"You nine! Before the Annual Tournament starts, I want to see one member from each of your claws eliminated. How you do that depends on you but remember, I don't want to see a claw of thirty one members in the tournament. Understand?"

The nine Masters solemnly agreed with their superior's statement, having no other choice.

'I just passed one contest...and now you are telling me that we have more such competitions ahead? Ugh, here we go again.'

David readily understood that complacency wouldn't do him any good here. All the mentioned nine claws would probably have an intense competition among themselves before the extra member from each would be eliminated.

He could already feel some gazes on him, coming from the members of his own group. Afterall, he had been the extra member for their claw.

'I need to get stronger.' David realised the grim fact, 'I can't let them make me their natural target.'

Field Marshal Bastion Serace appeared satisfied with their reaction. And thus, in a reverend tone, he stated.

"Seems you understand the gravity of your situation, newbloods. Alright, you all can now start your march towards your Isikolo. Dismissed."

With a final wave of his hand, he got out of the reserved pavilion for him. As the Field Marshal walked towards the exit, everyone in his path bowed respectfully...and maybe with a tinge of fear in their body postures.

'Man, they sure like to bow a lot.' But nevertheless, David too bowed as the Marshal passed by their group.

After he and his company of Legions had all left the venue, everyone seemed to heave a sigh; no wonder deeply relaxed and comfortable.

"Respectable Masters, now you can all prepare for your journey. All my duties are over as well...May the Light shine brightly in your journey ahead." The Host clasped his hands, muttering a small prayer for their good luck.

Seconds later, their Master turned towards his new claw. His hands on either side of his hips, he analysed the claw with a scrutinizing look mixed with a fair share of humor in them.

"Now...my memory isn't that strong, but I remember watching most of you fight. Most of you were splendid, showcasing your large skill set. The others while not strong as them, were decent enough. And a few of you... let's say they depended a lot on their strategic abilities."

His eyes briefly glanced at David and another boy of the same age, as he said the last line, causing few of their group to chuckle.

"But no worries, we can work on that once we are within the safe walls of our Isikolo. So..." He brought his hands in front of him as a cheerful smile appeared on his lips.

"Let's form the lines shall we?" He suggested but then noticed many of their confused glances.

"Wait, wait! What do you think marching means? Of course we are making lines. Haven't you seen the rallies performed by our soldiers? That's such a common sense."

Someone from the group raised their hands. The Master noticing this, asked him. "Yes. Any doubts?"

David glanced behind him. A boy with a receding hairline and enlarged incisors, asked in curiosity. "Sir..."

"That would be Master for you. Not sir." The man corrected his new disciple.

"Yeah, I mean Master. May I ask what is your name...I heard introducing yourself is more of a common sense stuff than knowing the rules of a military rally."

The sudden boldness took many off guard, including David. His laughter spilled out incessantly as he quickly coughed in order to salvage the damage that was already done.

The Master glared at them as the others coughed as well while few of them even tried to laugh behind their palms.

Meanwhile the Master's lips twitched, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Boy...you are going to train one year under me. You don't want to keep on running your mouth like that."

Lost in the flow, the boy sputtered out. "Under you?! Like really UNDER you?"

The inneundo wasn't lost on anyone as this time, every head turned to look at the short heightened boy with weird faces.

On the other hand, their Master looked like his eyes could burst out anytime if they widened a little more.

Fortunately, the boy realised something was wrong. He scratched the back of his head shamelessly as he muttered in a hesitating voice.

"I guess....that might have been a bad joke. Anyways, continue with whatever you were yapping about."

'Does this guy even have something named survival instincts? I have never seen someone wanting to embrace death so easily.' David looked on in pure amusement.

Beside him, the nameless girl appeared totally confused. She tugged at her "big brother" to ask, "What they talking? I not understand."

With a dramatic sigh, David pulled at her cheek as he said. "You are still too innocent for the world's secrets. I won't do the honour of spoiling that."

"Ugh! Leave, leave."

David laughed lightly seeing her reaction, but he let her cheeks go.

Their Master spoke. "Well...maybe you weren't completely wrong there. My fellow Sihapis, I am Master Zamian. Now if you are all done with the dramas, we can start making the lines as well.

Make three lines with ten members each. And you, the bug guy! Come and walk with me."

'Hmm?The big guy?' David got a bit curious and looked behind him. His eyes widened as he saw the contestant with the greatsword - contestant eighteen - pass by him and stand beside Master Zamian without a word.

'Woah woah, the strongest is also in our claw. I guess... that's good?'

Their claw was soon split into three lines just as Zamian had intended.

From the back of the middle line, David watched the other claws undergoing the same formations, all ready to march out.

His own line was headed by a tall, slim guy with a face that could easily attract attention and compliments. Speaking of girls, David noticed only four girls in total from his own claw. The numbers weren't much different in the other claws as well.

"Hey move from here. I was standing here before you!" A boy standing at the front of one of the side lines trashed his hands as the short heightened boy pushed him by his throat.

"Nah, nah. The line is starting only after me. So you can comfort yourself with the position behind mine. Or just make a fourth line and march alone. Big guy over there could then fill the vacancy left by you."

"They are already fighting over for power huh?" David turned around to look at a boy of the same height and age as him mumble something.

"What power?"

The boy realising he was being talked to, chuckled dryly.

"My father used to be a Sihapi as well. I have heard from him that each claw maintained by a Isikolo Master has three captains, all of whom are responsible for maintaining a tooth of ten men each under them.

And this position is given to the three people decided by the Master himself. And well, you can see them already fighting to stay as close to Master Zamian."

"So they are trying to get an early advantage over the rest of us?" David counter questioned, understanding slowly dawning over him.

"Indeed." Then with a snicker, he added. "Though I really doubt that half baldy shall ever get that position. Not after he made fun of Master Zamian."

Some time later, Master Gabriel whose claw was leading the rest shouted. "March forward, newbloods!"

Under the eyes of hundreds of people, the new Sihapis-in-training made their way out of the gate with their claws, each of them on their way to start a new episode in their lives.

David glanced around him one last time at the vast field behind him, at the ten rings that had seen the rise and fall of thousands of contestants.

His time in the city had been short, so much such that he couldn't even see the beautiful tourist spots and only spent his time in the most suspicious places that even commoners wouldn't dare tread on.

But he did realise something. Despite having gotten back his memories as David from Earth, he couldn't deny the fact that he had indeed spent two decades of his life in the forests, among the savagery of his clan.

But now that he had to come out into a civilised society and was once again adapting to it, he won't say he wasn't a bit happy despite not being treated in the best condition.

"This might not be that bad afterall."

-------------

[End of Volume 1: A New Life in Another World]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.