The Martial Unity

Rui had partially expected this to some extent. Thankfully, Master Aronian had already filled him in with regards to the matter of the Martial Sects

"I believe Headmaster Aronian has already informed you of the matter of the Martial Sects, correct?" He asked bluntly.

"Indeed, he has." Rui replied. "Unfortunately, I still do not think I possess possess a thorough understanding of the entire matter as a whole."

In reality, Rui had more or less completely understood the matter. But there was no harm in fishing for more information to gain a greater understanding.

"A little more than half of all Martial Art techniques and training regimes come from the research and development department of the Martial Union." he straightforwardly explained. "The allocation of the funds and resources within the avenue of research and development is decided by the Union Council in moderated caucuses followed by a voting session where the Council passes the budget bill draft if it gains more than seventy-five percent of the votes of the Martial Councilors of the Council. The budget draft bill itself is proposed before being extensively modified and refined, based on what allocations will be most optimal for the Martial Union, in the moderated caucuses held in Union Council until it reaches the bare minimum number of votes to be passed. The Sects are semi-formal groups of those with like-minded views and interests on the allocation of budget that work together in a variety of ways to gain the budget allocations they desire. Such as increasing the number of Martial Artists that use the kinds and types of techniques they wish to be researched more, roping in more powerful Martial Artists to increase their political capital, etc. The Fire Sect does precisely this for greater budget allocations for offensive techniques and training."

He paused before glancing at Rui. "Is there anything you failed to comprehend?"

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if almost challenging Rui to say yes.

Rui gulped. "No, Master."

Rui found the difference between headmaster Aronian and Master Frial to be rather large. Headmaster Aronian was an easy-going retired old Martial Master that enjoyed to ramble on in conversations. While Master Frial was still an active Martial Master in the field, he had little patience for Rui and compressed all the information he wished to convey as much as he wanted to.

"Good. That's everything a Martial Apprentice like yourself needs to know." He bluntly told. "What is your answer?"

"Answer?" Rui tilted his head.

"To our invitation." He said expressionlessly.

Rui's eyes widened. ('Does he expect me to make a decision at this very moment?!')

"Er... I'm afraid I can't possibly make a decision immediately, Master." Rui squeezed out. "Please do give me some time to consider it."

"Hmph, fine then."

"May I know what joining the Fire Sect will entail for me, precisely? What will I be expected to do, and what benefits will I receive in return?"

"You will be expected to make learn offensive techniques, however in exchange, you will receive offensive techniques at a vastly discounted price." He replied. "You will gain access to certain offensive techniques that cannot be normally obtained easily and you will gain access to tutelage from specialists you normally would be able to learn from."

"I see..." Rui replied, this was very tempting, he couldn't lie.

Still, there were some concerns. "You mentioned I will be expected to learn offensive techniques... What if the degree to which I am expected to learn offensive techniques clashes with my Martial Path?"

He was an all-rounder. He would not let his Martial Art lean too much in the direction of offense.

"If it diverges too much, you will be excluded from the Sect. The Fire Sect is for offensive Martial Artists, after all. If you do not increase the weight you place on offense, then there would be no point in inviting you in the first place."

Rui had suspected this would be the case. Sects increased the population of Martial Artists using their techniques. A greater population would mean a greater amount of people would be benefitted by research in that particular field, and this would translate to a higher allocation of capital to research in the annual budget allocation bill.

However, if Rui did not increase the number of offensive techniques he used, then he was not contributing to the population using offensive techniques by specifically joining them. Which meant he would be gaining all the benefits of being in the Sect without actually contributing anything. The Sects would not allow him to join if that were the case. He would likely need to warp his Martial Art to suit the Sect.

The very idea of altering his Martial Art for the sake of a Martial Sect disgusted him to his core. He would rather die than taint his Martial Art and Martial Path in such a manner.

Still, the benefits were attractive. If he could find some way around it, then it would be incredibly perfect.

For now, he put the matter aside, He still had a lot of considerations. He also wasn't done talking to Master Frial.

"Master, you mentioned more than half of the techniques and training come from the research and development department of Martial Union." Rui told him "Where do the remaining techniques come from?"

"From Martial Artists, of course." Master Frial replied. "Martial Art requires individuality and originality. Uniqueness to set it apart. Only then can you walk down your own path instead of a path paved by someone else. Martial Artists who create their own techniques take huge steps in regards to the individuality of their Martial Art and often sell a license for distributing their original techniques to the Martial Union in exchange for a huge sum of credits and other benefits and privileges. These techniques are then added to the library of existing techniques that can be purchased by other Martial Artists like yourself to be mastered. Often times, Martial Artists cooperate with the research and development department of the Martial Union to for the creation of the techniques and such."

*****

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