The Martial Unity

Rui couldn't hide his curiosity as they continued walking across the cloud that spanned the area of a town. It was quite interesting to witness how a small little village of sorts had begun forming atop the clouds.

"Martial Artists?" Rui murmured with intrigue. "I thought he didn't accept any pupils aside from one eight years ago."

There were several Martial Apprentices sparring with each other on a sparring ring, overseen by a Martial Squire

"They are also children of Master Zeamer that have a talent for Martial Art," The women informed him. "Thus Master Zeamer trained them as well as the Martial Squires that serve as their guides and mentors."

"Impressive that he has managed to provide them with such a support system," Rui murmured.

"He has ensured that they don't depend on him too much, allowing them to train at all times even when he cannot train them himself," The women spoke.

"Interesting..." Rui figured. "Seems like he has plenty to keep himself busy with."

It was a good way to give himself purpose and responsibility on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise, he would have literally nothing to do while he waited for a rare talent to find him before finally training them.

Even Master Reina kept herself busy with her little guise. With that consideration, Rui could sympathize with why the man has so many women migrating to his little cloud clan.

'He's definitely also a pervert though.' Rui snorted inwardly, unwilling to give him too much credit.

"We have arrived." They stopped before a small but cozy-looking little house. "We hope that it suits your needs."

Generally, Rui was accustomed to harsher conditions when he trained.

'However, this is nice.' Rui murmured.

"These quarters are already staffed with maids that will cater to your every need," They informed him as they led him inside, giving him a simple tour before leaving.

'I feel like I'm in a resort rather than training grounds. It takes away the tension.' He heaved a sigh of relief as he relaxed on the comfortable bed. He hadn't slept in a comfortable place in quite some time, having to dig holes into rocks and boulders to create small cavities where he was safe enough to rest.

His body jumped at the opportunity to gain some quality rest as a wave of drowsiness washed over him. The fatigue of having fought golems and dragons while being drained of mental energy from the entire forest caught up to him as he slowly drifted to sleep.

That night, he slept like a rock. So much so that it took him a while to even remember where he was when he got up the next day. The bags underneath his eyes had entirely disappeared as his entire body relaxed.

Yet he was extraordinarily famished.

The Hypnomaster had denied him of his meal when he defeated the dragon, thus he had yet to replenish the energy that he had spent in that long and tiring fight against the stubborn Illusionary Dragon.

"His Honour wishes to speak with you," One of the maids in his personal quarters informed him. "Please follow us."

It wasn't long before he found himself in a training facility.

"You look better," The Hypnomaster remarked blankly. "What do you think of this place that I built? Remarkable isn't it?"

"...It is quite special," Rui admitted. "So, why did you call for me? Are we going to begin training? I'm starving, so can we do that after I eat something?"

"Hm, Martial Artists hunt their own food," The man remarked with a rare hint of seriousness. "If you don't subject yourself to that much danger on a regular basis as a Martial Artist, your instincts will rust, especially in a place as wonderful as Cloudia, hoho."

Rui furrowed his eyebrows as the Master shamelessly praised his own work.

"But that's now why I called you here," The man remarked. "I want you to meet my other mentee."

"Sure, but we'd meet anyway. No need to call me or personally introduce me." Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Heh," A mischievous smirk emerged on his face.

Rui could even sense a hint of anticipation and excitement.

"What are you up to?" Rui knitted his eyebrows with dubiousness.

"Hehehe," The man chuckled. "Not much. However, I think something interesting might happen, that is why I'm personally here to witness it."

They arrived at a training chamber that the Hypnomaster promptly opened. Rui peered at the single figure that sat inside, meditating.

"...!" Rui's eyes widened with shock as his jaw dropped.

"Tokugawa," The Master called out. "Meet your fellow pupil that I was telling you about."

A flash of displeasure could be seen across his face. The man shifted his long pitch black hair away from his eyes, before opening them, revealing black eyes.

Pitch-black eyes.

Eyes that seemed to reflect the very fabric of the world around them.

"I believe I informed you not to disturb me with frivolous matters," Senior Ieyasu glared at the Master, before turning towards Rui.

A small jolt flashed through his body as his eyes narrowed with recognition.

His expression grew grave.

An air of tension brewed as the atmosphere chilled.

"...Why are you here, Rui Quarrier?"

"Tokugawa Ieyasu..." Rui murmured still half-dazed at how such a coincidence could possibly come to unfold. "So when you said you were going to return to your Master to gain guidance for the Master Realm, you were talking about the Hypnomaster?"

"Hahaha!" Master Zeamer guffawed boisterously, breaking the tension. "I had a feeling that this would happen. I'm so glad I trusted my instinct."

An expression amusement flashed on his face as he glanced between Rui and Ieyasu back and forth. "When I compared my observations of you yesterday with what this brooding pupil of mine told me about his breakthrough two years ago when he returned as a Martial Senior, I made the connection. The fact that both of you had been a Martial Senior for the same amount of time was also a clue. Hahaha! It sure is a small world sometimes."

He paused. "So the two of you broke through to the Senior Realm at the same time, hm? I wonder who will break through to the Master Realm first then."

Both of them narrowed their eyes at those words. A surge of competitive drive boiled from deep within his body as every hint of relaxation and comfort he experienced prior was instantly dispelled.

Neither of them was willing to lose to the other.