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.

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

be grown during Winter, currently Rui was walking past these

smiling as a rush of nostalgia and excitement creeped into his emotions. He picked up the

from its adult caretakers, each taking contributing to the income of the Orphanage that allowed it to

brother Julian." He smiled knowingly. Julian had gotten a well-paying occupation as an apprentice scholar in the research and development department of the Kandrian Institute of Sciences. Knowing him, he must have insisted in using

his family, but even before he

"Rui...?"

up towards the balcony, recognizing both the voice and the appearance

YOU'RE BACK!" She squealed with

announcing to the entire orphanage at the top of her voice that Rui had returned. Even as he reached

at him with such force and energy he felt

d-did you master Flowing Canon?" He muttered gasping for air from her

"Huh?"

it. How have you been Alice? I've missed you so much."

you! We've been doing just fine. Come in, everyone's waiting for you" She let

heads poked through their eyes sparkling

"Big brother Rui!"

"You're back!"

towards him with enthuse

much affection as he could,

He laughed as they swarmed him. "I'll give all of you lifts, so

voice called out to him, instantly wringing his attention away, towards

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