Absolute Beast Dominion Chapter 294: Rewards - 2

Chapter 294: Rewards - 2

Later that day.

4th - 10th:

- 1 Million AC

- Advancent Materials for 1 beast / oneself

- 5 Low 3-star random Beastcores

- 5 Low 3-star Soul Crystals

- Stat-boosting treasures — overall 150 stats if absorbed effectively

11 - 50:

- 200000 AC

- 5 Pseudo 3-star random Beastcores/Advancent Materials for oneself

- 5 Pseudo 3-star Soul Crystals

- Stat-boosting treasures — overall 50 stats if absorbed effectively

"Next! We have our 12th-ranked student—Yano Gilberd, along with his beast, Boulder Rock Snake, a Pseudo 3-star beast!"

Apparently, he had risen from 14th rank to 12th. Even though there were no reward changes, it was his personal ego that made him want to be placed at the highest rank he was capable of. So, after losing to the 11th-ranked student, he was satisfied.

Yano rose from his seat, chest puffed, pride evident in his stride. The stone snake followed, its massive body gliding across the ground with a faint scraping sound.

Tarun took a spatial ring from a tray held by a female student beside him. As Yano approached, Tarun clasped his arm and handed over the ring. It contained all the rewards, along with the uniform they had selected earlier through the Aurelius Academy Application. At the sa ti, a notification rang in Yano’s phone—200,000 AC received—but that could be checked later.

"You have great talent and a knack for fighting with a suitable beast," Tarun said, his tone calm but firm. "Use the rewards in this ring to advance your beast and improve your potential. Let’s work together for humanity."

Yano nodded, eting Tarun’s gaze. Respect filled his eyes. Being acknowledged by a General was an achievent he would carry for life. He was certain his family in the inner city, watching him, would be proud.

Pride swelled in his chest.

But before it could turn into arrogance, sothing changed.

It felt as though his consciousness was struck by a towering mountain. And that mountain was the man standing before him. His pupils trembled the mont his eyes locked with Tarun’s. In that instant, he felt how insignificant he was, how he amounted to nothing and how he would have to break his body just to reach the feet of soone like him.

At so point, Tarun released his hand.

"Now go," Tarun said evenly. "Always strive for better. Never be satisfied with what you have now—not with life, not with power. Rember, the hunger to want more and better is what brought humanity here. And we will rise even higher."

The state Yano was in made those words carve themselves into his mind.

By the ti he walked back to his seat, almost unconsciously, he noticed the others who had already received their rewards. Most wore the sa expression.

As if their pride in being in the top 50 had been stripped away.

Finally, the 11th-ranked student was called.

"At last, the 11th-ranked student, just shy of our legendary top 10—Cecil Milton, along with her beast, Flahoof Vanguard! A half-spirit quadruped beast that outruns even your fastest dreams!"

The sa process followed.

And once again, as soon as she received the ring, her consciousness was struck by Tarun’s mountain-like presence.

But after that impact, one thing was common among all the students.

The drive to grow stronger.

No fear or any hatred.

Just a burning fla that demanded more.

"Hey... did you feel that?" one student whispered.

"If you’re talking about feeling like a worm in front of him... then yes," the other replied flatly.

"Do you think we’ll ever be able to scale that mountain?"

"Think?" he scoffed softly. "What’s there to think? I’ll work so hard that I can crush that mountain with my own hands. Just wait. In the future, I won’t stand below it... I’ll stand equal to it. No—greater."

His eyes burned with determination.

It was clear that there was no brainwashing or control.

Just a glimpse of reality... and the work it would take to reach its pinnacle.

Now, it was finally ti for the top 10.

"Ladies and gentlen, we now move on to the stars of our competition—the top 10 students!"

Though the crowd had thinned by nearly 50% than matches, the cheers were just as loud. Fans had already ford around their favourites.

But one na dominated them all—

"Whaaaaoooo!! Marco! We love you!"

"Marco is the grand ambassador of commoners!"

"We’re so proud of him!"

Nearly half of the audience cheered for Marco. The reason was simple.

He was a commoner.

And the only commoner to reach the top 10 across all academies.

If only they knew about Leo and Lily. But by now, most had already labelled them as hidden nobles—especially with Lily’s unmatched beauty and Leo’s strength.

That assumption alone kept people cautious. No one dared act offensively toward them. If they truly belonged to a powerful house, offending them could an being wiped out overnight along with one’s entire bloodline.

"Let’s welco the 10th-ranked student—Marco! Along with his beast, Regalia Mammoth, A Pseudo 3-star beast!"

Marco stood from his seat. The remaining 9 students sat spaced apart, leaving room for their beasts—similar to the top 50, but far less crowded with comfortable wooden chairs to be seated on. The distribution took place at the centre of the arena, where Tarun stood on an elevated platform.

He walked toward Tarun, his mammoth standing patiently behind him. His white and light lemon clothes gave him a modest appearance.

"You have a strong connection with your beast," Tarun said. "et in my chambers tomorrow during your free ti. I’ll guide you on strengthening that bond further."

"T-thank you," Marco replied, bowing slightly.

Tarun shook his hand and handed him the spatial ring.

And once again, it happened.

The mont Marco t Tarun’s eyes, his entire being shook.

But soone else was shaken even more.

Dhalia.

"General Tarun has taken an interest in him...?"

Tarun was an ice-elent specialist, and Dhalia had hoped to take him as her ntor. But it seed she had lost that chance to Marco.

She could only groan inwardly, her thoughts racing as she searched for another ice master in her mory.