The Martial Unity

Mental manipulation.

That was Surman Marliak's specialty, according to Fae. His Martial Art and techniques were centered around affecting his opponents' minds adversely and apparently, he was quite good at it too.

This included things like misdirection, hypnosis, impression imprinting and other psychological-oriented skills. Rui had done some research into the matter in order to understand how Surman might end up fighting against him.

He looked forward to the fight. It wasn't everyday he got to fight against someone this unusual.

He made his way to the observer balcony reserved to for participants.

What he did not expect was the presence of the other representatives!

He glanced around at the several martial Squire guards inside and outside the balcony.

('Easier to protect us if we're in the same place?') He wondered. It seemed that the Martial Academies did not want to take any risks. He simply ignored them as he leaned onto the railing, ignoring them. He would pay them attention when their matches rolled up, until then, they were not important. Thankfully the balcony was incredibly wide and there was plenty of distance between each of them.

He glanced at an observation balcony on the other side of the Colosseum, his sharp eyes distinguishing the headmasters of the sixteen Academies along with the Contest Master and some other VIPs, before an announcement caught his ears.

"Aaaand we will not commence the first match of the first round right away!"

"On one hand we have Representative Ian Nepomniachtchi of the Breathing Mountain style representing Farund branch! Touted as one of the greatest prodigies of this generation, he is known as the Breathing Goliath in the Martial Community! Join me in welcoming him!"

The crowd cheered loudly as Ian entered the arena, stopping at the center. He simply folded his arms, waiting.

Rui cringed slightly. "Epithets? They actually have titles."

"They're not uncommon." Squire Dylon explained. "Prominent Martial Artists generally tend to gain one. It's a tradition primarily in the Martial Community that ended up bleeding into culture as time passed. Kyrie here was known as the Berzerker of Hajin during her prime."

"Focus." Kyrie replied.

"On the other hand, we have representative Vyoming Hurin of the Weaving Lightning style representing the Narfinius branch! Known as the Flashing Drift for his incredible speed! Give him a round of applause!"

the arena, stopping some distance away from

The referee of the fight addressed both of them. "I'll be going over the rules one last time. No killing and no leaving the boundaries of the arena, either of those will result in a disqualification and a loss respectively. If you wish to forfeit, you may merely will it and the special device attached to your Martial uniform will alert us

"I do." Ian replied.

"I do." Vyoming echoed.

further ado, begin!" He

the first match is underway!" the

WHOOSH

blurred as he instantly crossed the

POW POW

double combo within

WHOOSH

him, only for him to hit

Ian repeatedly aggressively in an impressive

to Kane. He's faster in linear motion but Kane is much more agile and fluid

apparent, despite both of them being maneuvering-oriented. Vyoming was much more aggressing and proactive with

Squire Kyrie nodded. "His greatest strength is his

Rui nodded. "And yet..."

at Ian. "He's

unharmed, he was also unmoved. Literally, Vyoming

WHOOSH

at him throwing an

CLASP

widened at

failing to keep up, suddenly caught Vyoming's

What had changed?

He asked Vyoming as cold pressure flushed from him pressing on Vyoming even as the he

BAM!!

an incredibly powerful attack Vyoming's

he struck the latter