“Not everyone agrees on how to allocate the budget for research and development.” Headmaster Aronian continued. “Different Martial Artists in the Martial Union have different ideas on how these valuable funds ought to be allocated. Whether it be based on what they believe is best for Martial Art as a whole, or whether they desire a specific allocation because it benefits their Martial Art the most in the long run. Regardless of their intentions, not everyone agrees.”
p Rui nodded, understanding. An offense-oriented Martial Artist would want a disproportionate amount of research funding to be allocated to the research and development of offense-oriented techniques. A defensive Martial Artist would want the same for defense-oriented techniques and so on and so forth. This was quite a natural outcome. Human beings were naturally self-centered.
“The fund allocation is decided after immense deliberations and a voting session on the matter by the highest echelons of the Martial Union. Now, if you were one of them and you wanted to push for a specific allocation in these meetings, what would you do?” The headmaster asked.
This reminded Rui an awful lot of political discourse and engagement that occurred in governmental structures. Politicians often engaged in a lot of measures to try and push for certain direction policy making.
Following that route of analogy…
“I would find like-minded others who agree with me and band together to fulfill our mutual interests in regards to the allocation of funds.” Rui answered.
“Exactly.” The headmaster nodded approvingly. “That is what has already long happened. Those groups have already been formed long ago, and continue to exist to further their own mutual interests in regards to the allocation of budgets. These groups are known as the Martial Sects.”
Finally, Rui understood. Martial Sects were no more than lobbying groups banded together to cooperate to ensure the fulfillment of their mutual interests in regards to the allocation of research funds.
Rui grumbled inwardly, although he appreciated the contextual breakdown, couldn’t the old man have plainly said that?
“These Martial Sects are informal groups formed by Martial Artists with a similar mind and, usually, similar Martial Art, or atleast Martial Art of the same field.” The headmaster continued, unaware of Rui’s complaints. “The Fire Sect is the Martial Sect that advocates for offense-oriented Martial Art research, The Lightning Sect is the Martial Sect that advocates for speed and maneuvering-oriented Martial Art research, the Earth sect is the Martial Sect that advocates for defense-oriented Martial Art research. These three are the largest of Martial Sects for obvious reasons. They cover the most important broadest of aspects of Martial combat.”
Rui grew engrossed into his explanations, the entire matter was extremely interesting and yet quite foreign to him. When he was a researcher, getting funds for combat research was quite difficult. But the combat researchers of this world were quite fortunate in comparison, the Martial Union dumped tons and tons of research funding onto them every year.
Rui felt a hint of envy. If he received such luxury in his previous life, he might have successfully perfected the VOID algorithm.
“There are other Martial Sects, of course. The Sun Sect is a Martial Sect centered around supplementary techniques. The Wind Sect specifically focuses on a smaller subset of maneuvering techniques centered around evasion. The Breathing Sect focuses on breathing-oriented techniques, the Poison Sect focuses on poison techniques and so and so forth.” The headmaster explained. “These Martial Sects engage in various activities to fulfill their mutual interests.”
He paused before throwing a pointed glance at Rui. “One of those activities is roping in unaffiliated Martial Artists, particularly the newer and younger Martial Artists.”
He paused. “Particularly the talented and promising Martial Artists of the newer and younger generations.”
Rui’s eyes narrowed as he understood why headmaster Aronian had even brought this topic to him in the first place.
“The reason they do this is to increase the population of the Martial Artists of their Martial Sect. They offer Martial Art techniques of their Sect at discounted prices, attracting unaffiliated Martial Artists to informally join their sects and learn and use their techniques. The reason they do this is to increase the number of Martial Artists using the techniques of their Sect. By doing this, they can demonstrate a greater need for research and development of the techniques of their Sect. After all, would you rather research Martial Art techniques that only a hundred Martial Artists use, or Martial Art techniques that ten thousand Martial Artists use?” He asked rhetorically.
Rui nodded. This made sense. The greater the number of Martial Artists there using a certain type or field of techniques, then the greater the benefits of researching that particular type or field of techniques, since a greater number of Martial Artists would grow stronger by successful research and development, in turn increasing the strength of the average Martial Artist more.
“This is where you come in. Having more powerful Martial Artists would increase the political weight and capital of their respective Sects, and thus they sought out young talents like yourself, hoping to rope you in.” The headmaster explained. “Especially now that you’ve been chosen as the representative of the Hajin branch, you have already entered the eyes of the Martial Sects.”
“I see…”
Rui wasn’t sure how he felt about that. On one hand he was flattered and interested, on the other hand he was wary as well.
“They will likely approach you, one way or another. And make rather tempting offers to you.” The headmaster told him. “I would advise you to not offend them, but at the same time, be extremely careful with whatever decision you make. There is no need for haste or panic, the decision is important cannot be easily undone, therefore it must be made with immense scrutiny.”
“I understand.” Rui nodded. “Thank you for your advice, I won’t be off-guard as much thanks to your warnings.”
Headmaster Aronian nodded. “You have much to think about. I’d suggest you take some time to give all of what I’ve told you some thought. You may go.” He told Rui.
Rui nodded, bowing deeply, before leaving.
He did indeed have a lot to think about.