Chapter 295: The National Victory Banquet (1)

The next morning, City AF woke up to chaos, and this was not the kind of chaos caused by monsters. This was the kind of chaos caused by thousands of people trying to prepare for one of the largest public events ever.

The National Victory Banquet was only hours away, and the entire capital and the country knew it.

At the Royal Grand Citadel, preparations had already begun before sunrise. The massive entrance courtyard had been completely transformed.

Temporary barriers surrounded the entire complex. Security personnel stood at every entrance. Awakened guards patrolled the surrounding streets while specialized detection equipment scanned everyone entering the area.

Dozens of armored vehicles were positioned around the perimeter, while emergency response teams waited nearby. Medical units were stationed underground, and above the main entrance, enormous banners had been installed.

The national emblem occupied the center. Beneath it were the words:

[NATIONAL VICTORY BANQUET]

[A celebration of the survivors and champions of the National Academy Tournament]

Inside the citadel, hundreds of workers moved constantly. Decorations were being adjusted, tables were being arranged, while crystal lighting was being tested. The kitchen staff was practically running.

"This table goes six centimeters to the left!"

"Which one?"

"ALL OF THEM!"

"But they’re already aligned!"

"They are not aligned with the central platform!"

"WHO DESIGNED THIS PLACE?"

"The Royal Architects!"

"THEN BLAME THEM!"

A supervisor covered his face. Today was going to be a long day.

***

The Grand Aurelia Hall was enormous, large enough to accommodate several thousand guests. At the center stood a massive circular stage, and behind it was a gigantic display screen, where the tournament’s emblem appeared across the screen. Then came the names of the academies.

The organizers had gone out of their way to make the banquet more than a simple dinner. It was meant to be a statement. Humanity had survived.

The tournament had nearly become a disaster; the Blackridge Tower incident had shaken the entire country, but the students had continued fighting. So tonight wasn’t simply about handing out awards. It was about reminding everyone that those students were still standing.

***

Outside the citadel, security preparations were even more intense. The National Security Bureau had deployed elite awakened personnel around the district. Every road leading toward the citadel was being monitored.

Snipers occupied several rooftops, barrier specialists prepared emergency defensive fields, and teleportation restrictions were temporarily placed around the immediate area. Even high-ranking awakened individuals were being checked.

Nobody wanted another incident- not tonight. One security officer looked toward the massive building.

"How many guests?"

"Several thousand."

"And the students?"

"Every surviving academy participant who qualifies."

The officer sighed.

"And the media?"

His colleague looked at the enormous number of broadcasting vehicles outside.

"Too many."

***

By midmorning, every major media station was running special coverage. Across the country, television screens displayed the same subject: The National Victory Banquet.

One station showed footage of the tournament, while another showed interviews with students, and another displayed maps of City AF and the security perimeter.

Another had a panel of awakened experts arguing about the tournament’s most impressive performances, and almost every discussion eventually returned to one academy: Valecrest.

A presenter sat behind a large studio desk, and behind her was a giant image of the Valecrest team.

"The National Victory Banquet begins tonight, and naturally, much of the public’s attention remains focused on Valecrest Academy."

The screen changed, and Silas appeared, followed by Chloe, then Alpha, and the rest of the team. The presenter smiled and continued.

"Valecrest’s performance during the tournament has been described as unprecedented."

A video began playing, showing their battles in the tower.

"The academy survived one of the most catastrophic tournament incidents in recent history."

The presenter looked toward the camera.

"And at the center of it was an eighteen-year-old student who has rapidly become one of the most talked-about awakened individuals in the country."

Silas’s face filled the screen.

"Silas Ashard."

***

Another station had a different approach.

"Why is everyone talking about Silas?"

A commentator laughed.

"Because the man apparently doesn’t know how to have a normal tournament."

His colleague smiled.

"That’s an understatement."

A compilation began showing Silas’s battles.

The commentator leaned forward.

"What’s fascinating about Silas isn’t simply his strength."

"What is it?"

"His behavior."

The screen showed Silas casually talking to teammates during combat.

"He appears completely relaxed in situations where most awakened would be terrified."

The commentator paused.

"Which makes people wonder what exactly he’s capable of."

***

The internet was even worse. Clips of the tournament were everywhere.

#Valecrest, #SilasAshard, #ChloeMontreal, #BlackridgeTower, #NationalVictoryBanquet, and #ValecrestNine were all trending.

One viral post contained a picture of Silas standing beside Chloe. The caption read:

"These two survived a collapsing tower and somehow look like they’re going to a school festival."

The comments exploded.

"Silas doesn’t even look tired."

"Chloe looks terrifying."

"They’re both S-Rank monsters."

"Is anyone else noticing how close they are?"

"They’ve always been close."

"No. That’s different."

Another post showed Alpha and Alicia. The caption was simple.

"THEY FINALLY STOPPED HIDING IT."

The comment section immediately became chaos.

"WAIT THEY’RE ACTUALLY TOGETHER?"

"I KNEW IT."

"Silas knew."

"Silas probably started it."

"Silas absolutely started it."

But the media wasn’t only interested in Silas. Every member of the nine-person core team had gained attention. Chloe Montreal had become one of the most respected young awakened fighters after her performance during the tournament. Her spear techniques had been analyzed by countless combat experts, and several professional guilds had already begun discussing her future.

Alpha had attracted a completely different type of attention.

His strange appearance, overwhelming physical ability, Camouflage ability, and sudden evolution had created endless speculation. Some experts believed his ability was unique, while others believed he possessed a hidden bloodline. Nobody knew the truth, and Alpha wasn’t interested in explaining it.

Alicia’s performance had also become a major talking point. Her buster sword had become almost iconic among young awakened fighters. Damien’s gravity manipulation was being discussed by several professional guild recruiters. Neil’s close-range combat style had earned him a rapidly growing fanbase. Emma’s revolvers had made her popular among younger awakened enthusiasts. Rihanna’s archery had attracted attention from several military organizations.

And Godfrey?

Godfrey had quietly become one of the tournament’s most respected defensive fighters. The nine of them had become household names, not celebrities exactly, but they were getting close.

***

By noon, the city was packed.

Fans gathered behind security barriers outside the hotel districts. Some held academy flags and posters. Some carried photographs of their favorite students. Several people even wore homemade Valecrest uniforms.

Security officers were constantly telling people to move.

"Please remain behind the barrier."

"I’m just trying to see Silas!"

"You cannot block the road."

"I’ll move after he comes out!"

"Move now."

"But what if he comes out?"

"He probably won’t."

"Probably?"

The officer sighed.

Inside one of the reserved hotels, the Valecrest team was preparing for the evening. Clothing had been delivered, consisting of formal outfits, shoes, and accessories. Everything had been arranged by the organizers.

Silas stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself in the suit.

"Why does this feel like a funeral?"

Chloe, sitting nearby, laughed.

"It’s a banquet."

"That’s exactly what they want you to think."

She rolled her eyes. "You look fine."

Silas adjusted his collar. "You look better."

Chloe smiled.

"Thanks."

The door opened, and Alpha walked in with Alicia following behind him. They were both dressed formally.

"There they are," Silas immediately commented, his expression like a proud father who’d finally seen his son grow up.

Alpha narrowed his eyes.

"Don’t start."

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were about to."

"I was going to compliment your clothes."

"Sure."

Alicia laughed.

"You two really are like children."

Silas smiled.

"That’s because he’s my cousin."

Alpha froze.

"Why are you still talking about that?"

Silas shrugged.

"Because it’s funny."

Alicia looked between them.

"Cousins?"

"Apparently."

"Apparently?"

"Long story."

Before Alicia could ask, Damien shouted from the hallway.

"ARE WE LEAVING OR NOT?"

"See?" He looked toward Chloe. "Peace was nice while it lasted."

Chloe stood.

"Come on."

***

Outside, the rest of the team was already waiting, and tonight, the entire country would be watching them. None of them knew exactly what awaited them inside the Grand Aurelia, but as they stepped into the hallway, Silas felt something strange.

Fate.

His eyes briefly tingled, causing him to frown.

’Don’t.’ Nothing happened. He sighed. ’Good.’

Then the elevator doors opened, and the team stepped inside. And somewhere across City AF, millions of people were already waiting to see them, especially one pink-haired boy who had somehow gone from an ordinary academy student to one of the most talked-about awakened individuals in the world.

Tonight, everyone would finally see him in person.