Chapter 404: Four Disciples and a Very Bad Week

Aveline looked at Rachel. “Rachel. The tournament between God Gym, Vulkran Clan, and Shivera Clan will begin in one week.”

Rachel blinked once. “One week?”

Aveline nodded. “Yes.”

Raviel frowned slightly. “Where?”

“A wide neutral plain between Vulkran and Shivera territories,” Aveline replied. “Open ground so there won’t be an advantage.”

Raviel crossed his arms. “A tournament… why?”

Aveline’s lips curved faintly. “Vargan and Sarona already wish to join us as God Clans.”

Raviel raised an eyebrow. “They do?”

“They acknowledged our strength after the previous clash,” Aveline said calmly. “But…”

She paused. “They said their clans are too hot-headed. Too proud. Too arrogant to accept submission quietly.”

Rachel gave a small sigh. “That sounds like them.”

“So,” Aveline continued, “this tournament will settle it publicly.”

Raviel nodded slowly. “To curb their arrogance.”

Aveline nodded. “Yes.”

Rachel folded her hands on the table. “How many participants?”

Aveline gave a small shake of her head. “We did not fix the number. We only agreed on a fight.”

Raviel frowned. “Just like that?”

“Yes,” Aveline replied calmly. “The only clear rules are simple. No killing and no crippling.”

Rachel nodded slowly. “So injuries are allowed.”

Aveline nodded once again. “Yes. But nothing permanent.”

Raviel leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “That already sounds like Vargan’s idea.”

Aveline’s lips moved slightly. “It was.”

Rachel let out a soft breath. “Then I’ll bring enough members to match whatever they bring.”

Aveline nodded once. “That would be wise.”

Rachel tapped her fingers lightly on the table as she thought. “Neutral ground with no terrain advantage.”

“Correct,” Aveline said.

Raviel tilted his head. “So it’s just pure strength.”

Rachel looked at him gently. “Not just strength, but control. You remember… no crippling or killing.”

Raviel gave a small shrug. “Either way, they’re only top clans. We can easily win.”

Rachel’s expression turned firmer. “Do not speak like that.”

Raviel blinked. “What? I’m just being confident.”

“There is a difference between confidence and carelessness,” Rachel said softly but clearly.

“Vargan leads a clan that survives by battle. Sarona leads one that survives by discipline. They are not simple.”

Raviel rubbed the back of his neck. “Alright. I get it.”

Aveline watched them quietly, then spoke. “Rachel. You will handle this.”

Rachel looked up. “Me?”

Aveline nodded. “Yes.”

Raviel raised his eyebrows. “Garion decided that?”

Aveline nodded. “He said you understand the disciples’ limits best. And you will not let emotions decide.”

Rachel sat still for a moment. Then she smiled. “Alright.”

Raviel gave a small grin. “See? Easy.”

Rachel gave him a look. “We are not aiming for easy.”

Raviel sighed. “Fine. What’s the plan then?”

Rachel began counting lightly on her fingers.

“Alright,” she said slowly. “This time… I’ll use some of the lower members.”

Raviel blinked. “Lower members?”

Rachel nodded. “Yes.”

She raised one finger. “They haven’t had any real chance to fight outside training.”

Another finger. “They always spar among themselves.”

A third finger. “They follow orders. They train hard. But they haven’t stood on a real stage.”

Raviel leaned back slightly. “You want to send them against Vulkran and Shivera?”

Rachel nodded calmly. “Some of them. Not all.”

Raviel frowned. “That’s risky.”

Rachel looked at him gently. “Growth is always risky.”

Aveline stood quietly near the window, listening.

Raviel shook his head once. “But this isn’t some small clan. It’s Vulkran and Shivera.”

“I know,” Rachel replied softly.

She lowered her hand and folded both hands together again.

“If we only send our strongest every time, what message does that send?”

Raviel opened his mouth, then paused.

Rachel continued, voice steady. “It tells our younger disciples that they are not trusted.”

Aveline’s eyes shifted slightly toward Rachel.

Raviel sighed. “You think they’re ready?”

Rachel smiled faintly. “Not completely.”

Raviel raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”

“But they will never be completely ready,” Rachel said. “No one ever is.”

She stood up slowly and walked toward the window.

Outside, a group of younger disciples were running laps, sweating, breathing hard, but still pushing forward.

“They’ve trained under Garion’s system,” Rachel said quietly.

Raviel crossed his arms again. “Training and real combat are different.”

“Yes,” Rachel agreed immediately. “That’s why they need this.”

Aveline finally spoke. “How many are you thinking of sending?”

Rachel turned back. “Four.”

Raviel straightened in his seat. “Four? Are you sure about that?”

Rachel looked at him without hesitation. “Of course I’m sure.”

He frowned slightly. “Sis… this isn’t internal sparring. This is Vulkran and Shivera.”

Rachel looked at him calmly and gave a small, patient smile.

“Don’t worry so much,” she said gently. “Just watch later.”

Raviel stared at her for a second. “You’re too calm.”

Rachel chuckled softly. “That’s because I’ve seen them train.”

She stepped closer and lightly tapped his arm. “You focus on the clan’s support. I’ll handle the selection.”

Raviel let out a long sigh. “You already decided, didn’t you?”

Rachel’s eyes curved slightly. “I have a few names in mind.”

He shook his head but couldn’t hide a faint smile. “You really trust them.”

“I trust their effort,” Rachel replied quietly.

She turned toward the door.

“Now I’ll go back and choose which four will enter the match.”

Raviel rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled. “Alright then, Sis…”

He looked at her seriously now. “Just make sure they’re ready.”

Rachel paused at the door and glanced back. “They will be.”

Then she stepped out, already thinking about who would stand in that tournament in one week.

—

Vargan and Sarona walked side by side toward the edge of Nature God Island.

Vargan cracked his neck once and let out a loud breath.

“So,” he said, voice rough. “We’re really doing this.”

Sarona didn’t look at him. Her eyes were calm, fixed ahead. “Yes.”

Vargan snorted. “A tournament just to join them.”

Sarona replied evenly, “Not just to join.”

He glanced at her. “To convince our clans.”

“Yes.”

They reached the platform.

Vargan crossed his arms. “My people won’t like this.”

Sarona stepped forward without hesitation. “Neither will mine.”

He gave a short laugh. “Half of them will shout that we should challenge Garion directly.”

“They will not,” Sarona said calmly.

Vargan raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that?”

“Because you already tried.”

Vargan paused.

Then he laughed loudly. “Tch. That man.”

He shook his head. “He stood there like I was asking him to lift a rock.”

Sarona’s voice stayed flat. “He refused without insulting you.”

“Yeah,” Vargan muttered. “That’s what annoyed me.”

They both stepped onto the ship.

For a few seconds, neither spoke. They were busy thinking about how to talk to their clan about this.

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