Rui breathed in and out deeply.
(‘Focus.’) He told himself.
He had been meditating for the past hour, after having finished a long sparring session with Nel. He taken time to recenter himself rather than relax.
Inevitably his thoughts turned to his Martial Art and his Martial path.
Ever since Headmaster Aronian told him about the part about naming his Martial Art, he had inevitably thought about it more frequently.
He had never thought about it much since it wasn’t really something he was accustomed to. On Earth, although everybody did fight differently and uniquely, the variation was never big enough to have a special name for each unique fighting style.
Yet this wasn’t necessarily the case in Gaia.
The variance of Martial Art in this world was far greater than the variance of martial arts in his previous life, so the emergence of each unique and personal names for Martial Art was to be expected. But it never did click much for Rui.
And now he often found himself stuck in regards to what he ought to name his Martial Art. There were several names that sprouted to mind.
All-Devouring Water Style.
Art of Black Water Style.
Wet Void Style.
These weren’t bad, except for the last one which even made him cringe. But none of them really struck him. They didn’t resonate with him like they should have.
He even consulted his friends on the matter. He wanted to know how they had dealt with the naming of their Martial Art.
“Dunno yet.” Kane had simply shrugged. He hadn’t made much progress on that front and didn’t seem particularly eager to or overly concerned either.
“I haven’t decided the name of my Martial Art yet.” Fae had told him. “I wish to choose something I’m truly satisfied with.”
Surprisingly Hever and Nel had already chosen the names of their Martial Art. Hever wasn’t as much of a surprise, but Nel had only been a Martial Artist for a little over two months.
However, one of the most insightful answers he received was when he consulted Headmaster Aronian more deeply on the matter.
“One of the reasons we aren’t told to choose the name of our Martial Art earlier is because of its impact on ourselves, but also it becomes difficult to find the name of your Martial Art so long as your Martial Art lacks originality and uniqueness.” Headmaster Aronian calmly explained.
“Originality?” Rui tilted his head.
“That’s right.” Headmaster Aronian nodded. “A Martial Art that is no more than techniques built by others, is such a Martial Art truly original and unique?”
Rui understood what he meant. So far, all the techniques of all the Martial Apprentice’s Martial Art had come from the Martial Academy, there was very little room for originality and uniqueness.
“If you are unable to come up with a name that truly satisfies you, then it is a sign that your Martial Art isn’t uniquely personal, not enough, atleast. That is also the reason why I did not want to rush you, and told you that you had the right to refuse. If you are not ready, then it is what it is.” Headmaster Aronian explained, pausing before continuing further. “Although you discovered your Martial Path relatively recently, you’ve developed it an incredible pace so I suppose I can tell you more.”
Rui listened attentively.
“Every Martial Path is unique. Unique in the sense that they have unique starting points. However, if one’s Martial Art is not developed uniquely, then eventually your Martial Path will not long follow a unique trajectory. It will follow on paths that have been paved for you by others.” He explained. “You will not grow stronger, and you will not be able to tread down your Martial Path any longer, for it will no longer be your own Path.”
“What are the negative consequences of this, specifically?” Rui asked. Although headmaster Aronian sounded compelling, he was talking rather vaguely and flowerily.
“Hehe…” Headmaster Aronian chuckled. “Not an easy one to be convinced, are you?”
Rui didn’t reply.
“I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that the breakthrough to Martial Apprentice causes changes in the brain; permanent enhancements, correct?” Headmaster Aronian asked.
Rui nodded, recalling his conversation with Julian during his Winter holidays. Back then he had conjectured that the enhancements affected the Cerebellum, the occipital lobe and the parietal lobe.
“Do you think that this enhancement remains constant throughout the life of a Martial Apprentice? Or does it increase?” Headmaster Aronian.
“I would imagine it increases.” Rui replied.
“It does, but not because of time spent, or the number of techniques explored.” Headmaster Aronian explained. “Your brain becomes more and more enhanced the more uniquely original your Martial Art is. The greater the personal and original development your Martial Art goes, the deeper down your Martial Path you tread, and the greater your brain is enhanced.”
Rui’s eyes flew wide open at this shocking revelation. In that case, developing your Martial Art with unique originality was much more beneficial than learning techniques from the Martial Academy!
“The benefits of greater cognitive boosts, of course, cannot be overstated.” Headmaster Aronian continued. “Greater reaction speed, greater mental fortitude and resistance, greater reflexes and senses and so and so forth.”
Rui wondered why the Squire instructors didn’t tell the Martial Apprentices such an important detail. But given enough thought he could figure it out.
Most Martial Apprentices were too immature, inexperienced and incapable of developing their Martial Art uniquely the moment they discover their Martial Path.
How could a bunch of teenagers create something truly personally unique the moment they become Martial Artists?
It was impossible.
Informing these kids that they had to develop their Martial Art uniquely would likely yield negative results rather than positive. They would all be consumed with futilely trying to accomplish something they simply could not.
Rui suspected that the Martial Academy let them hit their limits, by then they will have likely gained the maturity and experience necessary to take their own steps forward.