his finger. "It all makes sense now. You’re from the clan of beautiful ladies!"
Arden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That’s not exactly sothing I’m proud of."
Garion tilted his head in confusion. "Why not? Most n would be bragging about that, including ."
Arden’s expression darkened slightly. "Because, Master... in the Avenora Clan, it’s a curse."
Garion blinked, even more confused. "A curse? What kind of course?"
Arden looked away, sighing. "Because I was born... too handso."
Garion froze, eyes narrowed. "Co again?"
Arden sighed. "I’m serious. The won in my clan, many of them, used to chase constantly. So even tried to force themselves on ."
Garion blinked, then raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so your problem is... you were too popular?
Arden only chuckled weakly. "It sounds stupid when you say it like that, but yes."
"It caused nothing but trouble, and because of that, all n in the clan hated ."
Garion frowned. "n? Weren’t tehy all sypposued to be... you know, good-looking too?"
Arden shook his head. "No. That’s the thing. For so reason, most of the Avenora n aren’t... attractive."
"They’re strong, but their look is quite... rough. It’s rare for a man there to have a handso face."
Garion rubbed his chin, trying not to laugh.
"So let get this straight. You’re born in a clan full of beautiful won and cursed with a really handso face."
"And thanks to this handso face of yours, many won wanted you, and all the n hated you for it."
Arden nodded quietly. "That’s right."
Garion sighed, struggling to stay serious. "And let guess, you left because of that."
Arden nodded again. "Yes, I couldn’t stand it anymore. The gossip, the jealousy, the attention. All of it was suffocating."
"One day, I heard the rumors about the God Gym... that the sect leader was quite different and can be said to be a real man, so I ca to God Gym."
Garion chuckled lightly. "A ’real man,’ huh? And how’s that working out for you so far?"
Arden smiled faintly. "Honestly? better than I expected. You made realize strength isn’t about looks or talent... it’s about effort. But still..."
He looked down at his hands. "The mories of that place... it’s hard to shake off."
Garion only smiled and gave Arden a light tap on the shoulder.
"Listen, kid. You ran away because you wanted to change, right? That’s not weakness. That’s courage."
Arden looked up, surprised.
Garion grinned. "And you’ve already changed more than you realize. You don’t need to prove yourself to that clan anymore."
He clenched his fists. "Just keep training, and when the ti cos, you’ll show them what a real Avenora man looks like."
Arden let out a small breath, so of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Thank you, Master."
Garion nodded, standing back up. "Good. Now rest for a bit. We’ve got a long trip ahead, and who knows..."
His grin widened. "Maybe you’ll get the chance to make a few people pay for all that bullying back in your clan."
Arden blinked in surprise. "Revenge? I... don’t know about that."
Garion chuckled. "Don’t think of it as revenge. Think of it as payback through improvent. You don’t have to hit them."
His grin widened again. "Just make them realize how much stronger you’ve beco."
Arden smiled faintly. "That... sounds more like you, Master."
Before Garion could reply, Dahlia walked over from the other side of the ship, stretching her arms.
"I heard everything."
Garion raised an eyebrow. "You always do."
Dahlia ignored him and looked straight at Arden.
"Listen, Junior Brother, you’re a direct disciple of the God Gym. Don’t let that fancy na of yours make you feel small."
Arden tilted his head. "You an my Avenora na?"
Dahlia nodded. "Exactly. When we reach their territory, show them you’ve changed. You’re not the sa nervous boy who left."
She clenched her fist and grinned. "You’re a cultivator of the God Gym now. That ans you don’t hide and face things head-on."
Arden gave a nervous chuckle. "Easier said than done."
Dahlia smirked. "Then say it and do it anyway. That’s how we work around here."
Garion grinned. "She’s right. The God Gym doesn’t raise weaklings, Arden. You’ve trained, endured, and grown. The only thing left is for you to prove it."
Arden nodded slowly, determination starting to show in his eyes. "I’ll try."
Dahlia crossed her arms. "Also, stop saying your handso face is a curse."
Arden blinked, embarrassed. "Huh? You heard that part too?"
Dahlia rolled her eyes. "Of course I did. If the twins were here, they’d mock you for a week straight."
"Not only are you handso and smart, but you’re still the most timid one of us all. You’re basically giving them free material."
Garion snorted. "She’s not wrong. Rynar and Rynor would never let that go."
Arden rubbed his neck, smiling awkwardly. "Right... I’ll keep that in mind."
Dahlia gave him a small, approving nod. "Good. Next ti, instead of calling it a curse, call it a weapon."
Arden chuckled softly. "You sound just like Master."
Garion grinned. "She’s learning."
Dahlia smirked at him. "Of course I am. Soone has to keep you from breaking your disciples before they reach their goals."
Garion laughed. "Fair enough."
He turned back to Arden. "You heard her. No more self-pity. From now on, you hold your head high, got it?"
Arden straightened in his seat. "Yes, Master."
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