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.

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

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 and

These bodyguards merely existed to ensure that the Headmaster never had to waste energy dealing with fools who tried to get too

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 you that have gathered before me

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

with a glint of satisfaction. It seems he was able to draw out their will

will soon come." He said. "I hereby declare

powerful voice, along with the hearts of those who heard

will return when the verdict has been

of

Rui grinned, clenching his quivering fists in excitement. How on Gaea

He simply couldn't!

start, he had been itching

I checked we had seventy-eight." He'd fought most of the Martial Apprentices in the Academy and had always known

immersed into training."

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

gestured to one of the Martial Apprentices

wide open as he instantly recognized the boy. Messy silver hair. Startling red