Garion looked at Rachel for a moment, his expression calm but firm.

"Now that we've chosen the members," he said, "it's time for you to train them."

Rachel nodded slowly.

"You asked if they can pass, right?" Garion continued. "Then don't leave it to chance. Train them until passing is the only possible outcome."

He leaned slightly forward.

"Push them," he said. "As hard as you can."

Rachel didn't flinch.

Instead, she smiled.

"Of course, Garion," she replied gently.

"I've already spent a lot of time in the library these past days. I've been studying their conditions, their habits, and where they still fall short."

She folded her hands together, then let out a quiet breath.

"I won't lie," she added softly. "It hurts a little, watching them get hurt every day."

Garion raised an eyebrow.

Rachel looked up at him again, her smile steady but warm.

"But pain that leads to growth is still better than comfort that leads to regret," she said. "And besides…"

She straightened her posture just a little.

"I'm the sect mother now, after all."

Garion chuckled.

"Good," he said. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

Rachel met his gaze, and for a moment neither of them spoke.

Then she smiled again, this time a bit more casually.

"Also," she said, "just call me Rachel from now on."

Garion blinked. "Hm?"

"You told me to call you Garion," she continued. "So you should do the same. We're not strangers anymore."

Garion stared at her for a second, then smirked.

"Alright," he said. "Rachel."

Her cheeks colored slightly at hearing her name said that way.

"And maybe," she added quickly, her voice softer, "in the future…"

She stopped herself and looked away, pretending to adjust her sleeve.

Garion noticed.

He didn't comment on it.

He just smiled.

"Focus on the training first," he said lightly. "We'll talk about the future later."

Rachel nodded, her cheeks still faintly warm.

"Yes," she said, then paused. "Ah... there's something I almost forgot to tell you."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "Forgot what?"

Rachel straightened a little, her tone turning serious again.

"If we win the test," she said, "we'll receive something in return."

Garion leaned back. "Get what, exactly?"

Rachel took a breath. "Demon Gate Island."

Garion blinked. "Our territory?"

Rachel nodded firmly. "Yes. Not just the island itself, but the surrounding regions as well."

Garion's expression shifted. "So is it like the ten-year protection I mentioned before?"

Rachel shook her head. "It's different. It's much better."

She explained calmly, "This won't be temporary protection. The region will be officially placed under our authority."

Garion's eyes narrowed slightly. "Meaning?"

"Meaning no faction," Rachel said, "not even a grand faction, can act there without our permission."

Garion went quiet for a moment.

Then his lips curved upward.

"…Good."

Rachel watched his reaction closely. "You don't think it's too much responsibility?"

Garion shook his head. "We were going to protect this place anyway. This just makes it official."

He stood up and looked toward the training grounds outside.

"If they want to give us land," he said, "then we'll take it."

Rachel smiled, relief clear on her face.

"I thought you'd say that."

Garion glanced back at her. "Then train them properly. If we're going to own this place…"

His smile sharpened.

"…we'll make sure no one ever questions why."

Rachel nodded once, resolve settling in her eyes.

"Yes," she said. "I'll make sure they're ready."

She didn't linger after that.

She turned and walked away with steady steps, already thinking about training plans, recovery schedules, and how far she could safely push everyone without breaking them.

Garion watched her go.

For a moment, he didn't move.

Then he smiled.

A quiet, natural smile.

Just as he was about to turn away, a familiar voice chimed in his head.

[Oooh. Is this the sign of the future matriarch?]

Garion frowned immediately. "What are you talking about?"

Even as he said it, a faint heat crept up his cheeks.

[Hohoho. Interesting reaction.]

Garion clicked his tongue. "Don't say weird things."

[Relax, relax. Just an observation.]

Garion took a breath and waved it off. "Enough about that."

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

"Now I want to ask something more important," he said. "About the reward."

[The Demon Gate Island becoming your territory?]

"Yeah," Garion replied. "What actually changes now?"

[Hohoho… about that.]

There was a short pause, long enough to be annoying.

[…There is a new mission.]

Garion raised an eyebrow. "A mission?"

The system window appeared in front of him.

[Mission: Become a Grand Faction]

Garion read it once, then again.

"…Makes sense."

[Reward: Demon Gate Island and surrounding regions officially become God Gym territory.]

Garion nodded slowly. "That part I already know."

[…And an additional reward.]

Garion's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

[Special Function: Locked.]

Garion stared at the words.

"…Locked?"

[Correct.]

He frowned. "What kind of special function?"

[I don't know.]

Garion paused.

"…You don't know?"

[That's right.]

Garion sighed. "You're useless sometimes."

[Hey. You're the one who needs to complete the mission.]

Garion shook his head, then laughed quietly.

"So I have to win first if I want to know."

[Exactly.]

Garion straightened his posture, his smile turning confident.

"Alright then," he said. "Grand faction it is."

He looked toward the training grounds, where the disciples' shouts echoed faintly.

"Five days," he muttered. "That's more than enough."

His eyes gleamed with quiet certainty.

---

Meanwhile, far away from Demon Gate Island, Sorien stood inside the central hall of the Solmira Clan.

The hall was quiet.

Pillars of white stone rose toward the ceiling, carved with symbols of light and order.

Several elders sat in a half-circle, their presence heavy even without releasing any aura.

One of them spoke, voice calm but absolute.

"Sorien," the elder said, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "Please report."

Sorien straightened his back and bowed.

"Yes, Elder."

He lifted his head and looked at the elders.

He was about to report all the things he found from the Demon Gate Island and also what he found from the other regions.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.