24 - The Disappointing Announcement!

The Disappointing Announcement!

On the makeshift stage set up for the event, Roderic paced with a confident grin, gearing up to officially announce the end of the competition. The young man had everything meticulously planned out. His parents, the true Dukes, sat unfazed by the unfolding drama. The crowd reciprocated the deceit with forced smiles and polite applause. No one wanted to cross a Duke, even if it meant tolerating blatant injustice against a child from their own village. After all, who among this vast crowd hadn't suffered some form of injustice and simply kept their head down?

Roderic stepped up to the microphone and began his speech, laden with clichés but effective in its rhetoric. "Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, we gather here today to celebrate not just a competition, but the indomitable spirit that defines us as human beings. This festival is a testament to the resilience and courage each one of us carries within. Remember, it's in our darkest hours that true heroes are born. It's when adversity strikes that we discover our real strength."

He took a dramatic pause, scanning the crowd as if trying to make eye contact with each individual present. "Life isn't easy, my friends. It tests us, challenges us, and sometimes breaks us. But it's in those moments that we must rise, dust ourselves off, and move forward. Because that's how heroes are forged, that's how legends are written."

Roderic paused again, this time longer, allowing his words to settle into the collective consciousness of those listening. "And now, without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to announce the results of this memorable event..."

Jon was eager to leave the venue as soon as the battle was over. It wasn't discouragement or shame that drove him; he never believed he had even a 1% chance of winning. However, he was confident that he would secure second place, even having adjusted his strategy to let Gwen win the archery contest. But had he left earlier, he might have avoided facing the reality that all his meticulous plans, from learning about the festival to his early admission into the Imperial Academy, were about to crumble.

"As everyone has witnessed, Gwen was undoubtedly incredible and deserves first place in our event. Another person we can't overlook is Jon..." Roderic began, locking eyes with Jon. What was once a forced smile turned into a mocking grin. "Jon has shown that, above his peers, he possesses the strength and courage to become a great warrior. Unfortunately, I must announce that this year only one person will be granted the Imperial Academy scholarship. It was a last-minute announcement that caught both me and my parents off guard. I'm sorry, Jon, but I hope this doesn't affect your mindset. You are a winner."

The final part of the announcement was delivered with such disdain that even those who were laughing earlier sensed the real reason Jon had been targeted by Carter. Everything had been meticulously orchestrated by Roderic. The faces in the crowd tightened, and the applause that followed was clearly devoid of enthusiasm.

'Why is this damned snobbish noble so fixated on me?' Jon was utterly unprepared; he couldn't fathom the unusual attention he was receiving. Even though he was a half-elf, he wasn't the only one among the thousands of residents in Riverwood. What he didn't know was that the reason for all this attention was right beside him. Gwen, who was floating on a cloud of euphoria from her recent victory and couldn't wait to celebrate with her parents, was stunned.

"Jon, this can't be right. There must be some mistake," Gwen said, incredulous. Everything had been going so well; she had secured a bright future, and Jon would be there with her. This was shaping up to be the best day of her life, until it all fell apart.

Jon, with one hand behind his back and the other over his chest, bowed to Roderic. He nearly lost his composure but managed to keep it together. "I understand that it's the hard days that make the good ones even more special. I'll take my leave now; I'm quite shaken by this announcement and would rather not cry in public." It took a Herculean effort not to unleash a torrent of curses at the detestable boy on stage. The grip of his fist behind his back was so tight that it began to bleed.

'I should've expected something like this and not taken it so seriously. After all, his behavior is probably the result of that damned MOD I installed, altering his personality. But I'll remember you, Roderic!' Cry? Lament? Jon wasn't that downcast. He was furious. That cursed MOD, installed because of his love for novels, was already exacting its toll, and he hadn't even entered the academy yet.

Jon began to walk away, with Gwen following him in silence. 'Enjoy your last moments together, half-breed. Tomorrow, when she leaves for the capital, I'll make sure she forgets you quickly,' Roderic thought. He had an unshakable belief that once in the capital, Gwen's frequent presence at the academy and her introduction to a world of privilege would make her forget Jon in no time.

As they reached the front of Jon's house, he turned to Gwen and asked, "Would you like to come in?" He was concerned; he had never seen her so quiet, not even when facing family issues.

"Hmm," Gwen responded, nodding her head before entering the house. Helena and Eric, Jon's parents, had not yet returned; they were trying to speak with someone from the Duke's entourage to reverse the decision that was harming their son.

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