The climate changed as the days passed. It was a sign that they were getting increasingly closer to the main continent. The journey was more cumbersome because there was a lot that needed to be transported back, after all.
Yet, eventually, they finally reached their destination; the port town of Farund that they had set out from.
Even from a great distance away, Rui could experience the familiar feel of the Kandrian Empire. The site of modern civilization, alone, felt relieving and refreshing. While living on Vilun Island was an experience unlike any other, it was not familiar nor comforting.
It had been only days since he had been relieved from his duties, yet Rui felt quite relaxed and comfortable. While the freedom that he got in his G'ak'arkan Tribe mission was great, the responsibilities; were not so much.
Now, he was back to being just another Martial Squire.
And that felt natural.
('I can't wait to see everyone back in the Orphanage now,') Rui's smile grew more eager.
He hadn't seen his family for ten months. He had to admit, that he was sorely missing them.
('That reminds me, they said that they had a surprise waiting for me back home,') Rui was curious about that. He wanted to know what it was that they were keeping in store for him.
('Well, post-mission protocols first,') Rui groaned.
The post-mission protocols for this mission were going to be painful, that was for sure. He highly doubted he could get away with just an hour of paperwork like he normally did.
The second that they reached, he immediately leaped off, reaching the dock.
He breathed deeply, taking in his first breath of the Kandrian Empire in a long time. The Martial Artists quickly followed suit, each getting off even before the bridge between the ships and the dock had been made yet.
"You heading for post-mission protocols too?" Kane asked as he walked to Rui.
"Yeah, best to finish it off as quickly as I can and then head home in peace," Rui nodded. "Let's get going,"
The two stepped into the air as they sky-walked at a swift pace, heading towards the Mantian Region and the town of Hajin.
The two of them quickly passed through the familiar old security check-ups before letting them pass through.
It wasn't long before they began filling up the statements and reports of the entire mission.
This was an extensive process for both of them. They had to go over ten months' worth of events and they couldn't skip out too many details.
Although the Martial Union had received routine reports from all of the teams and departments of the settlement on Vilun Island, they still required thorough details from the two of them.
Rui had to describe the initial negotiation hearing between the Martial Union and the G'ak'arkan Tribe, the coldness of Senior K'ahru, and their swift rejection of any offer that Rui made in regard to them.
He had to describe his actions and executive decisions during the settlement construction on the island. This was the period that he was the most busy in. What followed was the decision to trigger a war with the K'ulnen Tribe.
There had been a lot of thought that had gone into the strategy and approach that they would employ with the K'ulnen Tribe. He especially needed to describe his battles in detail, which he had no problem doing.
After that, Rui went on to describe the success of the negotiation deliberation with the G'ak'arkan Tribe, and eventually the exchange of techniques and the training phases.
About four hours later, he was finally done.
Kane had long bade Rui goodbye because his report was far smaller and lesser than that of Rui's. He was merely acting as a shadow-class Martial Artist; a covert agent and an operative. He also had been largely free and jobless for much of the time that he had spent in this mission compared to Rui.
"Ughh…"Rui groaned once he left the Hajin branch of the Martial Union. "At least I can go back home now."
He didn't want to waste any time.
And he didn't.
He crouched with one leg stretched back before he dashed off at top speed towards the Quarrier Orphanage.
In less than fifteen seconds, he had already arrived.
A loud gust of wind announced his arrival to all of the members of the Quarrier Orphanage.
"RUIIII!!!" Alice immediately greeted him the second she saw him, leaping to embrace him. "It's been so long! You've grown taller!"
"I've missed you too Alice," He earnestly returned her embrace. It took him a while before he could extricate himself from her tight hug.
Soon enough, the rest of the adults came out to greet him.
Farion, Mica, Myra and the many adults who had looked after Rui when he was just a little child couldn't help but fawn over him after having not seen him for nearly a year. Lashara indulged herself by cupping his face with an affectionate expression, before embracing him gently.
The children were no different in their enthusiasm to see him either. Most of them had begun to hit their growth spurts by now and were growing taller rapidly.
"Big brother, you're back."
"You have to tell us about your adventure this time."
Rui smiled. "Of course, I will… By the way. Where are those two?"
"Ah… Max and Mana? They're training in the woods right now at their usual spot," Lashara smiled. "Can you go call them? It's about time for lunch. Besides, they have been dying to meet you and show you something."
"Sure, not a problem," Rui put his belongings inside before taking off to the sky toward the training space that he had prepared for them nearly a year ago after their attempt in the Martial Union entrance exam.
"There they are…" Rui smiled as he spotted their figures. Yet suddenly, his eyes widened. "Wait a minute… This feeling? It can't be that those two have…"
