The Martial Unity

"Of course," Kan added. "It still makes me dependent on the Lightning Sect for protection against being coerced against my will to rejoin my family, but hey, we're getting there."

"Indeed." Fae nodded. "I am particularly impressed that your plan actually succeeded."

"It won't be that easy breaking out of the Arrancar Family's grasp, you know," Dalen told him.

"I know," Kane replied. "But there's a limit to how far they are willing to go."

"Perhaps," Hever replied calmly. "But that limit is likely much higher for someone like yourself. You're no ordinary Martial Artist. With your talent, you're a precious boon that any Martial Family would kill to have."

Kane sighed. He was aware of that, it would be much easier to cut ties with his family if they didn't give a shit about him.

"You should just fight them if they try holding you back." Nel snorted.

Kane snorted, ignoring him as he turned back to Rui. "Well, putting that aside..."

He studied Rui from head to toe. "So this is you as a Martial Squire, huh? You don't look or feel any different."

Rui chuckled. He had sealed the pressure that they would experience with the help of the Mind Mask, he didn't want them to change their behavior with him now that he was a whole Realm of power above them. "I've taken some measures."

"What was the experience of breaking through like, I've wondered." She stared at him with interest and curiosity in her eyes.

"Painful," Rui replied immediately.

the group as they processed his simple yet scary

painful? Stubbing your tow painful? Or worse? Like stepping

stepping on lego, obviously." Rui shook his head. "But it

them exchanged a chuckle as Fae rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, you have to

the breakthrough to the Squire Realm was classified and not something Martial Apprentices were privy to until they

was strategic intelligence that was highly relevant to the Martial power of a nation. Rui was vaguely aware that the discovery of the Martial body

"It's not that I don't want to

breakthrough to the Squire Realm would grant them would warp their Martial Art. Instead of their

me any meaningful information about the breakthrough to the Squire Realm,

"It's because

in relief, if they were aware of the concept,

if we became Squire

by qualified experts trained to explain to Martial Apprentices like yourselves about the breakthrough condition to the Squire

snorted, interjecting abruptly. "How strong have

flashed through his eyes.

"Show me." Nel grinned.

than challenging those that already have it before acquiring it yourself. How much stronger have

"I would

Rui smiled, amused. "You must be

He shrugged silently.

of us has fulfilled at least one of the conditions of Squire candidacy," Fae told

nodded, before pausing. "Ah, I need each of you

that?" Kane asked