Varko kept moving.

His form was still rough, his steps uneven, but he didn't stop.

Sweat dripped down his face and soaked into the floor beneath him.

Every breath sounded heavy, like his lungs were being squeezed from the inside.

Garion watched him for a few seconds longer.

Then he turned around.

His eyes moved slowly across the gym.

First, his direct disciples.

Dahlia stood with her arms crossed, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp.

Arden was nearby, quietly stretching, his expression calm but focused.

Valtor leaned against a pillar, cracking his neck with a grin, while Seira stood straight, her presence cold and steady.

Then Garion's gaze shifted.

The twins, Rynar and Rynor, stood side by side as usual.

Sparks of flame and thunder flickered faintly around them as they warmed up, already restless.

Clara sat on a bench upside down, legs hooked over the edge, watching everything with a lazy smile.

Eliza stood a little apart, silent as always, eyes half-lidded but alert.

And then there were the last two.

Ragric Revalis stood with his arms folded, chin raised slightly, and a sharp smile on his lips.

Beside him, Rovric Revalis also smiled, heat shimmering faintly around his body.

The two didn't speak, but the tension between them and the twins was obvious.

Garion stepped forward.

"Alright," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the room instantly.

Everyone turned toward him.

He looked at all ten of them.

"Tomorrow," Garion continued, "you'll be fighting people from a grand clan."

Rynor grinned. "Finally."

Rynar cracked his knuckles. "Took long enough."

Ragric let out a short laugh. "Grand clan or not, they'll still fall if they're weaker."

Rovric didn't say anything. He just nodded once.

Garion raised a hand slightly.

"I didn't ask for comments," he said. "I asked a question."

The room quieted.

He looked at them again, one by one.

"Are you all ready for the fight tomorrow?"

Dahlia answered first. "Ready."

Valtor laughed. "I've been ready since yesterday."

Seira spoke calmly. "There will be no mistakes."

Arden nodded. "Yes."

Clara stretched and flipped upright. "As long as they don't cry, I'm good."

Eliza gave a small nod. Nothing more.

The twins answered together.

"Of course."

Ragric smirked. "If this is a test, then I'll pass at the top."

Rovric finally spoke. "I'll burn through whoever stands in front of me."

Garion listened to all of it without changing his expression.

He didn't smile. He didn't nod right away.

He simply stood there, arms crossed, eyes steady as he took in every word.

Then footsteps approached from his side.

Rachel appeared beside him, her presence calm and reassuring as always.

"Don't worry, Garion," she said quietly. "I've trained them as best as I can."

Garion glanced at her.

Rachel continued, her voice gentle but firm.

"I pushed them hard. Harder than they're used to. They're tired, sore, and annoyed with me… which means they're ready."

She smiled faintly. "I'm confident they can face the Solmira Clan tomorrow."

Garion nodded once. "Good."

His gaze shifted away from the group and landed on Varko.

Varko was still standing near the training area, shoulders tense, body clearly exhausted but upright through sheer will.

Garion walked over to him.

"Varko," he said.

Varko straightened immediately. "Yes, Master."

Garion spoke calmly. "Tomorrow is the fight between us and the Solmira Clan."

Varko's eyes flickered. He nodded, listening carefully.

"The Solmira Clan is known as a demon exterminator clan," Garion continued. "They specialize in dealing with demonic threats."

He paused for a moment, then said plainly, "So tomorrow, you stay in your room."

Varko blinked. "Stay… inside?"

"Yes," Garion said. "Consider it a rest day."

Varko clenched his fists instinctively. For a brief moment, disappointment crossed his face.

Then he relaxed.

"I understand," he said quietly. "I'll rest."

Garion looked at him closely.

"This isn't punishment," Garion added. "You're not ready yet. And there's no reason to expose you to unnecessary risk."

Varko nodded again, more firmly this time. "I won't waste the time."

Garion turned back toward the others.

"Everyone else," he said, raising his voice just enough to carry through the gym, "any questions? Or anything you still want to train with me before tomorrow?"

There was a short silence.

Then Dahlia's expression tightened immediately.

She stepped forward and crossed her arms.

"Please, Master," she said seriously. "We already trained hard enough for tomorrow."

She looked tired just thinking about it.

"So please… don't train with us again tonight."

A few of the others nodded quickly.

"Yeah," Rynor added. "I can still feel yesterday."

Rynar groaned. "My bones are already screaming."

Garion laughed. "Okay, okay."

He raised both hands in surrender. "No extra training."

Relief spread across the group almost instantly.

Then...

A familiar voice popped up from behind.

"Do you all want to drink my new experiment potion?"

Everyone froze.

Mersha had appeared out of nowhere, holding a small vial that glowed in an unhealthy color.

"I guarantee victory tomorrow," she added brightly.

The entire group frowned at the same time.

"…No," they said together.

Dahlia took a step back. "Please don't."

Clara shook her head rapidly. "I value my life."

Even Seira turned away slightly.

Mersha's shoulders slumped. "Aww…"

Garion coughed lightly. "Don't worry, Mersha."

He walked over and patted her head once.

"Tomorrow we don't know how strong the Solmira Clan really is," he said. "So if any of them get beaten up badly…"

He glanced at the disciples.

"…then you can give them your potion afterward."

Mersha's eyes lit up again. "Really?"

"Yes," Garion replied. "So make the best ones you can."

Mersha straightened instantly. "Leave it to me!"

She spun around and rushed back toward the lab, already muttering to herself about dosages and improvements.

The disciples watched her leave, all of them visibly uneasy.

Dahlia sighed. "…Tomorrow, we really can't lose."

Ragric smirked. "We won't."

Rovric also smirked. "They'll remember us."

Garion looked at all of them one last time.

"Get some rest," he said calmly. "Tomorrow isn't training."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"It's proof."

No one argued.

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