Chapter 54: Award Ceremony (3)
Award Ceremony (3)
A woman in her mid-20s erged from the office, the very sa secretary I often encountered in the ga. It had been a while since I had seen her in person.
"Recipients, please co inside," she announced.
One by one, the five students entered the principal's office. Stepping in, my attention was imdiately drawn to the elegant carpet, the leather sofas arranged in rows, and the wooden table positioned between them. Above, a grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting its glow throughout the room, complented by sunlight streaming in through the windows.
Overwheld by the luxurious ambiance, it took
a mont to notice the figure seated at the front. The principal had been in his chair from the beginning, occasionally locking eyes with the students entering the room.
Finally, he broke the silence, applauding enthusiastically and exclaiming, "Well, well, all the talents of Victoria Academy have gathered here! Haha!"
Applause echoed in response. The principal, engrossed in clapping his hands energetically, paused when the secretary gently nudged him. He then addressed us, "Oh, my apologies. I got carried away by the atmosphere. I called you all here today to see the faces of the award recipients. Since I'm personally presenting the awards."
Handing each of us a sheet of paper, the secretary distributed awards and stage details. Lucy and I received two sheets each, outlining the awards we were to receive and a rough plan of the stage proceedings.
"The award ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Rehearsals are likely underway, so head to the auditorium for a brief practice. Oh, you two can stay here for now," the principal winked at
and Lucy, and the secretary exited the room.
"You three, follow ."
Alice, Moon Soorin, and the second-year male students followed the secretary's lead, leaving Lucy and
alone.
"H-Hoyeon, what's happening? Why are we the only ones left?"
"Don't worry, just remain calm."
Is she still in the dark? At this point, she should have understood that we were receiving separate awards for defeating Felix. She's not slow on the uptake. Maybe she's using a defense chanism to avoid thinking about anything related to Felix. She's probably trying to suppress those thoughts. If that's the case, I truly feel sorry for her.
Once the sounds of the students' footsteps faded, the principal began speaking, "As you might have already guessed, we're awarding you for your efforts in identifying and eliminating the demon, Felix."
Lucy's face paled suddenly.
"Y-Yes? Wait" Just as she was about to speak, I held her hand firmly, shaking my head at her. I ant for her to stay quiet for now. She seed to want to say sothing, her lips trembling, but she eventually closed her mouth.
"Um, of course, it's understandable if you're nervous. Unlike the exceptional students, you'll be receiving awards alongside the hunters."
Oddly enough, the provided schedule didn't list any exceptional students, which indicated that we'd be receiving separate awards. Unfortunately, these reassuring words only increased our apprehension. Lucy's trembling beca more pronounced.
However, sothing didn't feel right. The award was too significant. While it's true that killing the hidden demon within the academy was a noteworthy event deserving recognition, it seed unlikely that Victoria Academy would want to magnify it this much. Given how they covered up my accident and their self-interested tendencies, it didn't align. But since I couldn't inquire about the reason for the significant award, I decided to keep my silence.
"So, I've been pondering over what reward to offer you. We've pretty much settled on sothing, though there has been so opposition."
In addition to the printed itinerary for checking the schedule, we also received a docunt for a secret pledge. I couldn't help but wonder about the significant reward they were providing that warranted a secret pledge.
Perhaps my expression gave away my nervousness because the principal responded with a reassuring smile. "Both of you, don't let nerves get the best of you. Carry yourselves like the heroes you are. Once this award ceremony is over, any animosity towards you will dissipate."
"Yes Thank you."
With those words from the principal, we listened and exited the office, heading to the rehearsal.
"I, I can't accept this." As we distanced ourselves from the principal's office, Lucy suddenly grabbed my arm and spoke.
"Lucy"
"I didn't do anything. I foolishly got caught by the demon, and the mont you ca to rescue , I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was in the infirmary. But why am I receiving an award? I can't accept it."
Her eyes were trembling. Her refusal seed more intense than I expected. But it was too late now to say, "Actually, I defeated the demon all by myself," and cancelling the award ceremony was out of the question.
Heroine Status Window
[Lucy]
[Affection: 93]
[Lust: 40]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 35]
Current Status: I can't accept this after causing such a big fuss.
Fortunately or unfortunately, her reluctance to accept the award stemd from feeling sorry for . If she simply wanted to avoid anything related to Felix, I might have had to consider foregoing the award ceremony for the sake of her ntal state. But thankfully, it wasn't the worst-case scenario. At least there was still a way forward.
"Lucy"
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but this is just too much"
"Lucy, listen. Do it for my sake."
""
"If I claim to have defeated the demon all by myself, the attention towards
will beco overwhelming. I might even face threats from those who envy ."
Actually, I had already given up on seeking attention or anything of that sort when dealing with heroines. Honestly, I wasn't even sure if receiving more attention led to more threats.
"Alright"
"Thank you. For taking my feelings into consideration."
"No problem. Receiving an award is beneficial for
too. It's nice to add it to my rsum later!"
She eventually gave in to my persuasion. It seed that realizing the award could help
in so way eased her mind a bit.
***
"Next, we have a morial to honor the hunters who sacrificed themselves during the gate suppression." As a somber hum buzzed in the background, the crowd got into their mont of silence.
"I'm so nervous."
"Don't worry. It's not a big deal."
Lucy and I waited backstage for our turn to receive the award.
"Not a big deal?! Our turn is right after this one! Ugh"
"Well, yes."
After the comndation for the hunters who contributed to the gate suppression concluded, it would be our turn.
But why haven't those people shown up yet? It's almost our turn.
"Ahyeong, wait a mont. We're just going to have a al with colleagues. Why so snappy?"
"I'm sorry. I've been really busy lately."
"Ahyeong, hold on!"
Voices from the waiting area caught my attention. A familiar na and voice. And soon enough, in walks a lady with jet-black hair and a fair complexion.
"Oh my, really? Hoyeon?"
"Ahyeong, hello."
"Oh, right! They ntioned that they were calling the students who eliminated the demon for the award ceremony today! How did I forget that?!"
This darn academy seems to have withheld information from both Lucy and . They're really making a ss of things.
"Ahyeong! Huh?" A man who entered belatedly seed displeased when he saw
and her talking and approached with an annoyed expression. After scanning
from head to toe, his expression changed slightly, and he smiled. "Oh~ The stars who defeated the demon no, you're just a student?"
""
How can soone be such an asshole even on their first eting? I don't like how he's looking
down just because he knows I'm just a student.
"I'm Kang Yechan, who will be receiving the award along with Ahyeong. I'm an A-rank hunter and work for the association."
"Yes. Nice to et you. Ahyeong, you didn't ntion that you were receiving an award today."
I heard Kang Yechan's words with one ear and let them slide out the other.
"Well, I was told to keep it a secret. People outside shouldn't know that I'm receiving the award."
"Haven't all the association mbers arrived? With just you two here, it would be obvious."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Seeing her mutter sothing like "It looks that way," I can't help but chuckle. Surprisingly, she's quite innocent. Except for her fondness for rape.
"Haha, are you and Ahyeong acquainted? Where did you et?"
"Please get ready for the next participants!"
"Oh, I should go. See you later!"
"Yes. Good luck!"
Baek Ayoung and Kang Yechan followed the guide to the stage.
I didn't see them during the rehearsal earlier. I wonder if they'll do well.
"Lucy, let's get ready too. Our turn is coming up."
"Yeah. But how do you know the saint?"
Lucy seed to be investigating my relationships through this award ceremony, making
a bit apprehensive.
"We t while volunteering over the weekend. I'll tell you about it later."
"Volunteering? You really lead an active life"
"Just a hobby, just a hobby."
Everything I did seed to revolve around impressing girls, yet Lucy regarded
as soone extraordinary.
This is a favorable misconception, so I should let it be.
"Next group of students! Please co up!"
"Let's go."
"Ugh, yeah!"
Will Lucy be alright?
"Umm"
She appeared excessively tense, so I gently gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Relax. It'll be over soon."
"Uh yeah."
"Next, we have an award ceremony for the students who eliminated the demon."
We ascended the stage slowly. First, bright lights greeted us, followed by the sight of an enormous crowd. I couldn't fathom why we had to receive the award in front of such a massive audience. Faces that occasionally ca into view through the crowd included academy students, association executives, and even high-ranking guild mbers.
We proceeded cautiously and stood before the principal.
"These students, by eliminating the hidden demon within the academy, have beco models of society through their sense of responsibility and justice I hereby comnd them. Student Lee Hoyeon."
"Thank you."
I received the comndation from the principal as politely and formally as possible, affixing it to my left arm.
"Lucy."
"T-Thank you very much."
"?"
"Ugh"
Laughter echoed from sowhere in the audience. Lucy's face turned as red as her ears as she received the comndation.
Can a crowd truly evoke such nervousness?
"This concludes the award ceremony." With the principal's declaration and the applause, the award ceremony concluded. Though it lasted just a minute for , I wondered how tedious it must have been for the academy students sitting there. I expressed my sympathy.
Clap clap! The joyful applause from the students resonated throughout the auditorium. The thunderous applause gradually subsided, and the principal resud speaking. "As the head of Victoria Academy, I'm compelled to acknowledge the efforts of these two students."
All of a sudden? It's not over yet?
"As an institution dedicated to fostering student well-being, I take full responsibility for this incident and the burden it has placed on our students."
The principal's unexpected shift in tone caught both Lucy and
off guard, as well as the seated audience.
"But before addressing that further, I would like to offer compensation to these two students." The principal paused briefly before continuing, "I will open the academy's treasure vault and donate one treasure to each of the two students."
A ripple of excitent swept through the audience. The academy's treasure vault. Frankly, I encountered it only in the ga's narrative and didn't actually visit it. I heard that it was filled with artifacts and valuable items collected over the ages but rumors remained re rumors.
"As the head of Victoria Academy, we consistently stand by our students in pursuit of truth. The heroes who vanquished the demon have unjustly endured false accusations. Let
clarify here: Victoria Academy does not engage in the creation of celebrities. That's all."
So, that's why the principal had ntioned that all those baseless rumors would vanish after the award ceremony. When the principal himself asserted it, most of those rumors were likely to dissipate. Nonetheless, those stubborn skeptics who refused to believe even after witnessing the truth were the ones who would brand
a fraud even as they watched
slay a demon.
Following the conclusion of the principal's speech, Lucy and I exited the stage, led back to the principal's office.
"Great job. Lucy, you seed quite tense."
"I'm sorry."
"Haha, it's alright. It's alright. I was the sa at your age."
The atmosphere in the principal's office grew more relaxed after the award ceremony. Unable to suppress my curiosity about the question that had nagged , I asked, "Principal, may I ask you a question?"
"Hmm? Of course. Feel free to ask anything."
"Why go to such lengths to reward us? Doesn't the academy have anything to gain from this?"
The question I'd kept within . The principal, upon hearing it, arched an eyebrow and sighed. "Why use threats like that when you won't even tell your student yourself?"
"Pardon?"
"is what I told Professor Im Sol. She's been looking out for you quite a bit. I've never seen her like that before." The principal appeared visibly fatigued as he spoke.
"Ah" Finally, I unraveled the mystery behind this elaborate ceremony and the grand award.
***
"Here we are, the academy's treasure vault." The principal stood beside a bookshelf in his office and sketched a magic circle. With a deep rumble, the bookshelf swung open, revealing a concealed space. "Due to its location, we had no choice but to establish a confidentiality agreent. I hope you understand."
Honestly, I could never have anticipated that such a place was hidden here.
"Ah, then let's begin with you, Hoyeon."
I entered the storage room with a asured pace. Inside, a variety of artifacts were on display.
[A Sword of a Thousand Years]
[Frozen Waters]
[Flas of War]
"I don't require weapons"
Though things rarely went according to plan, my objective was to fight in a secure environnt. I delved deeper into the vault, moving past the weapon displays. Within, an array of artifacts and spellbooks awaited.
"Oh this is surely it. The treasure lies concealed here."
It was an unspoken rule of treasure vaults. They were often filled with forgotten items, and nobody paid them any mind. It was even better if they asked for more since this place wasn't genuinely about treasures.
"Oh, Professor, where's my reward?" Im Sol had extended her kindness to , yet here I am, feeling guilty for seeking out my desires. "I should strive to gather valuable information without relying on physical rewards next ti," I resolved to myself.
As I sifted through the artifacts like a scavenger, I spotted a spellbook rolling in a corner.
"Found it. The concealed gem."
The hidden gem I had been in search of finally unveiled itself.
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