The Martial Unity

Rui did a double-take at those words. It was unexpected. Yet the idea of being called something incredibly corny or cheesy or flashy made him cringe.

"Uh. Can they not?" He asked.

"Sorry, they can't not. The Martial community of this Empire loves doing that." She smirked.

They bantered a bit more, until Rui realized how much time had passed. He had trult gotten absorbed into the conversation.

"Good talk." He said, getting up. "But I should return now."

She nodded at his words. "This was fun."

Rui simply stared at her for a second.

"I look forward to fighting you tomorrow." He said, with a serious edge to his voice. "May the best fighter win."

She simply shrugged. "They always do."

Rui simply smiled at those words before taking his leave.

He thought about his conversation with her, having gotten a stronger grasp of her character and personality.

And then his thoughts soon proceeded to how to defeat her. Ultimately, that was what he would be setting out to accomplish.

His instructors came to his room shortly after, discussing the matter about her.

Dylon put a hand on Rui's shoulder. "Do your

she was a Martial Squire and had vastly more experience than Rui, knowing how

out with a bullrush." Rui said. "Thus far she began every fight in that manner and didn't stop even when it was clear that her opponents were quite prepared for that approach. Nor did she stop even if it was the sub-optimal

fighting style in that sense, only someone who doesn't believe they will

they lose.') He thought inwardly. He too had thought her carelessly rigid fighting style stemmed from deep arrogance, but after talking with her for a while, he had started to realize she simply wasn't as invested in the fight as he was. She did her best,

tips. Some he agreed with and some he didn't. Ultimately, it was up to him. He was the one

time passed,

exhaled, as he closed

He could hear nothing except for

the image of Fiona manifested in his

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

down on

unknown amount of time passed as Rui remained in that state of

knocked on

he would have been to anxious or demoralized to win.

Squire Dylon said. "You're at

to waste even the slightest bit of energy on anything not useful. Even in the short journey to the Martial Colosseum, he merely closed his eyes. Shutting off as much

crumble if his attention was drawn away even slightly. Doing so would not weaken much at all, but being

walked towards the arena once they arrived

"The fight we've all been awaiting! The finale of the 27th

and

hand we have the highly anticipated Fiona Roschem, known as the mighty Chosen Incarnate, she is the representative with the highest estimated odds of victory according to the gambling pool! She will