But how he was supposed to explain that to them?
He shook his head in resignation. "I happen to be blessed with special circumstances."
A girl among them snorted. "Anybody can tell that. You do not overcome large disadvantages in talent, resources and time without extraordinary circumstances."
Rui glanced at her, recognizing the emblem of her family.
Representative Ana Mariane of the Hyuflum branch.
Rui shrugged, not deigning to continue the conversation.
Eventually, the conversation grew strained even as the food arrived. At the end of the day, they were only interacting with each other because most of them were long-time acquaintances of each other. However, they had not gathered here today for a reunion.
They were competitors in one of the most important and prestigious events in the entire Martial Festival.
,m Rui quickly took his leave once he finished his meals, meeting up with his instructors.
"So? How did it go?" Squire Dylon asked. "Made some new friends?"
Rui snorted. "As if. Anybody who can make friends under these circumstances deserves and an award."
"Tsk tsk." Squire Dylon tutted. "You're still young, you should make friends. When I was your age, I had friends gallore. Ask Kyrie."
She snorted. "You were just a fool who ran around getting along with everything that breathed."
"The two of you were in the same batch?" Rui asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." She sighed.
They bantered a bit before reaching the split in the corridor.
"Be sure to get some good rest Rui." Squire Kyrie told him. "Don't rely on potions if you can. Save them. Tomorrow, you need to be at your peak form."
Rui nodded. "Good night."
He bade them goodnight before returning to his dorm room.
He had a lot to think about. He thought about his interactions with the other representatives. He had tried to gauge them but, of course, couldn't possibly obtain any meaningful tactical intelligence.
All he could tell was each one of them was incredibly strong. However, even among them, there were clearly stronger ones.
There was, of course, Ian Nepomniachtchi.
His attitude and personality may have been rotten, but his power was real. Rui could tell he was incredibly strong. He exerted an immense amount of pressure on Rui in his attempts to push Rui back.
And then there was Fiona.
Her temperament was not what he expected. But her strength was.
He wouldn't be surprised. She was not domineering, arrogant or haughty.
She didn't need to be.
She exerted a gravity on everybody despite her carefree and curious temperament. She didn't need to put on airs to emphasize her strength, her strength emphasized itself.
Rui smiled. He couldn't wait to run into her in the Martial Contest. He wished he could have fought all of them, unfortunately he would get to fight only four of them. And that was only if he made it to the very finals.
He shook his head, thinking about tomorrow.
Tomorrow the first round of the Martial Contest would commence. The matchups would be decided shortly before the round began. So, Rui would have no idea who he was fighting until sometime before he fought.
Not that it mattered. He simply needed to his best, and hopefully win.
There wasn't much more to it than that.
The next morning, he got up early, brimming with vitality. He had somehow managed to get a good night of sleep despite his excitement.
The day had arrived. He could scarcely believe it. He clenched his quivering fist with anticipation, regaining his composure.
He fixed himself a tub bath, not because of luxury but because it helped him calm down and focus. He wanted to be in peak mental condition by the time he was ready.
Once he got out, he quickly dried and dressed up, heading for the main hall. He was supposed to be present there at precisely the stipulated time, he did not want to be late.
The others had also arrived.
Soon, a heavy mental pressure weighed down upon them.
Rui's eyes narrowed as he recognized this sensation.
"Gather around." The voice of an elderly woman reverberated as she walked into the facility, followed by the Martial Squire instructors of all the branches of the Martial Academies.
Although she had the appearance of an old woman, not a single person in the room doubted that she would be able to solo all of them combined.
"I am Master Firilia." She said. "I am the Contest Master, I will be overseeing the twenty-seventh Martial Contest. Each of you is here today after overcoming a tremendous amount of hurdles and obstacles to reach where you are today. The feat of being chosen as the representative of the Martial Academy is an impressive feat without a doubt. Each of you has the right to be proud of your accomplishment."
She paused, before continuing. "However, each of you has the opportunity to be more. To be more than just a representative. Each of you has the opportunity and potential to be crowned the Martial Champion. An accomplishment of boundless prestige that will change your life forever. Your name will go down in history, as it should. Should each of you overcome your opponents, this honour will be yours. I expect a lot of each of you, do not disappoint me."
She said bluntly. Yet it was not the words, but the person saying them that mattered the most. The representatives felt burdened by such a blunt declaration of her expectations.
However, Rui only felt excited. He clenched his fist again, suppressing his tingling nerves as best he can before regaining his calm and composure.
"It is time." She said. "Each of you will be taken to the Martial Colosseum. Come."
Outside there were dozens of carriages designated to the representatives and their Squire instructors as well as the Martial Master herself and other staff members.