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.

hand on Rui's shoulder. "Do your

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 how to fight specific opponents optimally was quite literally Rui's entire Martial Path. And he had shown everyone time and time again that he

a 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. Nor

that. "She's quite arrogant in her fighting style in that sense, only someone who doesn't believe they

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

he agreed with and some he

passed, a

as

one. He could hear nothing except for his

then the image of Fiona manifested

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

on its environment, pushing down on it as

of time passed as Rui remained in that

Kyrie knocked on

how well Rui had focused himself. She had been worried he would have been to anxious or demoralized to

Squire Dylon said. "You're at your peak, maintain

waste even the slightest bit of energy on anything not useful. Even in

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

arena once they arrived

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

cheers and applause as chaotic excitement

mighty Chosen Incarnate, she is the representative with the highest estimated odds