Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

Marna, who was theoretically the owner of the house, didn't say much. Even though the two countries were irreconcilable enemies, guests were still guests, especially since they were all children around the same age as Maria.

In addition, Manna had also seen Winter and Maria sparring in the courtyard, and their skill level was very high, which was beneficial as a form of training.

So he gradually got used to the sight of a group of Ursus girls plus Maria having a tea party every time he came home during this period.

"Um... I'm so sorry, even though you and Aunt Zofia trained me so hard, I still couldn't qualify for the competition."

After receiving the letter, Maria invited Winter and the others to visit again, and also informed them that she had not been selected.

Winter didn't seem too bothered and said, "Not being able to participate in the competition is nothing. The important thing is that your skills have truly improved. The competition is just a place to test your strength. The real purpose is to hone your power. As long as you continue to train, you will have plenty of opportunities to participate in the competition."

These words prompted Mari, who was traveling with him, to say something offensive with a calm expression: "Unbelievable, I never thought you, Sonia, could say something so reasonable."

Winter complained, "Hey, what do you guys take me for..."

The banter among the group eased Maria's mood considerably, and she continued:

"Anyway, it's not like there was no gain. My uncle seems to have changed a lot because of me, and the atmosphere at home has improved a lot. I just don't know what he's still busy with even though he quit his job..."

With improved strength, a change in mindset, and a growing reputation, Maria no longer considered using knightly competitions as a means to protect her family's honor.

She began to envision how to defend the Lin Guang family in her own way.

Perhaps I will be stripped of my noble status, but that doesn't matter. Rather than relying on others to obtain what I need for shelter, I'd rather think about how to use my own strength to obtain everything I need.

Being unable to participate in the competition does not mean that one's training is meaningless, and failing to win the championship does not mean that the family's honor will be arbitrarily stripped away by the businessmen's documents.

Maria also gained a better understanding of why her stubborn uncle had previously viewed knightly competitions in that way.

It seems that Marner has also taken other actions. In order to set an example, he voluntarily resigned from his job and has now apparently transferred to another organization. However, all the details are kept secret, but at least since then, Marner has not been seen speaking to others in any obsequious manner.

Both Maria and Marna seemed to display a sense of "relief".

"...Hey, you're still not entirely satisfied, aren't you?"

But Winter bluntly exposed the distracting thoughts in her mind.

"Ah...you mean me?"

"You actually really want to participate in the competition, right?"

Winter pressed Maria for an answer.

"Do not..."

Maria shook her head, but then suddenly stopped, and slowly said in a hesitant tone:

"...Okay, I really want to participate, to stand on the field that my sister once stood on."

Winter stared at Maria in silence for a while, then, in front of her, made a call to Tomat.

"Tomat? Are you there?"

"I'd like to ask if the fighting stance you mentioned, which combines the power of two people into one, is real."

"What do you want? Nothing, just asking. Just tell me if it's true or false."

"Really? You didn't lie to me?"

"That's true... What are you doing now? Are you free? I'll come find you at Rhodes Island later."

Winter made a communication that was of unclear meaning, and the things discussed in it were completely incomprehensible to Maria.

"Combining the power of two people into one? A fighting stance?" Maria asked with a puzzled expression.

"Do you remember Tomat?" Winter didn't rush to explain, but instead asked in return.

"Hmm... I remember, it's that instructor from last time, right?"

Maria immediately recalled the person behind that novice knight, who was also undoubtedly a Rhodes Island member labeled as "the strongman".

“Yes, he might have a way to help you realize your wish to participate in the competition.” Winter stood up and called to Maria at the same time, “In any case, he does know a lot about strength and those strange moves. Come on, let’s go to Rhodes Island.”

To fulfill your wish?

We can't let Rhodes Island open a back door and give the Nearl family an extra spot, can we?

She was referring to "the power of two people," but every match in the round of 16 is a one-on-one battle, and it's impossible to directly change the format to a two-on-two match.

Winter did not explain Maria's confusion, because she herself did not know what the effect of a certain technology that Thomas had mentioned was.

The group returned to Rhodes Island, where Thomas and Nearl were already waiting for them on the training platform.

"I see... They are indeed two people who meet the criteria."

Thomas glanced at Nearl, who seemed somewhat puzzled at being brought here as well, then at Maria, whom he also knew somewhat, and asked:

"How about the two of you, Knight Yao and me, go together?"

Image: "Two people together", Location: "Images/1638018746-100197741-108017379.jpg"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"You fat steed!" (referring to the failed fusion)

Upon their first meeting, he called the Knight of Light a fat steed!

Fusion of the Dao! A grand serialized work!

[Main Text] Terra Battle: Chapter Ten You said you could do anything, right?

"I think I understand what you mean, this is really reckless..."

Winter explained the cause and effect in a very vague way, and she also explained her choice to help Maria fulfill her wish to participate in the competition as "a whim".

However, the fact that Tomat was able to give such a response shows that he also understood Winter's true intentions.

It seems that while treating Maria as an apprentice, Winter also regards her as a friend who is willing to lend a helping hand.

However, she wasn't very confident about her act of helping others.

Because the mysterious pose that Thomas mentioned had never been seen by anyone, and because the description was so bizarre, almost no one was willing to believe it.

Tomat is indeed incredibly powerful, but "combining two people into one" cannot be explained by the word "powerful" alone—unless it involves physically kneading two people together.

This sounds like a quirky plot device from some fictional works, where two creatures are merged into something new.

That's why Winter decided to bring Maria here only after repeatedly confirming that Tomat wasn't joking.

However, the fact that Tomat actually agreed and even called Nearl, who was unaware of the situation, suggests that this technique is indeed real.

"You actually remembered something I casually mentioned until now. It seems you were really paying attention in class."

Thomas led the group to a temporary training area that had been cleared out on the platform. It was surrounded by high indoor walls, making it impossible for outsiders to see what would happen inside.

"Well, of course!" Winter replied, though she was also a little smug at the rare word of approval.

"However, if you used the same concentration you have for remembering these strange and unusual things when you were training in the past, you would be stronger than you are now."

However, this sense of pride was quickly extinguished by Tomat's next words.

“I’m getting stronger little by little! Don’t make it sound like I haven’t made any progress at all,” Winter protested, following Tomat into the relatively enclosed space.

"Good, good, good—you've certainly made a lot of progress. At least when you're dealing with people, you're not getting beaten up as before, but instead making new friends."

As he spoke, Thomas looked at Maria, Winter's "new friend".

And now, she is reuniting with her long-lost sister, displaying all the emotions that only a younger sister, harboring various longings and aspirations, can have.

She snuggled close to him, showering him with concern and feigning distress, completely oblivious to the presence of others.

Of course, no one else bothered them too much. Everyone knew that the sisters had been separated for too long. Even from the time they arrived in Kazimierz from Rhodes Island, their glimpses of each other's faces were limited to the live broadcast of the Knights' Tournament—plus that secret visit that Maria did not notice.

"Is this what they mean by 'both teacher and friend'? It's not surprising that you taught her how to fight, but it's quite rare that you made friends with her. Since she's your apprentice and you're my apprentice, I'd feel bad if I didn't help her."

Thomas smiled:

"After all, as your master, I dote on my disciple very much, don't I?"

However, this smile seems to only evoke unpleasant memories of Winter's training.

is a good man.

But they do inhuman things.

"Shouldn't you explain yourself now? What exactly is that technique of yours that allows two people to merge into one?"

As Tomat stopped, Winter asked about what concerned her most.

"It's a technique called fusion. Once successful, it allows two warriors to merge into one, creating a warrior far more powerful than the sum of their individual strengths."

"Thomat replied."

Regardless of the underlying principles or how this incredible effect was achieved, Winter grasped a key word and then asked in return:

"Success? That means it can fail, so what exactly do we need to do?"

Taking this opportunity, Tomat also explained to Nearl and Maria what needed to be done next, as well as the relevant matters of integration.

"In short, once you succeed, the two of you will be able to fight as one..."

Maria, her chin slightly agape and a look of astonishment on her face, was speechless, wondering what kind of fantastical tale Thomas was spouting. Nearl, however, nodded without a hint of doubt, indicating that it was worth a try.

Thomas continued:

"However, the conditions I've listed are the key points."

"First of all, the two people need to be similar in physique, and that requirement has already been met."

"Secondly, both parties must keep their breath at the same level. It will not work if one party cooperates with the other. Both parties need to release their breath at the same time and keep it consistent in order to produce a reaction."

"Finally, there's the action. Only by correctly and completely executing a whole set of actions can the fusion be guaranteed to be effective; otherwise, it will only produce defective products."

"In addition, the fusion can only be maintained for thirty minutes and cannot exceed this time. If you really want to use it in the competition, it is best to complete the fusion just before the competition. This also requires you to be proficient in the fusion process."

After Thomas finished explaining, Nearl asked, "The second point requires Maria to learn breath control, right? But she hasn't received systematic training at Rhodes Island. Is it too late to start now?"

Thomas said, "There's still time. She's been fighting Winter all this time, so she's gained some experience. It's just that basic aura perception and aura release won't take too much time."

"First, we'll learn breath control, then we'll do movement training. That's the general plan. We'll leave any changes to the athletes to the doctor; she'll handle it well."

"But I still have some questions for you..."

"—Do you really want to learn this technology?"

Tomat suddenly adopted a very serious tone.