The Martial Unity

He had arrived much quicker than he had expected. However, he had been transported in a much faster vehicle than a normal horse-pulled carriage. He assumed it was something powered by some esoteric technology, but he didn't have time to think about it. He didn't want to be distracted.

Yet even he couldn't help but marvel at Vargard, the capital of the Kandrian Empire. It was truly spectacular. The core of Hajin was an impressive trade hub but Vargard looked like some futuristic-fantasy utopia. It really sold the image as the capital of the Kandrian Empire.

"How far is the designated housing dormitory, instructor Kyrie?" Rui asked.

"Not too far in distance." Squire Kyrie replied. "But I'm afraid it will take some time."

Each representative was supported by Squire staff from the Academy, Rui had been assigned Kyrie and Dylon.

"Relax kid." Squire Dylon told him, waving his hands. "No need to be in a hurry or worry. The housing arrangements will be quite luxurious, I can tell you that."

The Martial Contest was not an event that would end in a single day. Each round was designated to take at least a day. Thus, the entire contest would extend over four days.

"Will I be in the same dorm as the other representatives?" Rui wondered.

Dylon sneered at him. "What else? Did you expect the Academies to give you different luxury rooms in different parts of the town?"

"No..."

"The dormitory housing is quite close to the Martial Colosseum, you're all gonna be kept close by so that it's convenient and there're no complications." Dylon shrugged.

"Isn't it weird to be living in the same block as your competitors?" Rui asked, amused.

"It's how things were even when I was the representative of the Hajin branch." She replied.

"I see." He shrugged; it wasn't a big deal.

As time passed, they finally arrived.

The Martial Colosseum was gigantic. It stood tall and mighty and could be seen from kilometers away. Its architecture reminded Rui a lot of ancient Roman architecture back on Earth.

At a location not geographically far from the Colosseum was a facility that had the emblem of the Martial Academy.

"Is that it?" Rui asked.

"Yep." Dylon nodded. "It has everything you could want. All training facilities you could need if you want to practice and warm up. That's why it's so big."

"That's good to hear." Rui replied. But he didn't think he would be training for the Martial Contest at all. There was less than twenty-four hours for the contest to begin. He knew there was absolutely nothing more additional that he possibly could have done at this stage. Now he could only calmly do his very best.

Once they arrived, they quickly got off and headed towards the facility.

"Welcome, your housing accommodations have already been arranged." A staff member greeted. "Please allow us to guide you to your respective accomodations."

"Catch you later Rui." Squire Dylon said. "Try to catch some rest and freshen up."

Rui nodded, before they splitting ways with the instructors.

"Have the other representatives arrived yet?" Rui asked.

"One of them has." The attendant replied. "The representative of Vargard arrived yesterday, ahead of schedule."

The representative of Vargard was...

('Fiona Roschem.') Rui recalled. "I see."

Perhaps he would run into her.

Soon they reached his room.

"These will be your accommodations for your stay during in this facility." The staff attendant informed. "If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to seek our aid."

"Thank you." Rui replied before walking in.

The room was rather large and luxurious. The bag of clothes he had packed had already arrived ahead of time.

"Good service." he nodded.

The representatives were probably given such comfort so that there would be no doubt there was nothing discomforting that could detract from their prime condition for their matches.

"The bathroom is gigantic too, geez." He muttered. Not that he was complaining, of course.

He quickly fixed himself a tub bath before relaxing in it. He felt his weariness and fatigue melt away. He had to admit, they did a good job ensuring the representatives would be comfortable.

He absolutely wouldn't mind spending four days here.

"Once I'm finished, I should get something to eat. I'm famished." Rui muttered.

He expected the food to be great too. It'd been quite some time before he had indulged in a luxurious meal.

"I ought to meet up with instructors Kyrie and Dylon too." He recalled.

A good half an hour relaxed him quite well, though he was still constantly shifting his thoughts and concentration to the Martial Contest as much as wanted.

Once he got out, dried and dressed up.

He heard a knock at the door.

He frowned.

Who was at the door? The Squire instructors?

"Hm?" When he opened the door, he saw nobody. Then he looked down a bit and his vision landed on a short petite girl with brown hair and silver eyes. Her appearance was not intimidating.

What was intimidating was her passive mental pressure.

"Hi." She said. "So you're Rui Quarrier."

She murmured, studying him top to bottom.

"Uh..." He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say. "I presume you're the representative of the Vargard branch?"

"Ye." She turned up, meeting his eyes. "My name is Fiona Roschem."

"..."

"..."

They simply stared at each other.

"So... do you want something?" Rui asked.

Fiona shrugged. "Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"

She tilted her head, genuinely confused and curious. Rui looked at her like she was an idiot.

"Why are you here?" Rui frowned. "Are you lost?"

"No." She replied. "I just wanted to see the commoner boy who beat Kane. It found it quite hard to believe when I first read about it. How did you do it?"

Well, she suddenly went from circular to straightforward.

Yet strangely, when he gazed into her silver eyes, he only saw curiosity.

Rui shrugged. "Fought hard. Fought smart."

"I see." She said. "Anyways, bye-bye."

She pranced away before Rui could even reply, leaving him standing at the doorway staring at her retreating form.