It was Saturday, the day after inter-class competition week had co to an end.
While the weekend should've a holiday for all, so people had to reluctantly give up for one last, but important, event still left behind—the Individual’s Achievent Award Ceremony.
It was today. Before anyone raises their hands, yesterday was ant to be a ceremony for winning classes, and today, individuals for their respective achievents would be awarded.
I was impressed. The academy had more than just freshn classes, so it was impressive to they managed to sort out the individual's performance in just one day. Just to be added, we never had this award ceremony for individuals in the ga. Could it be, it's what they ant by you always learning new things? If so, Reality Banzai!
Not everyone had been called for, between. The selected students were invited to the most prestigious—as far as it concerned «Combat Departnt»—arena, First Arena.
"Now, the award ceremony for individuals, who have displayed a stellar performance in their competition, will begin."
—*Clap-Clap*
Standing atop the elaborate stage set up at the centre of the arena, Dean inaugurated the award ceremony. The shouts of joy imdiately engulfed the crowd. As it included students of every major, even to count them with remarkable archivent, the venue was completely packed.
But, even more astonishing was the size of the audience. It wasn't just a few, no, there were so many that you would instead wonder how many were there. I think, I now understand why the First Arena. I really shouldn't have expected any less from an academy this giant.
Like yesterday, the participation was voluntary, and yet, I swear I could see more students just hanging around. Of course, we also had many adults, all dressed up in sharp business suits etc joining.
The event must be eye-catching for the society too. The ones awarded today were bound to be elite among their peers. I could see why many would use all ans to extend their stay for one more day.
Well, I doubt it would be a question, but yes, I was, obviously, among the group to be on stage. I had previously received the summon in my «Student Handbook».
Forming a neat row, we listened to the speech of Dean.
Ah, I may have forgotten to ntion, but all the students gathered were from first years. The 3rd years, or the 2nd years had already gone through the sa, now leaving our turn for the last.
It was an order decided after greater consideration. The ti wasn't infinite, many would want to return after the 3rd year's award ceremony. That's why, the last spot was for first years, since we wouldn't have anyone urgent waiting for, apparently. But a look at the crowd, and I couldn't help but think, was this so made-up theory?
Anyway, I had a rough count, and it seed there were at least 30 first years scheduled to be awarded. This count was lower than the 3rd year. but more than 2nd years. Was it because we're the fresh blood, hence why we'd been given more attention than 2nd years?
Speaking of, 19 of the overall 30 expected students belonged to the Combat Departnt. So, basically a majority. It was also the departnt with more attention. It was kind of obvious. This year, they'd absolute increase in the high-ranking job holders, which contributed to a significant rise in overall performance. Before this year, the average was usually only among tens at best.
From my acquaintances, I could see Shizu—it was no surprise—and the advanced job holders like Sierra, Lana, Ester, and Karua. There were also Celestine, Celia, and Lulu, as well as Alan of Machos.
Hmm, what about Saturn? His long gaze was set on us. He definitely had no awareness of the blunder that was most talked about among the audience. I guess, his achievents had cancelled out the biggest blunder of the first match? Uh, well, I would say he at least had so future. Oh, and there was also Lamda-kun, the advanced job holder from Class-5. I waved my hand to him, and he reverted the gesture. He seed to be a nice person.
From other classes, I spotted Dwarf Wardolga of the trio from Class-12. Wait, what do you an he wasn't the leader?! Wow, I was surprised. I truly expected him to be the leader of their class, though it seed he was more of a leading builder of the fortress construction team. Indeed, he definitely had done amazing work.
Then, moving forward, there was Rina, leader of Class-51, unsurprisingly. I was sure she would've been among the current mbers even without «Dragon's Miniature Garden». From Class-8, there was leader rt, and Lacritta, and even Reglam.
I had heard Lacritta so brilliantly entrapped Class-9's leader he was almost about to be knocked out of the match, forcing him to escape. It was quite a significant achievent. Her partner, Noel, could be seen cheering for her from the crowd, mike in her hand. As for Lacritta herself, her tension was visible through trembling legs, like a newborn fawn.
Reglam and rt's backs were straight like a bamboo, no imperfection in their form.
Then there was this student Sudan from Class-2. He's their leader, chosen for knocking out Saturn in one blow at our first match. No one else from the beginning block made it to the stage, aside from him, so it must have been a significant contribution in other's eyes.
My gaze then stopped at the Class-3 and Class-9's leader, the «Hundred Flas» and the «Reaper» respectively. Both well-known to the point of the receiving aliases. I hadn't had direct contact with them, but that «Hundred Flas» girl was definitely crazy strong. rt said he only won by a narrow margin. In that case, she was definitely the right pick!
Since all the departnt's students were around, Hannah was also among them.
"Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Zephyr-kuuuuun! W-w-what should I do?! I, I think people are staring at too much!!"
The competition between Alchemy Departnt 1st Year was led between the teams, taking place inside their classes. And Hannah, having unlocked her advanced class, seed to have won by so kind of common sense shattering move. Under everyone's intense gaze, she was wooden stiff, creaking like so chanical toy.
Hmm, I wonder what she did? I should ask it later. It sounds like sothing interesting happened.
"—The special prize for the production category goes to——1st year Hannah of Alchemist Departnt."
"H-hyaiii!!"
"Hey, look, you're being called, Hannah. Be proud of yourself."
"Ugh, I don't get it. What am I even doing here?! Everyone here is so talented!"
Duh, girl, you're one of the talented. What else? If anything, I would say her talent went beyond that. Plus, she also had an advanced job.
Just like I had told her—well, not quite exactly—she strides forward with an upright posture, except her right hand swung in motion together with her right leg.
"Inter-class competition's Individual achievent ceremony. Student Hannah, you have been—"
Dean garlanded her with innurable praises. Each ti a new praise ca from his mouth, Hanna would visibly shake. I know what that look entails. She was desperately enduring the urge to say 'Your words are wasted on ' or 'I am not that amazing, not at all.'
I listened to Dean's speech, and from the gist of it, Hannah seed to have brought a wind of transformation for the production job. Like, she showed them a world they'd never imagined... or sothing.
Among the production job holders, Hannah alone had the advanced job among her peers, so neither of them had any inkling what they're capable of, or the height they could take their current production departnt to. It was, in my opinion, a case of supply and demand. Due to scarcity of advanced job ascension tickets, it would be a once-in-a-million chance you would see any production job holders getting their turns.
Soon, the train of lavish praises from Dean ca to a halt, and Hannah returned back to her position, albeit if not appearing slightly pale. Alright, I should cheer her up later.
"And now, the Remarkable Ingenuity award category! The nas are—Zephyr from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt, and Ekatrina from Class 1-51 of Combat Departnt!"
Woah, it's my turn right off the bat? Wait, Rina's called out, too.
Remarkable ingenuity, huh? ...Make sense, I guess. After all, I hadn't drawn out anything crazy this ti (?).
It was my first inter-class competition—in reality, I an—and there were also many classmates whom I barely knew. I had specifically played safe due to that. In the end, the strategy aspect was the only thing I should've gone all-out. But I wouldn't deny it. I was hoping for so kind of special reward, like Hannah. It's just a pity. Hey, it's still a reward though!
I quickly reached Dean with big strides, Rina standing next to . Dean started with first.
"Student Zephyr, You have displayed excellent resourcefulness, and led your class to the path of victory with your strategies. Your creativity, as well as leadership were impressive. Your tactics has sparked a newfound outlook on playing out the «Bring down the Base.» I, Vandam Faugner, the 58th Dean, comnded you with the award for your achievent."
Woah, I think, I take it as my knowledge from gas were pretty popular?! In that case, this would do. Umu, I like this ingenuity reward just well! I didn't care about the special reward. Fuhahaha! I did it! I showed them why I was in the walking database of «Dungeon Activity»!
Ahem—whoops, I got carried away at the wrong mont. Then, I received a certificate, a lavish badge of sorts adorning it, and stepped away. It was Rina's turn.
It appeared this badge was sothing like Conqueror's Mark. Alright, I am gonna wear it afterward and walk around, hahaha!
Rina's turn ca after , and she was praised highly for the tactic she drew out with her «Dragon's Miniature Garden». A huge smile blossod on her face as the praise ca from Dean.
"Now, the Extraordinary Valiant Reward! The achievers are—Shizu and Alan from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt, Haku from Class 1-3 of Combat Departnt, Lamda from Class 1-5 of Combat Departnt, rt from Class 1-8 of Combat Departnt, and Keel from Class 1-9 of Combat Departnt"
Wait, for real?! So, it's rt and Shizu scoring the special reward in the combat departnt among all the «Eden» mbers. I also heard sothing sothing muscles na in between... Well, it kinda be like that. The «Hundred Flas» and the «Reaper» also were invited.
rt had gained significant praises for his leadership as well the individual prowess he showed during the battles, with nearly every opponent defeated within the sa battle.
When it ca to Shizu, err, I would just say there was a lot to unpack. Just a notable one was a decisive action against the alliance in a tense mont, cornering Rina—alliance's spiritual support, and saving the classmates among many.
Then ca Alan. He was... just strong. No one who had fought against him won apparently. —No, how co not a single person won??
Haku was comnded for the sa reason as Alan, and surprisingly, she was one of the topmost individuals with crushing power in the academy. Hmm, true enough. Her unique skill was indeed sothing, and it was impossible to win while being unaware of its true nature.
As for Lamda, I didn't need to explain when his actions did. I really enjoyed my battle against him. On the other hand, Keel had brought down many leaders with his brilliant tactics in the first match and semi-finals.
"Now, I would like to announce the recipients of the Indomitable Shield Award of the Combat Departnt! They're—Sierra from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt, Sedan from Class 1-2 of Combat Departnt, and Lacritta from Class 1-8 of Combat Departnt!"
Ooh! This reward was given to the tanks who had managed to protect many of their comrades from harm's way, always shielding them away from any danger. This was an impressive distinction!
Sierra, and Lacritta, were chosen for their eye-catching performance. Sedan wasn't a tank per se, but the devotion he showed to protect his comrades was clearly admirable.
"Moving onward, to the Sharpest Fang Award! They're—Ester, and Celestine from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt, and Reglam from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt!"
This reward was reserved for the individual (s) who had dared to jump among the enemy line alone, turning the tides of battle in their class's favour, and make it out alive. A reckless charge was the height of stupidity, hence why the condition. I agreed on the baseline.
"It's now the turn for the Safe Zone Supremacy Award! The candidates are—Lana, and Karua from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt, and Wardolga from Class 1-12 of Combat Departnt!"
Heh, they even had an award for this category? It was a support-class specific award. The condition entails for supporters to provide their allies a significant buff from their safe spot, or corner their opponents. There was much less to ntion about Lana. She was the lifeline of our class, while at the sa ti, she was a nace for our opponent with her «White Throne». Karua won the place for her remarkable scouting of the arena, and Wardolga for his lead in building the fortress.
"And now, for our final, but The Defenders Award! They're—Cecilia and Lulu from Class 1-1 of Combat Departnt!"
This, too, was no surprise. The performance was evaluated based on the number of defenders present versus the opponents, and defending it till the end of their breath. This was one of the most rewarded awards apparently, though basking in their newfound experience of high-ranking jobs—which was a first for this year, defenses had been quite swallow with many opting for offense.
Also, the defender's win had to be a remarkable one, like you're up against soone beyond your present status. The performances were strictly evaluated here.
And Celia had a perfect record. Whether it was our first match, or the finale, no opponent managed to do as much as touching the entrance of our base. Plus her placent of defending mbers received a lot of positive praise. Lulu earned the award for thwarting away the Class-58. She received rave reviews for taking down half of the Class-58's mbers, while all alone.
I concur on this list. If anything, I wouldn't have been surprised if she had her na in Extraordinary Valiant category, alas, since her activity revolved around the base defense, she was put in this category.
Either way, though it should've been clear by now, there was no multi-award winner thing. I had no doubt I and Rina would have snagged a lot of them if they did. Hence, it was simply one award for one person.
The ceremony then continued, this ti awarding mbers of other departnts. Overall, the 30 students were sorted in ten categories of award.
"Well, then—let's begin the closing ceremony."
Technically, Inter-class competition had ended yesterday, but one could count today, too, due to the award ceremony. So, the closing ceremony was to be held after the award ceremony.
I really enjoyed the award ceremony. And I knew I wouldn't let anyone take this honor from moving onward. I put the new mark on my chest, grinning to myself.
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