Chapter 300: Rewards (2)

Representatives from each academy received official commendations for their students’ efforts and for bringing their teams through the tournament. The academy also acknowledged the instructors and medical personnel who assisted with evacuations and treated injured competitors.

Then came the individual awards. Names appeared on the screen, then the recipients walked toward the stage, and applause followed each announcement.

The rewards varied by category. Some students received medals, monetary grants, or valuable training resources. Others were presented with specialized equipment and official recognition of their achievements.

The audience responded warmly whenever a familiar competitor appeared.

Several students looked overwhelmed by the attention. Others attempted to maintain dignified expressions while cameras captured every moment. The ceremony continued through the recognized achievements of the participating academies.

Valecrest’s members received particular attention whenever their performances were mentioned.

Chloe’s combat achievements earned considerable applause. Alpha’s contribution to the team’s survival prompted another round of recognition. Alicia’s performance was highlighted alongside those of her teammates.

Damien, Neil, Emma, Rihanna, and Godfrey also received acknowledgment for their respective contributions during the competition. Each recognition brought fresh attention to the students seated together. Silas watched the proceedings quietly.

He clapped when appropriate and accepted the occasional glance from nearby guests without appearing particularly bothered.

He was not interested in standing on a stage simply to have his face displayed on a screen. Unfortunately, the organizers had other plans.

Soon, the individual awards concluded, and then the special commendations began. The screen displayed the Golden Crest, and the audience immediately recognized the symbol.

The award was being granted to Valecrest Academy for its extraordinary performance and survival through the Blackridge Tower disaster.

A representative accepted the Golden Crest on behalf of the academy, accompanied by confirmation of the unprecedented budget allocation previously announced by the authorities.

The applause was deafening.

Valecrest’s table became the center of attention once again. Damien looked ready to celebrate, letting go of all his arrogance. It’s not like he’d been showing it lately.

Neil wore an enormous grin, and Emma applauded enthusiastically, while Rihanna and Godfrey exchanged satisfied looks.

Alpha remained composed. Chloe smiled. Silas simply leaned back in his chair.

’At least the academy will have money to spend.’

His thoughts drifted briefly toward the private property he had recently acquired for his future guild. The additional resources awarded to Valecrest would be useful, but the estate he was developing belonged to him, and he intended to build something far beyond an ordinary academy facility.

His expression remained innocent. Nobody at the table knew what he was thinking. Finally, the last group of special awards was announced.

The room settled as Director-General Voss returned to the podium.

"There remains one final presentation."

The display behind him went dark. A moment later, a new image appeared. It was of a silver medal bearing the national emblem: The National Sovereign Medal.

The audience reacted immediately. This was not an ordinary tournament award. It was a national honor reserved for extraordinary contributions to the safety and welfare of the country.

Voss looked toward the Valecrest table.

"During the Blackridge Tower incident, one student demonstrated exceptional courage and played a decisive role in protecting his fellow competitors. His actions, alongside those of his teammates, contributed to the survival of numerous participants during an unprecedented crisis."

The screen changed, and Silas’s photograph appeared. The hall erupted as camera flashes illuminated the surrounding tables, while several ladies, both young and old, clapped as if they had no use for their hands.

Silas stared at the screen before he slowly looked toward the stage.

’Ah. So that’s why they saved this for last.’

Voss continued.

"In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, Silas Ashard of Valecrest Academy is hereby awarded the National Sovereign Medal."

The applause became thunderous as Silas rose from his chair. Around him, his teammates applauded, while Chloe smiled proudly, and Alpha gave him a small nod.

Silas adjusted his coat and began walking toward the stage with thousands of eyes following him. For once, he couldn’t avoid the attention.

He climbed the steps, approached the podium, and stood before Director-General Voss. The older man presented him with the medal and shook his hand.

The photographers captured the moment from every possible angle, letting the screen display Silas receiving the award.

Then the director-general announced the remaining components of his reward package: an SS-Rank spatial storage ring containing rare mana cores, together with unrestricted access to the Royal Vault under the terms established by the authorities.

This caused the audience to stir as the reward was nothing short of amazing. An S-Rank spatial storage ring was already an extraordinary reward, but unrestricted Royal Vault access was another matter entirely.

The Royal Vault contained resources and equipment accumulated by the nation over generations. Even among high-ranking awakened individuals, access to the Vault was tightly controlled.

Granting such privileges to an eighteen-year-old student was practically unheard of, but everyone knew he deserved it.

Silas accepted the presentation without changing his expression, which even earned him more applause. Inside, however, his interest had increased considerably.

’Now that’s useful. Maybe I could get something to exchange for an S-Rank weapon.’

He thanked the officials with a restrained bow before turning toward the audience with a small smile that caused the hearts of the women to flutter, while they experienced insane blushing.

Even the older ones felt like they were young again. Some had even begun imagining doing spicy stuff with Silas.

The applause continued, while the cameras continued flashing, and somewhere among the hundreds of people watching him, Kelvina stared at the stage with shining eyes.

Her favorite person had just received one of the nation’s highest honors. She could hardly have been prouder.

Meanwhile, Silas returned to his seat, unaware that the evening had given the public yet another reason to obsess over him. The tournament was over, the rewards had been distributed, and for Silas Ashard, the next Chapter of his life was only beginning. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too chaotic, or he would be cooked.