Garion and Arden sat across from each other in the cafeteria.

The moment they sat down, the system hummed softly.

Plates began sliding onto the table one by one.

Grilled meat, thick cuts still steaming. Bowls of rice, vegetables, and soup followed.

Even a few strange-looking side dishes Arden didn't recognize appeared neatly at the edge.

Garion grabbed a piece of meat without hesitation and took a big bite.

"Alright," he said between chews, glancing at Arden. "You wanted to talk. What's on your mind?"

Arden picked up his own plate, holding it carefully.

He took a small bite first, chewing slowly, clearly thinking while he ate.

"Master," he said, voice polite as always, "I want to inspect the forest deeper. About… this phenomenon."

Garion paused mid-bite and raised an eyebrow. "Phenomenon?"

Arden nodded. "Yes. The demonic beasts. The way they awaken."

He set his chopsticks down and straightened up a little.

"From what I know, demonic beasts don't usually awaken in cycles like this. But on Demon Gate Island, they wake up every two or more years."

Garion leaned back slightly, chewing. "And that bothers you."

"Yes," Arden admitted immediately. "A lot."

Garion swallowed and smirked. "Then why don't you just go check it out? Why come to me first?"

Arden froze for half a second.

Then he lowered his head slightly. "…Because I'm scared."

Garion blinked once. Then he laughed.

Not loudly... just a short, surprised laugh.

"Well, that was honest."

Arden scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

"I know I've gotten stronger. But this island feels… wrong. Too quiet sometimes. Too heavy."

Garion leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Arden."

Arden looked up.

"You've already awakened your [Unique Physique]," Garion said calmly.

"You killed a third-realm demonic beast today. Cleanly. And you did it while thinking clearly."

Arden hesitated. "But I'm still only in the second realm."

Garion waved a hand. "Realm numbers don't scare me. Bodies do."

He tapped his own chest. "And your body? It's solid. Stable. Strong."

Arden's shoulders relaxed just a bit.

Garion continued, tone casual.

"If you feel danger, you retreat. If something feels off, you observe from a distance. You're not a berserker like Valtor, and you're not reckless like the twins."

He smirked. "That's actually why I trust you."

Arden blinked. "You… trust me?"

Garion nodded. "You think before acting. That's rare here."

He took another bite of meat.

"And remember... our strength is our body. If things get bad, you don't collapse. You move. You run. You adapt."

Arden let out a quiet breath. "When you say it like that… it sounds simpler."

"It is," Garion said.

"You don't need to solve the island in one day. Just gather information."

Arden nodded slowly. "Then… you allow it?"

Garion grinned. "Of course. Just don't do anything stupid."

Arden almost smiled. Almost.

He picked up his chopsticks again. "I'll be careful."

Garion leaned back in his chair, satisfied. "Good. Eat more. Thinking burns energy."

Arden nodded and took another bite, feeling steadier than before.

---

In the direct disciple dorms, Valtor had just reached his door when a calm voice stopped him.

"Valtor."

He turned around.

Seira stood a few steps behind him, arms crossed, her posture straight as always.

Valtor blinked. "Yeah?"

"I want to talk to you," Seira said.

He tilted his head, then shrugged. "Sure."

They moved a little to the side, away from the doors.

Valtor leaned against the wall casually, crossing his arms.

"So? What do you want to talk about?"

Seira didn't answer right away.

She studied him for a moment, eyes sharp and unreadable.

"What do you think of this sect?" she finally asked.

Valtor raised an eyebrow. "That's sudden."

Seira didn't look away.

"I know why you were sent here. You're supposed to spy on the God Gym... its strength, its training, its methods. Your clan follows a body path too."

Valtor let out a short laugh. "Straight to the point, huh."

He scratched the back of his head, then smiled, wide and honest. "To be honest… I like it here."

Seira's eyes narrowed slightly.

Valtor continued, voice relaxed.

"No, more than that. I'm even thinking about ditching that mission completely and just staying."

That finally got a reaction. Seira's brows lifted just a little.

Valtor pushed off the wall and gestured around them.

"I know my clan is considered a top clan. Strong bodies, brutal training, lots of pride. But compared to the God Gym?"

He shook his head. "The difference is like heaven and earth."

Seira stayed silent, listening.

"Just look at our seniors," Valtor said, voice growing more serious.

"They're still in the second realm, but they can kill third-realm demonic beasts like it's nothing. And they did it after training for barely over a year."

He clenched his fist unconsciously.

"In my clan? That's impossible. Not even the elders would believe it."

He looked at Seira directly.

"So if you ask me which side I'd choose? I'd choose the God Gym without hesitation."

Seira studied his face. "Even if your clan disowns you?"

Valtor laughed loudly. "If they dare."

Then his grin turned sharp.

"Honestly, if they knew how strong the God Gym really is, they wouldn't dare touch me. They'd probably pretend I never left."

There was a short silence.

Valtor tilted his head. "What about you, Ice Princess?"

Seira clicked her tongue. "Don't call me that."

He smirked.

"Then answer the question. Your mission wasn't just watching me. You were observing the sect too."

Seira let out a slow breath. "You're right."

She looked down the hallway, then back at him. "To be honest… I feel the same."

Valtor blinked. "Huh."

"This sect is different," Seira continued. "Not just in strength. The environment here is… strange."

She frowned slightly, searching for the right words. "Better."

Valtor nodded.

"I don't see disciples plotting against each other," Seira said.

"No bullying for status. No crushing juniors just to feel superior."

She paused. "The seniors guide the juniors. They yell, they push them hard, but there's no malice."

Valtor laughed. "Except during training. Then they basically torture us."

Seira gave him a flat look. "You enjoy that."

"Obviously."

She sighed, but there was no real annoyance in it.

"Even so, it's different. In other sects, strength creates fear. Here, strength creates… trust."

Valtor nodded slowly. "Yeah."

Seira folded her arms tighter. "I doubt any disciple here wants to defect. Or betray the sect."

She hesitated. "That kind of loyalty is rare."

Valtor smirked. "It helps when the training actually works."

Seira was quiet for a moment.

Then she spoke, voice firm. "If my clan orders me to leave… I don't think I will."

Valtor grinned. "Same."

They stood there for a second, the hallway quiet again.

Seira turned toward her room. "This conversation never happened."

Valtor chuckled. "Of course."

She paused at her door. "...Get some rest. Tomorrow's hunt will be worse."

Valtor laughed loudly as she walked away. "Good. I'd be disappointed if it wasn't."

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