"The Martial Contest?" Squire Kyrie echoed, glancing at Rui.

"That's right." Rui said, nodding. "I'm about enter training for the Martial Contest. But, I'm not sure what kind of techniques to purchase. I was wondering if you had any advice for me?"

In the past day he had spoken to multiple people. His friends, some instructors, some old instructors, he had received a diverse array of opinions.

Kane had told him he should improve his evasive maneuvering. Fae had told he should consider improving his striking. Dalen and Milliana had respectively told him to consider improving his defense and stamina.

He wasn't sure. He had hoped that consulting others would give him some clarity, but frankly, it only made him more conflicted.

There were many good arguments for each of the options he had been presented.

"What does the Martial Contest have to with the development of your Martial Art?" Kyrie asked.

"Huh?" Rui tilted his head in confusion. "What does it have to with the development of my Martial Art? I want to compete in and win the Martial Contest. For that, I have to grow stronger."

He replied with a confused expression.

Squire Kyrie didn't respond immediately, taking her time to ponder about his words. "You know... I won the Martial Contest back when I was still in the Academy and was crowned the Martial Princess."

"What??" Rui turned to her in shock and surprise. "I did not know that."

even matter now. It's

enough to sense

Contest?" He murmured with

every five years. Its infrequency ensured that whenever the Festival did eventually roll around, it had a lot of weight. It drew in attention from not

of Gorteau all sent delegates to the Kandrian Empire during the Festival, to engage in some diplomatic

center of the Kandrian Martial Festival lied the inter-academic Martial Contest held

one champion. Glory.

such an event be

asked. "Reaching Martial Squire, or winning the

the Martial Contest, reaching Martial Squire was far stronger a desire for Rui than anything else. His ultimate goal was to pursue his Martial Art and traverse his Martial Path forever, he did not want to ever want

could not reach Martial Squire, then it meant he had hit a dead end in his

to tolerate, in comparison,

the Martial Contest, and participating in the Martial Contest didn't mean he couldn't become a Martial Squire. So why did it sound like

"Can you?" She asked.

"Can't I?"

if the Martial Contest did not exist?"

remained silent

be different from that of

"Probably."

think you'll reach Martial Squire if you allow something like the Martial Contest to dictate your

wide open at those words.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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