Dahlia crossed her arms and looked straight at Sorien, a confident grin spreading across her face.

"So," she said, lifting her chin slightly, "what do you think now?"

She gestured around the training ground, then pointed her thumb toward Rachel.

"We're capable of standing as a Grand Clan, right?"

Sorien let out a quiet laugh and shook his head.

"Capable?" he said. "That's an understatement."

He looked at Rachel again, his expression serious now.

"With strength like this," Sorien continued, "Rachel alone already stands at the level of a Grand Faction fighter."

Rachel waved her hand lightly. "You flatter me."

Sorien smiled. "I'm being objective."

Then his tone shifted.

"But," he added, "as I said before, recognition doesn't rest on one person alone."

Dahlia's grin didn't fade.

"Of course," she said. "The others are strong enough too."

Sorien raised an eyebrow. "Strong enough according to whose standards?"

"Yours," Dahlia replied without hesitation.

That made Sorien laugh again.

"Confident," he said. "Good. I like that."

Rachel stepped forward slightly. "So when will the rest be tested?"

Sorien thought for a moment.

"I'll need to bring people from my side," he said. "Proper evaluators."

He looked at Dahlia.

"Give me about a week," Sorien continued. "I'll return with them. In the meantime, prepare your other members."

Dahlia nodded. "A week is fine."

Then she smirked again.

"And it would be better if you prepared your people too."

Sorien paused.

"…Oh?"

Dahlia leaned forward just a little, her eyes sharp.

"We're not weak," she said. "And we don't plan to hold back."

Sorien stared at her for a second.

Then he laughed, genuinely this time.

"Alright," he said. "Fair enough."

He straightened his posture and looked between Rachel and Dahlia.

"I'll return in a week," Sorien said. "I hope you're all ready."

Dahlia's grin widened.

"We are," she said confidently.

---

Rachel and Dahlia stood quietly at the edge of the God Gym, watching Sorien leave.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Rachel let out a soft breath and smiled.

"It looks like," she said gently, "that starting today, everyone will need to train even harder."

Dahlia snorted. "Of course."

She stretched her arms above her head and rolled her shoulders.

"We're not losing face in front of a Grand Clan," she said. "Not now. Not ever."

Rachel chuckled quietly.

"That includes you too," she added.

Dahlia froze mid-stretch.

"…Me?" she asked, lowering her arms slowly.

Rachel nodded, still smiling.

"Yes," she said. "You especially."

Dahlia's mouth opened slightly. "Hey!"

Rachel stepped closer, her tone calm but firm.

"You've been pushing others hard," she said. "Now it's your turn to push yourself even more."

Dahlia scratched her cheek and looked away.

"…That sounds dangerous," she muttered.

Rachel laughed softly.

"Don't worry," she said. "I have quite a few things I want to try as well."

Dahlia turned sharply. "Wait. That's exactly what worries me."

Rachel's eyes curved warmly. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Dahlia pointed at her. "That's what Master says every time before something insane happens."

Rachel paused.

Then she smiled even wider.

"…Is that so?"

Dahlia sighed heavily.

"Elder," she said, "can you please calm down a little?"

Rachel clasped her hands together in front of her.

"I am calm," she replied.

She looked around the God Gym grounds.

"My unique physique," Rachel continued, "naturally helps everyone around me heal faster and adapt better."

She turned back to Dahlia.

"That means harder training is actually safer when I'm nearby."

Dahlia frowned.

"…That's not comforting."

Rachel tilted her head slightly.

"But it is effective," she said.

Dahlia went quiet.

She thought about the coming week.

The tests. The pressure. The eyes of Solmira watching them.

Then she glanced at Rachel again.

"…You know," Dahlia said slowly, "you're starting to sound a lot like Master."

Rachel blinked.

"Am I?"

Dahlia nodded.

"Yeah," she said. "That calm smile. That 'everything will be fine' tone. And the part where you push everyone way past what they think they can handle."

Rachel laughed softly.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she said.

Dahlia shook her head but smiled despite herself.

"…Guess we really are becoming his sect."

Rachel looked toward the training grounds again.

"Yes," she said quietly. "And we need to be strong enough to welcome him back."

Dahlia clenched her fist.

"Then let's make sure," she said, "that when he returns, he won't be disappointed."

Rachel nodded once.

The week ahead would not be easy.

---

Garion walked back into Grimveil City with a slow, relaxed pace.

The streets were quieter than before.

Demons avoided his path without even realizing why, their bodies instinctively shifting aside as he passed.

Above his head, the faint arrow appeared again.

It pointed downward.

Garion stopped.

"…Huh," he muttered. "Already?"

His gaze followed the arrow and landed on a group of demon slaves gathered near a broken wall.

They were thin, exhausted, and silent, their eyes dull.

Most of them didn't even react when he looked their way.

Garion frowned.

"Which one?" he asked.

[That one in the back. Third from the right.]

Garion shifted his focus.

He saw it.

A thin demon standing slightly apart from the others.

Its body looked unfinished somehow. He was just too thin.

The skin had faint lines running across it, like seams that were never fully closed.

Its eyes were dim, not fearful, not defiant. Just empty.

Garion's frown deepened.

"…Are you sure?" he asked. "That one looks way too thin."

He crossed his arms.

"That body doesn't look suited for gym training at all."

[Don't be so racist.]

Garion clicked his tongue. "I'm being practical."

[Actually, that one belongs to one of the greatest demon races.]

Garion froze.

"…What?"

He looked at the demon again, scanning it from head to toe.

"The greatest demon race?" he repeated. "Are you serious?"

[Yes.]

Garion squinted.

"That thing?" he said bluntly. "It looks like it'll break if I sneeze."

[That's exactly why.]

Garion tilted his head.

"…Explain."

[That demon is a Vessel Demon.]

Garion blinked.

"A vessel… demon?"

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