A few days passed as Rui completed the final preparations for his presentation. For one, he didn't intend to give an extremely elaborate lecture about the Hungry Pain technique, nor did he need to.
It was understood that Martial Artists were not the best at conveying their understanding of a technique in a way that appeased the scientific method.
Still, the Hungry Pain technique was too significant for them to accept anything that didn't at least give them a good understanding of the mechanics and principles of the techniques. That was the bare minimum.
On top of that, Rui had cultivated a reputation as a highly intelligent intellectual Martial Artist with a remarkably high cognition a shocking ability to process information, and a scientific foundation that didn't even compute with his known history.
They did expect more from him than what the average Martial Artist would scrap up. Rui was also extremely clear that he himself too was part of the agenda, and not just his technique, even if Headmaster Aronian did not outright say it out loud.
Regardless, Rui only wanted to get the business over with so he could be remunerated for this technique. He had planned for this day nearly a decade ago when he gave his friends the Hungry Pain technique, they were to serve as the proof of his claims so that he could smoothly receive his dues without any complications.
Eventually, the day arrived.
Rui arrived at the Hajin branch of the Martial Union, smoothly passing through the security check-in with his new license. There was even a panel of staff members awaiting him in the lobby, immediately approaching.
"We are here to aid you in any manner necessary, sir," They bowed their heads.
"Lead me to the presentation venue," Rui instructed them.
It wasn't long before he found himself in a large lecture hall that could comfortably host hundreds of people.
There were teams of assistants and clerks led by managers who completed their logistical duties ensuring everything was in order for the presentation.
"You're here rather early," A voice called out to him.
A man accompanied by two Martial Squires walked into the lecture hall.
He was lavishly garbed with an expensive custom-tailored suit with immaculately groomed hair and beard. A badge attached to the chest area of the left side of his tuxedo identified his position and name.
[Director Saren Muliouen]
"Considering that I'm leading the show, I'd say I'm just on time," Rui calmly replied.
The man smiled as he briskly walked up to Rui. "Director Saren; head of the Hajin regional branch of the Martial Union. It truly is an honor to meet the prodigious Martial Senior of the Kandrian Empire."
Considering that the man didn't defer to Rui with an honorific showed that he was considerably highly ranked within the hierarchy of the executive department. There weren't too many human officials within the Martial Union who could address Rui as an equal, this was part of the norms of the Martial Union. It was a way of saying that Martial power trumped non-Martial authority.
"I'm pleased that you're here early, gives me a chance to speak to you before the event unfolds. His Mastery, the Surgeon, personally ordered me to oversee the event while the Her Mastery the Truth Seeker personally oversaw the vetting process," The man remarked. "That is a good indication of the magnitude of the seriousness with which the Chamber of Masters is taking whatever it is that you're presenting."
Rui grew surprised at his words.
The Surgeon and the Truth Seeker were two renowned Martial Masters of the Martial Union. While Rui didn't know their Martial Paths or their Martial Art, it was safe to say that the security of the event was highly secure.
Headmaster Aronian was not lying when he said that the Martial Union was extremely serious about ensuring that not a single ounce of information about his Hungry Pain technique was leaked.
"I'm glad that I can disseminate my presentation without any worries," Rui replied, glancing over at a figure that had entered the lecture hall, instantly drawing his attention with their aura.
Yet it was their identity that surprised him.
It was Senior Ceeran.
No, that wasn't quite right.
"Master…Ceeran?" Rui murmured, shocked.
Yet there was no doubt about it when he verified it with his senses. The Martial Senior that he knew had gone and become a Martial Master in the decade that they had been apart.
"Senior Quarrier. Rui…" He smiled warmly. The man's voice had gained a calmness and composure that it didn't have before. It had gained a knowing tone, one that every Martial Master seemed to have. "I knew from the very first moment I rested my eyes on you that you would not be shackled to the Squire Realm forever, yet not even I could have foreseen your ascension to Senior Realm would be the youngest this world has ever seen. You are truly special, a gem that this nation and our union have been blessed with."
Rui simply stared at his, speechless, earning a chuckle from the good-natured Martial Master who turned to the man beside them with a nod. "Director."
"Pleasure to meet you again, sir," The man bowed his head lightly.
"I have many things to tell and even more to ask," Master Ceeran smiled at Rui. "But we will have to postpone that for now, I'm afraid. Formally, I'm here as a Martial Director from the long-range division of our research and development department. Informally, I am here as a part of the Ranging Sect. We are truly intrigued by the topic of your presentation today. We have even brought over renowned researchers and scholars from our division, ones that have been thoroughly vetted by the Truth Seeker, of course."
He gestured to a middle-aged man and woman who bowed deeply to Rui. Yet Rui could see a hint of skepticism in their eyes, he could clearly sense that they didn't expect much of a presentation coming from a twenty-eight-year-old Martial Senior without any formal education.
