Tribesman's New Life

Chapter 34: Coming Of Age Ceremony

Aries continued to engage in training alongside his fellow tribespeople, immersing himself in their routines and absorbing their teachings. The discussions often turned towards the topic of the upcoming "coming of age" ceremony. This annual event offered candidates aged thirteen to seventeen the opportunity to awaken their symbols of gods and blessings. Aries found himself intrigued by the concept, although he couldn't help but remain skeptical about the existence of divine blessings. Despite his curiosity, he recognized that he didn't fall within the specified age range for the ceremony. While he was uncertain about his exact age, he estimated himself to be around eight or nine years old in his current body.

One day, Aries received a summons to the village hall. The hall itself had undergone a transformation, becoming more grandiose with the addition of beast skulls, decorative torch holders, and various adornments. The blacksmiths trained by Aries had also embraced creativity, although many of their inventions focused more on luxury than practicality due to the enigmatic properties of the black stones. As Aries observed the opulent decorations, he couldn't help but notice a certain level of vanity in the chief's demeanor.

The chief enthusiastically presented his newly decorated hall to Aries, expressing his satisfaction with the lavish improvements. "See how impressive my hall has become? When the other chiefs visit our village, their jaws will drop in awe! Hahaha!" the chief exclaimed, his pride evident in his words and demeanor. Even in this world, Aries couldn't escape the universal traits of human nature, including both pride and greed. The chief's ostentatious display of extravagance left Aries feeling somewhat repulsed by the underlying motives.

Aries, unable to hold back his own sense of pride, retorted, "Of course, this transformation is largely thanks to me, isn't it?"

The chief chuckled, brushing off Aries' comment. "Well, you're not entirely wrong. But let's discuss something else. Have you heard about the upcoming coming of age ceremony? We're planning to make it quite grand, considering it's the first time we've held it since our alliance was formed. We want to ensure that our youngsters receive the most favorable blessings from the gods."

As the chief explained the significance of the ceremony and its importance to the tribe, Aries found himself both intrigued and skeptical. He wondered if the ceremony was rooted in genuine tradition or simply a way to reinforce cultural beliefs. Nonetheless, he listened intently to the chief's words, contemplating the impact of such a ceremony on their community.

As the chief discussed the upcoming coming of age ceremony and its various aspects, Aries couldn't help but voice his complaints about being involved in the matter. He made it clear that he wasn't particularly interested in the ceremony or its associated preparations.

"What does this have to do with me?" Aries grumbled, clearly unenthusiastic about being dragged into the event.

The chief considered Aries' question and offered a suggestion. "Perhaps you could contribute by creating a statue depicting a god or something equally grand?"

Aries scoffed at the idea. "Do I look like an artist to you? I'm not skilled in that sort of thing. How about offering the gods the biggest game you could possibly hunt?"

The chief seemed to resonate with Aries' suggestion, his excitement evident in his response. "That's a fantastic idea! I knew asking you would yield a better solution than those others. They're utterly useless when it comes to matters like this."

"Maybe you could turn it into a competition among the youngsters," Aries proposed again, considering the circumstances. "Since they're the ones receiving the blessings, they should put in the effort to earn them. It could be a test of their skills and determination."

The chief's enthusiasm was palpable. "That's an even better suggestion! What better way for the youngsters to prove their worth than by offering their own game to the gods? This will surely delight the gods!"

And so, the idea for a competition was born, setting the stage for a few days before the coming of age ceremony. The villagers prepared for the competition with a mix of excitement and anticipation, eager to showcase their hunting prowess and dedication to the gods.

On the day of the competition, a spirited announcement was made, rallying the tribespeople for the upcoming challenge. The chief's voice echoed through the village as he addressed everyone present, emphasizing the significance of the hunt.

"Tribesmen of the Forest Guardians! The time has come for our youngsters to display their valor before the gods! They shall offer their own game during their first true hunt, whether they hunt solo or collaborate! It matters not!" The chief declared. "So long as they engage in a fierce battle against a formidable foe, the gods shall surely bestow their blessings upon them! Let the hunt commence!"

The announcement stirred excitement among the villagers, filling the air with a sense of determination and enthusiasm. However, Aries found himself feeling less than thrilled about the whole situation. "Why am I being dragged into this?" he muttered, his lack of enthusiasm evident.

First, who had grown significantly in size since Aries' arrival, attempted to provide some reassurance. "It might be a good experience, Master," First suggested.

Aries couldn't help but comment on First's growth spurt. "How is it that a teenager about to turn fifteen is as tall as you, a giant?"

First's response was simple yet logical. "Aren't you the one who assigned my training regimen, Master?"

Aries sighed, realizing that he had indeed ordered First to lead the village in activities such as felling giant trees and constructing buildings. He couldn't help but acknowledge his own role in First's impressive growth.

"Don't worry, Master. I'll make sure to protect you," First reassured, offering his support.

With both First and Second at his side, Aries contemplated the upcoming hunt. He couldn't help but think that he might be taking advantage of their presence, making the task of hunting a formidable beast significantly easier this time around. Despite his reservations, he knew that this experience might provide him with new insights into the villagers' way of life.