Dahlia stepped closer to the machine and rested her hands on her hips, eyes shining with interest.
She looked back at the crowded cafeteria and smiled brightly. "Alright, my good juniors."
That smile made several people tense up.
"Let’s start choosing who the two lucky ones are today."
The word "lucky" did not help at all.
A wave of groans spread through the room.
"You call that lucky?"
"Senior Sister, please have rcy."
"I suddenly feel sick."
Dahlia giggled and placed her hand on the machine. "Relax. It’s all part of training."
She glanced at Garion. "I’m spinning it, right?"
Garion nodded. "Go ahead."
Dahlia took a deep breath and pulled the lever.
The machine humd loudly. Light flashed inside the slot as nas spun rapidly.
Several disciples clasped their hands together.
Others looked away.
A few stared intensely, like they could influence the result through sheer will.
Clara whispered, "I can feel their fear from here."
Rynor crossed his arms. "This is way worse than fighting beasts."
The machine slowed.
Click.
Click.
Two nas stopped.
For a second, the cafeteria was silent.
Then the reactions exploded.
"No way!"
"You’ve got to be kidding !"
"WHY ?!"
Garion calmly walked forward, holding two small black bottles.
He handed one to each selected disciple.
"Drink," he said simply.
The two disciples stared at the bottles like they were cursed objects.
One of them swallowed hard. "Master... is it really that bad?"
Garion nodded once. "Yes."
Dahlia patted their shoulders cheerfully. "Good luck."
They had no choice.
Both raised the bottles and drank.
The mont the liquid touched their tongues, their faces twisted.
"Ugh!"
"What is this taste?!"
"It’s everything at once!"
They barely managed to swallow before stumbling back.
Mana burst out of their bodies almost instantly.
Energy mixed with violent waves of power, wrapping around them as smooth cocoons ford.
Then the screaming started.
Loud. Raw. Desperate.
Several disciples flinched.
One covered their ears. "It’s starting already!"
Rika muttered, "I still rember that part."
Seira watched silently, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
Garion observed the cocoons calmly, then turned away.
"Alright," he said casually. "Let’s go take a look at the training hall."
Dahlia blinked. "That’s it?"
Garion nodded. "They’ll be busy for a while."
The disciples stared at his back as he walked out, screams echoing behind them.
Clara sighed. "Master is terrifying."
Eliza quietly followed, already used to it.
Behind them, two cocoons shook violently as the awakening continued.
---
Garion led the group toward the training hall, hands in his pockets, steps relaxed.
Dahlia and the others followed right behind him.
The mont they stepped inside the training hall, everyone stopped.
Their expressions changed at the sa ti.
"...What," Rynor muttered, his grin fading.
Rynar planted his feet and frowned. "This pressure."
Dahlia blinked and straightened her posture. "Why do I feel heavier?"
Clara lifted one leg, then the other. "Hey. This isn’t normal."
Rika frowned as well. "Did soone turn gravity up?"
Rena clenched her fists, sparks flickering weakly. "We haven’t even touched any machines yet."
They all looked around instinctively.
The hall itself looked mostly the sa.
But the air felt different.
Every movent took more effort. Even breathing felt slightly heavier.
"Damn it," Rynor said. "What the hell is this pressure?"
Garion stopped and turned around, watching them struggle.
A satisfied smirk appeared on his face.
"Free weight," he said calmly.
Everyone froze.
"...Free what?" Dahlia asked.
"Free weight around the body while you train," Garion explained.
Rynar stared at him. "You’re joking."
Garion shook his head. "No."
Clara groaned dramatically. "So just standing here counts as training now?"
"Yes," Garion replied.
Several disciples groaned at once.
Dahlia rubbed her arms. "Wait. The library is connected to the training hall, right?"
Garion nodded.
Her eyes widened. "Does that an if we study, we have to withstand this pressure too?"
Garion smiled wider. "Correct."
"The hell," Rika muttered.
Rena laughed nervously. "That’s evil."
Garion turned and started walking again. "You’ll get used to it."
Rynor whispered to Rynar, "I’m never sitting down again."
After moving deeper inside, Garion stopped in front of a wide doorway.
"Alright," he said. "Let’s go to the arena."
They stepped through.
The space beyond surprised everyone.
Instead of one large open area, there was a massive hall filled with many separate rooms.
Each room was sealed with thick walls and glowing panels.
Dahlia looked around. "So many rooms."
Garion nodded. "Each one is a battle room."
Valtor’s eyes lit up. "Battle?"
"Yes," Garion said. "You can fight another person."
He pointed to one panel. "Or you can fight a hologram."
Clara leaned closer to a glowing screen. "Hologram-like illusions?"
"Real combat data," Garion replied. "Based on beasts we hunted. Or people you fought."
Rovric frowned slightly. "So it can recreate demonic beasts?"
"Yes."
"And people?" Ragric asked.
Garion nodded again. "Including yourselves."
The room went quiet.
"That’s scary," Rika said softly.
Garion crossed his arms. "This arena is for controlled combat. You can go all out without worrying about killing soone by accident."
Valtor cracked his neck. "I like this place."
Dahlia smiled brightly. "I really like this place."
Clara clapped her hands. "I officially approve of Level Three."
Eliza nodded once.
Garion watched their reactions, smiling.
He stepped forward and clapped his hands once.
"Now that the arena is ready," he said, "how about we run a test?"
Dahlia tilted her head. "A test?"
Garion’s smile widened just a bit. "Yes."
He pointed at the open battle room. "All of you. Fight . At the sa ti."
For a full second, no one spoke.
Then...
"...Huh?" Dahlia blinked.
Valtor’s eyes widened. "All of us?"
Seira frowned deeply. "Master. We have all awakened our [Unique Physique]."
Clara pointed at herself. "Including . And I am very dangerous."
Rynor laughed nervously. "This feels illegal."
Rynar crossed his arms. "You sure about this?"
Even Eliza stopped moving, her eyes fixed on Garion.
Garion nodded without hesitation. "Of course."
He rolled his shoulders once. "I know exactly what I’m asking."
Dahlia took a step forward. "Master... are you sure? We won’t hold back."
"That’s the point," Garion replied. "I want to see how strong you all are when you fight together."
Valtor clenched his fists, excitent flashing across his face. "So no restrictions?"
"No restrictions," Garion said.
Seira exhaled slowly. "You’re confident."
Garion smirked. "I wouldn’t suggest this otherwise."
He looked around the group and pointed one by one. "Dahlia. Valtor. Seira. Clara. Eliza."
Then he glanced at the twins. "Rynar. Rynor."
"All of you," he said calmly. "Co at ."
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