Rendric sat alone in the clan hall, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Who should I send to deliver the message to the Avenora Clan…?"

He looked over a map spread across the table, tracing a finger over Avenora's territory.

"They're all women, and sure, they're beautiful… but they're also known to be very aggressive, especially toward men."

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "If this were just about trade or diplomacy, I'd send someone else. But this is about a challenge to their Matriarch."

He tapped the table lightly. "Sending anyone else might cause trouble."

After a few seconds of silence, he nodded to himself.

"Fine. I'll just go myself. At least they'll take it seriously if I show up in person."

He stood, straightened his robe, and walked outside toward the Revalis Clan's flying ship.

He called the crew and ordered. "Prepare the ship. Set the destination... Avenora Clan."

The crew captain nodded as he hurried to activate the mana engines.

The ship lifted smoothly off the ground, and the trip took nearly three days with one of the fastest ships in the clan.

When Rendric finally arrived, the Avenora Clan's lush forest territory came into view.

The ship hovered down near the outer gates, where several female guards were already waiting.

As Rendric stepped off the ramp, the women immediately surrounded him, their eyes cautious but curious.

One of them radiated her aura firmly and warned Rendric.

"State your name and purpose."

Rendric bowed slightly, keeping his voice polite.

"I am Elder Rendric of the Revalis Clan. I bring a letter for your Matriarch."

The guards exchanged glances. The name clearly rang familiar.

One of them nodded. "Elder Rendric... the Revalis clan's elder, yes? I see. Hand over the letter."

Rendric reached into his sleeve and produced a sealed scroll marked with Raviel's crest.

"This must be given directly to Matriarch Aveline."

The guard accepted it carefully, examining the seal before giving a short nod.

"Understood. We'll deliver it at once."

Rendric smiled. "Good, then my duty here is done."

He bowed again and stepped back toward his ship.

"Please inform her that it concerns a formal challenge. She'll understand when you give the letter."

The guards didn't reply, but their expressions tightened slightly.

One of them whispered. "A challenge… from Revalis again?"

Rendric caught the words but pretended not to hear and quickly boarded the ship.

"I'll be taking my leave."

The ship then flew, disappearing into he sky.

The guards then hurried through the forest path toward the main hall.

Inside, Matriarch Aveline was meditating under a tree with glowing roots that pulsed with green mana.

The lead guard kneeled. "Matriarch, a letter has arrived. It was from the Revalis Clan."

Aveline raised a brow. "Revalis Clan?"

The guard nodded. "Yes. It's from Elder Rendric himself."

She extended her hand, and the letter floated toward her through the air.

Breaking the red seal, she unfolded it and began to read.

Her calm expression shifted slightly as her eyes scanned each line.

"So... that boy Raviel still hasn't given up, huh?"

The guards exchanged quiet looks but said nothing.

Aveline folded the letter and set it aside.

"He really wants another match. I suppose he's still chasing that loss from before."

She stood slowly, her aura flowing like wind through the hall.

"Let's see if he's truly improved from all those years or if he just learned how to lose better."

The guards chuckled quietly but quickly straightened when she glanced at them.

Aveline turned toward the open window, watching the distant skies where Rendric's ship had vanished.

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Very well. I'll wait a month." Don't disappoint me, Raviel."

---

Dahlia was now in the gym, watching a few elders struggle under their barbells while she barked out orders.

"Come on! Lower! Don't stop halfway! This isn't a meditation class!"

Clara laughed from across the room, spotting one elder who nearly dropped his bar.

"Careful, old man! You break that, and Master will make you replace it with ten more sets!"

The elders groaned but kept lifting.

Rynar and Rynor were helping with form corrections...

Though "helping" mostly meant yelling at the elders until they moved right.

Amid the noise, Dahlia noticed Arden standing near the corner, his weights untouched.

He was staring at the ground, clenching his fists, but his eyes felt distant.

She frowned and walked over. "Arden? What are you doing? You've been like this all morning."

Arden blinked, snapped out of his thoughts, and looked up.

"Huh? Oh… sorry. I just… haven't been feeling great lately."

Dahlia crossed her arms. "Not feeling great? You sick or something?"

He shook his head. "No. It's not that. Just… my head's full. I can't focus."

She raised an eyebrow. "So, overthinking again, huh?"

Arden hesitated, then gave a slight nod.

Dahlia sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, you overthink."

She then flexed her biceps and tapped on them. "When your mind's messy, the best thing you can do is move."

She pointed at the weight just below him. "Lift, sweat, and push yourself until you can't think anymore."

Clara jogged over, wiping sweat from her forehead. "What's going on? Arden having a mental meltdown?"

Dahlia shrugged. "Maybe something like that. He says that he's not in his right mind."

Clara grinned. "Then let's fix that the God Gym way."

She tossed him a towel. "Deadlifts. Ten reps. If you can still think after that, we'll add another ten."

Arden let out a quiet laugh. "You're not helping."

Clara grinned. "Oh, I'm helping. Trust me, after enough sets, even heartbreak disappears."

Rynor shouted from the other side. "Yeah! Or you die before you get to think about it!"

Everyone laughed except Arden, who gave a weak smile.

Dahlia noticed his hesitation and leaned closer.

"Seriously, Arden. You're one of us now. If something's wrong, say it. We don't judge here."

Arden met her gaze but then looked away. "It's nothing. Just… a bit of doubt, that's all."

Dahlia nodded slowly. "Then burn it off. Lift until that doubt shuts up."

Arden chuckled softly. "You really think that works?"

She smiled faintly. "It worked for me."

Arden took a deep breath, rolled his shoulders, and stepped toward the barbell. "Alright… I'll try."

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