Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Chapter 542: Human Build Wasn’t Enough

Heinkel laughed, a low, amused sound. "So... you want to be the first person to defeat me? A perfect chimera, no less..."

The smile lingered for a moment, then vanished.

"But did you know," he continued, voice dropping, "I’m not even serious yet?"

Clark frowned, the words tightening something in his chest. He opened his mouth to respond, but Heinkel moved first.

The black-and-white energy surrounding him contracted, warping inward until it clung tightly to his body like a second skin.

Heinkel locked eyes with him and grinned. "Try not to die."

Clark’s lip twitched. "I won’t."

This time, Clark moved first and faster than before.

Wind coiled around his entire body, sharpening his speed. At the same time, other elements began to wrap tightly around both arms.

Flames ignited in his right hand, compressing into a sharp, burning blade. On his left, lightning condensed into the piercing tip of a spear.

In one fluid motion, he crossed both arms forward.

[Elemental Convergence – Thunderflame Rend]

A violent arc of fused fire and lightning tore through the space between them.

Heinkel watched it approach and smirked.

He didn’t block.

Instead, he stepped into it.

The dual energy surrounding him flared violently, and the moment Clark’s attack struck... it split apart.

Clark’s eyes narrowed. "Damn it... you can do that?"

Heinkel’s voice echoed from within the collapsing attack. "Of course. My elements are superior to yours."

Then he was there... right in front of him.

Clark reacted instantly.

Earth surged upward, coating his entire body in hardened layers.

He pivoted and drove his elbow forward with explosive force... but Heinkel’s claw caught it mid-motion.

Clark’s expression tightened. The grip didn’t budge. "What the... your strength...? Your body is this powerful too?"

Heinkel leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "Of course I am. I’m the perfect chimera."

Then his energy flared.

A concentrated burst erupted from his palm... and Clark was sent flying across the arena.

He hit the ground hard.

Clark coughed, blood spilling from his lips this time.

He forced himself up quickly, one knee down, and hand pressed against the ground.

"Tch."

Across from him, Heinkel straightened, casually rolling his wrist.

"Your battle power is impressive," he said, pausing slightly. "But..."

His gaze sharpened. "I’m simply far stronger than you."

Clark wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. "Then I’ll just become stronger than you."

He rose to his feet and, in an instant, summoned all five elements at once.

The ground beneath him cracked as his stance locked into place, pressure radiating outward.

[Absolute Element Drive]

Clark vanished.

He reappeared behind Heinkel and unleashed everything at once: wind, fire, lightning, earth, and water surging together in a relentless assault.

Blow after blow rained down.

Yet Heinkel didn’t move.

He stood there, receiving every strike without countering a single one.

None of them landed the way they should have.

The dual energy surrounding him shifted constantly, absorbing, redirecting, softening, and dispersing until, at last, a single opening appeared.

Clark’s eyes widened. "Damn you..."

Heinkel grinned and moved.

His hand shot out, catching Clark’s wrist mid-strike.

With a sharp twist, he pulled him off balance and drove his palm forward.

[Eclipse Fang Manifestation]

Black-and-white energy coiled around his hand, forming a jagged, draconic shape before striking.

The impact didn’t explode outward.

It collapsed inward, detonating in a tight radius, compressing its force into Clark’s body.

Then Clark was launched backward again, crashing harder this time, rolling twice before finally stopping.

Heinkel stepped forward slowly, looking down at him.

"Impressive," he said. "You didn’t die from that."

Clark stirred and knelt on one knee.

His eyes fluttered open, focusing weakly on Heinkel. "Yeah... thanks to my elemental power."

A faint breath escaped him.

Then, the next moment his vision went dark. His body dropped as he passed out.

Clark had lost.

---

Sianor’s brows drew together as his gaze fixed on Clark’s figure. "I never expected Clark to lose here."

Floren stepped up beside him, adjusting his sleeves as if he had just finished something more important elsewhere.

"Yeah... me neither," Floren said, exhaling slowly. "If we’re talking raw power, Clark was the strongest among us."

Sianor gave a small nod, though his eyes never left the battlefield.

"Exactly. And yet he lost." He paused, his tone sharpening. "So the question is, who do we send next?"

Floren frowned, folding his arms as he considered it. "That’s the problem. It won’t be easy. We are basically the strongest here."

Sianor’s expression darkened slightly at that."Yeah... which means whatever comes next won’t be simple."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

On the other side, the God Gym disciples stirred.

Valtor stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "Finally, this is the moment for the great Valtor to step in."

Seira followed right behind him, already adjusting her stance. "At last. Time for the Ice Queen to make her move."

Both of them moved forward, eager to fight next, but Rachel’s voice cut in sharply. "Stay back."

Valtor frowned immediately. "What? I can fight."

Seira tilted her head slightly. "Yeah. He’s strong, but not unbeatable."

Rachel didn’t look at them right away. Her gaze remained fixed on Heinekel. "You’re not ready. You’re not even at the Fourth Realm."

Before either of them could respond, Mersha appeared, already holding several small vials in her hands.

Her eyes flicked between them, a mischievous grin forming. "If you two want to fight... I can give you something special."

Rachel smiled faintly. "Yes, if you insist on fighting, you can take Mersha’s elixir."

Valtor took one look at the vials and immediately stepped back. "No."

Seira’s expression hardened as well. "Absolutely not."

Mersha blinked, confused. "But it’ll help."

Valtor raised both hands as if fending off danger. "Last time you said that, senior sister Dahlia almost died."

Seira nodded quickly. "I’m not risking my life before the fight even starts."

Mersha’s lips parted, clearly wanting to argue. "It wasn’t that bad..."

Rachel let out a soft laugh. "So, both of you have decided to back out, then?"

Valtor clenched his fists but didn’t step forward again.

Seira looked away, clicking her tongue under her breath.

Mersha slowly lowered the vials, her shoulders drooping just a little.