"The Longranger sect... is it?" Rui considered the name, not having heard it before.
The Martial Sects were not public knowledge, one only learned about them if one reached a certain level of political or economic status, or if one was a Martial Artist. Furthermore, learning more about any one of them required actually entering a Martial Sect, or being approached by that Martial Sect.
Rui didn't fulfill those conditions until now, explaining his ignorance of what was surely an important Martial Sect.
"That's right." Senior Ceeran. "We Longrangers fight for an increased weightage on long-range techniques than they are currently given. Long-range techniques have very simple but potent advantages and benefits that ought to be more capitalized. Our techniques are simply superior to short-range striking."
Rui raised an eyebrow at those words. "Both ranges have their strengths and disadvantages, as I'm sure you'd agree."
"This is not false, of course," He nodded. "But the more accurate truth is that long-range techniques have better advantages to offer and lesser disadvantages to hinder the Martial Artist from using them. If you are in a sparring match or a duel where you and your opponent start meters away from each other, things may seem more equal, but in practice, such circumstances are quite rare. Especially in circumstances of war, having long-range offense has been shown to be dramatically more successful than engaging in close-quarter brawls."
Rui wanted to retort, but he paused, considering the matter.
It was not easy to refute the man's words. Especially when Rui had lived an entire lifetime in a world where projectile weapons with range were demonstrably more impactful in combat than close-quarter weapons.
This was especially true in larger-scale conflicts where there were no rules of any sort. Even bows and arrows and spears were historically more potent in warfare and became a main staple in conflicts. Most genuine conflicts began at a distant range, thus long-range offensive measures always gained the advantage of inflicting damage before shorter-range weapons could. Many a time, this was the difference between life and death.
Still, Rui rejected the notion that long-range offenses needed to be given higher priority relative to short-range offensive measures. For once, the distance shortened, long-range offensive Martial Artists would find themselves at a disadvantage!
For Rui, maintaining a good balance between both was key. Increasing both his long-range and short-range offensive capability was a prudent measure to take.
('Maybe I should look into the trajectory manipulation techniques that he specializes in,') Rui considered.
The synergy between the ODA system and such a technique was incredible, maybe he could expand the Pathfinder technique to include a long-range manipulation technique to turn the Sonic Bullets into homing projectiles!
('Then the technique would truly live up to its name!') Rui's eyes widened.
The pathfinder's effectiveness would increase substantially. Rui had to admit that Senior Ceeran was on to something with trying to integrate the ODA system with his Martial Art.
"Reading the development process of the Pathfinder was even more interesting than the actual technique itself," The man noted. "Truly, you'd just fine in the Longrangers."
"Are you attempting to recruit me, Senior?" Rui smiled wryly.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested, but..." He shook his head. "We've gone through your profile. You've already rejected the invitations to Martial Sects much more alluring and powerful than that of the Longranger Sect, like the Fire Sect, for example. Yet after all this time you still haven't joined a Martial Sect. We can safely conclude that you have qualms with the fundamental idea of joining a Martial Sect and everything it entails."
Rui nodded, they had hit the nail right on the head. "That is true. It's a shame that there isn't an all-rounder Sect."
"The focus of such a Sect is almost contradictory to the point of Martial Sects in the first place." The man replied. "That's why there are none. It doesn't make sense to advocate for all fields equally, that doesn't impact the budget spending in any way."
"True..."
"That being said, even if we don't invite you straightforwardly, we can still engage in transactions. Like the one we're engaging in right now." The Martial Senior smiled. "I promise you that the Longranger Sect will not be ungrateful for your technique, especially once we verify that the technique actually works the way you claim it does in the tests we are about to commence."
"I am intrigued at what you have to offer, truly." Rui raised an eyebrow.
"In good time." The man smiled, before gesturing forward. "We've arrived."
Rui turned, facing a large facility before him.
Inside was a sight that made even his eyebrows rise. Extensively long tracks over with all kinds of targets on the other end. Even the ceiling was remarkably high, meant to accommodate larger and wide area techniques.
Rui nodded in appreciation. "This is remarkable."
"It's something our Sect funded to facilitate the most thorough and rigorous research and development of long-range techniques in all parameters to the extreme. Now then, let's begin, shall we?"
He gestured as he walked forward.
At a particular station in the vast facility was a team of researchers, engaging in some technical work with various devices and machines of all kinds.
"Ah, Senior Ceeran, we just finished all the preparations for the testing experiments that you ordered us to." An elderly greeted him, bowing deeply when they reached her. "We can begin any time."
"Great, we'll begin immediately!" The man smiled excitedly., before turning to Rui. "This is it, be sure to give it your best."
"What do I need to do precisely?" Rui asked.
"You simply need to hit the targets we instruct you to hit. We will be testing the range, frequency, and precision limits of your static and dynamic accuracy while controlling for factors such as target size, position, and inclination of the target as well as atmospheric and sensory conditions..."
As they conversed back and forth, Senior Ceeran was incredibly impressed that Rui was not only capable of keeping up with the concepts employed in empirical research but was able to demonstrate an understanding of it that surpassed even his!
