Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Chapter 543: Love Beats Everything Apparently

Dahlia looked toward the arena, then stepped forward. "I’ll go, then."

Sianor turned sharply to her. "You can’t."

She stopped and glanced back. "Why not?"

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "You already stepped out of the match earlier. Technically, you’re not allowed back in."

Dahlia’s jaw tightened. "That was different."

"Maybe," Sianor replied, exhaling slowly. "But the rule is still the rule."

Dahlia clicked her tongue, irritation flashing across her face. "Dammit."

Seeing the situation, Rachel let out a quiet sigh. "...Then I’ll go."

Both Sianor and Floren turned to her in surprise.

Sianor frowned. "No, you can’t."

Floren, half-hidden behind his fan, tilted his head slightly. "Rachel... even if you want to, you’re not allowed."

Dahlia turned sharply. "No."

She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto Rachel’s. "You can’t."

Crossing her arms tightly, Dahlia added, "You’re not even stronger than me, and he’s in the Fourth Realm."

Rachel met her gaze and smirked. "Are you sure about that?"

Dahlia’s expression hardened.

Rachel’s smile deepened. "I’ve been watching the fight this whole time. I think I can beat him."

She paused, then added softly, "And... do you really think I’m weak? I’ve never shown my true power, have I?"

Before Dahlia could respond, Rachel gently placed the baby into her arms. "Hold Giselle for a moment. I’ll finish this."

Dahlia blinked, startled, but carefully took the child. "...Just make sure you come back alive."

Rachel gave a faint smile, then turned and walked toward the arena.

"Let me show you," she said, her voice steady, "the power of Garion’s wife."

---

Rachel strode into the arena without hesitation.

Heinkel narrowed his eyes as he watched her approach. "You’re serious about this?"

Rachel stopped a few steps away and flashed a confident grin. "I am. And don’t you dare underestimate me."

She placed a hand over her chest. "I’m Garion’s wife and the Divine Trainer of the God Gym."

Heinkel’s expression barely shifted. "I see. But understand this... I don’t hold back. Not even against a woman."

Rachel laughed softly. "Good. Then show me what you can do."

She raised one hand slightly and clenched her fist. In the next instant, the space around her blossomed with radiant energy as her domain unfolded.

[Radiant Love Domain]

Heinkel frowned as a strange sensation coursed through him. His body felt... off. Weaker. Unstable. "What is this?"

He turned sharply toward her. "How is this possible? How can your domain affect me? I’m a perfect chimera."

Rachel tilted her head, her smile widening. "Of course it can."

She stepped forward, calm and assured. "This is my unique domain. It’s not like the ones ordinary cultivators use."

Heinkel’s frown deepened. "Impossible. All domains function the same; the effects are the only difference."

Rachel shook her head. "Not mine. This isn’t just a domain... it’s a living domain, unique to members of the God Gym."

Her grin sharpened. "You’ve never experienced one before, have you? Then let me show you just how powerful we are."

Heinkel paused and then laughed, low and eager. "I see. That makes this far more interesting."

He stepped forward, energy surging around him. "Come, Rachel. Let’s fight with everything we have."

Rachel smiled. "Gladly, Heinkel."

---

Heinkel exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers as black-and-white energy pulsed around him in steady waves.

Rachel, on the other hand, stepped forward with a confident grin. "Are you ready for this, Heinkel?"

Heinkel narrowed his eyes. "Let’s just get this over with."

A blur of black-and-white energy sliced through the air, coiling tightly around his hand, then, in the next instant...

Rachel closed the distance.

Her fist rose, glowing with a vivid pink light.

[Love Punch]

It struck Heinkel square in the chest, sending him crashing backward onto the stone floor.

His breath hitched. His aura flickered violently.

And then something surfaced.

Something he had forgotten even existed.

"What the hell is this?!" he gasped. "How can you damage me? Why does it hurt this much?!"

Before he could recover, Rachel was already there again.

She pivoted smoothly and snapped her leg forward.

[Love Kick]

Her strike connected cleanly with his side.

"GHK!"

A strangled sound tore from his throat before he could suppress it.

He staggered back, one hand clutching his side as if trying to hold himself together.

"Just what the hell did you do?!" he demanded. "My body’s fine, but this pain... what the hell is it?!"

Rachel tilted her head, watching him with clear amusement.

"Of course it is," she said lightly. "That’s my Love Punch and Love Kick. They don’t physically damage you, but in exchange..."

Her grin widened.

"They make it hurt far more than it should."

Heinkel frowned and tried to straighten, but the moment he moved, another wave of pain pulsed through him, forcing his breath to hitch again.

"That’s... really not fair," he muttered. "How is that even possible?"

Rachel laughed softly.

"I don’t know," she said with a shrug. "That’s just my power."

She shifted her stance, readying herself again. "Now, let’s continue."

Heinkel didn’t answer right away. When he finally lifted his head, something in his eyes had changed.

He turned to Rachel, frowning. "How dare you...? How dare you play with me like this?"

This time, the black-and-white energy surrounding him didn’t flare outward. Instead, it compressed, condensing tightly around his body like a coiled force ready to snap.

His jaw tightened. "How dare you mock me, the perfect chimera... the leader of the Black Chimera."

Rachel only smirked, unfazed. "So, you’re finally getting serious, huh?"

Heinkel’s gaze hardened.

"Yeah... I am. And congratulations..." his voice dropped, colder now, "...you’re the first one to make me do this."

Rachel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Do what?"

Heinkel didn’t answer. Instead, his energy erupted.

[Perfect Demonic Holy Dragon Form]

Power surged outward in a violent pulse.

Muscles tightened beneath shifting, emerging scales as his body expanded, taller, broader, and heavier with presence.

The black-and-white patterns across his skin deepened, spreading further and sharpening into intricate, defined markings.

His spine straightened, posture rising as something ancient and draconic forced its way to the surface.

Horns curved outward from his head, longer now, sharper, more refined.

His arms lengthened, claws extending into larger, deadlier points that gleamed with unnatural precision.

Behind him, his wings burst open once more, vast, imposing, far larger than before, casting a looming shadow over the battlefield.

Heinkel rolled his shoulders slightly, settling into the weight of his new form, as if reacquainting himself with something long restrained.

Then he looked at Rachel again. "Let’s try this again."