Chapter 21 Tamix

• "Alice, bring all the kids back into the training ground. They need to practice more. In this world that we exist, strength is what matters. If you're weak, anyone stronger than you can do anything to you," a voice came from inside a building.
• "Yes matron," replied Alice who was busy with organizing weapons in their required positions in the training ground. Alice is a lady of about thirty years. Green hair, black eyes and a beautiful face. She is in charge of maintaining the kids of the organization.
• Samkul, that's is the name of the orphanage that is run by an old lady to support all the children that have lost their parents untill they attain the age of fifteen years then they would release them to the community to start their own adventure.
• Alice immediately left the training ground and headed straight to the dining hall. It was time for lunch and all the kids in the orphanage would take their meals in the hall with no exception. Meals are served by the staff in charge of the kitchen and all the kids receive one meal each. No extras.
• They have to learn that life outside the orphanage is not as forgiving as they might think. For one to get food, he or she must work to attain it and thus the orphanage rule, 'If you want more food, do something productive,' If one just idles around, then there are no free extra servings.
• The dining hall had seven long tables with long benches on two of its longest opposite sides. Currently, all the tables had been occupied by the kids from the orphanage. The kitchen was located at the far end of the room and there was a small window where the food comes into the dining hall through. The dining hall had two main doors; one for entry and the other for exit.
• Alice entered the hall with slow steps with her shoes making clanking sound attracting the attention of all those present. Seeing that she had gotten everyone's attention, she stopped and began addressing them. "Kids, it's currently time for you to go to the training ground. Matron Rose is currently waiting for all of you. I think you know what time it is, so you better get ready. I am giving you fifteen minutes to get there otherwise you are going to get punishment. Now get moving!"
• After finishing what she had to say, she observed as the kids in the hall scrambled to get out of the hall. But once they saw Alice observing them, they got into order and began leaving the hall like civilized people. When the last kid got out, the staff in charge of the kitchen got in to do some cleaning.
• Alice then exited the hall and went back to the training ground to inform matron Rose that all the kids would be there in less that fifteen minutes. She then removed all unnecessary things from the arena and prepared a field where fights were going to take place in the coming minutes.
• ...
• In the orphanage dormitory.
• A young boy was busy changing from his casual clothes into his combat suit that are offered in the orphanage. He has black hair, brown eyes and tall body stature. As he was busy changing, someone approached him from the other side of the room.
• "Big brother Tamix, what do you say about today's tournament for the seniors? Do you think you're going to win?" a voice of a ten year old boy came from behind.
• "Worry not Dan. You don't have to be worried about this big brother of yours. I'll definitely win this tournament and receive the best rewards I can get before the time for me to leave the orphanage comes," replied Tamix as he moved to where Dan was standing and patted his head.
• "But big brother, I don't want you to go," said Dan as he held onto Tamix tightly showing that he wasn't ready to let him go. Tears were already streaming down his cheeks and his eyes were red.
• "There, there. Tamix said while patting Dan's back to try and cool him down. "Don't worry. This big brother of yours will go out there and create a good environment for you when you come out. After all, you are already thirteen years old so it won't be long before your time comes." soothed Tamix.
• Tamix always took Dan as his younger brother. Since they met in the orphanage, they forged a good relationship between them as both of them used similar weapons, long swords. Tamix would always train with Dan giving all the guidance that he needs in his swordsmanship. They would also take missions together. Although Dan was young, he had a mature mind and thus he always thought through things before taking actions.
• Before those at the age of fifteen leave the orphanage, there is a tournament that is held between those at the age of fifteen. The best performers would always get good rewards. The top three are those that receive the best rewards the orphanage could offer.
• Although the rewards are there, it also depends on one's performance. If one's opponents always submit without a fight, there is no way for the fighter to be rated hence no extra rewards. This also depends on one's luck. The orphanage also counters this by offering a certain reward to those performing well even though they have lost.
• The knockout stage had already taken place two days ago and the quarter-finals and semis the previous day. On this day, there would be the fight that would decide who is the best of the year. The fight would be between Tamix and Gregory who also qualified for the final round.
• After comforting Dan, he went back to changing after which he left the room and headed towards the training ground. The training ground had seats around the arena. When there are no occasions that require them, they would be submerged underground using the training ground's special mechanism and would be taken out when needed.
• This was one of the occasions where they are needed. The previously plain training ground now looked like a real battle arena. There were several seats surrounding the main ring. Over two thousand occupied seats could be seen. That's right, the orphanage takes in children and maintains a maximum of two thousand of their population. Over two thousand chairs, this is due to the orphanage staff also being present.
• Tamix got to the waiting room where he found his opponent already waiting there. "Hey there Gregory, how is it going there?" he asked.
• "I am fine, what about you?" Gregory asked.
• "Just fine. Let's finish this match and see who's going to be best of the year. What do you say?"
• "You better keep up because I won't be gentle in the ring you know, hehe," Gregory said while chuckling. Gregory mainly focuses on using his body strength. He is also referred to as a tank as he has a well built body even at his young age of fifteen. He uses a shield and a spear. Both of them have great weight.
• "Haha, sure of course," Tamix also laughed in response. They were in good relations during their stay here and would sometimes take missions together to build teamwork.
• When the time for the match arrived, they both walked to the arena where they were cheered on by the spectators present. And when the fight began, both fighters went all out. Tamix focused on hit and run while Gregory who had much stamina and strength focused on blocking and counterattack.
• Tamix used his agile and nimble body to avoid most of Gregory's attacks and finally won the match when knocked out Gregory by hitting him hard on the back of his head. He only got this chance when Gregory failed to react in time hence he got the chance.
• "It is time to reward our winners!" said Matron Rose. She was an old lady with white hair and a face with wrinkles. There were a total of seventy three participants in the tournament but awards only go to the top ten performers.
• After the announcement, all the top ten got into the stage and were given their rewards. Tamix received a box which he was told that it was a special one. Once he got into his room in the dormitory, Tamix freshened up and came back to open the box.
• When the box opened, in there lay a small dagger just like the one he used as a secondary weapon with his sword. There was also a ring, a dagger with a golden scabbard with a golden handle with silver stripes on it. Then, there was a skill book 'power slash' as well as a book with a brown cover with a name he knew nothing of, 'System Awakening....'