Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

There were only four months left before the end of the year.

During these months, all the disciples trained harder than ever, thanks to Dahlia being their teacher.

Every day started before dawn and ended long after the sun disappeared.

Sweat drenched the floors, mana filled the air, and the sound of groaning from training echoed around the hall.

But it wasn't just training.

Every week, under Dahlia's lead, they went deep into the forest to hunt more First Realm beasts.

The disciples fought in pairs, learning teamwork and the art of fighting effectively under Arden's leadership.

And when they returned, some were bruised, some bleeding, all exhausted, but smiling as they brought back a huge haul.

Fortunately, they never encountered any Second Realm beasts.

At first, everyone was relieved, but Garion couldn't help but frown.

"Strange… a place like this should have plenty of Second Realm beasts roaming around. So where are they hiding?"

Even so, he didn't dwell on it too much.

The First Realm beasts had provided enough resources for his plans to create his favourite supplement, the [Limit Break Serum – Mana Pool Cells Version].

By the end of each week, Garion smiled as he gathered all of them and handed some to a few of them.

Most of them flinched the moment they saw it, but like always, no one could refuse and only drank.

Even with the disgusting taste that burned their tongues and throats, they pushed through it.

By the end of the second month, every disciple had reached the Completion Stage of the Mana Cells Refinement Realm.

Their strength rose so quickly that even Dahlia was impressed.

She was also busy, leading a separate group and teaching them how to advance to the Mana Core Cells Realm.

Arden had joined her sessions often, helping her keep track of progress.

He was surprised at how simple the process was in theory.

"So it's basically the same as the first realm. We need to gather, refine, and temper until one of them becomes perfect."

Dahlia nodded, smirking. "Exactly. And although it was a bit harder, when it was done, you'll step into the second realm."

Arden smiled awkwardly. "Easier said than done."

Dahlia chuckled. "Then stop saying it and start doing it."

By the third month, most of the disciples had succeeded in creating their first perfect Mana Core Cell.

Even Garion looked pleased as he observed them from a distance.

"Not bad. They're adapting faster than I expected."

As for Dahlia, she had long since stabilised at the Propagation Stage of the Mana Core Cells Realm.

Her aura alone was enough to make most disciples freeze when she entered the hall.

By the time the fourth month arrived, the atmosphere across the God Gym was completely different.

Every disciple trained with burning focus, because at the end of the year, Garion had made an announcement.

He would be leaving the Demon Gate Island, taking twelve people with him.

Two were already decided, which were the direct disciples, Dahlia and Arden.

The other ten would be chosen based on strength, discipline, and potential.

The moment the announcement spread, the training doubled overnight. No one slacked or even complained.

They all wanted to be among the chosen twelve.

Rynor shouted louder during drills, Rynar lifted heavier weights, and Clara and Eliza pushed their limits in sparring.

Even the quietest disciples joined the competition with fire in their eyes.

Garion watched them from the side, grinning widely.

"That's right. Push harder. Fight for it. Only the ones who endure can follow me later to the outside world."

Dahlia's voice also echoed through the hall, sharp and commanding.

"Ten more sets! If you can't move... crawl! You want to be chosen, don't you? Then move!"

The disciples nodded as they trained harder and lifted heavier than before, knowing this was their chance to be quite famous later on.

---

The end of the year came.

Every disciple stood in formation outside the main hall, their expressions a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Garion walked into the hall as usual, quickly scanning them and smirking.

"So... this is it, huh? The end of our first year? And also the time when I'll choose which ones to go with me."

The disciples straightened immediately.

Garion looked at them for a moment before turning toward the system.

The system had already highlighted the people by giving some glowing golden arrows above their heads.

'Good. This make it even easier.'

Then he began to call out the names of the chosen ones out loud.

"Clara."

"Yes, Master!" she stepped forward proudly, her eyes shining.

"Eliza."

"Here!" she smiled faintly, trying to hide her excitement.

"Rynar. Rynor."

The twins stepped forward in unison, grinning. "Of course, Master. You can't leave us behind."

Garion smirked. "You two are hard to ignore, that's for sure."

He continued down the list, calling name after name.

Some disciples nearly burst into tears when they heard theirs, and the rest could only smile weakly, trying to hide their disappointment.

By the end, twelve people stood before him, including Dahlia and Arden.

But as he scanned them, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Wait a second..."

He looked at the system again to verify that the names and arrows were indeed accurate.

"Four men? And the rest are all women? Seriously?"

AS always, no answer came.

He exhaled deeply, muttering. "Fine. Guess fate has its own preferences."

When he turned back, Dahlia was smirking knowingly beside him.

"What's wrong, Master? Don't tell me you're scared of being outnumbered."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "I'm not scared. I'm just wondering if the world's ready for this much chaos."

The disciples chuckled.

Garion shook his head and raised his voice again.

"Anyway, you all are the ten who'll be coming with me... and with Dahlia and Arden, that makes twelve."

Garion then motioned toward another group of disciples, about forty of them, toward the other side.

"And for the forty of you... All of you with those ten will now become inner disciples. You'll move into the inner dormitories starting today."

The forty disciples froze for a second, processing his words, then erupted into cheers.

Some even jumped, laughing and hugging each other.

Garion let them have their moment, smiling faintly. "You've earned it. All of you have."

He raised a hand, quickly silencing them.

"For the rest of you... Don't be discouraged. Your time will come soon enough."

His tone softened slightly. "When I return, I'll bring more disciples to this island. And when they arrive…"

He paused, smirking again. "I expect you to show them what real God Gym training looks like."

A loud, unified shout filled the air."YES, MASTER!"

Garion nodded once, satisfied.