It wasn't going to be easy to keep that promise, but Rui vowed to succeed. As a Martial Senior, his earning ability was truly high, especially considering that he was already a high-grade Martial Senior.
Although the Kandrian Empire had Martial Artists up to two Realms above him, the actual number of people who were stronger than him was a few hundred at the very most. This meant that he was still a highly important combat asset, which meant that money would never be an issue. Taking his family around the world for a tour was not impossible.
"Let's leave that for later though," Rui smiled wryly. "I have no intentions of going back to those places."
Eventually, his story-telling session came to an end. His audience had been enraptured in the details of his fantastical adventures across the continent, but they had been overwhelmed by it by the time it came to an end.
What could they even say about all the things that Rui had gone through?
Their experiences, in contrast, were extremely limited. Most of them had never ventured past the town of Hajin in their geographic vicinity. They didn't even feel qualified to comment on his experiences.
"I always knew that there are incredible reality-defying wonders out there, but to actually hear about your experiences with them in such detail…" Julian murmured, deep in thought.
"Alright, enough of stories!" Max got up.
"I agree," Mana nodded. "We have waited long enough."
The two of them dragged Rui deep into the forest where they had prepared a field to spar in.
"Goodness gracious…" Rui laughed. "You two sure are excited, aren't you?"
"Hah!" Max laughed. "We're going to kick your butt this time, big brother!"
"We'll show you just how much we've improved in the past eight years…"
"Oh… is that so?" Rui smiled, stroking his shaved chin. "Come then. Show me how much stronger you've gotten in the past eight years."
He stood with his arms behind his back as the two of them took their usual stances. They exerted mild pressure on Rui, although he certainly was impressed by their progress in the Squire Realm, and they had yet to begin.
Max's stance reflected his Martial Path; momentum-charged offense. His arms were folded with his fists pointed straight in Rui's direction. He adopted a stance that was reminiscent of the classical boxing stance before the introduction of gloves into the sport.
Mana, on the other hand, centered her crouched legs, keeping them as close to her center of gravity as possible. This made it easier for her to maneuver in all three dimensions, which is what she excelled at and focused on.
"Come," Rui calmly instructed.
The two of them flashed forward at a speed that exceeded even sound. Mana in particular raced forward at blinding speed before launching a swift combo blows at Rui's torso.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
Rui casually evaded them with minimal effort. "You've grown stronger."
"Of course we have!" She leaped, somersaulting above his head, before her flew down like a meteorite as she launched a powerful drop kick on him.
Max, on the other hand, had also arrived, throwing a remarkably powerful blow charged with his momentum.
Time slowed down to a crawl as Rui examined their movements. 'Their patterns have grown more efficient. Their teamwork has also improved.'
He happily noted their improvement before casually sidestepping both their attacks.
TAP TAP
He gently patted their attacks, altering their flow of power ever so slightly as he evaded their attack.
That slight alteration snowballed into a major discrepancy!
BAM! POW!
Their attacks wound up landing on each other, giving each other a good beating while Rui had long stepped away.
"Ow! Watch who you're hitting!"
"Are you even on my team?!"
Rui laughed heartily at the two Martial Squires bickering, with amusement. They had grown in many ways, yet he was glad to see that some things never changed.
"Come on, now," Rui teased. "All that hype and this is all you got? Tsk tsk, kids these days…"
The two of them glared at him. "We're not kids!"
They surged forward with remarkable coordination and teamwork, throwing all manners of attacks.
Yet not a single one of them so much as touched Rui. His actual movement speed was below their swift attacks, yet for some reason, they were unable to even come close to touching.
After a long session of what amounted to a cat-and-mouse chase, the two of them were finally drained of their stamina.
"You didn't even attack us," Max complained.
"This doesn't even feel like a fight," Mana murmured.
"…Alright then, why don't I show you a little treat?" Rui smirked.
BADUMP!
He activated his Martial Heart. Glowing red streaks emerged from his heart, spreading across his body. It was as though he was a mountain laden with streams of lava, erupting with an ocean of power!
Max and Mana widened their eyes with shock as they beheld the mighty power of the Senior Realm.
Their skin crawled with the sheer energy that Rui seemed to radiate.
"What is this…?" Max wondered with awe.
"This is the power of the Senior Realm…" Mana realized.
"That's right," Rui smiled. "And it is the power that awaits you in the Senior Realm."
He raised his hand. "Now then, go to sleep."
He flicked his finger at them, activating a simple breathing technique.
THWOOM!
He masterfully controlled the power, timing, and placement. Cleanly knocking them out without leaving so much as a scratch on their body.
"Hehehe…" Rui chuckled with satisfaction.
Their admiration did feel good as an older brother who had guided them down their Martial Path.
"You're so extra," A voice called out to him, cajoling him gently.
"Am I?" Rui glanced in the direction of the voice.
Senior Xanarn emerged from the woods. "Show off."
"Hey, I think I've earned at least that much," Rui smiled. "Wouldn't you agree?"
She did, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
Rui's smile disappeared as his expression grew serious. "Xanarn, we need to talk."
