The Martial Unity

It wasn't that there was nothing about what he said that Rui didn't understand and empathize with. As a researcher, he could understand the sentiments of wanting to avoid the grubby hands that came with funding. He could even understand wanting to pursue research that didn't overlap with the interests of the sourcing of the funding for research. It was admirable that he went this far to keep his ambitions alive.

However, what he didn't understand was what all of this had to do with Kane and himself.

The two of them had come here to access the esoteric material science library of the Crexeet Town, and he had made amply clear that he could not forsake the rigid rules that were in place in so far as who was allowed access to the libraries of the Crexeet Institute. Then he launched a giant sob story about how his life as a researcher was so hard and the struggles that he had to go through in order to set up this town that was being sustained in part by those rigid rules.

Did he really think that he could guilt-trip the two of them or something like that?

If not for Kane wanting to stick around and hear what he had to say in hopes of somehow finding a way through despite his clear-cut rejection, Rui would have long left.

"I understand everything you say," Rui coldly stated. "But we are not interested in anything else you have to offer unless it gets us what we initially requested."

"I'm afraid… that it cannot be done. I'd like to ask you to reconsider your requests," The man helplessly replied.

Rui glanced at Kane.

His resolution to not give up was strong and hadn't yet broken. It was foolhardy optimism, but also admirable in a sense, even if foolish.

('He really wants that Fulminata technique bad,') Rui noted.

There were plenty of other places that possessed the information that they sought. However, they were excluded for the same reason that this town was not. They were subject to powers that would not offer them up without a costly price in return, they would be subjecting themselves to a transaction with a heavy power imbalance that was not in their favor.

Rui sighed, turning back to the Derr. "What was the requirement to gain access to your libraries again? Possessing a degree in general sciences?"

"Yes," The man nodded.

"How does one obtain that again?"

"By passing the General Science Exam, of course," The man replied with an odd expression.

"Is it possible to write that exam here?"

"Of course!"

"Is it possible to obtain the study materials needed for the exam here?"

"Most certainly, we offer some of the best studying resources," The man proudly replied.

"Hmmm…" Rui considered it a bizarre idea. "So if I pass the exam, will I then be able to gain the degree and gain access to the libraries?"

The man hesitated. "Yes, but surely you don't intend to… It's not possible for you to, given your field. No offense."

"I didn't ask for your judgment," Rui glared at him. "I asked you if it was possible.

"It is possible, yes, very much," The man nodded vigorously.

"When is the soonest I can write the exam?" Rui asked.

"You can schedule it at the earliest one week after the registration," The man replied with a confused expression.

"Then schedule the exam for one week for me," Rui sighed, tired. "Prepare the degree ahead of time, I do not wish to waste any time once I pass."

The man's eyes widened. "It takes years of studying the basic and foundation sciences to be able to cross the minimum threshold to earn the degree. I believe that this course of action is foolish and-"

"Is there a problem?" Rui glared at him.

The man gulped. "One week might be too soon."

"Did you not, with your own words, confirm that one week was possible?" Rui was truly losing his patience with the man.

"Yours is a special case, you're a Martial Squire!" The man defended himself. "The credibility and the cheat-proof measures are going to take time to get in place. I cannot do it without this."

"Or you'll risk losing credibility if I pass under normal circumstances?" Rui huffed.

"Exactly," The man nodded.

"Then get it done as soon as possible," Rui narrowed his eyes. "And get me all the studying materials as well. As long as I succeed, I get what we came here for immediately without any fuss. In exchange, we'll sign a contract offering our Martial Art services in return."

"I-I understand…" The man wiped some sweat from his forehead.

Rui glanced at Kane, who had been grinning wildly for a few minutes now. Rui sighed helplessly as he turned back. If not for Kane, he would not be going through this little circus show.

It was truly an absurd set of circumstances that he had found himself. He had expected that this town would be less exotic than their previous two destinations, but apparently not. It was special in its own way.

Eventually, the two of them left the office and they headed out after ironing out all the details of the contract.

"Ten days," Rui sighed.

"Will you be able to pass it?" Kane asked, worried. He knew how smart and intelligent Rui was, and how powerful his mind was, but he wasn't sure that even Rui could reach professional standards in a field that he never touched before. That sounded inhumanely impressive and probably was something that even Rui would struggle within his eyes.

"We'll see," Rui replied in a non-committal manner.

"Seriously man…" Kane sighed, as he stopped walking. "Thank you for going this far for me."

Rui stopped, turning back. "Meh, don't worry about it. You put your life in my hands by joining me in the Shionel Dungeon. This is nothing compared to that."

The two of them left the institute as they talked with each other.