Rachel sat with her hands resting on her knees. The others sat across from her and listened quietly.

"The Revalis Clan has always been about strength, so every year, the clan holds this competition. It's not just for fun, as it will be the one that decides everything."

Clara frowned. "So it's basically... survival of the strongest."

Rachel nodded. "Exactly. Win, and you will get more support. Lose, and you might not even get enough to continue training."

She then simply shrugged. "Some people rose fast this way, but some top people also get forgotten just as quickly."

Rynor leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Heh, sounds like the clan's version of natural selection."

Rynar snorted. "More like natural bullying."

That earned a small chuckle from Dahlia, though it faded when Rachel continued.

"But this competition is mostly for the younger generation, like Rynar and Rynor," she said, nodding toward the twins.

"The main family descendants don't usually join, as they're already trained privately by the elders and don't need to fight for scraps."

Eliza tilted her head slightly. "Then what about you, Lady Rachel? You're from the main family, aren't you?"

Rachel's hands tightened. "Yes... I am. But not all main bloodlines are treated equally. Some of us... were considered 'disappointing.'"

Garion frowned slightly. "Because of your condition?"

She nodded, turning toward the window.

"When my body grew weak, and my mana trait failed to awaken, they stopped investing in me. They don't even tell you and just stop immediately."

Clara looked down, her cheerful face dimming. "That's... rough."

Rachel chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"It's fine. I learned to live with it. At least I had a house to live in, and later, I had these two idiots keeping me busy."

Rynar grinned awkwardly. "Heh, we weren't that bad."

Rynor elbowed him. "You burned down her garden twice."

Rynor frowned, yelling back. "That was your fucking idea!"

Rachel laughed quietly. "Both of you were terrible. But you made the house feel alive again."

The mood lightened a little, but Garion's tone stayed serious.

"So this yearly competition… it could raise or lower someone's standing, right?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes. For some, it's their one chance to prove themselves. For others, it's the start of their downfall."

Rynar cracked his neck. "Then I guess it's time we give them a show."

Rynor smirked. "Yeah, a big one."

Rachel smiled at them, proud yet worried. "Just don't forget that strength means nothing without purpose."

Garion's eyes softened as he looked at her. "And you've already taught them that lesson, haven't you?"

Rachel chuckled faintly. "Maybe a little."

---

Garion stood up from his seat, turning toward the direction of the Revalis Clan.

"I see that we've talked enough. From what I saw above, the competition's already starting."

He turned slightly toward Rachel, bowing down a bit. "So, I'll take my leave now, miss."

Rachel smiled softly, bowing down a bit too. "I see... thank you for your time, Garion."

Garion returned her smile with his usual cocky grin. "Of course, Miss Rachel."

Her eyes softened as she looked at the twins. "You two… Be careful out there."

Rynar nodded quickly. "Don't worry, Mother. We'll make you proud."

Rynor chuckled. "Yeah. Just don't faint when you see us win."

Rachel gave them a light glare, though her lips curved. "Still as mouthy as ever."

Garion turned toward the door but paused. "By the way, about the flying ship... Is it all right to land or float near the arena?"

Rachel tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then smiled again.

"Don't worry. As long as you don't come down with bad intentions, no one will bother you. The elders might raise an eyebrow, but that's all."

Rynor smirked. "Even if they dare to bother us, we'll handle them easily."

Rachel sighed, shaking her head. "That confidence of yours will get you into trouble one day."

Garion chuckled. "Heh, that's what makes them fun to train."

He then turned to leave, but before he could step out, a screen suddenly appeared.

[System Alert]

[Surprise Mission Unlocked!]

[Objective: Bring Rachel back to the God Gym and appoint her as an Elder.]

[Reward: Surprise!]

Garion blinked. "...What?"

The others turned, confused by his expression.

He ignored them and continued staring at the screen, his mind already racing.

'Bring her back and make her an elder?'

His lips slowly curved upward.

'Rachel, huh… She's kind, gentle, and strong in her own way. The disciples could use someone like her.'

His eyes dropped to her frail hands.

'Even if she's weak now, that doesn't matter. Mana isn't the only path.'

He clenched his fist, quite excited.

'With the God Physique Path, she could recover and become strong. That's what the God Gym is all about.'

But he couldn't just tell her that outright. He needed to play it smoothly.

After a short pause, Garion turned back, smiling lightly. "By the way, Miss Rachel."

Rachel looked up, curious. "Yes?"

Garion rested his hand on the doorframe. "Why don't you come with us?"

Rachel blinked. "Follow you? To the competition?"

Garion nodded. "You don't have to show yourself. You can stay on the ship if you'd rather not deal with the clan."

Rachel frowned slightly, unsure. "I don't think that's..."

Garion interrupted, his smile softening. "You haven't seen the twins in a long time, right? You should watch them fight."

The twins perked up immediately.

Rynar grinned. "He's right! Come on, Mother, you'll see how much we've improved."

Rynor leaned forward. "Yeah, and it's not like the arena's going to explode or anything. Probably."

Rachel sighed, shaking her head, though her eyes softened.

"You two really don't take no for an answer, huh?"

Garion chuckled. "They get that from me."

Rachel looked at all of them for a moment... then smiled faintly.

"Alright. I'll come… but only to watch."

Garion's smirk widened. "That's all I need."

He then summoned the flying ship again from his system storage. "Let's go."

The twins followed, excitement flickering in their eyes, and behind them, Rachel rose from her chair slowly and followed behind them.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.