"Bear with it for a bit. The process might be painful, but the outcome will be worth it," Muria said gently, trying to comfort the girl whose face was contorted with pain.
Desley, unable to respond, was enduring an intense transformation. Her body was undergoing what would normally take decades for an ordinary person to achieve—to become a martial artist—in just a few hours.
Reaping great benefits without effort always comes with a price that ordinary people cannot bear. In this world, there are no free miracles; rewards always correlate with the price paid.
As Desley gradually fused with the Martial Avatar Crystal Muria had given her, her skin turned a bright crimson, resembling a boiled shrimp. Eventually, she reached a critical point in her transformation, and faint white martial energy flames began to emanate from her body.
Thud!
After the white flames burned around her for ten minutes, Desley collapsed to the ground, her body limp and exhausted.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel incredibly powerful, unlike anything I've experienced as a Star Armor Master!" Desley said as she tentatively clenched her fist. A new sensation surged through her, one she had never known before.
"Of course, it's different. This is your own strength, not something borrowed or external that can be taken from you the moment you shed your armor," Muria said with a smile.
A Star Armor Master's strength depended entirely on their equipment. While melee-based Star Armor systems were somewhat self-reliant, those reliant on firearms or high-tech systems required collective support.
Muria disliked this dependency. It wasn't that relying on collective power was inherently bad; rather, as someone born of Titan and Golden Dragon bloodlines, Muria naturally preferred self-reliance.
"Alright, rest for a couple of days. I'll create a martial arts manual tailored specifically for you. Once it's done, you can start training properly."
"Thank you, Brother. I really appreciate it!" Desley, having regained some strength, stood up and bowed deeply. "You used the power of your Avatar to make it possible for me to practice martial arts. Won't this hurt your strength?"
"It's just a negligible loss," Muria replied, raising an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"Brother, you're so…" Desley was moved almost to the point of tears.
"Alright, it's late. Go get some rest." Muria waved her off, his expression neutral. Seeing how emotional she was, he realized she had misunderstood something. But he had no intention of correcting her.
"Brother sacrificed so much to give me the chance to practice martial arts. I must train diligently and live up to his expectations." After leaving Muria's room, Desley clenched her fists, silently resolving to work harder.
"This little one seems to think I paid some extraordinary price. Well, let her believe that," Muria thought, smiling faintly as he observed her actions after she left.
...
"I've just received news: Desley Douglas, a core family member, has become a martial artist."
In the family's meeting room, the head of the Douglas family rubbed his temples and sighed. Yet another meeting had been called due to Muria's influence, and he could already foresee the turmoil this revelation would cause.
"Desley? Isn't she Jenos's sister? Although they aren't full siblings, they share the same bloodline. It's not surprising that she possesses an aptitude for martial arts and became a martial artist," a skeptical elder remarked, lifting his head. To him, the news didn't seem significant enough to warrant such attention.
"No, you're missing the point. Perhaps Desley does have a martial aptitude comparable to her brother's, but she had never practiced martial arts before. She only entered Jenos's room the night he became a Martial Lord, and by the time she left, she had already become a martial artist."
"What nonsense is this?" Upon hearing this peculiar explanation, many elders in the room wore strange expressions.
Although the Douglas family was one of the Federation's top-tier clans and occasionally witnessed unusual events, this particular situation seemed too bizarre to be addressed openly.
"What are you all thinking?" The family head's sharp knock on the table snapped the elders out of their thoughts.
"My point is that Desley became a martial artist through Jenos's assistance, without any prior martial training, in less than one night!"
"Are you joking?" an elderly man with white hair stood abruptly, visibly agitated. He understood the profound implications of such a statement.
"It's been verified," the family head replied firmly. "We don't know what method Jenos used, but after that night, Desley truly became a martial artist."
"A martial artist…" The elder fell silent, as did several others. They exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with thoughts they dared not voice.
Martial artists possessed a unique advantage over Star Armor Masters: longevity. By mastering their bodies, martial artists could live far longer than ordinary humans, barring accidents. Unfortunately, few martial artists lived to their full potential due to the dangerous nature of their profession.
"Put your schemes to rest. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting," the family head warned, his tone cold. "Even if Jenos truly possesses the ability to make ordinary people martial artists in one night, I won't allow him to use it recklessly.
If this process exacts a heavy toll on him, we cannot jeopardize his potential. Jenos is the most likely candidate in our era to ascend to Martial Emperor. Anyone who interferes with that will be treated as an enemy of the family."
"Understood, family head. We're well aware of what's at stake," one elder replied, his tone conciliatory.
"Good."
"However, family head, I believe we should still approach Jenos to inquire about this ability. Specifically, whether it's tied to his Martial Avatar. From what I've heard, every Martial Avatar possesses unique characteristics. Perhaps enabling others to become martial artists is one of his Avatar's traits?"
...
"Master Jenos, do you have a moment? We have a few questions for you."
Shortly after turning Desley into a martial artist, Muria received a message from the family.
"I have time. Ask whatever you want," Muria replied.
"Master Jenos, does your ability include turning ordinary people into martial artists?"
"Yes," Muria admitted without hesitation. He had planned this.
"What cost does this entail? Does it cause you any permanent damage?" The elder on the screen asked with anticipation.
"The cost? It results in a slight loss to my Martial Avatar. As for permanent damage, no, there's none," Muria answered ambiguously.
"If the family is willing to offer adequate compensation, would you be open to helping more people become martial artists?"
This question, which should have ended the conversation, revealed the elder's deeper interest.
"That would depend on what the family is willing to pay," Muria replied smoothly. Having recently ascended to Martial Lord, he needed substantial resources to advance further. As a member of a powerful family, he fully intended to leverage its resources—not exploit them, but foster mutual benefit.
"I understand." The elder nodded and ended the call.
"Longevity and strength—how many in the family can resist such temptation?" Muria mused, a faint smirk on his lips.
The ability to plant Martial Seeds and grant a path to martial arts was a deliberate power he had cultivated. It was an open yet irresistible strategy. Muria had no intention of deceiving or coercing anyone. All the advantages and drawbacks of his offer would be laid bare. The choice to accept would rest solely with the individual.
As for the cost to Muria? It was real, as he had stated. His Martial Avatar would indeed be slightly damaged.
But the extent of that damage? It was equivalent to plucking a single hair—painful for a moment, but ultimately inconsequential.
The investment was minimal, but the returns were extraordinary. With this ability, Muria might one day command the entire Douglas family, influence the Federation, and control a third of humanity's voice in this world.
It was an ambitious goal, but one that was no longer out of reach.
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