Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Raviel flew to the sky as flames and thunder auras swirling around him.

He raised his [Flaming Storm Greatsword] high and swung it repeatedly, sending waves of burning thunder toward Aveline.

Aveline smirled as she raised her hand calmly again to summon [Nature's Shield].

The vines in the arena began to gather, intertwining into thick walls that absorb each fiery thunder impact.

The ground trembled from every explosion, but Aveline didn't even flinch.

Raviel grinned from above, mocking her.

"You're still hiding behind those vines of yours? That's not like you, Aveline!"

Aveline's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to Raviel.

"And you're still the same... the typical loudmouth, Raviel. But let me show you my power."

She clapped her hands together, and dozens of vines burst from the forest, twisting and darting toward Raviel.

[Nature's Bind]

The vines chased him through the air, snapping and whipping around.

Raviel smirked and spun his sword in a wide arc, cutting through several of them.

"Come on, Aveline! That's all you've got? Try harder!"

Aveline smiled faintly, unfazed.

"You talk too much, Raviel. I'm not even serious yet."

She raised both her hands, and the remaining ines merged into one enormous whip.

She then swung it down toward Raviel with a crushing force.

Raviel grinned, flames bursting around him.

He raised the [Flaming Storm Greatsword] high and made it even larger before cleaving the massive vine clean in two.

He smirked and called down.

"That's it? You're losing your touch, Aveline!"

But she didn't frown or even flinch. Her calm smile only made Raviel's expression falter.

"…Wait."

Before he could react, countless smaller vines shot up from beneath him.

They quickly wrapped tightly around his arms, legs, and torso. In a blink, he was completely bound.

Raviel gritted his teeth. "Damn it!"

Aveline laughed softly, walking forward. "Is that all the great Raviel can do?"

Raviel growled. "Of course not. Let's turn up the heat!"

Flames erupted from his body, trying to burn the vines that were binding him.

Aveline shook her head, still smiling.

"It's useless. My vines aren't ordinary ones. They'll absorb every bit of mana you release, including your flame mana."

The vines pulsed brighter, drawing in his flames like they were feeding on them.

Raviel's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding me…"

Aveline's calm voice echoed through the arena. "Welcome to my domain, Raviel. Nature always wins."

But instead of panicking, Raviel suddenly laughed.

"You're strong, Aveline, just like I expected. But you think this can hold me? I survived Garion's training. This is nothing."

Aveline glanced toward Garion and smiled.

"Garion, I'm sorry, but even if you trained him for a year, no matter what, he still wouldn't be able to defeat me."

Garion chuckled, crossing his arms.

"Oh, really? No matter what, huh? I beg to differ, Aveline."

She raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Garion smirked and pointed at Raviel.

"You'll see. My training isn't just mana training… It's something else entirely."

Aveline frowned, confused, and turned back toward Raviel, just in time to see something unbelievable.

The vines restraining Raviel began to tighten, but instead of burning them off...

He spread his arms and legs wide, and suddenly the vines snapped apart.

Aveline's eyes widened.

"What?! That's impossible! Those vines are strong enough to hold a peak second-realm beast!"

Raviel grinned, rolling his shoulders.

"Let me tell you, Aveline. Garion's training wasn't just for my mana. It was for my body. And now, I've reached harmony between both."

Aveline frowned. "Harmony? What are you talking about?"

Raviel straightened, his aura bursting with flame and thunder.

"Like his disciples, I also gained a new physique. But mine's different."

"Different how?" Aveline asked cautiously.

Ravuel smirked as he proudly explained.

"It's not a [Unique Physique] like theirs, but what I call [Mana Physique] because it's the evolution of the mana trait."

Aveline blinked in surprise. "A… [Mana Physique]?"

Raviel nodded. "Yeah. It's similar in idea, but our paths are different. I still have my mana core, while they don't."

Aveline turned quickly toward Garion, shocked. "You don't have a mana core?"

Garion chuckled and shrugged.

"Nope. Our path focuses on transforming the body instead. We don't need a mana core."

Aveline looked at Arden, who nodded firmly. "It's true. Our strength comes from turning mana into the body itself."

Raviel smirked, rolling his shoulders. "That's right. They focus entirely on the body, but mine is a mix of both."

"So while it's not as extreme as theirs, it's still powerful because it evolved from my original mana trait."

He raised his hand, letting sparks of flame and thunder dance between his fingers.

"That's why I call it the [Flaming Storm Physique]. It combines my mana and body into one."

"My spells aren't for casting anymore… they're for fueling me. Every bit of mana I release strengthens my body."

He clenched his fist, and a ripple of power cracked the ground beneath him.

"That's why your vines couldn't hold me, Aveline. They didn't face just me but my entire being."

Aveline stepped back slightly, her calm expression faltering.

"So that's it… Your flames and thunder aren't spells anymore, they're part of you."

Raviel grinned, eyes burning brighter. "Exactly. And now, Aveline…"

He lifted his greatsword, thunder roaring above.

"Let's see if your nature can survive a real flaming storm."

Aveline didn't flinch. Instead, she laughed softly, her eyes glowing with green light.

"You've improved a lot, Raviel… but don't get ahead of yourself."

She stepped forward, spreading her arms as mana poured out from her body.

"[Mana Physique], [Mana Trait], whatever you have. It still won't be enough to defeat me here, in my own domain."

Raviel tightened his grip on his sword, the heat around him rising. "Then show me, Aveline. Prove it."

Aveline smirked. "Gladly."

She pressed her palms to the ground, and the earth rumbled beneath their feet.

"Come out, [Forest Guardian]!"

Vines burst from the soil, weaving together with branches, bark, and roots.

The ground cracked as trees bent and merged, forming a colossal golem made of living wood and stone.

Its eyes glowed green, and every step it took made the ground quake.