The Ranch

Newcomers Tournament p.II (6)

The audiences waits to see Tih's reaction to the no longer indifferent Victor's provocation.

Tih looks at Victor silently before passing him and walking out of the arena, back to Kai.

No matter who the contestants or audience believe to be the real winner, at the end of the day, nothing Tih did was against the rules.

When it was time to announce the winners and hand out prizes, the audience and other recruits watched in dissatisfaction as Tih stood on the first place podium and was handed a card with enough money to last Tih a lifetime, if he continues to eat for free on the top floor of the cafeteria.

The crowd look towards the person standing on the first place podium for the group matches and empty second place podium for the individual tournament. Victor decided he'd rather stand with Basile and his classmates rather than stand below Tih.

In conclusion, everyone believes Victor should have won and the other recruits acknowledge Victor as the uncrowned winner, unwilling to accept a pale stick as the champion of their generation.

As the prizes are being handed out, the announcer follows it with," Along with the prize money, the top three winner of the individual tournament get to go with their teachers to a restricted area on the mountains. Usually, only instructors have access to this area, so consider yourselves lucky." He winks at the people on the individuals podium, which happen to be Tih at the top, an empty space for second, and Theodore.

As the original third and fourth place withdrew because of Tih and Victor, the original fifth place became third place. Third place being Theodore, who managed to overwhelm Basile at the last moment.

The announcer glances at Tih with an unusual light in his eyes before looking away. It's become a custom to take the strongest among the newbies to the restricted area, because they usually become the idols of their generation. The idols of each generation gain a good reputation and the influence that comes with it.

Attaching a bond between the idols and the island is the main goal of bringing them the the area. In theory, it will ingrain a sort of pride towards being a part of the island and makes them more attached to it. It can also be used to instill a sense of responsibility in teaching the other recruits to respect the island as well, which those recruit will willingly accept because it's coming from their idols. It's one of the headquarters main ways to keep order, civility, and control in the island.

As the tournament came to an end, the audience starts filing out of the colosseum and dispersing. Tih meets back up with Kai and the others, who are with the Parkour class. Instructor Henri sees Tih and pulls him aside," Congratulations On Winning! You Really Succeeded Above And Beyond My Expectations! Do Join My Advanced Class- Ah! And Don't Worry About The Fees. Think Of It As A Scholarship." The instructor shows his standard smile, trying to rope the monster in.

Tih stares in silence before looking towards Kai.

Instructor Henri finds what Tih is looking at and something clicks," Of Course I'll Make It Free For Them Too. They Improved Quite A Lot More Than The Others Over The Past Month, Because They Were Physically Weaker Than Their Classmates When They Started. I Admire Their Determination."

Kai noticed Tih was staring at him and walked over to hear some of what he was saying," Completely Free?"

Instructor Henri smiles at Kai," Of Course!"

"Hmm, sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Do you want to join, Tih? I mean, you never really got to experience what the classes were like since you were in that coma. Now you can get your moneys worth." Kai looks to Tih.

Hearing that it'll be a new experience, Tih nods his head.

"Great! Then, For The Trip To The Restricted Area Tomorrow. Teachers Of The Winning Students Get To Accompany Their Student. We'll Be Meeting In Front Of The Mountains. Eight Sharp. I'll See You Then." Finished, Instructor Henri smiles one last time before he leaves.

"Since the tournaments over, do you guys want to head back to the dorms?" Kai asks Sherlock and Lucien.

"Sure, it'll be dark in a couple hours anyway. We might as well end the day here." Sherlock agreed.

The four head back to the dormitories as a group, talking along the way. As Tih follows the group out, he runs into a few people along the way. The first group is the five aces, Victor, Basile, Abel, Theodore, and Pierre.

The block the groups way," We don't accept this outcome. There's no way we would lose to you if it was an actual fight. Remember that." Without waiting for Tih to speak, they turn around and walk off. Unwilling to cast away their pride, they'll end up holding a grudge towards Tih.

Tih also meets Instructor Kane and Major Jax, both have giddy smiles on their faces.

Instructor Kane rubs Tih's head, messing up his hair," Good job, bud."

Major Jax pats Tih on the back," Nice work, kid! You made me a lot of money. Remind me to treat you to a meal as a thanks."

The group also happens to see a face Kai and Tih haven't seen in a month. Private Scott congratulates Tih," That was amazing! I didn't know you were so strong!" Kai brags on and on about Tih before Private Scott can't take it and finds an excuse to run away.

The last person they run into is Phillip. The well-known dandy greets Tih with a dazzling smile. Phillip talks about how teacher came to watch but already left earlier and how he was surprised at how powerful Tih is. He expresses his hopes in finding time to introduce Tih to his Master, before saying goodbye.

With no more roadblocks, the path back to the dorms is smooth. Sherlock and Lucien, who watched all those people come up to talk to Tih, look at Tih with a odd expression. As the walk, Sherlock speaks up,"Uhh, you were in a coma for a month, right? How did you get to know so many instructors?"

"...influential" Lucien mumbles.

"That too! If you get on their good graces, you'll have so much power on this island!"

"Amazing, isn't he?" Like a loyal guard dog, Kai puffs out his chest in pride.

After they enter the suburbs of apartments, they split up, walking in different directions. Kai and Tih Head back to dorm G213. Entering the apartment, they wash up from a day of fights and head to bed, sleeping peacefully.