Chapter 38: Triumph and Recognition
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As the principal concluded his speech, the students erupted into jubilant cheers.
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"WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!"
"WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!"
"WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!"
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Laughter and excitement filled the air as the students celebrated their success. Tears welled up in some eyes, while others laughed out loud, remembering the trials they had faced and overcome.
"SETTLE DOWN! SETTLE DOWN!" the principal called out, his voice cutting through the noise.
At the sound of his command, the students instantly fell silent, their attention returning to the stage.
"Before we conclude today's event, I want to remind you all that we've been monitoring your performance from the start. Each of you has shown commendable effort throughout this assessment," the principal began, his tone serious yet proud. "However, since this is an assessment, only the top five performers will receive special recognition."
As he spoke, a gigantic holographic projection suddenly lit up behind him. Principal Dalhmer gestured toward the display. "We will now announce the top performers of this assessment. Alongside their names, we will project a summary of their most notable battles, showing you why they earned their respective spots."
He began the announcements.
"Fifth Place! Jonathan Kent! Step up to the stage!"
A youth of about 15 or 16, with a chiseled face and a determined expression, walked confidently toward the stage.
"Jonathan, do you have anything to say?" asked one of the teachers assisting him.
"No, sir. Thank you, I'm fine," Jonathan replied with a respectful nod.
As Jonathan reached the center of the stage, he was greeted by warm smiles from the teachers.
"Take a look!" Teacher James said, pointing toward the projection.
The screen flickered to life, showing a replay of Jonathan's battle within the dark forest of the mysterious realm. Surrounded by 5-6 Orc Savants, all at Iron stage and 5-star rated, Jonathan had strategically used the environment to his advantage. Realizing he couldn't face them all head-on, he lured them into a trap and unleashed his "Chain Lightning" skill, gradually wearing them down until he emerged victorious.
"HELL YEAH! That's what I call a fight!" an enthusiastic student shouted from the crowd.
The students in front of the stage erupted in cheers, their excitement rekindled by the intense replay. Jonathan's conquest played out in vivid detail, and when the replay ended, the crowd cheered louder, energized by the spectacle.
The academic field was buzzing with energy as the principal began clapping, prompting others to join in.
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*CLAAAPPP!!*
*CLAAAPPP!!*
*CLAAAPPP!!*
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"Brilliant work, Jonathan," Principal Dalhmer praised. "Your strategic use of the environment makes you a formidable strategist."
Turning his attention back to the audience, Principal Dalhmer continued, "Ahem! Fourth place..."
The process repeated as the principal called up the fourth, third, and second-place finishers. Each received their moment of recognition and a replay of their most impressive battles.
Finally, it was time for the top scorer.
"And lastly, the top performer in today's assessment—GABRIEL HEART!"
Gabriel had expected this outcome, having kept track of his points before leaving the mysterious realm. Without hesitation, he made his way to the stage. As he did, Principal Dalhmer introduced him with pride.
"Now, let's welcome the top scorer of this assessment, Gabriel Heart."
The projection that followed was nothing short of spectacular. It showcased Gabriel engaged in some of the most dramatic and challenging battles within the mysterious realm. The footage included his fights against the Wind Wolf King, Fire Apes, and Earth Bear, but the most breathtaking segment was his confrontation with the Lord-Rank beast, the Raging Inferno Liger.
As the projection played, the teachers watched in stunned silence, completely awed by Gabriel's remarkable performance. The students, too, were left speechless, their jaws dropping as they witnessed Gabriel's unmatched prowess in battle. His skills were truly exceptional, leaving no doubt as to why he had secured the top spot.
It was particularly surprising for everyone to see Gabriel, a Healing-type support, demonstrate such immense strength. Some students who had doubted his abilities were now thoroughly impressed, watching in amazement as he effortlessly defeated formidable monsters. His diverse skill set sparked murmurs among the crowd, with many speculating whether he possessed more than two skills. Gabriel's performance had left an indelible mark on everyone.
As the projection of his battles ended, a moment of stunned silence hung over the audience.
"Wow, he really knows how to use his awakened class well," one student finally commented, breaking the silence.
Nods of agreement and hushed discussions followed, as students reflected on the techniques and strategies Gabriel had employed. His display was both fascinating and thought-provoking.
Principal Dalhmer then addressed the crowd once more, his voice filled with pride. "Dear students, today we honor five outstanding young men who have proven themselves worthy of their rank—Jonathan, Jamie, Dave, Tigram, and Gabriel. Their hard work and dedication have earned them this recognition, and we are immensely proud of their achievements."
He paused, letting the applause die down before continuing.
"As a reward, each of them will receive all the necessary materials to advance their respective Class. I encourage all of you to follow in their footsteps and strive for excellence in every aspect of your training. Remember, with hard work and determination, you too can achieve greatness. Congratulations to our five honorees, and best of luck to all of you in your future endeavors."
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The principal then produced an item from his hand—a pill, small and unassuming but incredibly valuable.
"This," Principal Dalhmer explained, holding the pill up for all to see, "is an Experience Pill. Consuming it will grant the user a substantial amount of experience. However, unlike the Exp Orb, which can be consumed in multiples, this pill can only be taken once per juration interval due to its potent effects."
His tone grew serious as he continued, "It's imperative to exercise caution when consuming any medicine. Overconsumption can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, so always be mindful of the prescribed dosage."
Principal Dalhmer's eyes scanned the five students on stage, meeting each of their gazes one by one.
"Third, as per your ranking, each of you will receive a reward in gold coins—300, 250, 200, 150, and 100 respectively. These coins will be invaluable as you begin your journey beyond the school."
He paused, allowing the significance of the rewards to sink in.
"And lastly..." Principal Dalhmer moved to the center of the stage, his presence commanding. With a flourish, he unleashed a powerful spell, enveloping the five students in a radiant, mystical aura. His voice rang out with authority as he continued, instilling in them a sense of purpose.
"In addition to the rewards provided by the academy, there is also a hidden quest that could be discovered during the assessment."
He paused for effect, letting the students' curiosity build.
"The hidden quest for this assessment was tied to reaching level 10. Every student who achieved this level will receive a special item from the empire as a token of appreciation. The item is of your choosing, but it must not exceed green rank. It's important to remember that even if you possess blue-grade equipment, you won't be able to use it until your level matches the equipment's rank."
As he finished speaking, glowing circles suddenly formed above the heads of the five students on stage.
A smile spread across Principal Dalhmer's face as he observed the sight.
"Good...!" he murmured approvingly.
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**Gabriel's POV**
Gabriel's mind raced at the principal's announcement about the reward for reaching level 10. His thoughts immediately went to the missing piece of his Survival Set. Could the reward item be the final piece he needed? The possibility excited him, though he briefly considered using the [Enis Pants] as a temporary measure. The allure of completing his set, however, was too tempting to ignore.
Gabriel resolved to ensure that the empire had the specific item he required before making his decision. He knew the importance of thoroughness and didn't want to squander this rare opportunity.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the principal's voice once again.
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As the group of five stood on stage, awestruck, a perfect, glowing circle of mana materialized above each of their heads. They exchanged puzzled glances, each wondering what this mysterious occurrence could mean.
Their confusion deepened as Principal Dalhmer's voice echoed through the field.
"Direct your attention to the circle above your head," he instructed the students.
Gabriel, Tigram, Dave, Jamie, and Jonathan all looked up, their eyes widening in surprise.
"This mana circle represents the mana capacity within you," Principal Dalhmer explained, his voice authoritative yet encouraging. "The size of the circle indicates the extent of your mana capacity—the larger the circle, the more skills you can conjure."
He continued, "This arcane power that I just demonstrated also determines your current level. It's truly a wonder to behold, isn't it?"
The five students exchanged glances again, then turned their attention back to the principal.
Among them, Gabriel's circle was the largest by far. Although Principal Dalhmer had already suspected there was something unique about Gabriel, seeing it confirmed on stage brought him immense satisfaction.
Tigram's and Dave's circles were about the same size, while Jonathan's and Jamie's circles were roughly 10% smaller. However, the mana circle above Gabriel's head was more than three times the size of those above Tigram's and Dave's.
"Three students have reached level 10, while the other two are at level 9!" Principal Dalhmer announced with a note of pride.
He then looked toward the teachers, his smile broadening, before chanting a brief incantation.
A beam of light suddenly shot from the principal and soared into the sky. As it vanished, he canceled the spell enveloping the five students and returned to the podium, leaving the crowd in awe of the display.
The principal's final words echoed in the students' hearts, inspiring them to strive for greatness as they prepared for the challenges ahead.