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.

Squire Dylon put a hand on Rui's shoulder. "Do your best, we'll console you

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

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 did she stop even if it was the sub-optimal solution, she's demonstrated remarkable rigidity and lack

that. "She's quite arrogant in her fighting style in that sense, only someone who

someone who doesn't care too much if 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

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

time passed,

as

one by one. He could hear nothing except

image of

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

on its environment, pushing down on it as it

of time passed as Rui remained in that state of

knocked on

she raised 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

"You're at your peak,

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

attention was drawn away even slightly. Doing so would not weaken much at all, but being at his peak mental state would always ensure that he brought out

arena once they

here folks!" The commentator cried. "The fight we've all been awaiting! The finale of

erupted in volatile cheers and applause as chaotic excitement sizzled the

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 representing the