The Martial Unity

Rui did a double-take at those words. It was unexpected. Yet the idea of being called something incredibly corny or cheesy or flashy made him cringe.

"Uh. Can they not?" He asked.

"Sorry, they can't not. The Martial community of this Empire loves doing that." She smirked.

They bantered a bit more, until Rui realized how much time had passed. He had trult gotten absorbed into the conversation.

"Good talk." He said, getting up. "But I should return now."

She nodded at his words. "This was fun."

Rui simply stared at her for a second.

"I look forward to fighting you tomorrow." He said, with a serious edge to his voice. "May the best fighter win."

She simply shrugged. "They always do."

Rui simply smiled at those words before taking his leave.

He thought about his conversation with her, having gotten a stronger grasp of her character and personality.

And then his thoughts soon proceeded to how to defeat her. Ultimately, that was what he would be setting out to accomplish.

His instructors came to his room shortly after, discussing the matter about her.

"Well." Squire Dylon put a hand on Rui's shoulder. "Do your best, we'll console you after."

Squire Kyrie glared at him. But frankly, she didn't have anything more meaningful to add. Although she was a Martial Squire and had vastly more experience than Rui, knowing how to fight specific opponents optimally was quite literally Rui's entire Martial Path. And he had shown everyone time and time again that he was exceptionally brilliant at it.

"There's a high chance she'll begin the fight lashing out with a bullrush." Rui said. "Thus far she began every fight in that manner and didn't stop even when it was clear that her opponents were quite prepared for that approach. Nor did she stop even if it was the sub-optimal solution, she's demonstrated remarkable rigidity and lack of flexibility in her tactical approach."

Squire Kyrie nodded at that. "She's quite arrogant in her fighting style in that sense, only someone who doesn't believe they will lose, fights like that."

('Or someone who doesn't care too much if they lose.') He thought inwardly. He too had thought her carelessly rigid fighting style stemmed from deep arrogance, but after talking with her for a while, he had started to realize she simply wasn't as invested in the fight as he was. She did her best, but only physically.

The two instructors tried giving Rui several suggestions and tips. Some he agreed with and some he didn't. Ultimately, it was up to him. He was the one fighting, after all.

Soon, time passed, a lot.

"Fuuu..." He exhaled, as he closed his eyes.

He emptied his thoughts, one by one. He could hear nothing except for his heartbeat and his breathing.

And then the image of Fiona manifested in his mind.

His concentration accumulated.

His focus sharpened.

His mind gathered.

It weighed on its environment, pushing down on it as it exerted incredible pressure.

An unknown amount of time passed as Rui remained in that state of mind.

"Rui." Squire Kyrie knocked on the door.

Even she raised an eyebrow, surprised at how well Rui had focused himself. She had been worried he would have been to anxious or demoralized to win. But witnessing the determination in his eyes reassured her.

"Good." Squire Dylon said. "You're at your peak, maintain that."

Rui wordlessly walked past them, he simply did not want to waste even the slightest bit of energy on anything not useful. Even in the short journey to the Martial Colosseum, he merely closed his eyes. Shutting off as much input as he could.

His mental state was powerful, but it was also delicate, it could easily crumble if his attention was drawn away even slightly. Doing so would not weaken much at all, but being at his peak mental state would always ensure that he brought out his very best.

He immediately walked towards the arena once they arrived at the Martial Colosseum.

"It's here folks!" The commentator cried. "The fight we've all been awaiting! The finale of the 27th Martial Contest!!"

The crowd erupted in volatile cheers and applause as chaotic excitement sizzled the atmosphere.

"On one hand we have the highly anticipated Fiona Roschem, known as the mighty Chosen Incarnate, she is the representative with the highest estimated odds of victory according to the gambling pool! She will representing the Vargard branch!"

Fiona walked into the arena, taking her spot.

"On the other hand, we have the dark horse of this tournament! Securing victory after victory, he made it to the very finals where he'll be fighting with everything he has for the title of Martial Champion!" The commentator cried. Earning deafening cheers and applause from the crowd. "Representing the Hajin branch with his Flowing Void Style. His unique yet potent, fluid and everchanging style has earned him the title of the Voidbringer in the Martial Community!"

Rui froze even as he walked in, Fiona merely threw him a short smug smirk.  Rui could almost hear her saying 'I told you so.'

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. He hadn't planned on getting distracted but he couldn't ignore such a ridiculous epithet.

The Voidbringer?

Rui wanted to crawl under his bed and hide forever every time he thought of calling himself the 'Voidbringer.'

Who was the idiot who named him that? He would not spare him!

"Take your stances." The referee instructed.

And immediately, all of his emotions on the matter melted away as his mind immediately recentered itself at those words. His subconscious mind had cooperated, realizing the significance of the upcoming fight.

Immediately, the atmosphere grew taut.

His raw focus cut through through the shallow excitement and chaos in the atmosphere. Its sharpness drew attention of every person.

It pressed on them, threatening them.

The full weight of his focus and concentration driven by unfathomable emotions triggered an instinctual sense of danger in nearly all those who beheld him. They felt fear merely gazing upon his form.

He was ready.