Garion smiled lightly as he left the arena.
"Wait here for a mont," he said. "I’ll call the others."
Sorien nodded without hesitation. "Very well. We will wait."
Garion didn’t say anything else.
He turned around and walked out of the hall at an unhurried pace, his footsteps steady and relaxed.
For a brief mont, the wide arena fell quiet.
The Solmira mbers stood where they were, their posture straight out of habit. No one spoke right away.
Sindral’s eyes stayed fixed on the door Garion had just passed through.
After a few seconds, he finally broke the silence.
"...Is that really him?" Sindral asked.
Sorien glanced at him. "Hm?"
"The man just now," Sindral said, his tone controlled but sharp. "The one who destroyed the Demon Gate."
Sorien nodded calmly. "Yes. That should be the one you heard about."
Sindral frowned slightly. He crossed his arms and let out a quiet breath through his nose.
"I can tell he’s strong," Sindral said. "Even without releasing pressure, his presence was heavy. Solid."
He paused, then added, "But still... this God Gym is a new sect."
His gaze drifted around the empty hall again.
"No history. No legacy," Sindral continued. "Are we really sure we need to co all the way here for this?"
A few of the younger Solmira mbers exchanged glances but stayed silent.
Sorien smiled faintly.
"Of course," he said. "I never take matters like this lightly."
Sindral looked at him. "Even when the sect is barely established?"
"Yes," Sorien replied without hesitation.
He clasped his hands behind his back and took a few slow steps forward, his eyes thoughtful.
"Especially when it is barely established," he added.
Sindral’s brows drew together. "Why?"
Sorien stopped and turned slightly.
"Because strength does not always co from age," he said. "And innovation is often more dangerous than tradition."
Sindral clicked his tongue quietly but said nothing.
Sorien continued, his tone still calm.
"You felt it too, didn’t you?" he asked. "That man’s pressure."
Sindral hesitated for half a breath. "Yes."
"It wasn’t wild," Sorien said. "And it wasn’t aggressive."
"It was controlled," Sindral admitted.
Sorien nodded. "Exactly. That kind of foundation doesn’t co from luck."
He looked toward the door again.
"And if the master of a sect is like that," Sorien said, "then his disciples cannot be weak."
Sindral’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Or they could just be carried by him," he replied.
Sorien smiled. "That is precisely why we are here to test them."
He shifted his weight slightly, the sunlight from outside casting a faint glow across his robes.
"Also," he continued, "this cultivation path of theirs is new."
He looked genuinely curious now.
"I want to see how strong it really is when other people use it."
Sindral let out a short scoff.
"A body-focused path," he said. "No matter how refined, the body has limits."
He straightened his posture, pride clear in his stance.
"And I am still a genius of the Solmira Clan."
One of the younger mbers beside him hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Senior Sindral... that man did destroy the Demon Gate."
Sindral shot him a sharp look. "And?"
The youth swallowed and lowered his head. "N-Nothing."
Sindral took a slow breath and rolled his shoulders, loosening his arms as if already preparing for battle.
"Even if that man is special," Sindral said, "his disciples can’t all be monsters."
Sorien replied gently, "Perhaps."
Sorien didn’t scold either of them. He simply observed.
Sindral looked at him. "You don’t sound convinced."
"I am not," Sorien said honestly. "Nor am I dismissive."
He paused, then added, "That is why this trial is fair."
The hall remained quiet again.
---
Garion left the arena area and headed straight toward the dormitory buildings.
The God Gym was still quiet.
Most of the disciples were either asleep or just barely waking up.
He stopped in front of one of the buildings and pushed the door open without knocking.
Inside, Rachel was already awake.
She was sitting at a small table, calmly folding clean towels.
Garion raised a brow slightly. "You’re up early."
Rachel looked up and smiled warmly. "I usually am."
Garion nodded once, then got straight to the point.
"They’ve arrived," he said. "The Solmira Clan."
Rachel paused for just a mont, then her smile softened.
"I see," she said gently. "They really did co early."
She placed the towels aside and stood up. "Wait here for a minute. I’ll call everyone."
Garion leaned against the wall. "Alright."
Rachel reached inside her clothes and pulled out sothing small.
It looked like an amulet. Simple in design. Smooth and pale, with faint lines running across its surface.
Garion tilted his head. "What’s that?"
Rachel glanced at him and smiled. "This?"
She held it loosely in her palm. "It’s part of my physique."
Garion blinked. "Your physique?"
She nodded. "My power is tied to bonds and presence. I can connect to those I care for."
She lifted the amulet slightly. "This helps deliver my voice to them directly."
Garion’s eyes widened a little. "So... like a ssenger?"
Rachel chuckled softly. "Sothing like that."
She brought the amulet closer and spoke calmly.
"Wake up," she said, her voice gentle but clear. "The Solmira Clan has arrived."
---
At the sa ti, in multiple dorm rooms...
Dahlia shot upright in bed.
"...Huh?" she said, eyes wide.
The voice echoed directly inside her head, clear as day.
She rubbed her temples. "Wait... Elder Rachel?"
Across the hall, Rynor groaned and rolled over.
"The hell..." he muttered. "Why am I hearing voices this early?"
Rynar sat up imdiately, eyes sharp.
"...Solmira Clan?" he repeated. "Now?"
In another room, Clara popped her head up from under her blanket.
"Ooooh?" she whispered. "A morning surprise?"
Eliza was already awake. She sat quietly on her bed, hands folded on her lap.
Her eyes lowered slightly as she listened, then she stood up without a word.
Valtor laughed loudly in his room.
"Hahaha! Already? Nice!"
Seira opened her eyes slowly, her expression flat.
"...Annoying," she muttered, but she was already reaching for her clothes.
Arden froze at his desk, quill slipping from his fingers.
"They’re here?" he whispered. "Already?"
Within monts, doors began opening.
Confused voices echoed through the dormitory halls.
---
Back in the room, Garion stared at Rachel.
"...That’s pretty neat," he said honestly.
Rachel smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "It saves ti."
Garion crossed his arms. "Yeah. I could use sothing like that."
Rachel laughed softly. "Your way works too."
From outside, hurried footsteps could already be heard.
Rachel turned toward the door. "They’ll be here soon."
Garion nodded. "Good."
He straightened up. "Let’s see how ready they really are."
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