The Martial Unity

Rui grew engrossed as he watched the man conjure and control a ball of plasma extremely well. He grew far more excited with the topic of discussion.

“Because we Martial Masters possess the ability to sense more than just materia, we possess the ability to harness more than just materia,” Master Gern remarked with an erudite tone. “It is one of the things that separates us from Martial Artists of the Lower Realms.”

WHOOSH

He dispelled the ball of plasma, much to Rui’s dismay.

“Of course,” Master Gern continued, “most Martial Masters do not delve into high principles. The reason is that high principles are tricky and extremely difficult to understand. They are often extremely counter-intuitive and highly abstruse. Furthermore, most of them have yet to explore the limits of low principles which are simply far simpler to manipulate. There is nothing wrong with a simple punch or kick; not everything needs to have extravagant principles underlying it.”

Rui nodded, understanding the man’s words.

All of these things were true.

What the man called high principles were simply advanced Physics to Rui. He had been making use of some remarkably advanced principles for quite some time. And whenever he did, the result was usually outstanding and revolutionary.

In terms of which technique employed the highest principle, it would undoubtedly be Riemannian Echo.

This technique was based on his understanding of gravity and Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. It was extremely advanced on a theoretical basis, employing high principles to achieve results that low principles could not deliver.

The outcome?

He ended up dominating the Shionel Dungeon due to the sheer intelligence advantage that the technique bestowed upon him. The rest of the world combined could not have produced an outcome close to his success.

All because he applied a technique that employed high principles.

In other words, techniques with high principles could produce impossible outcomes that could never happen with low principles. “Of course, that is not an absolute law, just the general trend among Master-level techniques,” Master Gern added. “It has its challenges and difficulties too, of course. The development and training time for high-principled techniques is much higher than that of low-principled techniques. A lot of time needs to go into researching the high principle that a Martial Artist seeks to harness. This often takes more than a decade. This was the norm all the way until…”

His eyes were fixed on Rui with an intense gaze.

“…you came along.”

Rui stiffened a little at those words.

“Here was a Squire and Senior that could harness higher techniques like they were low-hanging fruits,” he remarked knowingly. “While most of the Martial World knows you for your immense power of thought, many do not know the equally frightening affinity for high principles that you have cultivated your entire life.”

Rui remained silent.

It was true that his affinity for high principles was something that most people simply weren’t able to pick up.

However, the reason that this was the case wasn’t because he had an ‘affinity’ for high principles, per se. It’s just that he had a lifetime spent in science.

Or, more technically, he had the memories of a man who had spent his entire life in science.

This meant that he could harness the principles of advanced Physics in his Martial Art with far greater ease and to a far greater degree than other Martial Artists could even dream of.

This was not as immediately noticeable as his affinity for thought and the strength of his mind.

However, there was no doubt that the Panamic Martial Federation had had its eye on Rui for a long time. Hell, he was sure that even the Martial Union knew about his abnormal affinity for high principles.

“The Panamic Martial Federation is indeed deeply curious as to how such a young Martial Artist has such a deep affinity for high principles,” Master Gern remarked with an intrigued tone. “Frankly, we have absolutely no idea. None of our Masters and even Sages have an idea as to how such a thing happened. How can a person be born with an affinity for the force of gravity? Such a thing simply does not make sense, wouldn’t you agree?”

Rui knew better than to offer any decisive comment on that.

He had an interest in keeping the truth hidden, he had absolutely no idea how any of them would react if they knew that he was some kind of product created from the hypnotic brainwashing with the implantation of another man’s memories.

Who knew what they would do if they learned of such a truth?

He had no reason to risk it for nothing.

“I do not know why I have such an affinity for high principles, elder Master,” Rui quickly replied. “However, what I can say is that I have indeed benefited from this gift.”

“Hm, so it is true that you do have a gift for high principles,” the man remarked. “What I can say is that even if you do not particularly need help in that regard, the Panamic Martial Federation has compiled several high principles and how one might go about employing them in Martial Art. As long as you are willing to share some of the mechanics of your high principles and their training methodology, we are willing to reciprocate and do the same.”

Rui stirred as he considered the offer of the elder Martial Master. This was perhaps the first offer that Rui didn’t find highly disagreeable. Perhaps it was worth sharing some of his techniques with high principles in order to gain equally valuable techniques.

The keywords being ‘equally valuable techniques.’

He was absolutely unwilling to share his valuable techniques without equivalent compensation. He was quite attached to his techniques, after all.

“I’m not principally opposed to such a trade, but only if I genuinely believe that the offered techniques are truly worth the ones that you seek,” Rui calmly replied. “It all depends on the specifics of the agreement.”

Master Gern smiled good-naturedly. “That’s good to know.”

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