The next morning, the training ground was noisy but not as noisy as usual.
Garion stood at the front, hands behind his back, eyes scanning the gathered disciples.
After a second, his brow twitched.
"...Huh?"
He counted again. Then once more, slower.
"Why does it feel like so people are missing?"
Arden stepped forward politely. "Master... Valtor couldn’t co."
Garion turned his head. "Couldn’t?"
Arden nodded, looking a little awkward. "He can’t move from his bed. At all."
Garion blinked once. Then twice.
"...Paralyzed?"
"Yes."
There was a short silence.
Then Garion rubbed his chin. "Ah."
Arden let out a small sigh. "He drank both potions yesterday."
Garion nodded calmly. "Yep. That’s expected."
So of the juniors stiffened.
"Don’t worry," Garion added casually. "It’s just the side effect."
Several disciples looked even more worried.
Garion continued scanning the crowd. "Then where are Clara and Eliza?"
Rynar scratched his cheek. "Sa thing."
Rynor snorted. "Can’t move. Like corpses. Breathing, but barely."
Garion frowned.
"They’re already in the second realm. Even if they drank the potion, they should’ve been fine."
Before anyone else could speak, Dahlia raised a hand and smiled sweetly.
"Ah. About that."
Garion looked at her. "What did you do?"
Dahlia tilted her head. "I gave them each one bottle worth of ten red potions."
The air went dead silent.
"...Ten?" Garion repeated slowly.
Dahlia nodded proudly.
"They’re second realm already. I figured they could handle it."
Rynar sucked in a sharp breath. "You’re insane."
Rynor stared at her. "That explains a lot."
Garion let out a long breath. "...Yeah. No wonder."
He looked back at the crowd and waved a hand.
"Alright. That also explains why so of you aren’t here."
A few disciples glanced at each other nervously, rembering how much they had drunk the night before.
Garion clapped once. "Since half of you are currently stuck in bed, we’ll adjust today’s plan."
He pointed at Dahlia. "You lead one team."
Then at Rynar and Rynor. "You two each take a team."
The twins straightened instantly. "Yes!"
Garion turned to Arden. "As for you..."
Arden bowed his head slightly. "I’d like to inspect the forest deeper, Master. Alone, if possible."
Dahlia frowned. "Huh? Why does he get special treatnt?"
Rynor crossed his arms. "Yeah. That’s unfair."
Garion glanced at them. "Because unlike you three, he actually thinks."
The twins froze.
"...Ouch," Rynar muttered.
Garion continued calmly. "Arden wants to research sothing. Let him do it."
Arden nodded. "Thank you, Master."
Garion then turned his head toward the back. "rsha."
rsha’s head snapped up instantly. "Yes?!"
"Co with ."
Her eyes lit up. "We’re experinting with supplents, right?!"
Garion smiled faintly. "Correct."
rsha bounced on her feet. "Yes yes yes!"
The other disciples groaned at the sa ti.
Rynor sighed. "There goes our peaceful day."
Dahlia smirked. "Good luck, everyone."
Garion looked around one last ti. "Alright. Teams, move out. Try not to die."
Then he turned and walked away, rsha practically skipping after him.
Behind them, the remaining disciples stared at each other with stiff faces.
"...This is going to be hell," soone muttered.
---
Arden was tightening the straps on his gear, checking everything one last ti before leaving the God Gym grounds.
"Arden."
He paused and turned.
Dion stood a few steps behind him, hands tucked casually into his sleeves, a relaxed smile on his face.
"What’s the matter?" Arden asked.
Dion tilted his head. "You’re going deeper into the forest, right?"
Arden nodded. "Yes. I want to investigate sothing. It might be dangerous."
"That’s exactly why I’m here," Dion said lightly.
Arden blinked. "Here...?"
"I want to co with you."
Arden frowned at once.
"Dion, this isn’t training. Third-realm demonic beasts are waking up. One mistake and..."
"I know," Dion cut in, still smiling. "That’s why I’m asking you, not sneaking after you."
Arden hesitated. "It’s still risky."
Dion stepped closer, lowering his voice just a bit. "You’re going, right?"
"Yes."
"And you’re strong," Dion continued.
"Calm, careful, and smart. If I’m with anyone out there, it should be you."
Arden opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Dion chuckled. "Relax. I’m not reckless like Valtor."
Arden sighed. "That’s not reassuring."
Dion laughed softly. "Hey, I know my limits. But I can feel it, Arden."
"Feel what?"
"That sothing inside is close," Dion said, tapping his chest lightly.
"My body reacts differently lately. Like it’s waiting for a push."
Arden’s eyes widened slightly. "You an... your [Unique Physique]?"
Dion nodded. "Yeah. I think danger might be the trigger. The real kind, not training."
Arden studied him for a mont.
Dion’s smile was easy, but his eyes were sharp and serious. He wasn’t joking.
"I see," Arden said quietly.
Dion leaned back, stretching his shoulders.
"Besides, I won’t slow you down. If things go bad, I’ll retreat imdiately."
Arden exhaled slowly. "If you co, you follow my lead. No heroics."
Dion raised both hands. "Scout’s honor."
Arden turned toward the forest. "Then get ready. We’re leaving now."
Dion’s smile widened. "Perfect."
He fell into step beside Arden, relaxed as ever, while Arden adjusted his grip and focused forward.
---
rsha and Garion stood inside the lab behind the cafeteria, the doors closing softly behind them.
rsha bounced on her heels, barely able to stay still.
"Master, master," she said quickly, eyes shining. "What are we going to make?"
Garion rolled up his sleeves and glanced around the lab. "Sothing useful."
Her head tilted. "Are we enhancing the effects of my prototype potions?"
Garion shook his head once. "Not those."
rsha blinked. "Then... a better supplent? Stronger than [Demonic Creatine] and [Demonic Protein]?"
He shook his head again.
Her excitent shifted into curiosity. "Then... are we making poison?"
Garion stopped moving and slowly turned to look at her.
His eyes narrowed just a little.
"...Of course not."
rsha froze. "R-Right. Sorry."
She scratched her cheek awkwardly, then leaned closer. "Then what is it? You’re killing here."
Garion walked past her and placed a hand on a large covered table in the center of the lab.
He didn’t remove the cover yet.
Instead, he smiled... the kind of smile that made disciples nervous.
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