Chapter 25 Disciple

('Ideally, a Master ends up offering me tutelage once I become a Martial Apprentice. The problem is the low probability, as well as the difference in criterias that Master evaluate potential disciples with. Every Master must be looking for something different in the students. The only thing that can be inferred is that they are likely looking for unique traits. After all it wouldn't make sense if what they were looking for could be abundantly found in every student, if that were the case, being accepted as a student would be a trivial and easy matter.')

Thus it could be inferred that the likelihood of being accepted as a disciple of a Master was greater the more unique one was.

('So now, the question is whether I'm unique enough.') Rui scratched his head.

('Well, I'm reincarnated, that's something I'm relatively certain no other student can claim to be. But revealing that is asking to be burned to the stake as an alien. Even if they didn't believe me they'd atleast conclude I have screws loose in my head. Nothing about this option is a desirable outcome.')

The problem was that Rui wasn't sure he was all that unique in practice. The Martial Entrance Exam had shown him that.

('Sure, my scientific background and research experience in martial arts and combat sports allows me to pull a few tricks like I did in the second-round of the Martial Exam, but that's it. That's not too big a deal. It allowed me to cope with the difference in prowess between me and the other applicants. But is that something that would warrant the attention of a Martial Master?)

Rui didn't think so.

('Another things that likely influences their criterion is compatibility of Martial Arts. I highly doubt a Martial Master with a defensive Martial Art would take in a student with an offensive or maneuvering-oriented Martial Art, no matter how brilliant that student was.')

That made sense. Why would a Martial Master bother with things that weren't their specialty?

('That also implies that the students that do get chosen are probably are Martial Apprentices. Assuming they choose students with compatible and similar Martial Arts, then only those who have discovered and chosen their Martial Art are eligible to be chosen.')

That meant that the best thing Rui could do to be eligible was to reach Martial Apprentice. He highly doubted whether or not Martial Masters bothered with students below that rank. Students who hadn't broken into the Martial Apprentice rank weren't even Martial Artists, they simply weren't worth the time and attention of such august figures.

('So ultimately, neither my goal, nor my decisions have changed. I just need to become a Martial Artist worthy of their attention.')

Far easier said than done, Rui realized, but he wasn't going to let that stop him.

"...And that about wraps up the first segment of our presentation." Chanceller Callux concluded, smiling.

"I'll be moving onto the rights and privileges and responsibilities of students. As an introduction, allow me to inform you about the goal and interest we sought to achieve when the Academy framed the current iteration of rules and regulations, as well as rights and privileges of students. We wish to create an environment where students can dedicate their time and energy into developing and pursuing their Martial Art without unnecessary burdens, hindrances or restrictions."

"The framework of rules and regulations is centred around the goal of preventing students from hindering and obstructing themselves or other students through undesirable practises. The guidelines we present are aimed at helping the students adopt the right mind-set and temperament needed to become successful Martial Artists. We have a rigorous student evaluation system that measures misdemeanours as defined the by the penal code of the Kandrian Martial Academy's rules and regulations."

"The consequences for too many misdemeanours will be straightforwardly be expulsion. The Academy seeks to retain only those students that have the drive to become Martial Artists. Another thing that I will go into is..."

Of course, most of the students who managed to crack the exams were usually all those who strongly wished to become Martial Artists, otherwise they would not have passed even the first round. Yet there was a smaller proportion of students who managed to pass the exam without possessing a purer drive to become a Martial Artist. The strong penalties for misdemeanours and violations were amended into the rules and regulations of the Academy for this very reason.

"... etc. All of this is, of course, merely the philosophy and principle driving the rules and privileges students possess, not the actual rules and privileges themselves, you will all be provided with a rulebook when you leave. I strongly encourage all students and all guardians to read them thoroughly." He said, as he held up a copy of the rule book.

('That book is thick as fuck.') Rui groaned inwardly.

"Heh, looks like you'll have a lot of reading to do when we get back home Rui." Julian chuckled mirthfully.

"Tell me about it. Can I ask you to read it and then give me an abridged version of it?"

,m "Don't load your work off of others, young man." Julian said, while playfully karate chopping Rui. "This is part of the process."

Rui sighed, still, he was glad to see that the rules were taken seriously, and were seriously enforced. Back on Earth, bullying was rampant because schools simply lacked the faculties by which it could enforce them. Teachers couldn't be bothered with bullying unless it was too far; they simply weren't paid enough. A lot of kids suffered from antagonisation, particularly amongst the teenagers, they couldn't rely on the teachers.

And if they decided to take matters into their own hands, the situation would escalate and the conflict would be intense enough for the school to be involved, in such cases victims almost always were punished for escalating, while bullies recieved punishment to a lesser degree or in some cases none at all.

('I have no fucking interest in dealing with that nonsense for a second time.') Rui clenched his fist in anger. He had been bullied in middle school and high school, he was a weak and scrawny kid who would start gasping for air every time he grew tense, after all. One of the major driving forces for his motivation for martial arts back on Earth was because he admired the strength that martial artists possessed.

They could fight for themselves, no matter who, no matter what. 'That's so cool!' Rui recalled thinking as a child in his previous life. Of course, as he grew up, so did his love and passion for martial arts and combat sports. What was once a childish infatuation for the aesthetics and exaggerated strength, matured into an intellectual passion, causing him to go down the path of becoming a researcher of martial arts and combat sports.

('I guess, in some way, I ought to be grateful to my bullies?') Rui shook his head, the mere thought if that was repulsive.

('Putting that aside, it seems I won't be re-experiencing that one more time in this Academy. Assuming this Chancellor isn't talking out of his ass.') Rui threw skeptical glance at him.

It was the Induction Ceremony of the Academy, after all. What chancellor would talk shit about their Academy on this day? If anything, it was possible he was just covering up the true state of the Academy with vague, flowery lies that were merely meant to dress up the Academy. This wasn't an uncommon phenomenon in his previous life either.

('Well, to be fair, he did just describe an intricate student evaluation system. It would be one hell fo a lie if he blatantly fabricated all of that. Usually when representatives of institutions lie about thebstate of affairs, they're vague and ambiguous, but he's been nothing but detailed, elaborate and orecise, even now.') Rui noted while listening to Chancellor Callux's words carefully.

('Well the only thing I can do either way is wait and see.')

He would find out what the Academy was like himself, soon enough. He took careful mental notes of the extensive presentation on the rules and regulations, the rights and privileges and the means by which they were enforced.

"This brings us to the final segment. The future that lies beyond the Academy." Chancellor Callux continued. "The Academy, as you all know, is owned and funded by the Kandrian Martial Union. The Union invests in students in order to maintain a fresh supply of Martial Artists. Part of the reason for this is of course to compensate for the Martial Artists that perish in missions..."

(' 'Part of it' eh? It seems there's more to it, just as I suspected.')

"Once you graduate, you can immediately register with the Kandrian Martial Union. The Union has a flexible contract system. Graduates with higher capabilities as measured by the Academy will receive more favourable contracts, in regards to the commission cost cut you receive. Your performance in the Academy will impact the contract you negotiate with the Union." Chancellor Callux smiled.