Garion had just stepped out of the lab and was heading toward the gym when he noticed someone waiting near the hallway.

Rachel.

She stood there calmly, hands folded in front of her, her usual gentle smile already in place.

Garion stopped. "Miss Rachel," he said. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"

Rachel nodded slightly. "Yes, Garion. If you have a moment."

Garion smiled back. "Then let's talk in the cafeteria. I could use a break."

Rachel chuckled softly. "That sounds good."

They walked together, their pace unhurried.

The cafeteria was quiet at this hour, with only a few disciples passing by.

Soon, two cups of coffee were placed in front of them, steam rising gently.

Garion took a sip and leaned back. "Alright. What's this about?"

Rachel held her cup for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

"It happened while you were gone," she said. "Someone came to the God Gym."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "A visitor?"

Rachel nodded. "From a grand clan."

Garion paused mid-sip. "…A grand clan?"

"Yes," Rachel replied. "The Solmira Clan."

Garion slowly lowered his cup. "Solmira… the holy-element grand faction?"

Rachel nodded again. "That's the one."

Garion let out a short breath. "That's unexpected. Why did they come here?"

Rachel answered calmly, "Because the Demon Gate was destroyed."

Garion blinked once. "Ah."

He leaned back and nodded. "That makes sense. A gate like that disappearing would definitely alarm them."

Rachel watched his reaction closely. "They didn't come aggressively. Mostly to confirm what happened."

Garion glanced at her. "Did they ask about me?"

Rachel smiled faintly. "Dahlia told them the truth. That you were the one who destroyed it."

Garion nodded without hesitation. "Good. No reason to hide it."

He looked at her again. "So what did they do after that?"

Rachel took a small sip of her coffee. "Nothing hostile. They tested us, observed our cultivation path… and then they made a proposal."

Garion leaned forward slightly. "A proposal?"

Rachel met his eyes. "They asked if we wanted to be recognized as a grand clan."

Garion froze.

"…We can?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

Rachel nodded. "Yes. According to them, destroying a Demon Gate is not a small feat. It's enough to qualify."

Garion stared at his coffee for a moment, then laughed softly.

"Well," he said, shaking his head, "things really escalated while I was gone."

Rachel smiled, calm and warm as always.

"That's why I wanted to tell you in person. I thought it would be better if you heard it directly from me."

She paused, then continued, her tone turning a bit more serious.

"They said we need to show enough power," she said. "So… I fought him."

Garion's eyes sharpened immediately. "You fought him?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes."

"Did you win?" Garion asked without hesitation.

Rachel shook her head. "We stopped before the result was decided."

Garion frowned a little. "Stopped?"

She smiled softly. "He said there was no need to continue. He said my strength already qualified me as someone at a grand faction level."

Garion leaned back in his chair, processing that.

"I see," he said slowly. "So you passed the first check."

Rachel nodded. "That's right."

Garion tapped a finger on the table. "Then what do you want to talk about now? Another test?"

Rachel nodded again. "Yes."

She placed her cup down carefully.

"Five days from today," she said. "On Sunday. They will come again."

Garion looked at her. "And this time?"

"They want to test ten members of our sect," Rachel said. "Not just one."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "Ten."

"As long as those ten are strong enough," Rachel continued, "they will officially recognize us as a grand faction."

Garion let out a low breath. "That simple?"

Rachel smiled. "That's what they said."

She tilted her head slightly. "Power is absolute in this world. If you have strength, then everything else follows."

Garion nodded slowly.

"I can't say I disagree," he said. "That's basically how this world works."

He glanced at Rachel. "Do they care who the ten are?"

Rachel shook her head. "No restrictions. Just strength."

Garion's lips curved into a small smile. "Then that's fine."

Rachel looked relieved. "You don't think it's too sudden?"

Garion chuckled softly. "Sudden, yes. But troublesome? No."

He pushed his chair back and stood up a little, resting one hand on the table as he looked at Rachel.

"So," he asked, "which disciples do you think should go?"

Rachel blinked. "I choose?"

Garion nodded without hesitation. "Of course. You're an elder. And you know everyone's condition better than I do right now."

Rachel straightened slightly, taking the responsibility seriously.

"…Alright," she said after a moment. "Then I'll start with the obvious ones."

She counted quietly on her fingers.

"Five spots should go to your direct disciples," she said. "Dahlia, Arden, Mersha, Valtor, and Seira."

Garion raised a hand. "Don't count Mersha."

Rachel paused. "Hm?"

"She prefers research over fighting," Garion said. "Dragging her into a formal test like that would just annoy her."

Rachel smiled faintly. "That's true."

She adjusted her list. "Then Dahlia, Arden, Valtor, and Seira."

Garion nodded. "Good."

Rachel continued, "For the next four, I'd choose Clara, Eliza, Rynar, and Rynor."

Garion didn't hesitate. "Agreed."

He tapped the table lightly. "What about Dion?"

Rachel shook her head slowly. "He's strong, but his style depends too much on preparation."

She sighed. "If he can't drink first, his strength drops. We don't know if the test will allow that."

Garion nodded. "Yeah. That could be a problem."

He crossed his arms. "So that leaves two spots."

Rachel thought for a moment, then spoke firmly.

"Rovric and Ragric."

Garion looked surprised. "Those two?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes."

She smiled slightly. "They've been chasing the twins' backs for a while now. That rivalry has pushed them hard."

Garion considered it, then smirked. "You're right."

"They won't hold back," he said. "Especially if the twins are there."

Rachel relaxed a little. "Then that makes ten."

Garion straightened fully.

"Good enough," he said. "More than good enough."

Rachel looked at him. "Do you think they'll pass?"

Garion's smile widened just a bit.

"If they don't," he said, "then the world's standards are wrong."

Rachel chuckled softly.

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