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.

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 since this region was among the northern most regions of the Kandrian Empire, which was a country that was already

of crops that could only be grown during Winter, currently Rui was

nostalgia and excitement creeped into

Quarrier Orphanage benefitted greatly from its adult caretakers, each taking contributing to

be courtesy of big 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.

but even before he reached the

"Rui...?"

up towards the balcony, recognizing both the voice

YOU'RE BACK!" She squealed with

entire orphanage at the top of her voice that Rui had returned. Even as he reached the gate, the front

with such force and energy he felt like he was hit

master Flowing Canon?" He muttered gasping for air from her

"Huh?"

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

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

glanced at the door, and several small heads poked through their eyes sparkling

"Big brother Rui!"

"You're back!"

towards him with enthuse and excitement,

as much affection as he could,

swarmed him. "I'll give all

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

cupping his face in her hands, ruffling his hair, before pulling him in