The Martial Unity

When Rui entered, he immediately headed over to the grappling wing of the defense-oriented section of the library. He intended to first and foremost strengthen his grappling and full-contact combat. There were a vast variety of techniques in there, but unfortunately, most of them were not free of cost.

Throws and flips of different forms and principles.

Locks and holds of different kinds and based on different mechanism.

A variety of takedown and rolling techniques as well.

Just browsing through them evoked a strong sense of greed within him. It almost clouded his judgement, but thankfully the prohibitive cost prevented him from acting on his greed.

“I firstly need a flexible technique that allows me to ensure I won’t be defeated too easily in full-contact grappling.” He muttered to himself. “This will serve as my defensive foundation in so far as grappling is concerned, if someone ever successfully executes a takedown on me, I won’t be helpless.”

With this in mind, he grasped a particular scroll he had been eying for a while.

“This will do, for now.” He nodded.

[Shifting Silhouette]

This was a defensive grappling technique aimed at preventing successful takedowns and throws, it also allowed the user to more effectively disengage and break free from a general full-contact tussle and also to. If used correctly this could allow Rui to stalemate and eventually break free from full-contact grapples while also significantly reducing the probability of simpler grappling offensive techniques from successfully working.

It involved foiling takedown attempts and throwing/flipping maneuvers by detecting the change in center of gravity that takedown/throws were causing and cancelling it by reversing the change in the center of gravity in the opposite trajectory using one’s core and legs.

“Not a flashy technique whatsoever, but it’s a decent defense against grappling attacks.”

Of course, like most foundational techniques, it was overall of a somewhat low-grade to mid-grade technique taking into account both efficiency and flexibility, but it would have to do for now.

Once made his decision, he continued skimming through them, looking for something that would suit his purposes, before something caught his eye.

[Binding lash]

“A counter-offensive technique, huh?”

A counter-offensive technique was a technique that was both defensive and offensive in nature.

Rui began carefully reading through the summary, as well as the more elaborate description.

“It’s a technique that intercepts incoming strikes with a body hold?” Rui thought aloud. “Interesting…”

The technique function by having the user withstand the blow by having the user move with the strike in a manner similar to Elastic Shift before grasping the limb with both arms and legs, and using all four limbs as well as the core to stress the joints and dislocate them.

Rui whistled. This was quite a good technique!

It was a technique that allowed him to turn a striking contest into a grappling contest where he had a huge initiative advantage!

Although this technique was also not invincible, and also extremely difficult to nail completely, it was still quite useful and expanded his approach and options when dealing with an opponent. Even if it failed with the dislocation, it would still give the user an advantage in the grappling battle.

After he collected the two scrolls from the grappling wing of the defensive section, he quickly scurried over to the offensive section of the library, looking for something that could bolster his lacking offense.

(‘I’ll take one grappling offense-oriented technique and another striking offense-oriented technique.’) Rui thought.

Vital Pressure was not enough, he needed something that could end a fight. A technique that leaned more towards efficiency than flexibility.

“Hm?” Rui frowned as he came across an interesting technique.

[Flowing Canon]

This was a technique that increased the striking power of the user by having them build up momentum and converting all that built-up momentum into striking power once they reached the target, allowing the user to momentarily strike with raw power far surpassing what he would ordinarily be able to generate.

Rui’s eyes lit up, this was the kind of technique he was looking for, Vital Pressure was extremely flexible and could work in any situation. But it could not allow him to increase his power-per-strike by much. Flowing Canon on the other hand didn’t have much flexibility, but if he used it in the right time and place it could be a game finisher.

(‘Alright, that serves as a good offense-oriented striking technique.’) Rui thought (‘Time to look for a grappling offensive technique.’)

This one took him a while, he spent nearly an hour browsing through techniques, looking for one that could benefit him the most. Until;

[Mirage Dive]

This was an Apprentice-level takedown technique. It was a technique that began at range, had the user bullrush towards the target and, once they were close-quarters-combat range, feint a takedown on the upper body while actually performing a takedown on the lower body. This technique used a sharp feint to trick the opponent into raising his guard to the upper abdomen, creating a weakness on the lower body that could be exploited for a successful takedown.

If executed successfully, it would either knock the opponent out or at the very least give the user a huge advantage in the grappling contest that would ensue.

Rui nodded, this fit his purposes. This was another low-flexibility technique, but increased his options and means of victory greatly. It could be a killer move if he used it wisely.

With this, he was satisfied with the variety he added to his previously lacking and empty offense and defense.

(‘Now for just one more technique…’) Rui thought to himself.

He wanted to get a supplementary technique that could increase aspects of his fighting style the others hadn’t yet.

“Maybe I should get a stamina-oriented technique and take a page out of Milliana’s book.” Rui murmured, pondering the option.

This was a feasible course of action. Increasing his stamina, would take a weight off his shoulders and fight more cleanly and carefully, taking his time.

“What to do…” He wondered.