Garion had just woken up when he felt it.

A strong pressure brushed against his senses, light and orderly, not hostile but very present.

"…So early," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "They really came this early."

He got up, pulled on a simple jacket, and walked out of the building without rushing.

The morning air was still cool, and the sun had only just begun to rise.

When he stepped outside, he saw them.

A group of people stood calmly at the edge of the God Gym grounds.

Their clothes were clean and neat, mostly white and pale gold.

Their posture was straight, disciplined.

Even without releasing any pressure, their presence felt orderly.

Light-element cultivators.

Garion's eyes moved to the man standing at the front.

Tall. Calm. Hands folded behind his back. No arrogance in his posture, but no weakness either.

At the same time, Sorien was slightly surprised.

He had expected Rachel.

Instead, a man he had never seen before walked out casually, looking more like someone who had just woken up than a sect leader preparing for an important test.

Sorien studied him quietly.

This man's aura was… strange.

Heavy, but not oppressive. Stable, but not rigid.

There was no obvious elemental pressure, yet standing in front of him felt oddly grounding.

Garion stopped a few steps away and looked at Sorien.

"Are you Sir Sorien," Garion asked, "from the Solmira Clan?"

Sorien smiled politely and inclined his head. "Indeed, I am."

Garion nodded. "I see."

He glanced at the sky, then back at Sorien. "Still, it's quite early in the morning."

Sorien chuckled softly. "We apologize if we arrived too early."

He gestured lightly toward the rising sun.

"As you know, the Solmira Clan cultivates the light element. Morning sunlight is the most suitable for us, so we tend to wake and move earlier than most."

Garion nodded again. "That makes sense."

He didn't comment further. Instead, he turned slightly and gestured with one hand.

"Then let me show you the arena," he said simply.

Sorien blinked once, then smiled. "Please, lead the way."

Garion turned and began walking, his pace unhurried.

Sorien followed beside him, matching his steps naturally.

Then Sorien spoke up, his tone polite as ever.

"By the way," he asked, "is Miss Rachel not here yet?"

Garion glanced back and smiled lightly. "She's still asleep."

Sorien blinked, then nodded. "I see. I suppose we did arrive quite early."

They walked a few more steps before Sorien tilted his head slightly.

"If I may ask," he continued, "are you another elder of the God Gym?"

Garion laughed softly. "Sorry, but no. I'm not an elder here."

Sorien frowned a little. "Then… a senior member? Or perhaps a direct disciple?"

Garion shook his head. "Neither."

That finally made Sorien stop walking.

"…Then who are you?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.

Garion stopped as well and turned to face him. His expression was calm, almost casual.

"I'm Garion," he said. "The leader of the God Gym."

For the first time since arriving, Sorien's composure cracked.

His eyes widened slightly.

"…Garion?"

He stared at him for a second longer. "But… weren't you stuck in the demon world?"

Garion smiled. "Yeah. I was."

Sorien's brows knitted together. "Then how are you here?"

Garion shrugged. "I managed to return."

Sorien paused, then asked carefully, "Through another Demon Gate?"

Garion nodded once. "You could say that."

Sorien let out a slow breath and bowed his head slightly.

"Then I must apologize for my words earlier. I spoke without knowing the full situation."

Garion waved it off. "Don't worry too much about that."

Behind them, however, things were far less calm.

Sindral, who had been listening from a short distance away, froze.

"…Stuck in the demon world?" he muttered.

One of the Solmira youths whispered, "Another Demon Gate?"

Another hissed, "What kind of monster survives that?"

Sindral clenched his fists slightly, eyes fixed on Garion's back.

So this is him, he thought. The one who destroyed the Demon Gate.

Garion didn't even look back.

He simply kept walking, a faint smile on his face, as if he hadn't noticed the sharp gazes and tense breaths behind him.

Sorien glanced around while walking, his eyes moving from one building to another.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"Sir Garion," he said calmly, "your God Gym… it's quite unique."

Garion chuckled. "That's one way to put it."

Sorien slowed slightly and gestured around.

"The buildings are all box-shaped. Very clean. Very simple. I've never seen a sect built like this before."

Garion nodded. "That's because we're new. No long history, no old traditions to copy."

He stopped for a moment and turned halfway back.

"Since we're starting from zero, I didn't want to imitate anyone. New sect, new style, new cultivation path."

Sorien's eyes showed clear interest. "A bold choice."

Garion smiled. "Bold works."

Sorien nodded slowly. "I see. It really does match what I've heard about your path."

They continued forward until a much larger structure came into view.

Like the others, it was box-shaped, but far bigger than the rest.

Garion stopped in front of it. "This is the arena."

He pushed the door open.

Inside was a vast, empty hall.

The floor was smooth and solid, the walls reinforced with dark metal.

There were no pillars, no decorations, and no banners. Just space.

Sindral stepped in and frowned. "This is it?"

Sorien looked around as well. "Is this where we'll fight?"

Garion nodded. "Yes."

Sorien tilted his head. "It's… simple. Just a large hall with metal walls."

Garion shrugged. "That's the point."

He stepped inside and spread his hands slightly. "No terrain advantage. No hidden tricks. No formations. Just strength, control, and skill."

Sorien's lips curved into a small smile. "Fair. Like a standard arena."

"Exactly," Garion said. "Nothing extra. Nothing to blame if you lose."

Behind them, Sindral's expression tightened.

So confident, he thought.

And for the first time since arriving, the Solmira youths felt a faint pressure settle in their chests.

This fight was going to be real hard.

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