The Martial Unity

"Apprentice Rui Quarrier, Missus Nartha Freier is ready to receive you." A staff member addressed him bowing deeply as a sign of respect. "Please follow me."

"Alright, thank you." Rui nodded as he got up, and trailed after her.

Today was the day of his appointment with the chairwoman of Freier Ester Inc who had commissioned to him to be a representative champion for Freir Ester Inc. They would likely engage in negotiations over several details of the commission contract.

This was one thing that separated personal commission contracts from regular commission contracts. Since the client had approached Rui and specifically desired him, Rui had obtained some amount of bargaining power. The Martial Union had very little active control over the contract asides from the standard conditions and rules.

Soon they reached an office. The staff member stepped aside, bowing as she gestured to the door.

"Thank you." Rui said as he entered the office.

"Ah my." A feminine voice remarked. "It's a pleasure to meet the finalist of the Martial Contest, Apprentice Rui Quarrier. I am Nartha Freier, the founder and chairwoman of the Freier Ester Corporation."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chairwoman Nartha." Rui replied bowing a little as she performed the smallest of curtsies. "Thank you for commissioning me, and thank you for the invite."

a beautiful older woman, with long flowing blonde hair. Yet her sharp eyes caught his attention more than her aesthetics did. She

man." She laughed dismissably. "I've been looking forward to meeting you

posh sofas of remarkable comfort. Rui had already figured this was the office she used to greet guests she wanted to impress, hence the impractical architecture and décor that facilitated aesthetics at the cost

like to have a drink?"

signaled to an attendant in

remarked. "Even more surprising is that someone your age managed to win the Martial Contest. Usually, the Martial Contest is

flatter me"

I? I do believe in your potential and prowess, young man." Nartha told him. "What considerations do you have of my commissions? We can negotiate on the price, however I do believe it's a reasonable

the price." Rui remarked. "However, I do have

"Go ahead." Nartha replied.

to inquire about the level of the Martial Artists that I will generally be facing." Rui

with reasonably detailed information on the matter that the intelligence department had managed to procure. But he deliberately pretended not to know because he wanted to gauge how sincere and honest Nartha was, it

not all, of the representative fighters that participate. There are a few here and there that are powerful enough to be a threat to you, but for the most part, I do believe you would be a force to

from the Martial Academy through the mission bill. "What are the odds that by being your representative, I won't earn the ire and hatred of your competitors and enemies? I may be

if he was by himself, he would be less concerned. But he had the Quarrier Orphanage that was extremely vulnerable. He was not powerful enough to protect himself and his family. If he made powerful enemies, the Quarrier Orphanage could