I gulped as the High Priest stood right in front of me. Suddenly, his hand grabbed the sword that was in my hand. Instantly he managed to pull the sword from the scabbard. I was so surprised that my mouth gaped involuntarily because I was so sure that earlier I could not remove the sword from the scabbard at all, but this old man easily lifted the sword."B-But..."“Pulling out the sword is not just a matter of pulling out the sword, Rex Hito. Everything has a purpose, everything has a meaning. Only the right intentions and goals can make you successful as an apprentice priest. What is your purpose for pulling out this sword?” he asked.“W-what?” I asked, frowning.I don't understand the point at all. His words were convoluted and I couldn't catch his meaning at all. My purpose for pulling out this sword? Wasn't he the one who told me to do it?"What is your goal, Rex Hito?" he asked again."I-I'm just doing your instruction," I replied.The High Priest sighed at my answer and I felt
I looked around me and finally found the person who was calling me. Aran was standing behind the apprentices' camp. He waved at me like a monkey. I didn't want to see him, so I ignored him.“Rex! Come here!” he cried, waving his hands.I snorted indignantly. I don't know what he wants. Doesn't he really hate me? Why is he looking for me here? But he is very noisy and I'm afraid I will get into trouble because of him. I took a deep breath and finally decided to meet Aran. I just hope that I do not regret this decision of mine.I got up, left the sword stuck in the ground, and went to Aran."What is it? Why are you here?” I asked him.I tried to sound casual, but in fact, my voice sounded sharp. Aran looked at me with a smile."I just want to apologize," he said."What?"I was shocked at his words. It felt like what I heard was so impossible. Aran hates me so much, how could he apologize so easily? It seemed so impossible and I couldn't believe it."I'm sorry," he replied.I frowned bec
“If you don't believe me, just check his pocket! He must have kept it there!” cried Aran.I already know this is bound to happen, but I won't let this drama continue like a telenovela."You came here and handed me an apology gift, didn't you Aran?" I asked."What? Apologize from you? Unwilling!" cried Aran."Check him out!" Aran's father called out and people started to surround me."No need!" I cried while taking out the pearl from my pocket.Everyone looked at me with surprised looks."It's true he took it!" Aran shouted loudly."I don't need to take it if you deliver it to me, Aran!" I shouted defensively. I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I have to give it a try, at least I've started confusing some of the totem warriors.“Don't talk nonsense! I can't possibly come to you, traitorous child!” cried Aran.“This traitorous son has already slandered my nephew!” cried Rais Musi, defending Aran.Damn it! The plot of this trap is getting more and more like a household drama and
"Let's get started!" Rais Musi shouted in a booming voice and an ugly grin that actually scared me. This is really not a good thing. Come on brain, think fast! Find a good excuse! I begged my dull brain to give me a good idea."Wait!" I shouted."What is it again?" Rais asked in a booming voice full of anger."Didn't we have dinner yet? Why don't we have dinner before the duel? I'm so hungry," I said.I may sound like a kid who doesn't know manners or rules, but to hell with it. I really want to eat first, because I know that will recharge the golden tree. I regretted using the golden tree's power while trying to pull out the sword.“Don't try to stall for time!” Rais exclaimed."Right! The duel must take place now and we will eat to celebrate Rais' victory!” cried his father Aran. I dug into Rex's mind and realized Aran's father's name was Sida. A strange name and reminds me of a famous soccer player."Aren't you hungry?" I asked, still trying to buy time.I sound funny and maybe not
I don't know what happened after the duel because everything was quiet, and dark, and I couldn't hear a thing. It felt like I was falling asleep without a dream and suddenly I smelled a pungent aroma and it brought my consciousness back. It feels like I've only been resting for a while, but now I have to be awakened again.My eyes felt so heavy when I tried to open them, but I felt I had to get up. Maybe I'm too used to waking up with the light of dawn, that I feel I have to get up soon. But I felt something cold touching the skin of my chest so I really woke up.I don't know how long I was unconscious, but now there is no longer that excruciating pain. I blinked my eyes and saw that Nola was using something and putting it on my chest skin, that's what made me feel a cold object touching my chest skin."Nola?" I asked in a hoarse voice.“You're awake? Can you see me clearly?” she asked in a curt tone.I narrowed my eyes. Slowly Nola's face began to be seen clearly. I nodded, answering
"Test begins!" cried the leader accompanied by loud trumpets. All the participants started running as fast as they could, and so did I. Without realizing it, Nola and I led the race by running ahead of the other participants. The red-lined route led us out of the palace sports arena. The organizers and the High Priest sat down and watched all the apprentices who had committed any offenses.I glanced at Nola and smiled. Running like this is easy for me because I, I mean Rex, am used to it. In his spare time, since childhood, Rex would run in the woods as fast as he could with his father. Nola looked at me with eyes as if she wanted to kill me, then accelerated her run to catch up with me. All the participants were amazed to see my and Nola's running speed.But suddenly, I stopped running, and so did Nola. There is something I feel. This is something terrible. The other participants began to approach where I was standing, one of the fastest among them deliberately nudged me as he passed
'You can't lose now!' Rex's small voice sounded back in my mind.Now I'm sure, he really is in this body, but how come I couldn't hear him before? I can't ask now because maybe people will think I'm crazy.'You have to win, Ares Jones!' he cried."I know," I whispered finally."What? What do you say?" asked Nola."Oh nothing," I replied.I was a little embarrassed because Rex's voice bothered me, but it didn't come again. Rex seems to know that I don't want him showing up for now. However, it made me think that Rex actually knew that I was occupying his body all this time. Where has he been all this time? Why can I only listen to him now? This reminded me of my own body. What happened to my body in my world?Nola with a very fast movement drew her sword toward me and the golden tree helped me avoid it. The attack made me realize that I needed to focus."You can't keep dodging!" cried Nola.Her patience was running out and she was ready to attack me with something really big. I'm sure
The blade was barely touching my shoulder, but I could see that the golden tree's strength was not much anymore. I took that power and used it to move as fast as possible. I rolled quickly and when my feet were firmly planted on the ground, I moved my sword and dispelled the two fake Nolas.The original Nola immediately drew her sword at me while shouting loudly. She didn't seem to think that I could dodge her attack so quickly. This time, the attack was merciless. However, I am ready. Quickly, I drew my sword towards her. Now we just have to wait and see, who can put the sword on the opponent's shoulder.My heart was beating very fast and the arena turned silent. After that, the sound of cheers was heard and they shouted Rex's name. A second later I realized that my sword had touched Nola's shoulder first before her sword touched mine. Maybe, I was just a second ahead.I was still trying to process everything that was happening around me and realized that all the fighting was over a