With the fall of Class-8's last mber, the inter-class competition ca to an end. And as the curtain fell, the behind the scene briskly took action, leading us to the award ceremony.
The mountainous map had long since vanished from the 5th arena, returning it to its plain, ring-like platform. At the centre, an elaborate stage was set up, with Vandam Faugner, the Academy Dean, at the lead. Many teachers stood by his side.
It hadn't even been 10 minutes since the closing of the final match... Perhaps, they'd wanted to inaugurate winners while the excitent still lingered at its peak among the audience.
Gradually, the arena was filled with the subsequent arrival of freshn from the Combat Departnt. Well, maybe not the entire crowd, like in the opening ceremony, but the mainstay being eight finalist classes, while the representative of any other classes attending it. Though it was an entirely voluntary act if one wanted to attend, not just limited to representatives.
A lot of joyful glee erupted from the students. There should be 500 first years attending the scene now. Apparently, this was the reason why representatives of each class must attend the finale. I see, and that’s why the academy was quickly going through the motions, eh?
At the signal from teachers, we ford a line, and stood nearby.
"Well then, let's comnce the commoration ceremony for the First Year's Combat Departnt!"
Dean's sonorous voice travelled out of the mike, and through the entire venue.
"At the front, First Block's participants."
There were too many classes to call them individually, so collectively calling them via their respective blocks was the trend.
Heeding the call, the representatives climbed up the stage, and lined up in front of Dean. Complints flew around for them, followed by a trail of applause. There were no prizes here or similar, since they'd already been handed over at the end of a block's match.
Most complints lingered around 'you were spectacular' or 'Your valiant effort is a learning example', with the student's speeches given only by the winner and runner-up.
I, too, received them with a straightened back, pulling my signature expression. When I turned around, I could hear the applause pouring my way. Not gonna lie, the praises and atmosphere was getting to !
After , the head of praises turned to Class-99's representative, though he was visibly trembling. Hmm, did tension get to him?
And with that, the call out for the preliminaries' six blocks closed up. Following up, it was turn for acknowledgent of semi-finalists. They received a deluge of applause, more than what the preliminary classes got.
And then cos the finalist block.
"Moving onward to our last, but the most excellent, champions! The final block's representative, step up."
—*Rumble* *Clap-Clap*
The applause poured in like the rumbling of thunder, as if they'd saved their highest hurrah for this mont.
I wasn't surprised; each of the finalist block's classes were excellent on their own. There had been so lucky wins up to the semi-final, but the finale would never have such coincidences. It's no surprise finalists were welcod with more enthusiasm.
In order, the nad classes climbed up on the stage, along with their class, and gave a polite wave of hand in the audience's direction.
The businessn, or the people of each notable organisation, sharply appraised all the faces—or, sothing like that? After all, the students today could turn out to be the leading figures of this generation. Students also put their best impression, seemingly aware of the situation.
The order started from the last rank, which had been Class-10, and gradually climbed up. When it was 3rd rank's, Class-3, turn, they're commorated with copper, or was it brass?, trophy.
The 2nd rank, Class-8, was awarded with a silver trophy. And, at last, cos our turn.
"Now to our champions—Class-1!"
If earlier clamouring was like the rumbling of thunder in the rainy season, then the cheers and applause resounded like a chain of lightning blasting the surface of earth.
The arena was brimming with sweltering heat just from the audience's excitent alone! This was sothing I had never experienced in the ga, and it was all so fresh, and addicting!
Basking through the glory, cutting through the wind, I made my way to where Dean was. He began with his words of complint, the acknowled—hmm? Wait, the crowd's enthusiasm is drowning his voice...
"The success of Class-1... exce... achieved... the top....... National Dungeon......... exploration and support academy - Main Branch's Dean Vandam Faugner. Congratulations on your triumph, Class-1.»
"—Thank you very much!"
The initial speech completely went unheard, but it didn't matter. I spiritedly said my gratitude filled words. This was all that mattered, definitely!
I turned around, and hoisted up the certification, and the shining golden trophy high for the crowd to gaze at. And, my words, I could've felt even the stage shook with the shouts and applauses that followed! Hmm, I might wanna do it again!
The winner's reward would be later delivered to our classroom, and that's where we get to split them.
In this way, the curtain dropped on our first ever inter-class competition.
Of course, what's a victory without its banquet, eh?!
***
The last day of Inter-class competition sunset, followed by the academy-wide speech of Dean as the closing mont. The night of that day, we, the Class-1, gathered at our classroom once again.
"So, everyone got their mugs, right?! Though we have already gone through it yesterday, once again—welco to the celebration banquet! For the victory of Class-1! Cheers!!"
" " "Cheers!!" " "
Basking in the rush of euphoria at our achievents, I loudly kicked off our celebration. The excitent was shared by everyone, their voices promptly following after . Heh, indeed, they're the Class-1. They wouldn't go limp just from that much battle, after all!
I took a big gulp of drink from my glass. It was a special juice, for special mont! You guessed it? Yup, it was the most famous, and the greatest «100% llow Apple Juice»! A certain illustrious person seed to have thrown it among the prizes. Mm, whoever they were, may they be blessed with dungeons drop. Each ship was like a drop of elixir, revitaling every cell of the body.
"Phew, delicious~!"
Lana's eyes had already narrowed in delight as she savoured the juices. Though Ester's expressions were already lting in delight even without a sip, her gaze glanced at Lana.
Hmm, It's quite an understandable reaction, if you ask . The way Lana's expression was coming apart in delight, one could see she truly was enjoying it. The juice tasted even richer just by a glance at her.
Suddenly, our gazes collided. In a mont, her face went red, bright red like a boiled octopus.
"H-hey, can you not stare that much, Zephyr? It's embarassing!"
"Ah, you noticed ?"
"Hehe, you still have a long way to go, Zephyr-dono. Even if you would want to gaze at Lana-sama, discreetly is the way to go."
For inexplicable reasons, Ester tutored the way of gazing (?), like she was a professional in it. Hmm, what was she trying to pull? I was quite curious, frankly. But I do get it. Anyone would want to take a long gaze at Lana.
"Wow, this is so delicious, Zephyr-kun! Can I have another serving?"
Then, Misato hopped on in the scene. Though she couldn't be one of the last standing mbers in the finale, her face bears no such frustration. She was truly enjoying the party. But, a second serving? Oh, Misato, if only... if only.
"Unfortunately, there's no second serving. We had served everything at one go, I wouldn't want to imagine what would've happened if there was even one more glass left."
"Aww, truly a pity. I should've savoured it more slowly then~."
Misato's mug was already empty. I guess she must have guzzled it at once in excitent. Her expression fell apart in disappointnt when I delivered the sad news. ...The sa expression was shared by Lana, too.
I shared the sa feeling, but not too much. Because we had «Ocarina»! We would have room of respite ahead, so «Eden» could try to farm them. Hehehe, we might truly overhunt them, I feared.
Anyway, anyone who had already emptied their apple juice was served similar-esque juice. The excitent between the crowd persists.
"It reminds , I must have a good talk with rt-dono, and straighten so things up. How can he target Lana-sama......"
"Co now, you still made it to them, so let the water under the bridge. I saw you totally thrashed them."
"Hmm, that I did."
Then, Ester's grumbled about rt's action—how he had unhesitatingly sent so of their mbers to snub out our last healer, Lana.
He was right, though. We were nearly invincible, as long as Lana was still standing. It stands to reason he would target the foundation. I would've done the sa.
Still, how he accomplished was nothing short of admiration. It took a bold heart and a crafty tactic to leave one's base empty, and lay down an ambush. He was truly determined.
Albeit, Ester made it there just when Shizu felt her hands short. She was like a typhoon, ravaging every ambusher that fell upon her path, showing them the way to the exit. I knew, but I, too, had a fresh look at Ester's strength.
rt's tactic collapsed, unable to put down Lana. As they say, one could've had the finest plan, but victory may never get to them. Later, I must have a reflection eting with him. That said, I couldn't say if Ester was saying this in passing, or she truly ant every word of her. So, err, best of luck, rt!
I couldn't help but look at our performance, and the entire competition. It was great. We all had been from the sa departnt, but the flavour in the competitor's performance was distinct. Coming to , I was thoroughly content.
Now, the classroom was filled with everyone's chatter.
Oh, right. Let's check out on Saturn and Co. They appeared to be quite in a good mood, laughing wildly.
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