The Martial Unity

"Please wait here a moment, Apprentice Quarrier." An assistance staff told him. "I will inform Apprentice Sierra Frial that you have arrived."

"Please do." Rui nodded, as took a seat in the reception of the Martial Academy.

Five minutes later, he felt the presence of a tall and burly Martial Apprentice enter the room, recognizing her immediately, the Frial Family had provided him with a picture of her.

"Apprentice Frial." He began. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm-"

"I know who you are." She rudely cut him as she folded her arms. "Follow me to the sparring facility immediately. I want to see what you're made up of."

Her tone had more than just a little hint of challenging hostility.

Rui stared at her for a second, before wordlessly getting up. They both headed towards the Apprentice sparring facility of the Martial Academy. Rui felt like a celebrity as everyone he walked past. Staff, foundational and explorer students, Martial Apprentices etc all recognized him as their eyes widened. It got even worse once he actually entered the sparring facility. It turned out there was an ongoing regular Apprentice sparring session. Nothing odd about that, his Academy had held plenty of those as well.

He just felt countless eyes widened with surprise as each and every single one of them recognized him.

To be fair, he understood their emotions. He would be surprised as well if someone like Fiona walked into his Academy one day wearing her Martial uniform. He just ignored all of them as Siera Frial dragged him to an empty ring.

Yet before they could even reach it. Siera had been flooded with Martial Apprentices who all pestered her with questions.

"What's going on here?!" One of them asked in a barely concealed whisper.

"Why's he here?"

"My Family hired him as a sparring partner." Sierra huffed with a hint of pride. "He's mine for the next seven hours."

A flash of surprise made its way through the small crowd as the Martial Apprentices glanced at him with expressions of curiosity and admiration.

"Enough." A powerful voice drew everyone's attention as all of them experienced a familiar pressure.

leave them alone." The Martial Squire instructor of the facility ordered, much to

they were about to

been some time." A deep voice called out to

around, recognizing the towering, imposing man. "Arjun Erigaisi. I expected to

I didn't." He smiled friendlily. "What brings

mission." Rui gestured to

see... that's pretty interesting

complained. "Don't waste time, let's

standard gear and kit aside

stances."

up and close to her in a solid guarding position. She even planted her feet apart, a

he was an offense-oriented Martial Artist. Yet Siera

a way that made it easy to launch both quick and powerful strikes while remaining light on his

referee commenced

her swiftly. As the only fighter with an offensive fighting style at all, the initiative of the fight was in his

POW POW!

they harmlessly bounced off of her hefty

('Solid.') He mused.

POW POW!

her side, launching another swift combo. Siera turned trying to block in time, yet

failed to do any meaningful damage. He wasn't accumulating momentum or using his weight, but it was still a proper strike

enough at the higher echelons of the Apprentice Realm, it seems.') He mused. ('How

behind him as he threw his

BAM!

remained steady even

retreated before accelerating

BOOM!