Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Raviel leaned back slightly, curious.

"So, remind me again. What was that thing you mentioned last night? Something about opening… what was it?"

Garion smiled faintly and leaned forward. "A gym."

Raviel blinked. "Ah, right. A gym."

He paused for a moment, thinking, then suddenly laughed.

"Wait, wasn't that the thing you said was kind of like a brothel or an inn?"

Garion froze and sighed. "Please don't say that in public."

Raviel burst out laughing, nearly spilling his drink.

"Well, if I remember right, a gym is a place you rent to train, right? You pay someone, spend time inside, and come out tired. Sounds exactly like a brothel to me."

Garion couldn't help but laugh too. "You're impossible, Patriarch. But no, it's not like that."

Raviel grinned.

"Then explain it again. I want to make sure I'm not imagining things. This 'gym' idea of yours sounds too strange for a sect leader."

Garion nodded, folding his arms.

"Alright. You got some things right. A gym is a place for training, and people do pay but not for pleasure but for suffering."

Raviel chuckled. "Hmm, paying to suffer. That's new."

Garion smiled faintly.

"Exactly. It's not about renting rooms either. It's based on membership. You pay once, and then you're registered as a member."

Garion gestured about how the membership worked.

"That membership lets you use every facility inside: equipment, weights, training rooms, everything."

Raviel nodded slowly, looking interested. "So it's not like renting an entire room?"

Garion shook his head.

"No. It's open use. You share the space with others. That's why it's cheaper, more efficient, and more motivating."

Raviel leaned back, tapping the table lightly.

"I see… That actually makes sense. Shared effort, shared cost. I like that."

Garion nodded.

"But before you get the wrong idea again... we don't have girls for you to rent."

Raviel blinked, then laughed so hard the elders nearby turned their heads.

"Alright, alright, I get it! So if there are no girls, then what do we rent?"

Garion grinned. "Personal trainers."

Raviel tilted his head. "Personal trainers? What are those supposed to be?"

Garion took a sip of his drink before explaining.

"Basically, they're like teachers, people you can hire to guide your training."

Garion continued to explain it to him.

"They correct your posture, teach you proper form, and make sure you don't get hurt while training. Think of them as body instructors."

Raviel hummed thoughtfully.

"So… You pay someone to yell at you while you lift heavy things?"

Garion smiled.

"More or less. But they don't just yell. They also motivate you, adjust your form, and make sure you're training effectively."

Garion then shrugged.

"The goal is to help everyone reach their best physical state, isn't it?"

Raviel nodded slowly, clearly intrigued.

"That's… surprisingly clever. You could apply that even for cultivators."

Raviel rubbed his chin, thinking it over more.

"People always train on their own and end up hurting their bodies because they don't understand their limits."

Garion's smile widened.

"Exactly. That's the idea. My path focuses on understanding the body first, then mana second. A gym gives people a place to refine both through constant effort."

Raviel rubbed his chin, thoughtful now.

"So, instead of just teaching disciples, you open it to everyone: nobles, commoners, and even people without talent."

Garion nodded.

"Yes. Strength shouldn't be limited to bloodlines or traits. If someone has the will to work hard, they should have a place to do it."

Raviel chuckled again.

"I never thought I'd hear that from a sect leader. Most would guard their teachings like treasures."

Garion shrugged. "That's why I'm not like most sect leaders."

Raviel smiled, leaning back with genuine amusement. "You're bold, Garion. Bold and slightly insane. But I like it."

Garion smirked. "You said the same thing about me during our fight."

Raviel laughed again. "And I was right then too."

They both relaxed, drinking as the hall's noise filled the background.

---

Raviel leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink lightly. "So... when do you want to build it?"

Garion smiled. "That's up to you, Patriarch. If you give the word, I can start right now."

Raviel blinked, a little surprised. "Right now? You already have everything prepared?"

Garion nodded. "Of course."

He tapped his chest. "My goal is to spread the God Gym's name. Starting here would be the most efficient step."

Raviel's smile grew wider. "You really don't waste time, do you?"

Garion chuckled. "Time is just another kind of weight, Patriarch. The longer you wait to lift it, the heavier it gets."

Raviel laughed loudly. "Ha! I like that. Fine then. Let's do it. We'll build one right here in our main city."

Garion nodded once. "Sounds good."

But before they could continue, Elder Rendric, who had been sitting quietly at another table nearby, frowned slightly.

He stood up and approached the two and carefully said.

"Patriarch, forgive me for interrupting, but don't you think this is a bit… hasty?"

Raviel turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Hasty?"

Rendric nodded. "Yes. I mean, I also respect Sect Leader Garion and what he's done, but we only met him today."

He turned to Garion for a moment before turning back to Raviel.

"And now you're already talking about working together and building something under our clan's name."

Garion stayed silent, calmly sipping his drink while Raviel listened.

Rendric continued. "There have been other groups, Patriarch, who wanted to work with us right away."

He rubbed his chin, thinking about it. "Some of their proposals were well thought out and focused on profit and trade."

Raviel's grin didn't fade.

"Ah, that's true," he said, tapping his cup. "Those people had good business sense. They all wanted to make money with us."

He looked back at Rendric. "But tell me, Rendric... who are we?"

Rendric answered quickly. "We are the Revalis Clan, one of the strongest clans on this continent."

Raviel nodded slowly. "Exactly. So tell me again, do we look like a clan that has money problems?"

Rendric hesitated, then shook his head. "No, Patriarch."

Raviel smirked. "Then why should I care about another boring trade deal?"

Raviel looked at his hand and clenched it before turning back to him.

"I want something meaningful, something different... not just another business that fills our vaults that we won't even know when to use."

Rendric frowned slightly, not knowing how to answer him.