Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Raviel smirked as he landed softly on the ground, right in front of Aveline.

"Now tell me, Aveline..."

He pointed at the shattered remains of the [Forest Guardian].

"I have defeated it, and just like you said before... if I managed to beat it, you'll admit defeat."

Aveline let out a long and slow breath as she began to dissolve her own domain.

"Indeed. I have said it before."

She lifted her head and looked at Raviel straight in his eyes, smiling.

"Congratulations, Patraihr Raviel. You're the first man who ever won against me."

Avelien then crossed her arms.

"Then, Raviel. Now that you have won...what do you plan to do?"

Raviel puffed out his chest and pointed at himself with his thumb.

"What else? We get married, of course."

Aveline's brows quickly twitched.

"So direct."

Raveil continued, grinning ear to ear.

"Didn't you say it yourself years ago that anyone who can defeat you in the marriage challenge earns the right to marry you?"

Aveline looked sideways for a moment, thinking.

"...Correct."

Garion leaned toward Dahlia. "Wow, she didn't deny it. This is happening."

Dahlia smirked. "Patriarch Raviel really has guts."

Eliza nodded softly. "He's extremely straightforward."

Clara snorted. "More like extremely stubborn."

Arden whispered, "Senior sister, is this a good time to talk about how scary the Avenora Clan women are?"

Dahlia elbowed him lightly. "Shh. Let the man enjoy his moment."

Back at the center of the arena, Raviel stepped closer, confident as ever.

"So... when's the wedding?"

Aveline sighed again, but this time, there was a tiny smile on her face.

"We must follow the clan procedres and also..."

She gave Raviel a testing look.

"Don't think that this is over just because you have won. We maybe married but i'll challenge you next time."

Raviel burst out laughing.

"Good. I wouldn't want it any other way."

The members of both clans cheered excitedly in the background.

Garion folded his arms and nodded.

"Not bad, Raviel. You actually pulled it off."

Raviel smirked, lifting his chin.

"Of course. Finally… finally, my dream came true."

He looked like he was ready to celebrate...

But before he could do that, a new voice suddenly echoed from above.

"Congratulations, Matriarch Aveline, for obtaining a new husband."

Aveline's expression darkened instantly, and so did that of all the other female members.

Everyone looked up.

An elder man floated in the sky. His face was ugly, his body hunched, and his grin was uncomfortable to look at.

But despite his ugly appearance, his rank in the clan was quite high.

Aveline forced herself to bow slightly.

"…Thank you for your congratulations, Grand Elder Agram."

Garion raised an eyebrow, whispering to Arden.

"Who's the creepy guy?"

Arden's face sank. He clenched his jaw before answering quietly.

"That's Grand Elder Agram. He's the strongest in the clan… and the real leader behind everything."

Garion blinked.

"But isn't this a Matriarch clan?"

Arden nodded.

"Yes. The women lead. But because he's the strongest, he's treated like the 'hidden ruler'. Everyone fears him."

Garion watched the old man float down slowly, aura cold and rotten.

"I see… and you don't seem to like him."

Arden lowered his voice even more.

"…I don't just dislike him. I hate him."

Garion's eyes sharpened. "Reason?"

Arden swallowed, his hands trembling.

"Because of him... my mother died, and thanks to his position, there's no punishment for him."

Garion's expression changed completely.

A calm smile appeared on his face, but his eyes were icy.

"No wonder."

Aveline, in the distance, kept her polite façade, but even she looked tense as Agram descended.

Garion leaned slightly down to Arden's ear.

"And Arden… as a gift for your new physique awakening..."

He smirked, voice low.

"I'll let you watch him suffer."

Arden almost jumped.

"M-Master?! W-wait! He's still the clan's leader! Even if it's just in name..."

Garion raised a hand casually.

"Relax. From the way he talks… and from the look on Aveline's face… I'm sure I'll have a reason to beat him properly."

Raviel looked over, too, hearing a bit of the conversation.

"…Master, you're planning something again, aren't you?"

Garion grinned. "Always."

---

Grand Elder Agram slowly descended and landed right in front of Aveline.

Aveline's eyes narrowed.

"Grand Elder Agram… why are you here? You rarely leave your residence."

Agram smirked, tilting his head slightly.

"Oh, I came to announce something."

Aveline frowned. "Announce what?"

Agram raised his hand accidentally, and suddenly the ground cracked.

A thick vine shot upward, and thankfully, Aveline managed to dodge it, but still, it was fast.

It still managed to pierce through Aveline's shoulder, lifting her slightly off the ground.

Everyone gasped.

Raviel's eyes widened. "Aveline!"

Garion's disciples all tensed, ready to move.

Aveline gritted her teeth, trying to tear the vine out.

"Agram… what are you doing?!"

Agram spread his arms wide and shouted loudly, his voice echoing throughout the clan.

"MEN OF THE AVENORA CLAN! HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUFFERED UNDER THESE BITCHES?!"

His face twisted with excitement.

"It's time to take back our pride! Time to crush these bitches beneath our feet!"

The male members, who had stayed silent the entire day, suddenly began cheering.

They shouted and raised their weapons, their eyes burning with ugly excitement as they turned toward the female clan members.

The women recoiled, shocked.

Aveline glared at Agram, fury rising.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Agram smirked again, enjoying every second.

"Exactly what you think. A reconstruction."

He spread his fingers, tightening the vine around her.

"This time, I become the real leader of the Avenora Clan."

Raviel's aura burst out instantly, flames cracking the ground.

"You bastard!"

Dahlia stepped forward. "Master..."

But Garion lifted his hand calmly, stopping everyone.

He had been silent until now… then slowly, a small smile curved on his lips.

He leaned toward Arden and whispered.

"Didn't I tell you earlier?"

He nodded toward Agram.

"The reason will soon appear."

Arden shivered. "Master… you're seriously going to...?"

Garion cracked his neck, eyes cold.

"Oh, it delivered itself to me."

He stepped forward.

Agram turned toward him, grinning, unaware of what was coming.

Garion grinned back.

"Alright, time for punishment."