The Martial Unity

The two of them chatted some more about a variety of light topics. Eight years had passed, yet Rui noticed that there was no distance between them. They had gone back to chatting just like they used to nearly eight years ago.

That was something that Rui deeply appreciated, it was exactly what he needed.

He would feel awful if their relationship had been destroyed because of his eight-year disappearance. Perhaps Julian was keen enough to realize that and had chosen to proactively close the gap between them.

They returned to the old conversations that they used to have centered around nuanced topics relating to the anthropology of science, technology, and Martial Art.

"You obtained a journeyman scholar's degree in the sciences?" Julian asked with surprise. "Interesting, although you were always abnormally familiar with field of science, you never indicated any interest in pursuing the sciences as a career. You had always had your eyes fixed on Martial Art from day one."

"I needed both the knowledge and the authority to access information on certain substances for a Martial Art technique of mine," Rui explained. "So I decided to study up a bit, and ended up clearing the exam as the topper."

"As expected of my brother," A proud smile appeared on his face. "You are probably the only Martial Senior in history who is also a journeyman scholar."

Rui shrugged with a wry smile. He didn't give the slightest bit of a damn about his degree or the title of journeyman scholar, but making his brother proud and impressed was definitely worth the effort.

It wasn't long before the two of them completed a long talk together before heading back to the Quarrier Orphanage. It took even less time for all the adults to gather around the living room while the kids played outside in the evening.

Everybody was curious to know what Rui had been through in the past eight years.

they

disappeared. But now that he had returned, he

don't have to stare at me that intently," Rui heaved a wry

to different places before eventually heading to the Shionel Confederation. He told them about his exploits in the Shionel Confederation including the fiasco that eventually

that dozens of assassination and kidnapping attempts had been made in the past eight years. His

was hunting me, and thus staying away from you would mean taking his focus away from you. That's why I didn't return. I couldn't, not unless I

just told him. They were already aware that Rui didn't return to protect them, but they didn't

"And that man…Deacon…Is he?"

affirmed. "He's no longer a threat. That's

"…"

that such a thing had unfolded. The

didn't try to console

accepting

took a turn for the better as he went on to tell them the rest of his story. His adventures with Kane as they traveled to incredible places like the Umiana Trench, the Thundering Valley, Crexeet Town, Ajanta Island, and the Great Forest

to even utter out loud, but

didn't admit to actually murdering Deacon either. Who knew who was listening, waiting to use his