POW POW POW

Rui threw a flurry of Vital Pressure strikes as they struck Dalen. Yet, the damage they did was minimal. Dalen returned the favour by throwing landing a power kick.

BOOM

Rui skidded back, grimacing in pain.

Normally, he would have chosen to avoid the kicks rather than block it. Kicks were generally slower than jabs, and travelled along a greater distance and left the user in a bit more vulnerable position which made dodging and charging in the most optimal solution. Furthermore, kicks had far more power than jabs in exchange for its shortcomings, making blocking them a sub-optimal solution in most cases.

But Rui had chosen to block the strike anyway. The reason for that was because they weren't having a normal sparring session, but an Inner Divergence training session.

They had restricted attacks to Vital Pressure and defense to Inner Divergence. No other Apprentice-level technique and no maneuvering or evasion.

Rui had approached Dalen a month ago, requesting him for routine training sessions to help Rui improve and refine his rough timing with the Inner Divergence technique.

Dalen had agreed, and ever since then they had been sparring together.

Rui had significantly improved in that time, experience had helped burning the movements and motions into his muscle memory bit by bit.

Still, there was a big gap between him and Dalen. The latter had mastered Inner Divergence to a solid degree and had a body that was developed for defense. Even if he used only Inner Divergence, he also had a conditioned body that was inherently tougher than Rui's body.

BAM

Rui collapsed as Dalen bested him once more, panting as he laid flat on the ground.

"Let's take a break." He suggested, reaching for a bottle of water.

There was a reason neither of them immediately resorted to rejuvenation potions. Although rejuvenation potions would immediately invigorate and energize them, there was value in fighting while exhausted.

In the field, in the Martial World, fatigue and exhaustion were inevitable. Sometimes you were in situations where you could not afford to consume potions, such as limited stock or being in the middle of a fight. In these situations, you wouldn't be able to luxuriously consume multiple potions to reinvigorate yourself.

It was a policy and a recommendation of the Academy to not consume potions unles extremely exhausted. Learning how to cope with general fatigue was important. If the Martial Apprentices grew too cozy because of their potion abuse, then they would die by the droves once they were thrust into the Martial World.

Rui more than others understood the importance of coping with fatigue and exhaustion, and the sheer impact it could make on combat prowess so he religiously abided by this norm, not relying on potions until he was truly exhausted to his core.

"Here." Dalen offered him some water and a towel.

"Thanks." Rui accepted.

There was a bit of an awkward silence, as Rui realized he didn't really have much to talk to Dalen. He was a mutual acquaintance initially, as Rui got to know him better in the mission albeit barely.

"How long ago did you master Inner Divergence?" he asked casually.

"Just a little before I entered the Academy this year." He replied.: text © owner.

"How long had it taken you to master?"

"Just a little less than half a year, I think." He said.

"How long have you been a Martial Apprentice?" Rui asked, surprised.

"Two years." He said. "I broke through when I was fifteen."

"That's pretty good." Rui offered.

"By Academy standards, maybe. But by the standards of the Martial community, it's not as impressive."

"Really?" Rui asked, surprised.

Dalen nodded. "Fifteen is alright, fourteen even more so, which is when Fae broke through." He revealed. "But breaking through at eleven is considered truly special, like Kane did. He's well-known in the Martial community."

"When you say 'Martial community' you mean the Martial families in Kandria?"

Dalen nodded. "There are many Martial Artists, many of them end up being wealthy due to their Martial prowess and form families under their name and many a times their descendants end up following in their path. A lot of the prominent Martial families that have a lot of Martial Artists or aspiring Martial Artists were formed by prominent Martial Artists of the past; Legendary Martial Sages and Martial Masters, and even Seniors. The Martial community is comprised of such families."

Rui nodded, growing interested. He was aware that Dalen was from a Martial family. "It seems the community has higher standards of Martial Artist aspirants and Martial Artists."

"You bet." He sighed. "It's brutal, families compete with each other for prestige and glory through their heirs and descendants. They train descendants If you ask me, it's just a dick-measuring contest."

Rui nodded, sympathizing. He loved Martial Art, but he would hate if his family treated him like a racing horse that could win for them rather than a family member they loved.

"That sound rough." He nodded. He often looked at his friends from martial families with envy because of all the resources and training they had access to their entire life. He often wondered how strong he would be if he was the son of a Martial Sage.

It was only now that he realized that he realized that he was romanticizing it too much. He knew Kane hated his family with venomous intensity, and having run into his mom had made it very clear as to why. Still, he thought it was worth the payoff.

Now he wasn't too sure.

('The grass is always greener on the other side.') He thought, as he mulled over Dalen's words.

"You said the families compete with each other." Rui curiously noted. "What do you mean?"

"There's Realm of course." He said. "Having your descendant break through to higher Realms it a big a plus point. There's grade, mission record and accomplishments." He paused before adding; "Also, there is Kandrian Martial Festival."

Rui's ears perked at those words.