“I see…” Rui murmured engrossed in thought. “Once my Martial Art has achieved Martial Maturity, then would I become a Squire candidate?”
Headmaster Aronian nodded. “As long as you fulfill both those conditions, yes, you will be considered a Squire candidate and we will begin the process.”
“We will begin the process?” Rui frowned. “It’s not a self-induced naturally occurring phenomenon like the breakthrough to Martial Apprentice?”
Headmaster Aronian smiled mysteriously. “Hoho… I’ll answer that question once you come a Squire candidate.”
“…Alright then.” Rui slowly replied.
They were incredibly stubborn on this matter. Fae and Kane hadn’t heard so much as a peep about the breakthrough process to Martial Squire, furthermore none of the Squire instructors yielded so much as an inch of information regarding the matter at all.
Rui sighed inwardly; he would just have to wait until he fulfilled both conditions. He suspected the first condition may have already been fulfilled, based on Master Aronian’s choice of words. In that case, it was best that moving forward he focus on fulfilling the second condition as well.
But frankly, that wouldn’t change what he was doing.
His Martial Art had most certainly not yet reached Martial maturity, he could feel it.
He knew it.
It was still changing immensely and was in its flux state, it had also not reached where he wanted it to reach. It was still incomplete.
Furthermore, Rui suspected that although he basically got a free pass for originality and uniqueness, he might have an extra hard time with reaching Martial maturity.
This was because he needed to go a long distance before his Martial Art could be considered complete. With the limited number of techniques that he had it was impossible for him to be able to adapt to all Martial Art. His Martial Art would change shape a lot until it became equally well-rounded in all aspects.
“Is there anything else you would like to talk about?” Headmaster Aronian asked, stroking his beard.
“Nothing in particular.” Rui said, before pausing. “How much information about the other representatives can I find out at this stage?”
“I can give you a list of names.” The headmaster shrugged. “But I’m afraid I cannot give you strategic information regarding them, I’m afraid. I do not have much of such information, nor would I give it to you even if I did. I can ensure that your information won’t get leaked too, as much as I can. Although details and general information of your Martial Art and combat will undoubtedly disseminate, nothing too specific and important will likely spread.”
“I’ll take the list of names then. And thank you for the aid.” Rui bowed.
“Not at all. I would be a worthless headmaster if I couldn’t accomplish this much atleast.” He chuckled, as he began scribbling down on a piece of paper, before handing it to Rui. “There you go. If there’s nothing else, you may go.”
Rui simply bowed before exiting the office.
He sighed as he put some distance between them. Even the passive pressure that Headmaster Aronian put on him was unnerving. Rui could tell he was doing something to suppress the effect of that, and he was grateful.
He glanced at the list, scrutinizing the names carefully, character-by-character.
Representative Ferlicia Ernand of the Fritzer branch.
Representative Ian Nepomniachtchi of the Farund branch.
Representative Arjun Erigaisi of the Hrava branch.
Representative Mia Marnt of the Fellen branch.
Representative Byron Harth of the Brillix branch.
Representative Vyoming Hurin of the Narfinius branch.
Representative Esfand Hanax of the Sicillia branch.
Representative Freund Garmor of the Villimaine branch.
Representative Ana Mariane of the Hyulflum branch.
Representative Surman Marliak of the Verlain branch.
Representative Derk Sermont of the Brandar branch.
Representative Servil Bisha of the Gragol branch.
Representative Askin Nodt of the Fervor branch.
Representative Kaerts Omegde of the Sarkar branch.
Representative Fiona Roschem of the Vargard branch.
His name paused at the last one.
Fiona Roschem.
Indeed, she was chosen as a representative like he had suspected.
As for the other names, none of them struck out to him. However, he suspected that most, if not all, of them were from the Martial community.
The descendants of Martial families simply had too many advantages compared to commoners like himself. Guided training from, at the very least, Martial Squires from a very young age. Access to an immense amount of valuable learning, training and growth resources of various kinds. Even if their talent was below average, their pedigree gave them a strong advantage.
Those among these descendants who possessed immense talent as well, ended up being the top of the top. Kane, Fae and Hever were such examples. Frankly, Nel and himself were just absurd freaks with ridiculous circumstances. They were far from the norm.
He would not be surprised at all if all the representatives were members of Martial Families.
He knew for a fact Fiona Roschem was.
He immediately went back to the dormitory and gathered his friends.
“So, these are the representatives of the other branches, huh?” Kane frowned as he read the list. “Well, can’t say this is particularly surprising.”
“Indeed.” Fae nodded as she glanced over the list. “Some of these names were essentially locked for the win.”
“Like Fiona Roschem?” Rui inquired.
“And Ian Nepomniachtchi.” Fae nodded.
“Who’s that?” Rui asked.
“Remember I told you quite a while back that there were three prodigious geniuses of our generation in the Martial Community?” Fae asked.
“Fiona and Kane were two of them, I recalled.” Rui nodded.
“Ian Nepomniachtchi is the third one among them.” Fae said.
“I see…” Rui’s eyes narrowed.
So he was a monster, was basically what Fae was telling him.
“So he’s as strong as Kane?” Rui raised an eyebrow, as Kane snorted.
“He’s an insecure punk is what he is.” Kane grumbled. “He’s a few years older than Fiona and I. When the two of us came along, he was always hostile towards us. Neither of us can stand his arrogant ass.”
“So how did you fare against him?”
“I don’t remember.” Kane shrugged.
“He got defeated 10-0.” Fae offered.
“No, I didn’t! It was 7-3!” Kane barked.
“My… so you do remember.” A hint of mischievous smugness flashed across her face.
Rui sighed as the two of them got into one of their routine arguments.