The Martial Unity

It was time. Rui had gotten a good eight hours of sleep, instead of using a potion. Across the entire month, all of the Martial Apprentice participants would be given enough time to get a good organic sleep every night. So that they could be at their absolute best the next and also so that the students that did decide to use potions regardless didn't have to worry about the days their sleep overlapped with any scheduled fight of their own.

He had already donned his Martial uniform and was about ready to gather at the Apprentice sparring center.

"You ready?" Kane asked. "Let's go."

Rui nodded. As they headed to the Apprentice sparring center, neither of them exchanged a word. Kane merely had his hand behind his head, walking with an aura of lethargy and displeasure. Rui, on the other hand, was barely able to contain his excitement

They had already said everything that needed to be said. A tacit understanding already existed between them.

And soon, they reached, walking over to the group of Fae, Milliana and Dalen.

"You're here." Fae said, with an air of focused composure. "Ready?"

"No." Kane replied.

"Yes." Rui nodded.

of the Martial Contest was well-known, she didn't want to distract herself with it

of them, all of them knew they would have to fight each other, and that only one of them would be chosen as

Headmaster never had to waste energy dealing with fools who tried to get too close to him, they couldn't truly protect his life given

that drives you down your Martial Path. Perhaps it is glory, or perhaps it is wealth. Perhaps it is prestige, or perhaps it is power. Regardless of what it is, it drives you. And here you are. Standing before me. Standing before each other on this special day. Today is no ordinary day. Today is the day you aim to prove yourself. Today is the day you aim to foge yourselves. Today is the day you aim to soar high into the sky. Today is the day you will reap the fruits of your perseverance. Today is a day you confront not just your opponents, but yourselves. Some of you will win, and some of you will lose. Some of you will retain the hope of being the chosen one, while some of you will won't. Each of the seventy-nine of

stroked his long flowing beard. "The only question is... Which one of

gathered before him, feeling their growing determination with a glint of satisfaction. It

said. "I hereby declare the commencement of the twenty-seventh preliminary

powerful voice, along with the hearts of those

been made, until then; good

with a tone of finality, before leaving

in excitement.

He simply couldn't!

couldn't wait to start, he had been itching for this for many months

"Seventy-nine huh? Last I checked we had seventy-eight." He'd fought most of the Martial Apprentices in the Academy and had always known the student count was at seventy-eight even a

too immersed into

with the Apprentice-instructors, and hadn't interacted with anybody all that much. He was sure to

of the Martial Apprentices in the crowd, directing his

he instantly recognized the boy. Messy silver hair. Startling red eyes. A demeanor that oozed arrogance and