Chapter 281: Official Announcement from the Organizers

Five days passed in a blur of quiet recovery and intense administrative damage control.

Inside the serene halls of Silas’s estate, the atmosphere was peaceful. Alpha’s physical transition into a Veiled Wing of Eros had fully stabilized, his presence becoming as subtle and elusive as a shadow.

Outside the estate’s high-grade warding barriers, however, the world was in utter turmoil.

On the fifth morning following the cataclysmic collapse of the Tower, the High Council of the National Tournament Committee, flanked by top officials from the National Security Bureau, held a globally broadcast emergency press conference from the central capital in City AF.

The Tournament Director, looking noticeably aged and hollow-eyed, stepped up to a podium surrounded by hundreds of flashing magic-crys cameras. He stood before the world and bowed deeply, holding the position for ten agonizing seconds in absolute silence before lifting his head.

"On behalf of the National Tournament Committee and the Municipal Board of New Liberty," the Director began, his voice solemn and heavy with remorse, "we offer our deepest, most sincere apologies to the young prodigies, their families, and the citizens of this nation.

The catastrophic breach by the Astoria race inside a sanctioned trial zone represents an unforgivable failure in our security protocols. We failed to protect the future of our world, and for that, we carry absolute responsibility."

The Director then officially announced the comprehensive restitution package approved by the High Council:

Universal Reparations: Every academy that participated in the Inter-Academy Selection Tournament, regardless of whether they were eliminated in the preliminary rounds or survived into the final floor, would receive massive state grants, upgraded training facilities, and priority access to high-tier dungeon resources for the next five years.

Support for the Fallen: For the families of the students who lost their lives during the Astoria breach, the government established a lifetime financial compensation package, alongside taking full responsibility for all memorial services, state honors, and burial costs.

Special Commendation for Valecrest: Valecrest Collegiate Grounds was awarded the highest national honor- the Golden Crest of the Republic- alongside an unprecedented institutional budget allocation, officially recognizing their squad’s heroic stand against the Astoria forces.

The Hero’s Honor: For Silas Ashard, whose legendary, desperate battle against Swef Ashi had saved his squad and shattered the cannibal lord’s domain, the Council awarded him the National Sovereign Medal, an SS-Rank spatial storage ring containing rare high-tier mana cores, and absolute, unrestricted access to the Royal Vaults in City AF.

To conclude the broadcast, the Director announced a grand national celebration:

"To honor the bravery of our youth, to remember those we lost, and to usher in a new era of unity, the High Council hereby invites all participating academies, guild representatives, and distinguished citizens to a grand National Victory Banquet. The event will take place in one week at the Royal Grand Citadel in City AF, the capital of New Liberty."

Inside the estate’s main living room, Silas sat back on a plush leather sofa with a cup of warm tea, watching the broadcast on a large floating mana-screen. Beside him, Chloe rested her head on his shoulder, while Alpha leaned against the wall near the window, his form subtly blurring with the sunlight.

"The Royal Vaults, huh?" Alpha murmured, a sleek, amused smirk touching his lips as he looked over at Silas. "Not a bad payday for a few days of work, boss."

Silas chuckled, taking a slow sip of his tea as his pink eyes glinted with quiet anticipation. "City AF... a grand banquet with all the top guilds and political elite. Sounds like it’s going to be a very interesting party."

***

The broadcast ended, leaving the living room quiet once more. Silas lowered his cup.

"A national victory banquet."

Chloe lifted her head from his shoulder. "You sound interested."

"I am."

"Because of the food?"

"Why would you assume that?" Silas said, looking offended.

"Because I know you."

"..."

Alpha chuckled from beside the window. "At least you’re honest."

"Besides, the Royal Vaults sound interesting too," Silas said, looking at him.

"Now that’s more like you."

Before Silas could respond, the living room doors opened.

"Breakfast is ready!"

A warm, familiar voice echoed through the hall. Immediately, the atmosphere changed. The smell of freshly prepared food drifted into the room, and Silas’s eyes lit up.

"Breakfast."

"You reacted faster to that than you did to the National Sovereign Medal," Chloe commented with a chuckle.

"The medal can’t be eaten."

"You know how to counter when it comes to food..."

Everyone began making their way toward the dining hall. The estate’s dining room was enormous.

At the center stood a table large enough to accommodate the entire household without anyone having to squeeze together. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, reflecting off the polished surface, and waiting on the table was an absurd amount of food.

Fresh bread, roasted meat, eggs, fruit, pancakes, steamed vegetables, several varieties of soup, pastries, sweet rolls, and enough drinks to feed an army.

Silas stopped at the entrance, his eyes moistening. He magically took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped fake tears.

"I love this family."

"You haven’t even eaten yet." Chloe laughed.

"I don’t need to."

At the head of the table stood Alpha’s mother, looking pleased with herself.

"I thought everyone could use a proper breakfast after everything that happened."

Silas walked toward the table.

"Mother, I have decided that you’re my favorite person."

"She’s my mother." Alpha immediately looked at him and retorted.

"Yes."

"So?"

"So she’s still my favorite."

"You’re impossible."

"Thank you."

Everyone took their seats. Silas sat at the head of the table with Chloe to his left, Anna to his right, Gromda, and Echidna to the sides of Chloe and Anna; Alpha sat across from him, and the rest of the household filled the remaining seats.

Conversations immediately began.

Someone complained about how much food had been prepared. Someone else argued that there was never too much food. A few people discussed the upcoming banquet, while others talked about the tournament.

The atmosphere was warm, which, naturally, meant Silas was about to ruin it. He took another bite of food while his eyes slowly shifted toward Alpha.

Alpha noticed, and narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Silas smiled. "Nothing."

"Silas."

"Nothing at all."

Chloe immediately noticed the expression.

"Oh no."

Silas’s smile widened.

"What?"

"That face."

"What face?"

"The face you make right before causing trouble."

Silas placed his fork down.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

Alpha’s mother looked amused.

"Is there something you want to say, Silas?"

Silas leaned back, and looked around the table, while taking a sip of juice, then casually said,

"Oh, by the way."

Alpha’s eyes narrowed further.

"What?"

Silas looked directly at him.

"Congratulations on your relationship with Alicia."

Silence. Complete. Absolute. Silence.

A fork stopped halfway to someone’s mouth. Someone nearly choked on their drink, while Chloe’s head snapped toward Alpha.

Alpha froze. "What?"

Silas smiled innocently.

"I said congratulations."

Alpha slowly put his fork down.

"What relationship?"

Silas blinked.

"Your relationship with Alicia."

"WHAT RELATIONSHIP?!"

The dining room exploded.

"ALPHA HAS A GIRLFRIEND?!"

"WHO IS ALICIA?!"

"WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!"

"WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL US?!"

Alpha’s mother stared at her son, then at Silas, then back at her son. Her expression slowly changed.

"Alpha."

Alpha’s face had gone completely blank.

"Mother."

"Is this true?"

"No."

Silas raised his hand. "It is."

"Shut your mouth."

"I am merely providing information."

"You are providing misinformation."

"I have witnesses."

"You have nothing!"

Chloe was already laughing.

"Wait, wait. Alicia?" She looked at Alpha. "When did this happen? We just left you two in a room."

"It didn’t!"

"That’s what everyone says when they get caught."

"I did not get caught doing anything!"

Silas nodded solemnly.

"Classic denial."

Alpha’s face twitched.

"I swear..."

Someone across the table leaned forward.

"So who confessed first?"

"Nobody!"

"Did you ask her out?"

"No!"

"Did she ask you out?"

"No!"

"Have you kissed?"

"NO!"

The table erupted again.

Silas nearly fell out of his chair laughing, while Alpha’s mother covered her mouth. She was trying very hard not to laugh. Chloe looked delighted.

"So you two haven’t kissed?"

"THERE IS NO ’YOU TWO’!" Alpha stood. His face was turning red.

Silas pointed at him. "Look at him. He’s blushing."

"I AM NOT BLUSHING!"

"You definitely are."

"Silas."

"Yes?"

"Run."

Silas immediately ducked beneath the table.

"No."

Alpha took a step forward.

"Get out."

"No."

"Come out."

"I am eating."

"You can eat while running."

"That sounds dangerous." ℯℓ.

Alpha’s mother finally laughed.

"Sit down, Alpha."

"But Mother..."

"Sit."

Alpha slowly returned to his seat, before Silas cautiously emerged from beneath the table. Chloe was still laughing.

"You really enjoy doing this."

"Absolutely." Silas grinned.

Alpha glared at him.

"I am going to remember this."

"Good."

"Very good."

Silas leaned back.

"Just remember that I know where you sleep."

Alpha’s eyes narrowed.

"And I know where you sleep."

Silas paused.

"..."

Another round of laughter spread across the table. Alpha’s mother shook her head.

"I leave everyone alone for a few days, and somehow my son has apparently acquired a girlfriend."

"I DON’T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!"

Silas raised his cup.

"To Alpha and Alicia."

"NO!"

Everyone around the table raised their cups.

"To Alpha and Alicia!"

"NO!"

Even Chloe joined in.

"To Alpha and Alicia."

"CHLOE!"

She smiled sweetly.

"Sorry."

She was very clearly not sorry. Alpha dropped his face into his hands.

"This family is insane."

Silas patted his shoulder.

"That’s why you love us."

"..."

Silas smiled.

For all the chaos, the shouting, the teasing, and the ridiculous accusations... This was what peace felt like- sitting around a giant table with people who had become family and watching breakfast turn into complete madness over one stupid joke.

Silas took another bite of his food.