The Martial Unity

"Are you sure you don't wanna come with me?" Rui asked. "I'd love to introduce you to my family."

"Not this time." Kane shook his head. "I'll be approached and summoned if my family finds out I returned from the Academy."

"I see, that's a shame." Rui sighed. "Another time then." Earning a nod from Kane.

"It's a shame I have to return to my family too, otherwise I would have accepted the offer in his stead." Fae commented.

"He didn't invite you." Kane grumbled, sparking a round of bickering between them, earning Rui's laughter at the sight.

"Milliana, you're headed back to your town as well, right?" Rui turned to her.

She nodded passively. "It's four hours away from here, so I intend to leave immediately."

The four of them chatted for a bit longer until it was time for those returning to disperse.

"See you guys when I get back." Rui exchanged farewells with everyone before setting out on foot. He didn't have any money on him, but that wasn't a problem. Even without techniques, with just the physical training from his foundational stage, the journey was no longer something that could strain his stamina.

The town of Hajin was a lot less chaotic than he recalled it. One of the reasons for that was the last time he actually travelled around was during the start of the new Academic year. What was a bustling, loud and busy place in his memories had become a much more relaxed environment.

"Man, it's been such a long time since I stepped outside the Academy." Rui said in delight, taking in the atmosphere as he made his way home. The Academy had a lot of open space, but it still could not substitute actual society.

It was a nostalgic feeling, reminding Rui of when his university days. He'd felt similarly back then, although to a greater degree because the universities of sciences back on Earth were nowhere near as large as the Martial Academies.

of the town, the more scarce grew the population and infrastructure. Once he exited the districts on the outskirts of the town, the atmosphere grew serene quiet. Gone were the markets, and the commercial hubs and the businesses. Instead, he was greeted with farmlands and small patches of forests with a handful of small village-like settlements scattered across. Winters were harsh in the Mantian region, especially

crops that could only be grown

as a rush of nostalgia and excitement creeped into his

time" He noted happily. The Quarrier Orphanage benefitted greatly from its adult

and development department of the Kandrian Institute of Sciences. Knowing him, he must have insisted in using generous portions of

intended to surprise his family, but even

"Rui...?"

up towards the balcony, recognizing both the voice

She squealed

running down the stairs, announcing to the entire orphanage at the

force and energy he felt like

muttered gasping for air from her bear

"Huh?"

Forget it. How have you been Alice? I've

just fine. Come in, everyone's waiting for you" She let go

heads poked through their eyes

"Big brother Rui!"

"You're back!"

enthuse and excitement,

smiled at the children, trying to return as much affection as he could, struggling to return fifteen

him. "I'll give

to him, instantly wringing his

hands, ruffling his hair, before pulling him in for a hug. "You've grown so much