Garion only nodded as Alira took the spear away, then turned his attention back to the current topic. "Alright, now that the spear problem is over, let’s focus on the tournament again."

Dahlia crossed her arms and frowned. "It wasn’t a problem. It was a trophy for me."

Slifera sighed. "Yeah, a trophy that could bring trouble to you two from one of the strongest races."

Garion waved his hand casually. "Alright, alright. I’ll give you something else later, so let’s not talk about it anymore."

Dahlia could only sigh before nodding.

Garion nodded as well, then turned his attention toward Rovak. "Your match should be tomorrow, right?"

Rovak nodded with a wide grin. "Yeah, it’s tomorrow. After all, my match is close to the end of the round."

Dahlia smirked. "Don’t lose before fighting me."

Rovak laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Just make sure the same doesn’t happen to you too, little dragon!"

Dahlia’s eyebrow twitched again.

Garion stood up and stretched lazily. "Alright then. Let’s rest. Tomorrow should be fun."

After that, everyone left the private viewing room one by one until only Alira remained inside.

The moment everyone was gone, she placed the spear on the table and called Manager Paren.

A few seconds later, Paren’s holographic image appeared in the room.

He looked quite confused about being called so suddenly. "Alira? What’s the matter?"

Alira calmly lifted the spear and showed it to Paren. "Dahlia took this from Veyrion Calthis during the match."

Paren stared at the spear silently and then the corner of his mouth twitched. "Took? You mean stole, right?"

Alira paused briefly before nodding. "Technically, yes. But publicly, it can be called payment for mocking Dahlia, according to her."

Paren rubbed his forehead. "Of course. Damn it, this is exactly what I was worried about. So, tell me how it happened."

Alira nodded and explained, "Veyrion mocked her and God Gym first. Then he lost publicly and had his weapon taken in front of everyone."

Paren stared at the spear again, and a helpless grin slowly appeared on his face. "So he provoked her, lost badly, and gave us negotiation leverage."

Alira nodded. "Exactly."

Paren sighed deeply, then shrugged. "What can I even say? In the Cosmic Universe, strength decides many things."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "And since Veyrion was the one who started the problem, the Calthis side can’t complain too loudly without embarrassing themselves even further."

Alira then asked, "Should I return it directly to them?"

Paren shook his head and grinned. "No. Leave it to me. If they want the spear back, they’ll need to pay properly."

Alira nodded. "Understood. I’ll send the spear back to you quickly." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Paren nodded and looked at the spear for a moment longer before muttering softly, "Garion... you really keep bringing me trouble."

Then his grin widened. "But somehow, every trouble you bring also becomes an opportunity. And this time, your God Gym’s name will spread even further."

---

That night, after returning to the inn prepared by Paren, Garion and Dahlia finally had a rare quiet moment.

Dahlia sat near the window with one leg crossed, staring at the distant arena with a thoughtful expression.

Garion noticed her silence and raised an eyebrow. "What? You’re already thinking about tomorrow’s fight?"

Dahlia nodded. "Yeah. That guy Rovak is pretty strong. I wonder if what he showed in the arena was his full strength."

Garion grinned. "Oh? That’s rare. You’re praising someone?"

Dahlia clicked her tongue and looked back at him. "Master, I’m arrogant, not blind."

Garion immediately laughed. "Hahaha! Fair."

Dahlia rested her chin on one hand and continued, "His fighting style is rough, but his body is really tough. Even that Stone Scale guy’s attack didn’t knock him out of the arena."

Garion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, I noticed. But honestly, I don’t know much about him. I only met Rovak, Slifera, and Elisa recently."

He looked toward the glowing city outside. "This Cosmic Universe really is interesting. Every time I look around, there’s another weird race, another strange talent, another ridiculous ability."

Dahlia nodded. "Yeah. Four Arm Race, Silverian Race, Stone Scale Race, Drakhor Race..."

Her grin slowly returned. "And dragons too."

Garion smirked. "You sound proud."

"Of course." Dahlia lifted her chin. "I’m a dragon now."

Garion laughed but didn’t deny it.

For a moment, the two simply sat there while the noise of the city echoed faintly outside.

Then Dahlia suddenly spoke again, her voice quieter than before. "Master."

Garion looked at her. "Hm?"

Dahlia stared at the window, but her usual playful grin had faded a little. "After I win this tournament... are you going to awaken the others?"

Garion paused.

Dahlia turned toward him and scratched her cheek awkwardly. "I mean... I’m fine. This place is fun, and fighting these people is exciting."

Then she looked away slightly. "But being alone like this is still kinda lonely."

Garion’s expression softened a little.

Dahlia crossed her arms quickly, as if embarrassed by her own words.

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not complaining. I’m the greatest senior sister of God Gym, so of course I can handle it."

Garion smiled quietly and before he could answer, a tiny glowing figure suddenly appeared floating beside his shoulder.

Atlas yawned dramatically while flapping his small glowing wings.

[Wow. A rare emotional moment from the loud disaster dragon. Should I record this?]

Dahlia’s eyebrow twitched instantly. "Do that and I’ll crush you."

Atlas laughed.

[Unfortunately, you can’t touch me.]

Garion sighed. "Atlas."

The tiny silver-haired gremlin finally crossed his arms and looked more serious.

[Fine, fine.]

He floated in front of Garion and spoke calmly.

[By the end of the tournament, depending on your energy recovery and, you should be able to awaken one person.]

Garion’s eyes sharpened slightly. "Only one?"

Atlas tilted his head.

[Maybe two if things go especially well.]

Dahlia immediately looked over. "Really?"

Atlas nodded smugly.

[Don’t get too excited. It still depends on how much energy Garion can gather and stabilize. Waking people up isn’t as simple as pulling them out of bed.]

Garion leaned back and grinned. "One or two, huh... good. I already know who to awaken."

Dahlia immediately leaned forward. "Who?"

Garion only smiled mysteriously. "You’ll know later."

Dahlia clicked her tongue. "Master, you’re acting annoying."

Atlas nodded seriously.

[He does that often.]

Garion ignored him and looked directly at Dahlia. "For now, don’t think too much about it."

He pointed toward the arena outside. "Your job is simple. Win this tournament and make sure those bastards acknowledge us."

Dahlia slowly stood up.

The playful awkwardness from earlier disappeared, replaced by her usual wild confidence.

She cracked her neck, and a faint disaster aura flickered around her body. "Hahaha... dont worry master."

She looked toward the arena with burning eyes. "I’ll make sure everyone in this place remembers God Gym."