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.

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

could only be grown during

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

Orphanage benefitted greatly from its adult caretakers, each

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,

to surprise his family, but even before

"Rui...?"

balcony, recognizing both

YOU'RE BACK!" She squealed

from the balcony enthusiastically running down the stairs, announcing to the entire orphanage at the top of her voice that Rui had returned. Even as he reached the gate, the

at him with such force and energy he felt like he was hit

muttered gasping for air from

"Huh?"

How have you been Alice? I've missed you so much." He returned her

waiting for you" She let go of

door, and several small heads poked

"Big brother Rui!"

"You're back!"

they ran towards him with enthuse and excitement, gathering around

trying to return as much affection as he could, struggling to return

alright!" He laughed as they swarmed him. "I'll give

A soft voice called out to him, instantly wringing his

walked over, cupping his face in her hands, ruffling his hair, before pulling him in for a