EVERYONE'S A WINNER

"MAAAAX!" they all screamed, arms opened ready to receive me.

"WAIT, WAIT! NOT AT THE SAME-OOF!"

Everyone pounced on me, not even giving me a chance to rest even for a moment! They all piled up in multitudes on my body, that I even found it difficult to breath, while still screaming in joy.

"Guys! Calm down, you'll suffocate our rep," I heard a deep voice say, and saw Flintheart together with the Beast king, both coming at us with smiles on their faces. A few other south students (Clive and some of his friends) had stayed behind, probably thinking that they were above this type of celebration the others had made, but now, they had to join us.

After I was finally freed from the bottom of the heap( they insisted for it to stay like that for a little while, to my dismay), I got up and grabbed the trophy that had just appeared, courtesy of the Beast king.

Flintheart and the remaining South students all fell behind me, ready for the final finish. The Beast king respectively stayed at the side, this time with two other monsters guards by his side.

"Alright guys, on three," I stated.

"YEAH!" everyone answered.

"ONE, TWO! THREE!"

"SOUTH IS THE BEST!" we all roared in proud voices as I lifted up the trophy for all to see, while some of students used their abilities to make it even more grand than it already was. The whole crowd of our supporters joined us in our screams.

"SOUTH IS THE BEST! SOUTH IS THE BEST!"

They kept chanting, but at the moment, we couldn't hear them as we were a little busy doing our victory lap, this time Flintheart joining us, his face filled with a large smile, probably since he was proud of his class. Eventually, I somehow found myself in the bottom of that heap again, and this time, it lasted a lot longer that the last one.

When I finally got out again, most, if not all, of the spectators were already gone or, judging by the number of soldiers in the the area, had been rushed out of the stadium, probably against their will.

How did I not notice that they were evacuated? Was I too busy celebrating? I guess the live stream music have ended at some point too, cause the announcer wasn't with us again.

All the other classes we still around here, talking amongst themselves, but ever so slightly throwing a glance at us. The North students were one of the classes already in the field, probably to attend to their injured classmate. I'll have to apologize to her, if, she even wants it.

Both generals for our year together with the remaining class teachers were all on the field too, together with the principal. Looks like they were all just waiting for us to finish with our celebration. Both the East and West teacher all had smiles on their faces, but Mrs Ivory looked absolutely livid.

The principal gave me a slight smile when she noticed I was watching her, then signaled for the other classes remaining at the seats to come join us. Once they had arrived, we all made a formation just like at the start of the event, but this time, with all our teachers and generals at the podium, together with the principal, the Beast king, and the head general.

The principal was the first to come up to address us, "Let me just start by saying congrats to the winning side, South!"

"YEAHH!" we all cheered as Clive, who I had handed the trophy to, lifted it up in victory.

"Haven't you guys already celebrated enough?" Mrs Kelly asked.

"NO!"

"Well then, let me finish what I wanted to say and the rest of us grown ups, then we'll leave you guys to do your bidding once we arrive back in camp,"

"First, I think we've all achieved what we wanted for the day, and that's to show your worried parents that we do, in fact, have their kids best interest at heart. You all have done exemplary well during the events, and I mean all classes, not just South,"

"Now, when you all head home one month from now, they'll all see how much you've all grown, and I don't just mean in size. I can say with full confidence that prior to how we started with the year, with a good number of students lost during the attack of the demon horde, were it to happen again, you would all know how to handle yourselves and what not to do in that type of situation,"

"There are many things I would like to add on but, since I'm always with you students, let me give the stage to the generals,"

We all clapped to Principal Kelly's speech, who then handed the podium over to General Zard.

"I've never been as proud of a year as this. You all have shown me that the way I thought that you wouldn't even make it to the second year, we just that, thoughts. I was discouraged, at first, when we were attacked and I came later to find out that only a handful of you tried fighting back,"

"But now, you've all become fine warriors, and even if there were a lot of mistakes made today, what I've come to understand is that all of you learned from them, and should implement them for if ever such a scenario were to occur in real time. That's all I have for you. General Lym, you have anything to add on?" he asked the female general, but she shook her head.

"Alright then, then let me welcome the head general, General Kingsly Patreon!"

General Kingsly patiently waited for us to finish with the applause, then he began, "I've got little to shed on the matter. All has already been said by the people who've been with you for the better half of your months in camp. But I can inform you of what's going to happen if you step outside to the real word in the six months break you guys are about to go on,"

"First, as you could probably tell, we were streaming your performances Beastverse wide, so there are over five billion monsters who know what most of you look like. In short, you all are famous, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. But there is a reason we did that,"

"It would be good for you guys to remember that we are still at war with the demons, and don't think I didn't notice the one hiding on the line of the South class. Although, we can say that she got the approval from the Beast king," he said, nodding towards our line.

So, wait, no one informed him of Emily? He just straight out knew from the get go? That is some impressive deduction.

"So back at the matter at hand, we're at war with them, and this was one of the ways to show them that the first camp they had attacked was still up and running, and producing the best soldiers the Beastverse has to offer,"

"Secondly, we also did this so that we could secure you guys a position to join one of the limited guilds in our verse. The many sponsors around here also own very large companies that could really use one of your skills to make them the best they could ever be,"

"But, be warned. Once you sign a contract or swear an oath to them, you can't escape their company unless they want you to. So, if you are going to make choice, then choose the place that suits you,"

"And finally, as we are progressing in this war, you are all adviced that when call upon by the government, that you please be ready to fight to the death, cause we've reached a point where that will happen very soon. That's all."

Same case, we clapped then with baited breaths waited for the Beast king to make his speech. I'm sure most of the students around here have never seen him real life, so it must come as a treat to them to see the leader of all monsters addressing them.

"Hello kids, how's everyone doing in camp? Good, I hope. It was my idea, after all, to bring them into play. I'm proud, really proud, to see the next generation of monsters with such skill and power, almost surpassing their parents before even attaining off age,"

"Same case with me, congratulations to the South class, for showing us that even the underdogs can come back and snatch the top from the best! You all also did good, better than I even expected. Monsters, always a pleasure to meet you. Now, I've got about seven of this camps to give the same speech, so I can't stay long,"

"But before I leave, a few words of advice. In your long break, know that a lot of things might happen during that period, but you must never forget, this is your chance for all of you to do some fun things, good things, before a period I'm dreading is almost upon us. Well, it's been an excellent day, continue with good work, cadets,"

When King Jason finished his speech, which I'm one hundred percent certain that most monsters around didn't even hear since they were mesmerised by the king, he walked on over to Mrs Kelly then whispered something. She nodded her head in understanding and then the Beast king disappeared together with his guards.

The head general had also made his departure, and I have to wonder, did he just choose to come to our inter-class competition, cause I'm very sure it wasn't the only one for the day.

"Are we done then? Alright Camp Mars, let's all head on home, shall we? The beast king left a little something for everyone, so why don't we all go and see what the so called gift of his was," Mrs Kelly said.

Everyone in the form all shouted in excitement, proud that they actually got something from their hero. But I, unfortunately, couldn't leave for the moment.

"Where are you going, Max?" Kira asked when she noticed I was drifting away from our matching line, that was heading towards the teleportation gates.

"You guys head on over along. I've still got something to do here," I answered her.

"Is it that girl again?" Griffin shouted from behind.

"What girl?" Kira asked suddenly.

"No girl! There was no girl! Jeez Griffin, are you trying to start something?"

"But I thought–"

I gave him a look that said he better watch his next words carefully.

"Ah, y–yes, no girl. Now that I recall," he hesitantly answered.

"See, what did I tell you? Be back in a bit,"

Kira still didn't trust me but explaining more to her would have to wait. I spoke with Flintheart and informed him of where I was going and he nodded his head, just said that I better come back quick, before they all jump into the gates.

"Hey, LUIZ! HEY!" I called to her when I noticed her amongst the crowd of leaving medics.

She turned and smiled at me when I approached her.

"Some win back there, Max. Sorry, I've got limited time, call me when you get back home for your holiday?" she asked as they were quickly hurried towards the flying aircraft to wherever they were heading, the healers.

"Oh, sure, yeah OK," I said, dissapointed that she was leaving really fast, not even giving me a moment to talk for a little bit.

"Don't look so disappointed. Still one month, you can wait that long," she laughed as she was the only one left behind. Looking at the head healer again watching us, I felt like I was really testing the waters.

"OK, just one month. You still haven't talked to me about what happened to me,"

"Don't worry, Max. Everything is with due time. Bye,"

I watched her as she walked into the the craft, leaving me with the head healer.

"I'll just leave. I'm sorry if I caused you any inconvenience," I apologized as I turned to leave.

"Kid, a word of advice, don't talk carelessly about your past," she said before jumping into the craft too.

"Huh. Those are some departing words. Oh gods, I'm going to be late!"