Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Garion leaned forward on the ship’s railing, eyes glued to the transforming land below.

The island split cleanly into three, glowing like three giant mana hearts beating under the sky.

Then... new screens appeared before him.

[God Archipelago]

[Islands for the God Clans to reside]

[Nature God Island]

[Island infused with pure nature mana]

[Flame God Island]

[Island infused with pure flame mana]

[Thunder God Island]

[Island infused with pure thunder mana]

Garion’s brows shot up.

”...So the island really became three.”

He let out a low whistle as the ships descended lower.

”Damn... You weren’t kidding, huh?”

He crossed his arms, studying each section.

The lush green wilderness pulsing with life, the molten island radiating heat waves, and the stormy island crackling with golden lightning.

A tiny grin tugged at his mouth.

”God Archipelago, huh... looks like it really can expand later.”

Another thought hit him, making him chuckle.

’System... seriously. What are you? At this rate... you planning to make me build a whole country?’

The system stayed silent, as always.

Garion shook his head, smirking wider.

”...Fine. Keep your secrets. I’ll play along.”

---

Garion waved both clan leaders over with a quick tilt of his head.

”Oi, Raviel. Aveline. Come here for a sec.”

They stepped beside him on the deck, the three islands shining below.

Garion pointed down with his thumb.

”Alright, listen up. That one is Nature God Island. The one burning? Flame God Island. And the thunderstorm one? Thunder God Island.”

Raviel’s jaw hung halfway open.

Aveline’s eyes kept darting from one island to another like she was trying to blink herself awake.

Garion continued, calm as ever.

”Just like the names say, each island has the strongest mana of that element. So, Raviel, your clan can stay on the Flame God Island or the Thunder God Island. Both fit your people.”

Raviel nodded slowly. ”Makes sense...”

Garion then pointed at Aveline.

”And your Avenora Clan fits perfectly on Nature God Island.”

Aveline crossed her arms and hummed. ”That part I can see.”

Garion smirked.

”But Raviel, tell your clan members this. If any of them want to marry the women of Avenora Clan...”

He raised a brow, teasing.

”...they might want to stay on the nature island first. Sure, they’ll get a little weaker because of the nature mana, but that’s the price of love.”

Raviel burst into laughter. ”Don’t worry. They already know the risks.”

Aveline jabbed a finger at Raviel’s ribs.

”And don’t forget! We Avenora women aren’t easy. We’re a matriarchal clan. If any of your men want to take one of my girls as a bride, they better defeat her in a proper match. Just like you did with me, Raviel.”

Raviel puffed his chest proudly. ”Hah. And I’ll tell them exactly that.”

Garion clapped his hands once.

”Good. Since that’s settled... let’s head to the Nature God Island first.”

He turned toward the descending flying ship, eyes gleaming with excitement.

”I’ll show you the new buildings. And trust me... you’re gonna like what you see.”

---

Garion led them down the path of the newly formed Nature God Island, which felt peaceful.

They approached the first cluster of buildings, tall, clean, and strangely modern compared to any sect structure they’d seen in their lives.

Garion threw his hands out proudly.

”Alright. Welcome to the brand-new buildings. Just like my God Gym, but these ones belong to you. From now on, these islands together are called the God Archipelago.”

He grinned. ”Good name, right? Fits perfectly since it’s right beside my place.”

Raviel scratched his head, still staring at the weirdly neat architecture.

”Yeah, yeah... Now hurry up and tell me what these things even are. You used our Origins to make all this, didn’t you?”

Garion nodded like it was nothing. ”Of course. So, first, your living area. See that tall building? That’s an apartment.”

Aveline blinked. ”Apa... what?”

Garion chuckled. ”Apartment. It looks small, but it holds many rooms inside. Each level has different spaces for different people.”

Raviel looked between the building and Aveline. ”Different from our usual small houses with yards...”

Garion tapped his forehead. ”And better. My disciples will teach everyone how the rooms work. Don’t worry, it’s simple once you get used to it.”

He pointed toward the next structure.

”Now, follow me. Training room next.”

They entered the tall building, and the moment they stepped inside, Raviel froze.

The floor was filled with metal equipment like bars, benches, weights, racks, and machines.

”What in the actual hell...?” Raviel muttered.

Garion grinned.

”This is a training gym. You’re not just a mana cultivator anymore. You’re body cultivators too. And to train the body, you need these.”

Raviel rubbed the back of his neck. ”I know... I know... but still, this is insane. It hasn’t even been half a year, and my whole life has changed.”

Garion laughed loudly, clapping him on the shoulder.

”And that’s good. Change is what makes you stronger.”

He walked toward another building and waved them over.

”Come on. There’s a library too.”

They followed him inside, expecting ancient scrolls or cultivation manuals.

Instead... shelves of neatly printed books.

Garion grabbed two and handed them to Raviel and Aveline.

The moment they opened them, both froze.

”What are these words...?” Raviel whispered.

Aveline squinted. ”Cell... heart... blood circulation... respiratory system...”

Garion smirked proudly.

”Body knowledge. Human biology. You think I reached my strength by lifting weights alone?”

He leaned forward slightly, voice calm but firm.

”I learned everything about the body. Every layer. Every inch.”

Raviel stiffened, gripping the book tighter. ”But... isn’t this considered evil knowledge? Forbidden things?”

Garion burst out laughing.

”Evil? What’s evil about understanding your own body? Knowing how blood flows, how wounds heal, and how energy moves. How is that wrong?”

He pointed at Raviel’s heart.

”Tell me, Raviel. Your ancestors who figured out how to cultivate... How do you think they knew what a mana pool even was? How did they know where it formed? How to grow it?”

Raviel blinked, unsure.

Garion smirked.

”They learned the body. They studied it. But later? People got scared. The smart ones became smarter. The strong ones became stronger. And the ones above... didn’t like that.”

He shrugged.

”So they called it ’evil.’ Because they feared losing control.”

Aveline slowly closed her book, her eyes trembling with realization.

”So this knowledge... was never evil to begin with.”

Garion nodded.

”Exactly. Knowledge only becomes evil when someone uses it to harm. But when you use it to grow stronger... to protect your people...”

He turned toward the window, looking out at the newly formed God Archipelago.

”...then it becomes your greatest weapon.”