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 best, we'll console

Kyrie glared at him. But frankly, she didn't have anything more meaningful to add. Although she was a Martial Squire and had vastly more experience than Rui, knowing

it was clear that her opponents were quite prepared for that approach. Nor did she stop even if it was the sub-optimal solution, she's demonstrated remarkable rigidity and

quite arrogant in her fighting style in that sense,

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

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

time passed,

as

one. He could hear nothing except for his heartbeat

image of Fiona

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

its environment, pushing down on it as it

unknown amount of time passed as Rui remained in that state

Squire Kyrie knocked

an eyebrow, surprised at how well Rui had focused himself. She had been worried he would have been to anxious or demoralized to win. But witnessing the determination in his

Squire Dylon said. "You're at your

even the slightest bit of energy on anything not useful. Even in the short journey to the Martial Colosseum,

away even slightly. Doing so would not weaken much

towards the arena once they

cried. "The fight we've all been awaiting! The

and applause as chaotic

she is the representative with the highest estimated odds of victory according to the gambling pool! She will representing