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.

on Rui's shoulder. "Do your best, we'll

frankly, she didn't have anything more meaningful to add. Although she was a Martial Squire and had vastly more experience than Rui, knowing how to fight

high chance she'll begin the fight lashing 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.

quite arrogant in her fighting style in that sense, only someone who doesn't

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

tried giving Rui several suggestions and tips. Some he agreed with and some he didn't. Ultimately, it was up to

passed,

He exhaled, as he closed

He could hear nothing except for

then the image of Fiona manifested in

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

its environment, pushing down on

amount of time passed as

Squire Kyrie knocked

well Rui had focused himself. She had been worried he would have been to anxious or demoralized to win. But witnessing the determination in

said. "You're at your peak,

anything not useful. Even in the short journey to the Martial Colosseum, he merely closed his eyes. Shutting off as much input as

it could easily crumble if his attention was drawn away even slightly. Doing so would not weaken much at all, but being at his peak mental state would

arena once they arrived at the Martial

here folks!" The commentator cried. "The fight we've all

and applause

the representative with the