The Martial Unity

"What? You're telling me you didn't play around with the attendants I sent to you?" Master Zeamer asked, shell-shocked.

"I did tell you refrain from such measures." Ieyasu coldly remarked.

"I'm not really someone who enjoys that either. Besides, I'm somewhat committed." Rui mentioned.

The three of them were eating a simple meal atop a hill on one of the many cloud islands surrounding Cloudia. Rui had been quite fascinated to see that there was an entire ecosystem of life atop the cloud islands. Trees that sucked in nutrients and the abundant water from clouds and fauna that had adapted to living atop clouds.

"Oho, you have a committed partner, hm?" Master Zeamer asked, curious.

"I wouldn't call her a commited partner just yet, unfortunately," Rui murmured. As much as he enjoyed spending time with Xanarn, their worlds were starting diverge increasingly more. Rui required an active life with tribulations, self-inflicted or natural, to overcome as he forged on about his path fulfilling Project Water. It was almost necessary that he be exposed to the entire world if he wanted to be able to adapt to the entire world.

On the other hand, Senior Xanarn preferred a stable and passive lifestyle where she committed herself to one thing and place. immersing hersef in a unfirm lifestyle protecting Ajanta Island, or protecting the the Orphanage.

Rui didn't have any real romantic experience, which was he didn't realize how big of an issue this was. The type that prevented relationships from working. Affection, love, trust, physical and emotional intimacy alone were not enough. There was a bare minimum level of lifestyle compatibility required.

It was depressing to think about, but he knew he could not compromise his lifestyle for her, and he knew that she wouldn't either, or at the very least she would be miserable even if she tried.

Eventually, the conflict between him and Chairman Deacon would be resolved, either he would die or Deacon would, regardless, the threat to the orphanage would end.

there was hardly a bond that would keep

to have a relationship with a woman who once tried

came here to spar and get revenge for yesterday, not gossip about

sharing a special meal between Master and students. Of course we should open up and grow more intimate with each other." Master

because you threatened canceling sparring session otherwise," Ieyasu glared

not even wanting to have food with men

eyebrow,

engage in frivolities," Ieyasu tone

Master Zeamer turned towards Rui with an incredulous look, looking for

girl I had ever seen. But not only did he reject her, but he exploited her love for him to make her slave away as a mere scout all

took the liberty of rephrasing the

man turned towards Ieyasu with a

Rui would have been frozen into a popsicle by Ieyasu's cold eyes fixed on

The man sighed, shaking his head. "It was the whole

raised an eyebrow at that

didn't tell you?" The man smirked. "The reason I became a Martial Artist was... to get as many women as possible!

laughed triumphantly as Rui stared at him and his mouth began to curl with disdain before he

are you giving

"..."

choose him as my Master,