Rui had spent a few days at the Orphanage. Spending time with his family and catching up with all of them. He even spent time playfully training Max and Mana for Martial Art. Surprisingly, he found that perhaps their desire to be Martial Artists weren’t too outlandish.
Max was quite strong and tough for his age; his muscles were remarkably developed for someone of his age and he clearly spent a lot of time on physically intensive activities. He had potential to be quite remarkable.
Mana on the other hand was remarkably agile and fast. She was remarkably nimble and light on her feet, capable mobile maneuvers.
Frankly, if they underwent rigorous and thorough training, they had a decent chance to eventually crack the Martial Entrance Exam when they were older. Perhaps they wouldn’t crack it at the age of thirteen like Rui did, but atleast when they were older, it wasn’t unrealistic.
Rui recalled how the most powerful candidates after the Martial Apprentices were the older students who were nearing the age limit of the Martial Entrance Exam. Their physicality and age, along with rigorous long-term training meant that they were among the best of the candidates.
Furthermore, with Rui training them, their growth should be greater than the growth of other future candidates of their age. Decades of studying, learning, research and development on the most optimal physical and combat training had sharpened his training senses extremely high. He was sure he could optimize the growth of their bodies and their combat sense with a customized targeted training plan.
Furthermore, he could prime their mindsets and attitude to be more conducive to discovering their Martial Art. Have them develop the tendency to introspect on themselves and their combat. He was sure the Martial Families did something similar, in perhaps a more thorough way. This would explain why the breakthrough rate to Martial Apprentices was higher in the Martial Community. The children of these Martial Families had been raised in a way that facilitated breakthrough to the Martial Apprentice Realm and discoveries of their Martial Paths.
After spending a several days with his family in a variety of ways, Rui eventually returned back to the Martial Academy. He had far too much to do to take an extended vacation.
First, he had set-up an appointment for each of the three Martial Families that had commissioned him for being a sparring partner for Martial Apprentices of their families.
Today, he was visiting the Frial Family to iron out the details of the commission contract.
Once he had reached the gigantic mansion, he was immediately tended to and guided by an attendant.
“Welcome, Apprentice Quarrier.” She said. “Master is awaiting you.”
“Thank you.” Rui said as he followed her.
Soon they reached a section of the giant mansion as they winded about the giant premises. Just the size and extravagancy alone showed Rui how much of a bigshot this family was.
However, what shocked him was when he felt a dull yet heavy presence as he opened this door. His eyes widened as he recognized the feeling.
Martial Master!
“Are you alright, sir?” The attendant asked as she noticed his expression.
(‘Does she not feel that?’) He wondered. “Uh.. No, I’m good.”
She gestured to the sliding door. “Please.”
“Thank you.” He entered the room.
(‘I was right.’) He thought as he laid his eyes on the sole figure in the room.
Martial Master Rana Frial. The patriarch of the Frial Family.
“Master Frial.” Rui bowed deeply. “I’m honoured to meet you. I did not expect to be meeting you today for this trivial matter.”
Master Frial was a middle-aged man, on the older side. He gazed at Rui with his powerful eyes as an ancient voice escaped his mouth.
“So you were able to sense me.” He noted, ignoring Rui’s words. “I had restricted my presence so as to not cause distress to the people around me, yet you have a sharp mind to have been able to detect me anyway. I see, so this is how you overcame the Void Step technique.”
Rui did not reply, still bowing. He could feel the difference between Master Frial and headmaster Aronian. For one, headmaster Aronian had grown fond of him and thus was more friendly, he had an easy-going and grounded personality.
Yet, the vaunted Martial Artist before him was different.
Rui could sensed a hint of deep pride and a sharper temperament. This was a man who held no particular goodwill to him, nor any obligations. Rui instinctively felt a deep sense of danger.
He definitely needed to be careful with what he did and said.
“Sit.” Master Frial said.
No, he ordered.
His tone was overbearing.
As a being who crossed into the upper Martial Realms, he fully expected Rui to heed him.
Despite the extravagance of the mansion, the quarters of the Martial Master were remarkably simple. Despite his immense pride and his overbearing temperament, he seemed to lead a simplistic and pious lifestyle.
Rui sat on the ground at the table with folded knees, opposite to the Martial Master.
“Mmm… It seems Aronian was right. You are special.” He remarked.
“You flatter me.” Rui bowed his head slightly.
“I do not flatter anyone.” He pointedly retorted with narrow eyes. “My evaluation of you is accurate and merited.”
Rui didn’t reply. He was confused.
“Regarding the contract…” Rui began. “I don’t mind the seven hours a week rate, however I wish to complete in a single day of the week rather than a daily one-hour training session.”
“I accept.” He replied dismissively.
“Thank you, Master.” Rui replied, before going silent.
“With that trivial matter out of the way…” Master Frial said. “I have a proposal for you, young man.”
He stared right into Rui’s eyes with a heavy powerful gaze that sent a shiver up Rui’s spine. “Join the Fire Sect. You are worthy of being invited personally by myself to join our ranks, and I can swear in the name of the Frial Family that we will make it worth your time.”