The Martial Unity

The medical team was stunned by how quickly Rui managed to gain control over his new body. It would have been absolutely impossible to adjust the subconscious and involuntary muscle control of his diaphragm so quickly, but Rui managed to do it nonetheless.

Because of his powerful mind, he was able to rapidly conjure up images for self-hypnosis to reduce the effort he put in, accelerating the mental adjustment rather swiftly. What he essentially did was simply convince his subconscious mind through elementary self-hypnosis, while he sneezed, that air was being sucked out his lungs every time forcefully, causing his mind to want to reduce the force with which it pushed air out to preserve precious air that was already being forced out of his lungs.

This way he drastically adjusted the force with which his subconscious mind performed respiratory function.

Eventually, his subconscious mind would fully adjust by itself, but until then, he would need to keep conditioning it with self-hypnosis.

"With the great bewilderment, I am pronouncing you fit for discharge," The doctor eventually said, heaving a sigh. "Congratulations on your successful procedure. Would you like to go for a round of Martial testing? It's part of the package to help you gain a good understanding of the increment to your power."

Rui stared at his palm, breathing softly, before squeezing it into a fist, feeling a surge of power. "What kind of testing exactly?"

"That's up to you, sir. You can go for a battery of measuring tests of various combat parameters. You can go for a combat session as well," The doctor said.

"I'll go with a combat session," Rui replied. "I wish to test my new power in combat."

Combat was always a better way to gauge all the nuances of his newfound growth and power. Rather than putting himself the subject of many boring experiments and tests, he would rather test himself against another powerful opponent.

"As you wish, sir," The doctor bowed lightly. "A training and sparring site has been prepared for you."

"Already?"

He landed hard on the ground, staring at the establishment. "Name, ID, and purpose of visit?" The Martial Senior guards asked him when he approached the gates.

"There's no need for that," A firm masculine voice called out to them from above. "Let him pass."

Rui glanced at the figure that slowly descended from above. He didn't even inspect the man to understand his power. It was quite evident.

"Yes, Master Krakule," The Martial Seniors bowed respectfully.

The Martial Master was unsurprisingly elder. His body was honed with chiseled developed muscles while his skin was littered with scars across his entire body. A thick salt-pepper beard covered the lower half of his face while his head was cleanly bald. His attire was Martial. It was practical and didn't impede his movements and was frugal, noticeably lacking any crest of a Martial Family.

His arms were tucked behind him, he walked towards Rui with measured and stiff steps.

His demeanor conveyed a domineering masculinity. He reminded Rui of Senior Zenshin, except that his body language revealed deep discipline, he did not possess the volatility that the former did.

"Welcome to Daracol, Senior Quarrier," He welcomed Rui with a sharp piercing voice. "I am Krakule Aragaria, the protector assigned to the Daracol branch by the Martial Union."

Rui ignored the reaction from the two Martial Seniors at the revelation of his lauded identity, bowing with respect to the Martial Master. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Krakule."

"The pleasure is mine," He declared, almost like he was picking a fight with Rui instead of complimenting him. "So you are the Martial Senior that the Empire has been abuzz of, hm?"

He stared into Rui's eyes with a powerful gaze, sizing Rui up. "The Martial Union is preparing a Martial Senior for your combat testing, they will dispatch a Martial Senior from the corps or through commission. Until then, you may accept my hospitality."

"I would be most pleased by that," Rui remarked, sighing internally. He had already realized where this was going, and he wasn't too pleased to go through it yet again.