"As long as you keep this in mind, you at least won't die due to newfound arrogance." Senior Sarak concluded, satisfied with Rui's response. "One more thing. For the time period that the Martial Heart is active, your body will age much faster than the normal rate."
Rui's eyes widened with shock. "...What?"
"Did you think that power came without a price just because you earned it?" Senior Sarak raised an eyebrow. "There is no such thing. The price of the Squire Realm was maddening suffering and the risk of death. The price of the Senior Realm is not acute, it is chronic. For every second you spend with the Martial Heart active, your body will have aged many seconds."
"...I wasn't made aware of this beforehand." Rui narrowed his eyes.
"Neither were any of us. Besides, none of us ever expected you to break through at the age of twenty-four." Senior Sarak smiled bitterly. "But knowing you, I'm sure you've already figured out why we withheld this."
Rui simply stared at him silently.
The knowledge of that was probably detrimental to the probability of breaking through. If Martial Squires knowing of this drawback reduced their enthusiasm and desire for this power, then the reduced intensity of their desire would mean a reduced probability of breakthrough.
In that case, the number of Martial Seniors emerging from Martial Squires would visibly plummet across the continent.
This was nothing short of a disaster.
"In fact, and this is also something I should inform you now that you have become a Martial Senior." Senior Sarak stated. "Informing a Martial Squire of this truth is a transgression that is actually punishable by death by the Panamic Martial Federation. So even if I wanted to, I could not inform you ahead of time."
Rui raised an eyebrow at those words. The Panamic Martial Federation was, in some ways, the international version of the Martial Union. It served as a broker between Martial Artists and the international market. However, it only catered to Martial Artists of the Upper Realms.
The international organization was so absurdly powerful that even Martial Seniors were unworthy of it. In many ways, it was said to act as a body that enforced some fundamental rules that were considered taboo to Martial Artists in the Martial World. It also generally acted to protect the greater interests of the entirety of the Martial Artist class across all of human civilization.
He had never ever actually come into contact with an official, or seen a public office of the Panamic Martial Federation in the Kandrian Empire, or anywhere really.
That supported the notion that it operated at echelons that he was still unable to come into contact with himself. Regardless, he did not intend to violate its rules. The revelation of the accelerated aging was unpleasant, but he understood why it was concealed.
It was worth the price. Easily.
Especially when Martial Hearts did not last too long. Especially when Martial Artists had increased lifespans, anywhere from decades to centuries. Furthermore, life-prolonging potions existed on top of that.
Furthermore, if a Martial Senior truly had such a great problem with the price, then all they had to do was not activate the Martial Heart.
It was as simple as that.
Thus, it made sense to conceal this fact from Martial Squires.
"Huff..." Rui heaved a sigh. "Understood. I appreciate being informed of that."
"Mmm..." He nodded. "The Panamic Martial Federation also expects Martial Seniors to begin to bear responsibility of Martial Artists. You have reached a stage of power where you are able to create impacts that aren't entirely irrelevant. You will be expected to follow certain norms and guidelines."
"Like...?"
"Malicious and targeted bullying of Martial Squires and Apprentices without cause is something that is frowned upon. It is not declared a Martial sin by the Panamic Martial Federation, but is is best you do not earn their disapproval. As a Martial Senior, you are expected to live up to the name and rise up. If you come across a Martial Squire who has reached enough maturity, then you may inform them about the truth of the Senior Realm and the conditions that they need to fulfill." Senior Sarak explained.
Rui raised an eyebrow as a realization dawned on him. "Is that why Senior Xanarn told me about the Senior Realm out of the blue that night?"
"Indeed." Senior Sarak nodded. "She was fulfilling her responsibility and honoring a tradition that we ourselves have benefitted from. Imagine where you would be if we did not inform you of the truth. Do you see? Just this modest effort responsibility can nourish Martial Art significantly. There are too many impoverished Martial Apprentices and Squires who do not have proper guidance and offer wander aimlessly."
Rui nodded. "No problem with this either. I am not ungrateful or selfish. I will be sure to fulfill it when the time comes."
It didn't hurt to strengthen Martial Art. It may have been the age of Martial Art, but states and other human organizations would still love nothing more than to subjugate Martial Artists and turn them into obedient weapons like how they once were. Unless doing so directly affected him negatively, it was worth offering guidance to some younglings. He already enjoyed the art of guiding young Martial Artists and aspirants, so he had no compunctions about this norm either.
"Well, that's about it." Senior Sarak concluded. "I have passed on what I am obligated to. Be sure to do the same if you come across one like yourself."
Rui nodded. "I did want to inquire about something. I wanted to know if you knew anything about the Master Realm."
"Haha... no." Senior Sarak shook his head with a mirthless laugh. "I have long given up on the Master Realm. My drive isn't strong enough, and I am too content."
Rui simply stared at him.
He sighed. "I...was actually one of the first Squire-level guardians of the Floating Sect long ago. Back then a now-deceased Martial Senior used to be the sole Senior-level guardian. I inherited his responsibility and obtained the power needed to protect and oversee the Floating Sect. I do not have any ambition for a higher Realm power. Now that the Kaddar Treaty Organization has been beaten back practically permanently, I look forward to spending the rest of my days overseeing and guiding these more youthful and ambitious Martial Artists."
It was a sentiment that Rui did not understand nor share, but it was one that he respected nonetheless.
