Chapter 299: Rewards (1)

The music continued for several minutes before Silas and Kelvina finally returned to their seats, and none of them seemed aware of the commotion they had caused.

Kelvina walked beside Silas with a satisfied smile, occasionally glancing at him as though she had just accomplished something extraordinary. Silas, on the other hand, looked perfectly relaxed. He had enjoyed himself, discovered that he was capable of dancing without stepping on someone’s feet, and met an enthusiastic fan.

As far as he was concerned, it had been a successful evening. The rumors spreading throughout the hall were somebody else’s problem.

At their table, Chloe watched them approach, a pleasant smile on her face, which Silas recognized immediately.

’Oh, come on. What did I do this time?’

He sat beside her, and Kelvina returned to her own table several seats away. Chloe leaned slightly toward Silas, her eyes moving briefly toward the golden-haired woman before returning to him, and smiled. He looked away.

’I’m not touching that.’

Across the hall, Alpha had noticed the whispers as well. He glanced toward Silas, then toward Alicia, who seemed to find the entire situation rather entertaining.

The two exchanged an amused look.

Silas pretended not to see them. Fortunately for him, the evening was about to move in a different direction, as the music faded.

The lights above the dance floor dimmed, and the enormous display behind the main stage changed from a montage of tournament highlights to the national emblem.

The conversations gradually quieted, servers stepped aside, and guests returned to their seats. At the center of the hall, an older man in a formal black suit rose from the table reserved for the tournament’s senior officials. He was the head organizer of the National Academy Tournament, Director-General Adrian Voss.

His silver hair was neatly combed, and his expression carried the weight of someone who had spent the past several days answering questions he wished had never needed to be asked, as he walked toward the stage.

The applause began politely, spreading across the hall until it became a steady wave of appreciation.

Voss reached the podium and waited for the room to settle. For a few seconds, he only looked at the people gathered before him. Thousands of faces, students who had survived, instructors who had brought their academies to the competition, officials who had overseen the event, and families whose loved ones would never return home.

When he finally began speaking, his voice carried throughout the hall.

"The National Academy Tournament was established to celebrate the next generation of awakened humanity."

The screen behind him displayed images of previous tournaments.

"Every year, young people from across our nation gather to test their abilities, challenge themselves, learn from their peers, and demonstrate what they have accomplished through years of dedication. The tournament was designed to promote unity between our academies and prepare our students for the challenges of the future."

The images changed, showing students competing, teams celebrating victories, and instructors embracing their pupils. The atmosphere remained quiet.

"This year, however, the tournament became something none of us anticipated."

The display shifted to Blackridge Tower, causing several guests to lower their eyes.

"The incident at Blackridge Tower resulted in the loss of lives, injuries, and suffering that no ceremony can undo. Students who entered the competition expecting to return home with memories of their achievements instead faced circumstances beyond what any academy tournament should demand of them."

Voss paused, his hands tightening slightly around the edges of the podium.

"As the head organizer, I accept responsibility for the failures that allowed this tragedy to occur. Investigations into the tower, its systems, and the circumstances surrounding its collapse remain ongoing. We will not pretend that we already possess every answer, nor will we offer assurances that have not yet been earned."

The hall remained silent as everyone listened to the man.

"To the families who lost their children, siblings, and loved ones, I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies."

He bowed his head, remaining low for several seconds. Behind him, the screen displayed the names of the students who had died. One by one, the names appeared, accompanied by the academies they had represented.

Some guests lowered their heads in sadness, while others closed their eyes, trying to stop tears that were threatening to spill.

At several tables, instructors held their hands together in silence as they remembered the students they’d instructed and guided for years, only to fall victim to such a tragic incident.

The surviving students watched the display with various expressions. Even the female students were starting to cry, as most had brothers, sisters, and loved ones among them.

For a moment, the tournament’s excitement felt very far away.

Silas looked at the names, his expression remaining composed, but the memories of Blackridge Tower returned with uncomfortable clarity. The illusions, the collapsing corridors, the monsters, the desperate fighting, and the knowledge that one mistake could have left him among the names on that screen.

He remembered the people who had stood beside him, and those who hadn’t made it out.

Voss raised his head.

"We cannot bring them back. We cannot erase the pain their families carry. What we can do is acknowledge their sacrifice, support those they left behind, and ensure that the failures which contributed to this tragedy are confronted rather than forgotten."

He continued, outlining the measures already announced by the authorities.

Universal reparations would be provided to the participating academies affected by the disaster. Families of the deceased would receive financial support and continued assistance. Injured students would be offered medical treatment and rehabilitation support, with additional provisions for those whose injuries had permanently affected their abilities.

The organizers also confirmed that a comprehensive review of tournament safety protocols would follow. No one applauded immediately. The silence itself seemed more appropriate. Eventually, Voss stepped back from the podium, and the screen displayed the national emblem once more.

After a moment, he resumed.

"Tonight, we also recognize those who demonstrated extraordinary courage, perseverance, and service during the tournament. Their achievements do not erase the tragedy we have acknowledged. Rather, they remind us of the determination that carried so many people through it."

The atmosphere began to change. The solemnity remained, but anticipation returned. The reward ceremony was about to begin. An official stepped onto the stage carrying the first presentation case.

The awards were arranged according to the categories announced by the tournament committee. Each recipient would be called forward, recognized publicly, and presented with their reward... And so, the ceremony began with the participating academies.