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.

group as they processed his simple yet scary

bones painful? Stubbing your tow painful? Or worse? Like stepping on lego painful?"

no, it's not nearly as bad as stepping on lego, obviously." Rui

of them exchanged a chuckle as Fae rolled her eyes. "I'm

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

to the Martial power of a nation. Rui was vaguely aware that the discovery of the Martial

that I don't want to tell you,

that their lust for the power that the breakthrough to the Squire Realm would grant

Martial Artist of the higher Realms has unilaterally refused to tell me any meaningful information about the breakthrough to the Squire Realm, and what it is that actually separates Martial Squires

Rui. "It's because we aren't Squire

in relief, if they were aware of the concept, then it was easier to

tell us if we became

then you would be informed by qualified experts trained to explain to Martial Apprentices like yourselves about the breakthrough condition to the Squire Realm, you won't need to hear it from me,"

that." Nel snorted, interjecting abruptly. "How strong have you

through his eyes. "Stronger than I ever

"Show me." Nel grinned.

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

"I

smiled, amused. "You must be close to Squire candidacy,

He shrugged silently.

least one of the conditions of Squire candidacy,"

pausing. "Ah, I need each of you to contact me when you reach Squire

that?" Kane asked