Chapter 103: The Younger Generation

Seeing the profound lack of enthusiasm, Theo tapped his figurine against the table.

"I should clarify," Theo said loudly. "The winners of these prestigious awards will be compensated. The prize pool includes high-grade spirit stones, millennium-old medicinal roots, and casks of thirty-year-old plum wine."

Elder Thorne, who had been marching toward his alchemy lab, executed a pivot on his heel and marched right back to his chair.

Vespera, who was halfway down the cellar stairs, vanished in a blur of motion and reappeared at the tea table, sitting with impeccable posture.

Corey abandoned his butterfly chase and sprinted into the hall, sliding into his seat.

"Weren’t you going to refine pills?" Vespera asked, shooting Thorne a side-eye.

"I recalled that the astrological alignment is currently unfavorable," Thorne replied without missing a beat.

Thorne adjusted his collar.

"I also realized that witnessing the artistic endeavors of the younger generation is a duty I must fulfill as an elder."

"You just want the plum wine, you old hypocrite," Vespera snorted. "And what about you? I thought this was stupid."

"I merely went to check if the cellar doors were locked," Vespera sniffed.

Corey nodded sagely. "I was just stretching my legs."

Theo smiled, satisfied with his attentive audience.

"Welcome, esteemed colleagues, to the inaugural Silent Thunder Acting Awards," Theo announced. "We will begin with the most coveted honor of the evening: Best Actor."

The audience sat up straighter. The tension in the room spiked.

"This individual commanded the room from the moment he arrived," Theo continued, pacing across the hall. "He projected an aura of mystery, dominating the warfare of the underworld. His negotiation tactics brought the Syndicate to its knees without shedding a single drop of blood. Furthermore, his physical presence is undeniably handsome."

Theo paused for dramatic effect.

Elder Thorne stroked his white beard, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Well, it is quite obvious."

Corey puffed out his chest, adjusting his collar.

"Indeed. My dwarf accent was revolutionary. The judges clearly recognized my raw talent."

Thorne glared at the boy. "Your dwarf accent sounded like a dying goose. He is clearly talking about my masterful portrayal of a greedy elder."

"You didn’t even wear a disguise!" Corey argued. "You just put on a mask!"

As the two prepared to escalate the argument into a brawl, Theo raised his hand.

"After a rigorous and highly subjective voting process,"

Theo declared,

"the award for Best Actor goes to... me."

Thorne and Corey froze. They slowly turned their heads to stare at Theo.

"You?" Thorne sputtered. "You are the host! How can you win your own award?"

"This is blatantly rigged!" Corey yelled, crossing his arms. "I demand a recount!"

Theo offered a polite, irrefutable justification. "I am the sole financier of the prize pool."

Thorne and Corey immediately sat back down.

When the man holding the gold speaks, the debate ends.

Theo reached into his spatial ring and tossed a handful of gold coins into the air.

He ignited a localized burst of Abyssal fire, melting the coins instantly.

With a flick of his wrist, he molded the liquid gold into a pure statuette shaped like a chibi-styled Sovereign.

He handed the statuette to Vespera, who reluctantly acted as the presenter and handed it right back to him.

Sitting in the corner, Elara watched the golden figurine gleam in the candlelight. She clutched her skirt nervously.

She had not been at the Obsidian Vault. She knew she wouldn’t win anything, but the ceremony looked so fun...

Elara pouted slightly, wishing she had been allowed to participate.

She imagined herself playing the role of a fierce, tiny assassin, leaping from the shadows to protect her Sovereign. She made a mental note to ask Theo for a role in the next infiltration.

She glanced across the table.

Liana was staring intensely at the golden trophy.

Despite her icy exterior, Liana was fiercely competitive. Liana had spent her entire life pursuing perfection in the sword.

That singular drive spilled over into everything she did. If there was a title to be won, she wanted it.

She refused to lose to a perpetually drunk elder who had not even bothered to wear a proper disguise. Elara realized, with a shock, that the Aurora Sword Empress was genuinely invested in this absurd ceremony.

In her mind, Liana was already picturing Theo calling her name, imagining herself walking up to accept the prize.

It was ridiculous, but she found herself anticipating this more than her placement on the Heavenly Mandate Stele...

Theo handed out the lesser awards quickly.

Thorne received Best Supporting Actor (and a box of rare herbs).

Corey received Best Special Effects for his chaotic aura (and a bag of spirit stones).

"And now, the grand finale," Theo announced. "Best Actress."

Corey immediately grabbed two luminescent qi-crystals. He ran up to the second-floor landing and directed the beams of light down into the hall, sweeping them back and forth between Vespera and Liana like theatrical spotlights.

The room held its breath...

There were only two female participants in the infiltration.

Theo stepped forward.

"The Best Actress award goes to... a tie! Vespera and Liana!"

"Objection!" Vespera slammed her hand on the tea table. "I ignited the crowd! If I hadn’t stepped up and shamed those cowards, the entire plan would have stalled! I carried that scene!"

Theo coughed into his wooden microphone.

"Master, your performance was disqualified from a solo victory because you weren’t acting."

Vespera narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You smelled an astronomically high payout, and your natural greed took the wheel," Theo explained patiently.

The elders nodded in solemn agreement.

Vespera opened her mouth to argue, realized he was entirely correct, and closed it with a huff. She snatched her Best Participation prize and retreated to her chair, grumbling under her breath.

Theo turned to Liana, offering a warm smile.

"Surprised?" Theo asked, holding out the gold chibi-Sovereign statuette.

A subtle glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Liana’s silver eyes.

She extended her hand and accepted the golden trophy.

After a brief pause, Liana extended her hand a second time.

"Hmm?" Theo blinked, looking down at his empty hands. "The Best Actress category only comes with one gold trophy. The budget is strictly allocated."

"I don’t want another gold trophy," Liana said.

She reached past him. Her delicate fingers closed around the figurine... the improvised microphone Theo had been holding for the past twenty minutes.

She pulled the carving toward herself. It still carried the lingering warmth of his hands.

"I prefer this one," Liana murmured, placing the figurine gently on the table in front of her.