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.

sighed, not saying more. Kane's dislike of the Martial Contest was well-known, she didn't want to distract herself with it at

of them, all of them knew they would have to fight each other, and that only one of them would be chosen as the representatives. What would normally have been a light atmosphere with plenty of banter going around was dead quiet

with his Martial Squire bodyguards. These bodyguards merely existed to ensure that the Headmaster never had to

the sky. Today is the day you will reap the fruits of your perseverance. Today is a

beard. "The only question is... Which one of you

growing determination with a glint of satisfaction. It seems he was

tell. And that time will soon come." He said. "I hereby declare the commencement of the twenty-seventh

with his powerful voice, along with the hearts of those

verdict has been made, until then; good luck and

tone of

fists in excitement.

He simply couldn't!

he had been

Martial Apprentices in the Academy and had always known the student count was at seventy-eight

immersed into training."

two months, he had trained almost exclusively with the Apprentice-instructors, and hadn't interacted with anybody all that much. He was sure to have missed it if one of the Explorer students had

to one of the Martial Apprentices in the crowd, directing his attention to

silver hair. Startling red eyes. A demeanor that oozed arrogance and a