Dahlia crossed her arms and looked straight at Sorien, a confident grin spreading across her face.
"So," she said, lifting her chin slightly, "what do you think now?"
She gestured around the training ground, then pointed her thumb toward Rachel.
"We're capable of standing as a Grand Clan, right?"
Sorien let out a quiet laugh and shook his head.
"Capable?" he said. "That's an understatement."
He looked at Rachel again, his expression serious now.
"With strength like this," Sorien continued, "Rachel alone already stands at the level of a Grand Faction fighter."
Rachel waved her hand lightly. "You flatter me."
Sorien smiled. "I'm being objective."
Then his tone shifted.
"But," he added, "as I said before, recognition doesn't rest on one person alone."
Dahlia's grin didn't fade.
"Of course," she said. "The others are strong enough too."
Sorien raised an eyebrow. "Strong enough according to whose standards?"
"Yours," Dahlia replied without hesitation.
