Martial Arts Worlds

"Do you have everything with you?"

Aoi asked worryingly while fixing up Kiernan's clothes like a mother would, and even made sure that his backpack was zipped shut properly.

"Yes, I got everything."

Kiernan said with a smile, then leaned forward at her and kissed her on the lips.

Seeing that, Cleo blushed and averted her gaze while other students awkwardly cleared their throats.

"Behave, my students. I will be back soon."

Kiernan said, and after waving goodbyes, he left through the front gate, and everyone watched him go.

"His departure sure came quickly…"

Cleo whispered.

"It did sound like it was something urgent. I hope he returns quickly."

Jock said.

The dojo felt empty now that Kiernan had left, as if its beating heart had suddenly gone missing.

They hadn't realized just how much they were relying on Kiernan until now.

"Even though he left, it doesn't mean that the training is on pause. He told you what you have to focus on, so let's keep pushing forward and make him proud."

Aoi said with her hands on her hips.

It was only Lumian, Cleo, Jock, and Shiro around.

The other kids were in school and would come by at noon.

Lumian picked up a heavy-looking cauldron, filled it with sand, and started punching it to harden his fists.

He was going to focus on body conditioning for a while, and he had started with his fists.

Cleo and Jock were sparring with each other.

They were both learning more of Iron Style's basic techniques, and Jock was also very much focusing on improving his physique.

Thus, he also often jumped ropes, had morning jogs before school, and even lifted weights over at home.

That all was going to help him greatly in the long run.

Shiro, since he was still a very new student, was focusing all his attention on learning Iron Style's defensive stance.

He knew that martial arts' core was its stance and all basic things.

Even though his stance was already good enough to move on, he wasn't satisfied with just "good enough" and wanted it to be perfect before he moved on.

Out of sight, at the rooftop of a nearby building, Alpha looked down at the yard and at all of its students.

He had a conflicted look on his face, and he initially came to check on Kiernan, but now that he also left, he stood up and started heading back to the woods where he came from.

…

In the shipping port of Montrael, ships went and came at all hours of the day and night.

With a backpack slung over his shoulder, Kiernan boarded a ship made of metallic layers, and the crew greeted him with curious looks.

The ship had a navy insignia on the sails and on the flag. It was obviously a navy ship that had seen many battles.

"You must be Kiernan. Fleet Admiral Xerxus mentioned you."

The ship's captain came over and shook hands with him.

'They are loyalists of Xerxus'. They used to be his crewmates before and after Xerxus became Fleet Admiral.

'Their loyalty is only towards Xerxus, and they don't approve of Ethan Blackforest as Fleet Admiral, which helps in my favor as they immediately accepted to help me.'

Kiernan thought and then asked.

"So, how will this go? You'll just take me to the prison?"

"We've already made a report of us capturing notorious Captain Jack. Thus, they are already expecting us there."

The ship captain said.

Kiernan nodded and looked around at the crew.

They were all gray-bearded veterans of war. There were no younglings in the ship. After all, most of them were over two hundred years old.

The ship captain was a Martial Legend, and there were a couple of Martial Kings on board, who looked slightly younger than others because of their increased lifespan.

Martial Grandmasters also received increased lifespans, but not as much as the Martial Kings, so they were already over the retired age.

However, these graybeards did not care about retirement.

They were going to sail the seas, fighting pirates, until their last breath.

With anchor pulled up and sails unfurled, the metallic ship of the navy started sailing away from Montrael.

The air of salt and wind of the storm ahead filled their lungs.

"I can lead you to your cabin where you can roughen yourself up a little bit to make yourself look more like a pirate.

"You look far too… soft to be a pirate currently, if you don't mind me saying that."

The ship captain said.

"I don't mind."

Kiernan said.

When he looked at those graybeards, they were all scar-faced and weathered like driftwood. He looked, in comparison, more like a prince than a pirate.

He headed to the cabin, and after opening the door, there was someone he didn't expect sitting on his bed.

"I will leave you two to it…"

The ship captain tipped his navy cap at the girl and then left.

"Why are you here?"

Kiernan asked curiously.

"…Xerxus is worried."

Antigone said with a soft voice.

It had been a year since the last time they met, and honestly, Antigone had grown quite a lot in that one year.

She had an impressive growth spurt.

Her brown hair cascaded down her back, and her previously adorable face had turned more into that of a beautiful young woman.

Rosy lips, pinkish cheeks, and a button nose made her look like a beautiful princess out of a fairy tale.

It was obvious that she must be an extremely popular girl over in her school.

"I will be fine."

Kiernan said, and then put the backpack down and sat across from Antigone, who was softly looking at him with a concerned expression.

"…It has been one year since we last met. The time sure has flown."

Antigone said.

She felt like the tournament happened just yesterday, but in a blink of an eye, a year had passed.

"The time does fly by…"

Kiernan said.

"…I am glad you are alright. When you went missing, we were all very terrified. We searched for months with no sign of you."

Antigone said.

"Yes… I hope that never happens again… Anyway, is Xerxus' concern the only reason you came here, or are they taking you elsewhere?"

Kiernan asked.

"I am here as a backup plan. Martial Order cannot afford to let you rot in the prison. You are far too valuable to us.

"If… you happen to fail, we will enact the backup plan to get you out of there."

Antigone said.