Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Chapter 544: Love Doesn’t Hit As Hard Now

Heinkel stepped forward, and the moment he entered, the domain began to tremble.

Rachel frowned as she felt the shift. "To think you’ve become strong enough to affect my domain... but this isn’t the end."

She raised her hand again and moved first, closing the distance between them.

[Love Punch]

The blow landed cleanly but not as she had expected. Heinkel remained calm.

He glanced at where her fist had struck. "It still hurts... but this time, not enough to actually affect me."

Rachel’s expression tightened. Without hesitation, she followed up with a kick.

[Love Kick]

It struck his side, yet once again, the impact barely fazed him.

A smirk crept across Heinkel’s face as he reached out and grabbed her ankle mid-motion.

Rachel’s eyes widened. "The hell?!"

She twisted, trying to pull free, but his grip didn’t budge at all.

Heinkel raised his free hand.

[Equinox Dragon Break]

The attack surged forward with perfect alignment, dual energies compressing into a single devastating point before striking directly into her.

Rachel blocked by crossing her arms, but her stance shattered instantly.

The force didn’t just push her back... it disrupted her entirely, sending her flying across the domain.

She hit the ground hard, coughing up blood as she struggled to rise.

Her expression darkened. "Damn... I didn’t think you could become even stronger."

Heinkel gave a small nod. "Yeah, I can."

His gaze hardened. "And now... it’s time to finish this."

Sianor’s gaze remained fixed on Rachel, unwavering and cold. Even her unique power wasn’t enough to defeat him.

Floren lowered his fan slightly, frowning. "That Heinkel... he adapted faster than I expected."

Dahlia, on the other hand, frowned deeply, clutching Giselle tightly in her arms. "No... you can’t lose, Rachel. Not for your daughter... and not for God’s Gym."

Then, suddenly, everything shifted.

Rachel found herself somewhere else, inside her own mind, to be exact.

The surroundings felt eerily familiar. She stood in the same space where Dahlia had once been.

[Welcome to your mind, Rachel.]

Rachel looked around, searching for the source, but found nothing. Her brows furrowed.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

[I am Atlas. You may consider me Garion’s assistant.]

Rachel nodded slowly. "I see... so you’re the one he sometimes talks about."

[Indeed.]

She crossed her arms, still wary. "Then why are you here?"

[Because it is time for you to evolve... to obtain the God Physique.]

Rachel’s eyes widened slightly. "Is this what happened to Dahlia before?"

[Yes. And now, I will present you with a choice.]

Rachel didn’t hesitate. "Then give me the best one."

There was a brief pause.

[Just like Dahlia... always aiming for the best. Very well. Please wait a moment.]

A second later, a translucent list appeared in front of Rachel.

---

[Please choose the direction of God Physique evolution path.]

[1. Love Path]

[2. Radiant Path]

---

Rachel stared at the options, unimpressed. "That’s it?"

[Yes, those are your choices.]

She crossed her arms, eyes still fixed on the floating panel. "Feels a bit... too simple."

[Simple does not mean weak. You were the one who asked for the best options.]

Her gaze sharpened, interest flickering beneath her skepticism. "Alright then. Explain each path so I know which one suits me."

[Of course. Let’s start with the Radiant Path.]

[The Radiant Path aligns with the light element. In simpler terms, your power would resemble that of the Solmira Clan.]

Rachel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "A light element, huh... It’s undeniably effective against demons, but if that’s its only advantage..."

She trailed off, her expression turning thoughtful. "I don’t think it suits me very much, as I won’t be fighting only against demons."

She tapped her arm lightly, thinking it through before continuing, "What about the Love Path? It seems more aligned with my current physique."

[Indeed. The Love Path closely resembles your current one, but with a key difference.]

[Your current physique is a Radiant Love variant, combining both light and love elements. This path, however, is purely aligned with love alone.]

Rachel tilted her head slightly, processing the explanation.

"Then if that’s the case..." she said slowly, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice. "Why not show me the Radiant Love Path? Or is it not an option?"

There was a brief pause before the response came.

[It exists.]

[However, I did not present it because it is not the optimal path for you.]

Rachel’s eyes sharpened at that, her interest immediately piqued. "Not the optimal path...?"

She crossed her arms, skepticism evident in her posture. "It’s a mixed path, isn’t it? So how could it be weaker? Explain."

[Because not every combination results in a stronger outcome.]

[In this case, Radiant Love does not strengthen itself through synergy; instead, the two elements restrain one another.]

Rachel frowned slightly, listening carefully.

[This differs from other elemental pairings that either complement or balance each other, such as light and darkness, or flame and ice.]

[Radiant Love may offer greater power in the short term, but its growth potential is limited.]

Rachel nodded slowly as the explanation sank in. "I see... so what you’re saying is... it’s a choice between being stronger now or becoming stronger later."

[In simple terms, yes.]

[However, even without the immediate boost, the Love Path will still be sufficient for you to defeat Heinkel.]

Rachel placed a hand on her chin, deep in thought. After a brief pause, she asked, "Then which one do you think suits me best?"

[I recommend the Love Path.]

[It aligns with your nature. You are someone who both gives and receives love freely. This path reflects who you truly are.]

Rachel closed her eyes for a moment, considering those words.

When she opened them again, her decision was clear. "...Alright. Then I’ll trust your judgment. Choose that one."

[Understood, Miss. Commencing evolution now.]

In the next instant, Rachel’s body began to glow, not with a pure white radiance, but with a soft, pink-hued light.

The gentle aura wrapped around her like a warm embrace as her feet slowly lifted from the ground, her body rising weightlessly into the air.

The light pulsed faintly, steady and alive, as if responding to her very heartbeat.