The Martial Unity

The six of them eventually split ways when they returned to the Kandrian Empire. Fiona broke off from them first when she returned to Vargard instead of Hajin. Rui broke off from the remaining four of them as he returned home instead of the Martial Academy.

"RUIIII!" Alice tackled him with a hug when she saw him. "You're back!"

"Alright alright." Rui squeezed out after getting choked by her.

"You went away for more than a month!" She chided him.

"That's not unusual for missions, you know." He sighed.

He was soon swarmed by children and adults alike who inquired about him and his mission. The Orphanage was always excited to hear about Rui's unique experiences as a Martial Artist.

"I'd expected to see you soon when the news of the war in the Serevian Dungeon dying down spread." Julian smiled. "I also heard the most ridiculous tale of a single Martial Apprentice in the Kandrian Empire singlehandedly defeating three armies all by themselves."

Rui chuckled. "Technically true, but overblown and misrepresented."

Julian's eyes widened in shock. He had expected Rui to deny the alleged report.

"But who...?"

"Yours truly," Rui smirked playfully, yet Julian's reactions were even more exaggerated. He knew that Rui was not someone that lied for the sake of an ego boost. It meant that he was quite serious.

"You're picturing the wrong image." Rui waved his hand dismissively. "It's not nearly as impressive as you think it is."

Julian's eyes scrunched in confusion at those words. "I see... You've certainly had a colorful experience in the Serevian Dungeon, it seems."

"Indeed," Rui affirmed. "The drastic experiences I underwent in the Serevian Dungeon have helped push my Martial Art above the threshold."

"Threshold... Surely you don't mean...?" Julian probed.

"I mean exactly that." Rui nodded. "I'm ready to break through to a higher Realm of Martial Art."

Julian was amazed at those words. "That's incredible! Congratulations."

"Thanks, but save it for when I actually reach it." Rui chuckled. "The breakthrough process is anything but easy and simple, as you know."

Julian cooled down at those words. "Indeed. I imagine they won't just plop you into the breakthrough procedure when you announce your Squire candidacy. I'm actually curious about the system that they have created for new Squire candidates."

"As am I." Rui nodded.

"When do you intend to apply for the procedure?" Julian asked.

"As soon as I'm done with lunch," Rui replied. "Besides, I have some things to do in preparation for the procedure as well."

"Oh? What's that?" Julian asked, curious.

"I have a technique to master," Rui said as he recalled the Mind Switch technique.

It was a mental technique he had spotted in his last training session that he had identified as a technique that could potentially help him in the higher Realm. Rui had considered taking a look at that technique if and when he got the time.

('I'll make a decision on that after the Martial Union is completely done debriefing me regarding the Squire breakthrough process.') He noted.

He hadn't grown conceited, believing that he didn't require briefing from the Martial union regarding the breakthrough process to the Squire Realm. After all, although he had figured out the secret to the Squire Realm, he had only figured out the general mechanics and principles of the process, he may as well have been illiterate on the details.

Furthermore, the Squire breakthrough process that the Commonwealth Duchy of Vinfrana had discovered was the most primitive and unrefined version of the process that Rui would likely ever come across. The Kandrian Empire's breakthrough process was likely far more refined, efficient, and effective.

He had no doubt that the Martial Union had likely dumped an obscene amount of funding into the research and development of even marginally better breakthrough processes that were just a touch safer than before, or just a notch more efficient and effective. The current iteration of the breakthrough process was something that had likely undergone decades of refinement and improvement.

Rui was curious to learn more, it was quite likely that the process would be dumbed down immensely to cater to Martial Artists, still, Rui hoped he could ask questions.

He didn't want to waste any more time. That day, he immediately headed towards the Hajin branch office of the Martial Union.

"Purpose of visit?" The security team asked him as they verified his Martial license.

"Purchasing of growth resources," Rui replied, and soon he was on his way to the reception.

"Hello." Rui greeted a receptionist. "I wish to apply for the breakthrough process to the Squire Realm."

"Of course." The receptionist nodded as she punched some buttons into her terminal device. "Name and ID please."

"Rui Quarrier." He replied as she provided her with the necessary documents.

"Before you can actually purchase the Squire breakthrough procedure, the Martial Union will need to verify the fact that you actually are a genuine Squire candidate. Once the fact of the matter is verified, you will gain access to actually purchasing the breakthrough procedure or incur its cost as debt with no interest..."

Rui simply nodded to her explanation before signing some paperwork.

"Office number forty-three in the training facility." She told him.

It hadn't taken him long to reach there.

KNOCK KNOCK

Rui knocked on the door.

"Come in." A clear and strong voice instructed him.

He hadn't even needed to enter the room in order to understand who he was dealing with.

('Martial Squire.') He mused as he entered the room, making eye contact with a Martial Squire that had been waiting for him.

"Apprentice Rui Quarrier. I've heard a lot about you." She admitted. "Your prowess and feats are powerful and undeniable. However, that is entirely separate from the matter of whether or not you have fulfilled the two conditions of Squire candidacy. I am Squire Deria, and I will be verifying whether or not you have genuinely achieved complete Squire candidacy and are eligible to undergo the breakthrough to the Squire Realm."