Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Chapter 541: Pride? Never Heard Of It

Sianor chuckled softly, then sighed. "That’s the problem here... Heinkel."

He slowly lowered his arms, and the last traces of his sun energy dissolved into the air.

"I’m not one of those idiots, those ancient elders clinging to pride."

He shifted his weight slightly, one hand brushing absently against his sleeve. "I’m still a rational, modern human."

Heinkel stared at him, struggling to process what he was hearing.

Sianor continued, lifting his hand and summoning a faint flicker of his power.

"And you’re right. My power can’t restrain you. But killing demons... that’s all I’ve ever known."

He gave a small, almost indifferent shrug. "So of course I’m giving up."

Heinkel’s expression tightened. "Damn it... you... how can you be like this?"

Sianor let out a low laugh. "Of course I can. I’m the leader of the Grand Factions. Did you really think I’d throw my life away so easily?"

His gaze shifted briefly to the others, calm but firm. "And don’t underestimate them either. They’re strong in their own right."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked back toward the Grand Faction’s side, his steps steady and unhurried.

---

Heinkel let out a short laugh, though there was no real amusement in it.

His gaze lingered on Sianor’s retreating figure. "Fine. Then go back to where you belong, coward."

The words echoed across the arena, sharp and meant to sting, but Sianor didn’t turn. He kept walking, ignoring him completely.

That only irritated Heinkel further. "Tch."

He rolled his shoulders once, wings shifting behind him as his presence swelled again, filling the space Sianor had left behind.

Turning toward the grandstands, he raised his voice. "Now then... which coward will face me next?"

Just as Heinkel finished speaking, Clark stepped forward. "Alright... my turn. You and Floren have already gone ahead."

Now back on their side, Sianor glanced at him briefly.

"Fine, but be careful. He’s an otherworlder too. That means he won’t be easy to deal with."

Clark smiled and gave a small nod. "Don’t worry, Sianor. I’m an otherworlder as well and not a weak one."

Dahlia stepped up beside them, crossing her arms as her gaze settled on Sianor.

Sianor rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish look. "Sorry about that... but he’s kind of my weakness."

Dahlia let out a quiet sigh before turning her attention to Clark, her expression steady and serious. "This is the last match. Make sure you win."

Clark met her eyes without hesitation and nodded once. "Don’t worry Dahlia. I’ll win this one."

Rachel stepped closer as well. Her expression was calm but serious, her gaze briefly scanning Heinkel before settling on Clark.

"Don’t rush it," she said quietly. "He’s not like the others."

Clark exhaled through his nose, rolling his neck slightly as if loosening himself. "I know."

With that, he stepped into the arena and faced Heinkel.

"Unlike Sianor, I’m not built to counter demons," Clark said evenly. "But I have the perfect foundation."

Heinkel smirked. "Good. Because I’m getting tired of boring fights."

Clark’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Same. Let’s finish this, once and for all."

---

Clark stepped forward, steadying his breath. He tried to shift something subtle around his body, like pressure settling into place.

Heinkel’s smirk widened as he stretched his wings. "Good. At least you don’t look like you’re going to run."

Clark lifted his gaze, locking eyes with him. "Try me, then."

Heinkel laughed. "That’s more like it."

Clark moved first, shooting forward in a straight line.

At the same time, wind gathered around his leg, compressing into a dense, coiled force.

The moment he closed the gap, lightning flickered along his arms, and he struck.

[Tempest Breaker]

Wind and lightning burst forward together, a sharp, tearing force aimed directly at Heinkel’s chest.

Heinkel didn’t dodge. He raised one hand, forming a thin layer of black-and-white energy.

The attack collided against it with a violent crack, the opposing forces grinding against each other before pushing both of them back.

Clark narrowed his eyes slightly. "Not bad."

Heinkel lowered his hand.

Faint scorch marks flickered across his skin, already fading as the dual energy around him smoothed everything out.

"You’re quite fast," he said, his smirk returning, "but not fast enough to defeat me."

Heinkel stepped forward, then vanished.

Clark reacted instantly.

His stance shifted as earth mana surged through his legs, anchoring him firmly to the ground.

The moment Heinkel reappeared at his side, claws already slicing through the air, Clark didn’t retreat.

Instead, he dropped his weight and drove his fist forward, power condensing around it like solid stone.

[Tectonic Crush]

The attacks collided.

A thunderous shockwave erupted as claw met reinforced fist, splitting the ground beneath them and sending cracks racing outward.

Heinkel’s grin widened. "You’ve improved... but do you really think you can defeat me?"

Clark only smiled, calm and unshaken. "I’m not done yet... you know that, right?"

His free hand moved.

Water gathered instantly, warping into shape as it coiled around Heinkel’s arm, tightening with crushing force.

[Abyssal Tide Lock]

The liquid bound him like living chains, dragging at his movement and throwing off his balance.

Heinkel smirked. A black-and-white aura pulsed from his body once.

The water shattered apart, dispersing into mist as the hold was erased.

Clark clicked his tongue. "So you can break free that easily..."

He released the technique at once and leapt back as a surge of heat rushed toward him.

Heinkel’s counterattack came immediately.

His hand thrust forward, that strange dual energy compressing into a dense, violent pulse.

Clark crossed his arms, wind and lightning snapping together into a barrier in front of him.

The blast struck.

A sharp impact forced him back several steps before he dug his heels in and stabilized.

Silence fell.

For a brief moment, both of them stood still once more.

Clark exhaled slowly, rolling his wrist. "You’re really not easy to defeat."

Heinkel tilted his head, amused. "You’re not weak either... but..."

His grin sharpened. "You’re just a human, not a perfect chimera like me."

Clark’s expression didn’t change. His gaze remained steady.

"Then today," he said evenly, "is the day that perfect chimera gets broken by a human like me."