Garion only smirked and nodded satisfiedly, looking down at Raviel and Aveline.

"Alright then. Like I said, this is the last day. So…" He waved casually. "Goodbye for now."

Raviel and Aveline sat up at the same time, exhausted but alert.

"You're leaving already?" Raviel asked.

Garion nodded. "Yeah. I need to talk to Rendric about the new disciples. After that, I'm taking them back to Demon Gate Island."

Aveline frowned. "Already taking new people there? Isn't it dangerous?"

Garion grinned. "Of course it is. That's the whole point. They'll grow fast."

Raviel sighed. "You and your insane training methods…"

Garion ignored the comment and pointed at both of them.

"You two better protect this archipelago properly, got it? This place is now part of the God Gym. Guard it well."

They both straightened despite their shaking bodies.

"Understood," they said together.

Garion continued, hands slipping into his pockets.

"And yeah… the gym here is open to the public. Anyone can become a member and train. I don't mind that."

Aveline raised an eyebrow. "But?"

Garion's voice dropped slightly, more serious than usual.

"But don't spread my cultivation path."

Raviel blinked. "Your… God Physique Path?"

Garion nodded.

"Exactly. Only the Revalis and Avenora clans are allowed to cultivate it. No outsiders."

Aveline narrowed her eyes a little, curious. "Why limit it? You usually don't hold back knowledge."

Garion shrugged casually.

"Simple reason. It's my specialty. My personal path. Even your clans have private techniques, right? Secret spells, heritage skills, forbidden arts… all that clan stuff."

Aveline's eyes widened slightly. "Ah… that."

Raviel suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Right... I forgot about that. Our clan does have private techniques we never share."

Garion pointed at him. "Exactly. Same thing. This path stays in the family."

Aveline exhaled slowly, accepting it. "So it's not about control… It's about keeping the strength contained."

Garion nodded.

"Bingo. If everyone learns this, it'll get messy real fast. People will misuse it, misunderstand it, or try to twist it. You two already trained under me, so you know the real deal."

Raviel crossed his arms, his expression more serious. "And because we trust you… you trust us with it."

Garion smirked. "Pretty much. Don't make me regret it."

Aveline raised her chin slightly. "We won't."

Garion shot her a thumbs-up.

"Good. And spreading it carelessly would just bring trouble. You don't want a thousand newbies blowing up their mana cores wrong and dying, right?"

Raviel shook his head quickly. "No, no, definitely not. That would give our clans a terrible reputation."

Aveline winced. "And we'd be the ones cleaning up the corpses."

"Exactly," Garion said with a chuckle.

He turned slightly toward the exit, stretching his arms behind his head as he walked.

"So keep the path inside your clans. Build your people properly. That's all I'm asking."

Raviel nodded firmly. "Consider it done."

Aveline bowed her head just a little. "We'll protect it."

Garion flashed them one last grin over his shoulder.

---

Garion stretched his arms as he stepped out of the private training hall, leaving Raviel and Aveline collapsed on the floor.

He cracked his neck once, then walked toward the courtyard.

"Rendric!" he called out casually.

The elder turned around fast, almost tripping over his own feet.

"M-Master Garion! You finished training Patriarch Raviel and Matriarch Aveline already?"

Garion smirked.

"They're resting. Probably questioning their life choices. Anyway... what about the thing I asked for? The recruits."

Rendric straightened immediately, chest puffed out with pride.

"Of course! Everything is prepared. The people who wish to join your God Gym have already gathered. Quite a lot, actually."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That many?"

Rendric nodded quickly.

"Yes. After hearing that you defeated Third Realm elders alone… the youngsters practically worship you now."

Garion chuckled. "Hah. Good. How about the requirements?"

Rendric grinned.

"As you instructed, all of them are under sixteen years old. And all of them are at the First Realm. Not a single Second Realm among them."

Garion snapped his fingers in satisfaction. "Perfect. Any problems?"

Rendric scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Well… a few 'geniuses' tried to force their way in. Some Second Realm brats who wanted to join too."

Garion waved it off. "Ignore them. They're not what I need."

Rendric nodded. "I thought so. You want First Realm kids because of the… conversion."

Garion grinned wider.

"Exactly. The first realm can convert to my path easier than the second realm and also... pain-free."

Rendric shuddered slightly.

"Meanwhile, for Second Realm cultivators… the conversion is like being torn apart from the inside."

"Yup," Garion said cheerfully.

Rendric winced. "Even now, I still… remember the pain of my core being crushed."

Garion patted his shoulder lightly. "Good. Pain builds character."

Rendric looked at him with a deadpan expression. "…Master, not everyone wants that much character."

Garion laughed, loud and carefree. "Too late! You're part of God Gym now. Character comes free with membership."

Rendric sighed, but a smile tugged at his lips.

Garion then held out his hand. "Take me to the recruits. I need to see if they're worth bringing to Demon Gate Island."

Rendric nodded, turning around quickly.

"Yes, Master Garion. This way."

Garion walked behind him, hands in his pockets, humming lightly.

They turned a corner, and Rendric opened the doors to a massive hall.

The moment Garion stepped in, the noise died instantly.

Thousands of young cultivators stood in rows. Every one of them had the aura of a First Realm cultivator.

Garion lifted an eyebrow.

"...Rendric."

"Yes, Master?"

"You told me a lot, but this is not 'a lot.' This is a damn festival."

Rendric scratched his cheek helplessly. "Ah… well… the number kept… growing."

Garion looked around again.

There were some that were trembling, whispering, and even trying to look cool and failing miserably.

He counted mentally, then stopped halfway.

"There are at least… five thousand here."

Rendric nodded awkwardly. "Five thousand three hundred and twenty-one, to be exact."

Garion's eye twitched.

"I said I wanted around four hundred and fifty."

"I know, Master Garion," Rendric said, bowing a little.

"But once word spread that the Revalis and Avenora clans joined the God Gym… and that you destroyed the Third Realm Elder… everyone wanted to join."

Garion rubbed his forehead. "Of course they did…"

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