The Martial Unity

"The Longranger sect... is it?" Rui considered the name, not having heard it before.

The Martial Sects were not public knowledge, one only learned about them if one reached a certain level of political or economic status, or if one was a Martial Artist. Furthermore, learning more about any one of them required actually entering a Martial Sect, or being approached by that Martial Sect.

Rui didn't fulfill those conditions until now, explaining his ignorance of what was surely an important Martial Sect.

"That's right." Senior Ceeran. "We Longrangers fight for an increased weightage on long-range techniques than they are currently given. Long-range techniques have very simple but potent advantages and benefits that ought to be more capitalized. Our techniques are simply superior to short-range striking."

Rui raised an eyebrow at those words. "Both ranges have their strengths and disadvantages, as I'm sure you'd agree."

"This is not false, of course," He nodded. "But the more accurate truth is that long-range techniques have better advantages to offer and lesser disadvantages to hinder the Martial Artist from using them. If you are in a sparring match or a duel where you and your opponent start meters away from each other, things may seem more equal, but in practice, such circumstances are quite rare. Especially in circumstances of war, having long-range offense has been shown to be dramatically more successful than engaging in close-quarter brawls."

Rui wanted to retort, but he paused, considering the matter.

It was not easy to refute the man's words. Especially when Rui had lived an entire lifetime in a world where projectile weapons with range were demonstrably more impactful in combat than close-quarter weapons.

This was especially true in larger-scale conflicts where there were no rules of any sort. Even bows and arrows and spears were historically more potent in warfare and became a main staple in conflicts. Most genuine conflicts began at a distant range, thus long-range offensive measures always gained the advantage of inflicting damage before shorter-range weapons could. Many a time, this was the difference between life and death.

that long-range offenses needed to be given higher priority relative to short-range offensive measures. For

both his long-range and short-range offensive capability was a prudent

trajectory manipulation techniques that he

the ODA system and such a technique was incredible, maybe he could expand the Pathfinder

technique would truly live up to

was on to something with trying to integrate the ODA system with

even more interesting than the actual technique itself," The

you attempting to recruit me,

gone through your profile. You've already rejected the invitations to Martial Sects much more alluring and powerful than that of the Longranger Sect, like the Fire Sect, for example. Yet after all this time you still haven't joined a Martial Sect. We can safely conclude that you have qualms with the fundamental idea of joining a Martial

hit the nail right on the head. "That is true.

first place." The man replied. "That's why there are none.

"True..."

we can still engage in transactions. Like the one we're engaging in right now." The Martial Senior smiled. "I promise you that the Longranger Sect will not be ungrateful for

am intrigued at what you have to offer, truly." Rui raised an

The man smiled, before gesturing

facing a large facility

even his eyebrows rise. Extensively long tracks over with all kinds of targets on the other end. Even the ceiling was remarkably high, meant to accommodate larger and wide area