<strong>Grand Arena, Training grounds-1;</strong>
It was 7 o'clock. The sky was dark and the stadium lights were on, focusing on the field in the stadium.
Even though there aren't any matches to be held, the stadium was still packed with a hundred thousand spectators.
The only thing about the audience that's different from the past couple of weeks is that majority of them are young people who came to Aclein from many places to watch it.
As for higher realm experts and scouts, they weren't interested in things like music and dance performances. So, there were very few of them. However, the duo of teenage-looking grandpa and his nine-year-old granddaughter also attended this closing ceremony. They sat somewhere in a corner.
The barren field inside the stadium was replaced by a huge plain floor.
Suddenly, the lights went off and fireworks were displayed all around for a whole minute.
Slowly, as the music started playing, the lights were on again and everyone saw dozens of people wearing snow-white outfits clustered together in the middle.
Soon, they started to move in various formations. The performance lasted for five minutes and once again the lights were off.
Within a minute, as the lights switched on, this time, the audience saw an elevated platform in the middle of the stadium.
Standing before them are three people. One is the beautiful host Exea, the second is the organizing committee head and the last one is the Principal of the hosting academy.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…"
After a short introduction to the closing ceremony, Exea gestured for Barton to speak up.
He then gave a thank you speech for letting his academy host the prestigious international tournament and later, requested everyone to have a one-minute of silence for the life that was lost during the finals.
Even the closing ceremony was supposed to be full of fun, just like other tournaments, the management followed the custom to start it by mourning for the death that occurred during the tournament.
Thankfully, most of the audience also knew of this ancient custom that was going on for several millennia now. The hundred thousand spectators stood up together and kept silent for the talented girl who died at the age of 16.
After a minute of silence, Barton introduced the organizing committee head, Leroy Cobris who started speaking about how the association and the public witnessed the rise of amazing talents, this year.
Then, the actual fun began with popular singers, male bands, and dancers gave their performances one after another.
Watching everyone around, the hooded figure let out a sigh, "it's a pity, Dove was already forgotten by these people in a manner of few minutes. Just like how the bony always say, humans are indeed the cruelest creatures in the universe."
"What happened, grandpa?" Nine-year-old Izora spotted that her grandpa doesn't seem to be in a good mood.
Her teenage-looking grandpa shook his head in response, "nothing, Izora."
Looking at the forced smile on him, she wondered whether he doesn't such things. But, considering his status, she thought it would be weird if he likes such things.
Izora ignored him and put her attention back to the stage.
An hour later, Exea appeared with the mic and announced the start of the Prizing Ceremony.
"Now, let's welcome our champions of the Champions with a loud cheer, everyone."
As the screens displayed the names by their ranking, Exea called out their names one by one while they entered the stadium with their own special music playing in the background.
Amid the cheers of a hundred thousand spectators, everyone was waving their hands with a smile on their faces until they reached the center of the stadium.
Only the students of the Central Academy and Dragon Academy were stoic as they entered.
Of course, the former came that way in their standard military style because of their discipline and the latter just have dead eyes as they walked like puppets without any soul.
In fact, they entered the tournament being the favorites but by the end, they were the ones who lost the most in this tournament.
First, their complaint about the venue was rejected by WAMO.
Second, they lost a comrade.
Third, the three of them temporarily lost the ability to train their soul energy. They can no longer catch up with peers at least for the next five-ten years. In an Academy where strength is everything, it will be hard for them to get into an advanced program.
Fourth, their captain was also turned into a mortal. So, it's clear that his life as an Arcana Master is over unless a ten-star demi god takes pity on him and offers him a new soul orb. This situation is obviously next to impossible. To get back his Minotaur, he could also participate in some forbidden ritual by Druids and pay a price in return. But, that's another story.
Fifth and final, their appeal to null the final match was also soundly rejected by WAMO.
So, these four teenagers care neither about their public image nor about the prize. They just entered the stadium, following the orders of their instructor.
"Last but not least, I present you the Champions of the Group category, Team Twilight from Aclein Academy of Arcana." Exea clearly appeared to be the most excited as she screamed on top of her lungs.
Followed by Claire's lead, the five winners of the tournament entered the stadium amid a hundred thousand cheers.
"Twilight" "Twilight" "Azrael" "Claire" "Claire" "Gideon" "Mia" "Mia" "Snivy" "Twilight"
This wasn't the first time the overwhelming cheers made Azzy feel the excitement in his heart. However, back then, he couldn't show any emotions on his face.
Now that his expression has been returned, Azzy looked troubled as he was trying to suppress his smile as much as possible. In the end, the cameras captured his awkward smile.
"Cute…"
Strangely, older girls who are in college found him cute at the moment as he was facing difficulty to stay calm. When he found it isn't possible, Azzy just put his head and walked ahead giving an impression to the first-timers that he was just a shy kid.
Only those who watched all of his performances from the start found it hard to see that kind of troubled expression on Azzy's face. Many female students of Aclein academy even felt disappointed as their image of him being a cold prince shattered like glass.
Soon, the group joined others.
Several groups stood together according to their academies. They were all the academies that made it to top-10 in different categories. Their representative instructors are also with them.
Exea then continued, "Now that everyone is here, let's invite our chief guest to hand out the prizes for the Champions. Everyone, give a huge round of applause for the Vice President of the World Arcana Masters Association."
*Clap* *Clap*
As the spectators clapped, with their eyes fixed at the entrance on either of the pavilions to see the legendary emperor of lightning and thunder, all of a sudden several bolts of lightning narrow to each other descended onto the platform, scaring the hell out of Exea including the students who stood nearby.
A figure appeared in the midst of lightning bolts and with a snap of his finger, they disappeared.
It was a half-naked old man with an exposed muscular upper body with short white hair and a clean shaved beard and mustache, although the wrinkles are clearly visible. With a ring over his head that resembles a crown and a fierce look in his eyes, it gave an impression of a mighty warrior.
As Exea greeted him with a bow, the old man impatiently took the mic from her and introduced himself, "Greetings everyone. I'm Ramiel Crescent. I have only two things to say.
First of all, congratulations to all the winners and those who also made it to the top 10.
Secondly, most of you will soon graduate from these beginner studies and choose your path. Whatever path you might choose, just remember that the more you get stronger, the more your responsibility to society increases. So, contribute to the welfare of the society in any way you can."
"Eh? Crescent?" Azzy was taken aback by surprise as soon as he heard of his identity. He didn't expect a member of his clan was the Vice president of the world's strongest organization where even Death Clan alone cannot go to a full-scale war, according to his master, Avia Night.
Along with Azzy, two more people were also seemed surprised. Gideon and Barbara, both of them also didn't expect such a thing. However, unlike Azzy, they felt more excited instead.
Meanwhile, Claire who was watching Azzy from the corner of her eyes giggled to herself. "It's fun to see this side of Rael."
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