Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Raviel laughed, the sound clear and unapologetic.

"What's the matter, Patriarch Vargan?" he said, shaking his head.

"Did your pride get crushed after seeing what Aveline can do?"

Vargan stood there in silence, fists slowly tightening at his sides.

His chest rose and fell heavily, sweat still clinging to his skin.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Raviel stepped closer and continued calmly, "Let me tell you something."

He tapped his own chest once. "I wasn't even serious when I lifted earlier."

Vargan's eyes snapped up.

Raviel met his gaze without backing down. "You said you're a body cultivator."

He paused. "But from what I can see, you're still cultivating the mana path."

Vargan's jaw tightened.

"You trained your body," Raviel went on. "You lifted. You fought. You hardened yourself."

He shook his head. "That made your body better."

"But that," Raviel said firmly, "is not true body cultivation."

The words hit harder than the weights.

Vargan froze, unable to respond.

His hands trembled slightly before he forced them still.

For the first time since entering the God Archipelago, he had nothing to say.

Across the room, Sarona felt her breath catch.

Her eyes were fixed on Aveline.

A woman.

Standing without strain after lifting a weight that had nearly crushed Vargan.

The patriarch of the Vulkran Clan, leader of a clan known for raw strength, had not been defeated in battle.

He had been defeated in his own field.

Physical strength.

Sarona clenched her fingers around her sleeve.

For a brief moment, her usual cold composure cracked.

She looked away, eyes lowering as she took a slow breath, then lifted her gaze again.

It was steady, but no longer dismissive.

Vargan broke the silence first.

"I see," he said quietly.

His voice had lost its earlier laughter.

He rubbed the back of his neck, then let out a rough chuckle.

"No wonder my son hasn't sent any information back."

Raviel raised an eyebrow.

Vargan looked at the bench press, then at Aveline, then finally at Raviel.

"God Gym is even better than our clan."

The words came out heavy, like they cost him something.

Sarona nodded once. "My daughter as well."

Vargan glanced at her in surprise.

"She hasn't reported anything either," Sarona continued. "At first, I thought she was being cautious."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Now I understand."

She paused. "It seems both of them decided to abandon their original mission."

Vargan laughed softly. "Yeah. They didn't come here just to observe anymore."

"They chose," Sarona said.

Raviel let out a low laugh, clearly amused. "So both of your children are in the God Gym."

He shook his head. "That explains a lot."

Aveline smiled gently. "Young cultivators adapt quickly."

Raviel crossed his arms and looked at Vargan and Sarona. "The moment they trained there…"

He tapped his chest. "…they would've realized which path is truly better for them."

Vargan exhaled slowly. "I thought strength was just about lifting heavier and hitting harder."

He glanced at the bar again. "Turns out, I was still playing on the surface."

She looked at Aveline. "It changes perspective."

Raviel nodded. "Exactly."

The room fell silent again.

Raviel let out a slow sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Alright," he said at last. "Since things have come this far…"

He looked at Vargan. "How about you come train here?"

Vargan blinked. "…Train?"

Raviel nodded. "Yeah. Train."

Sarona turned her head slightly, listening.

"But not the real God Gym way," Raviel added quickly.

He raised a finger. "You can train in the commercial body path."

Vargan frowned. "Commercial?"

Raviel smiled. "A simplified version. Built for outsiders."

He leaned closer. "You just need to pay."

Vargan's eyebrows shot up. "Pay?"

"If you pay enough," Raviel continued casually, "I'll even be your personal trainer."

The room went quiet again... this time from shock.

Vargan stared at him. "You're serious?"

Raviel nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Vargan's mouth opened slightly, then closed. He glanced at the bench, then at Aveline, then back at Raviel.

"…Where do I pay?" he asked.

Raviel grinned. "Straight to the point. I like that."

He turned toward the door and waved a hand. "Come on. I'll take you to Rendric."

Vargan stood up immediately. "Don't regret this."

Raviel laughed. "That's my line."

The two of them walked out together, their voices fading down the hallway.

Left behind, Aveline and Sarona remained in the room.

Aveline turned toward Sarona, studying her for a moment. "What about you?"

Sarona didn't answer right away. Her fingers curled slowly, nails pressing into her palm.

"I can take you around the island," Aveline added gently. "Let you see how things are organized."

Sarona clenched her teeth.

The image of Vargan lifting weights and failing flashed through her mind.

"…Train me too," she said.

Aveline blinked. "What?"

Sarona lifted her head, eyes sharp. "Train me."

She took a step forward, posture straight.

"My clan and his clan are enemies. That hasn't changed."

Her voice grew colder. "Now that he's training here, he'll only become stronger."

She exhaled sharply. "And that will be a pain later."

Aveline watched her quietly.

Sarona continued, her words firm. "I won't stay behind."

She met Aveline's eyes without flinching. "I want to be stronger too."

Her jaw tightened. "I want to be a woman who can beat any man."

Aveline's lips curved into a small smile.

"Good," she said. "As expected from a matriarch I respect."

Sarona met her gaze, her expression firm, pride unbroken.

Aveline turned toward the door and gestured lightly.

"Then let's meet Arvella first. She also handles the administrative matters."

She took a few steps forward, then paused and looked back.

"And after that, we'll move to [Nature God Island]."

Her tone was gentle but certain.

"This island isn't suitable for you. The mana here clashes with your path."

Sarona nodded without hesitation. "I understand."

She straightened her posture, her resolve clear. "I won't fall behind."

Aveline smiled again and opened the door. "Good."

As they stepped out together, a quiet shift began.