The Martial Unity

The two discussed many topics across several different domains. Rui would be lying if he said that one of the reasons that he enjoyed spending time in the Quarrier Orphanage was thanks to Julian.

While there were others that he cherished as his family, he didn’t have too many things that he could talk to them about because they lacked the context to partake in the conversations that Rui would find interesting.

The same could not be said for Julian.

Not only did he possess a great knowledge of a large variety of topics, but he was exceptionally sharp and had always been a very bright child. Rui found that their conversations outlasted his ability to spend time with them.

“Ah, so His Majesty managed to cripple the Republic of Gorteau by bribing their congressmen and congresswomen with longevity potions. I suppose that makes sense. Why else would an entire half of a party be so averse to a clearly dire situation?” Julian mused, curious about the various things Rui had told about the war. “Speaking of longevity potions, I believe that I will be able to get my hands on one soon enough.”

Rui’s eyes lit up with ecstasy. “Nice! I knew you could do it.”

Rui knew that he would be outliving his family by no small margin.

He had always known that, but he had especially come to experience it when his mother died a natural death during his escapades into the Beast Domain. Since then, the sordid thought lurked in the back of his mind.

He became extra-sensitive when he sensed the passage of time on the visages of his family members.

It was only a matter of time.

He was glad that at least one of his family would be remaining for much longer, especially one of his favorite family members.

“I have received recognition for my contributions to the research and development of the alien lifeform and the development of a stable control over the manifold through the alien lifeform.” He smiled with a hint of pride. “It is only thanks that the Kandrian Empire managed to get its hands on one of the treasures that has caused the war that we have been hit with after all.”

Rui nodded. “Your contributions are certainly immense just on the basis of that alone. On top of that, you’ve headed multiple teams and projects as well, haven’t you? It would be foolish for them not to reward you for those services and contributions.”

While Rui certainly brought home the alien lifeform, mastering its manifold ability was certainly necessary for it to be of practical value. In that regard, the Divine Doctor and his own brother working under him were undoubtedly responsible for giving the Kandrian Empire that ability.

Rui was glad that his father clearly seemed to be pursuing a meritocratic approach to the allocation of longevity potions. He seemed to be intent on handing potions to those who had contributed to the Kandrian Empire the most and were able to contribute the most.

In that regard, he was sure that the Gatekeeper had also received a new influx of longevity potions for his prior contributions in the form of physical evolution techniques and training methodologies.

“That’s good. Not only does it reward those who have earned them, but it also ensures that they’ll be able to aid the Kandrian Empire rise beyond its limits in these trying times,” Rui noted. “I do look forward to chatting with you for another century.”

Julian nodded with a smile silently.

In truth, he wouldn’t have been so eager to prolong his life if he didn’t have Rui to spend it with. It was only because he was assured that he would have at least one of his old family members in the long run that he didn’t think too badly of the option. Especially when it was Rui, of all people, someone he enjoyed spending time with.

Unlike Rui, who had spent many years away from the orphanage in his pursuit of his Martial Path, Julian had spent his entire life at the Quarrier Orphanage. He was much more viscerally aware of the fact that prolonging his life meant outliving all the people he loved and cared about.

It was much harder for him to accept and represented a much greater shock in his day-to-day life. Although he would loved to pursue the sciences, he did not want to do so in a world where he didn’t have anybody to share his accomplishments and advancements with.

That was where Rui came in.

Julian was glad that Rui was most certainly going to be around for a very long time, having not only been a Master but also having consumed longevity potions quite early on in his life.

“I’m rather surprised you are able to consume longevity potions or become a Martial Artist, knowing that you’ll outlive everyone you love,” Julian confessed. “I don’t know if I could handle that alone.”

Rui stirred at his words, heaving a sigh. “…There are things that I must accomplish, and it’s extremely difficult to do so in a single lifespan.”

Julian directed a knowing look at Rui.

He had long known about Rui’s ambition when it came to his Martial Path.

Project Water, he called it.

For as long as Julian could even remember, Rui had harbored this ambition. He had harbored the ambition even in the earliest stages of his Martial Artist career.

Julian could not help but wonder what that was all about. It was just as strange as how Rui had displayed a kind of desperation to become a Martial Artist from the very second he had seen one at an extremely young age.

These oddities, by themselves, did not necessarily mean anything. But when one zoomed out and looked at it collectively, it made him wonder how someone with Rui even came to be the way he was.

Regardless, Julian looked forward to another century of stimulating conversation with his brother.