The Martial Unity

"Recently, I completed an international mission." Rui said, sipping tea after they had settled alone in a room. "I happened to get my hands on research data of great importance to my Martial Path."

Julian stared at him silently, waiting for him to finish.

"Research data on the breakthrough to the Squire Realm." Rui added. "It's legitimate and successful."

Julian's eyes widened. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"We fought a Martial Squire who broke through to the Squire Realm through the method developed by the research I obtained."

Julian almost spat out his tea as he burst into a bout of coughs, taking a few minutes to regain his composure. "Surely, you jest."

Rui shook his head. "You know I'm not."

"There's no way you fought a Martial Squire. You would be dead."

"She was only a quasi-Martial Squire as far combat prowess went." Rui clarified. "She had very recently broken through and was not only entirely unaccustomed to her power but also lacking in Squire-level techniques."

"But even then..." Julian continued.

"I didn't beat her alone. We were a team of five. One grade-ten Martial Apprentice." He pointed to himself. "And four grade-nine Martial Apprentices."

"Still..." Julian murmured uncertainly. "It's incredibly hard to believe."

"It definitely happened." Rui shook his head. "I'd show you the body, but I submitted it to the Martial Union as evidence."

Julian's eyes widened at those words. "That's... unbelievable. How strong have you become?"

"Quite." Rui admitted. "But that's beside the point. The point is, the research data is legitimate."

Julian regained his composure as he understood what Rui wanted from him. "You want help with understanding the research data from me, correct?"

Rui nodded. "I know you're busy, but I hope you'll help me out. Besides, you do stand to gain much if I'm not wrong."

Julian nodded. "The breakthrough to the Squire Realm is not easily revealed. I haven't been given access to that information despite becoming a full-fledged scholar of the Kandrian Institute of Sciences. I'm quite interested in what you have procured. But what I'm curious about is why are you so strongly interested in this?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Martial Union will give you the opportunity to attempt the breakthrough once you're ready." Julian told him. "Whatever information you managed to procure from outside the nation is certainly paltry compared to the highly-advanced and highly-refined breakthrough process and procedure the Martial Union has developed. At your absurdly high rate of growth, you'll almost certainly receive this opportunity. When that time comes, you'll gain access to not only the information you procured from your mission but also much more and more complete and reliable information that you surely couldn't get your hands on."

This was true. Julian had keenly noted this point as Rui had expected. But he could not explain the truth. The truth was that there was the possibility that his scientific foundation from Earth could potentially allow him to optimize his journey to the Squire Realm. It all depended on the mechanics of the breakthrough to the Squire Realm.

If this was the case, then he would rather find out sooner rather than later. He would like to know if there was something he could do during the next training stage that could either lessen the risk of the procedure or maximize his gains during the breakthrough.

"That's true." Rui admitted. "Still, I cannot share the Martial Union's information, they will surely have me sign a non-disclosure agreement of sorts regarding that. However, I can share this information with you and gain a more in-depth and thorough understanding of the breakthrough to the Squire Realm as well as how it was developed."

"I see..." Julian tentatively accepted that information. "Alright then, I'm more than willing to help you out with understanding the research data. When do we start?"

"As soon as I finish transcribing it myself." Rui replied.

"Yourself?" Julian frowned. "Just get it transcribed by a translator."

"No can do." Rui shook his head. "All of the data is in my mind. I memorized it perfectly from start to finish."

"What?" Julian's expression morphed into one of surprise. "But how?"

"An Apprentice-level mental technique." Rui replied nonchalantly.

"I see." Julian sighed. "I can't say I'm not envious."

"Hehe." Rui smirked playfully. "Anyways, I'll get back to you when I'm done."

"Alright." Julian nodded. "Message me when you're done."

"Will do."

Rui spent the rest of the day at the Orphanage. He always found it refreshing to return home and spent some time with his family. It usually took his mind off matters that otherwise perpetually consume his attention whether he liked it or not.

He'd spent some time training Max and Mana, giving them even more training regimes and routines and sparring methodologies while humoring them in some matches to satisfy their battle lust. There was only over a year left before they were old enough to undertake the Martial Exam. Rui wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that.

The Martial Exam was dangerous. There was a small risk of death and a few applicants died every year participating in it and many were left crippled, traumatized, and injured.

Still, he respected their determination. Once he left the Martial Academy, he would focus on training them a bit more before their first attempt.

Once the day ended, he returned to the Martial Academy.

"What's that you've got there?" Kane frowned when he saw Rui returning to the dorm with a bunch of boxes.

"A typewriter, ink, and paper supplies." Rui replied. "See you in however long whatever I'm about to do takes me."

He shut entered his room, shutting himself in before Kane could even ask what he was talking about.

Rui intended to finish the transcription process as soon as he could. The longer he delayed it, the longer he was delaying his own plans. He wanted to gain access to the information he wanted as soon as possible. Once he got it, it was time to take the next step toward Squire candidacy and eventually; the Squire Realm.