The moment Emery opened his eyes again, he had returned to the familiar sight of the Magus Academy. The seven days mission, which should have been short and simple, felt much longer than it should have.
But luckily, in the end they all came back with a successful task and a hell lot of fortune.
Despite the fact they had come back instantly using a teleportation gate, the group found out that apparently they were one of the last to return. One of the academy staff who welcomed their return proceeded to explain.
“Julian Kaesar, congratulations on your successful return, You and your team are just in time for the assembly. Please follow me.”
The group was led to one of the main halls located on the top floor of the Magus Academy’s main building. The place was heavily guarded on the outside, but inside it was a sacred place that only honorable academy acolytes could access and only used for special occasions.
The Hall of Aspire
After walking past the huge door, Emery was greeted by a huge chamber surrounded by stone walls with markings. He could see dozens of instructors on the podium of the hall, together with Headmaster Delbrand and Magister Griffith. Below, in the center of the hall were several hundred acolytes standing in rows in an orderly manner.
Emery recognized most of the privileged acolytes who were present. There were Zach Talon, Eeshoo Nephilim, most people in the top ten of the privileged class, and some familiar elites acolytes.
It wouldn’t be wrong for someone to call this the gathering of the strongest and most influential acolytes in the Magus Academy.
Without further ado, the group quickly took a spot within the crowd. The assembly started and the Headmaster stepped forward, taking the attention of everyone present. With a smile on his face, the man began to speak.
“Congratulations on passing your final test. You all performed a remarkable feat worthy of the Hall of Aspire.”
As the war heightened to a new level, the Magus Academy decided to take a controversial move and set doing real dangerous missions as tasks for the final test, such as why these hundred acolytes were deemed worthy to enter the hall.
With the eyes of all the acolytes on him, the Headmaster continued to speak.
“With a total of five hundred acolytes from the privileged and elite classes, fifty teams were formed and have been selected to carry out various difficult tasks across the universe, and we are here to commend the teams that have performed the most outstanding task!”
There were ten teams selected, and it was announced loudly by Headmaster Delbrand. One by one, the squad leaders were asked to come forward as the Headmaster proceeded to read the summary of their achievements.
“Zach Talon brought twenty elite acolytes to provide assistance on the frontlines, where they killed hundreds of elven warriors and captured an enemy magus general in the process.”
“Jinkan Nephilim pulled off an exceptional deed by managing to destroy an elven outpost with a small team of five she led.”
“Jai Strider and his team have carried out an extraordinary raid mission and succeeded in rescuing a trapped allied unit.”
“Sigurd…”
“Roran Harlight…”
“Vida Themary…”
The most influential and famous names of the privileged class were mentioned by the Headmaster, their achievements spoken aloud for all to hear..
Finally, the last name was announced along with their achievement.
“Julian Kaesar together with his team have succeeded in quelling the rebellion on the allied planet and stopping the elves’ invasion.”
The last words spoken were so unexpected that they sparked much whispers among the crowd. All eyes were basically on Julian’s figure that emerged from the crowd, but the Roman seemed unfazed as he continued to confidently walk and stood alongside the other nine to receive the commendation.
Headmaster Delbrand turned around and began to reward the ten people with a smile on his face. It was a promotion medal – Squad Leader Stripe; it was something that was bestowed upon those with proven ability in leadership, meaning the ten people would be able to immediately lead a squad unit in the Magus Alliance’s army if they ever chose to join.
While the ten people on the podium received the medal, Emery received a notification on his privilege bracelet.
[Congratulations on your top ranking achievement]
[You received – 300,000 contribution points]
The reward the Academy gave might not be as much as the fortune they obtained from the elves, but receiving such recognition from being a team from a lower realm invited some recognization that couldn’t be compared to any amount of wealth.
After the rewards were given and the ten people returned to their places, Headmaster Delbrand continued. This time, a serious expression appeared on his face, which involuntarily made everyone tense up.
“Now we will also recognize those who unfortunately didn’t succeed.”
One of the instructors stepped forward with a tray of stone plates in his hand. Everyone saw there were 21 of such plates and the instructor began attaching the plates together, creating another marking on the stone wall.
It was then that Emery realized all the markings on the stone walls were names – acolytes’ names to be exact.
“These twenty-one names will be forever attached in the Hall of Aspire as they are all exemplary students of the Magus Academy.”
Silence fell in the hall at the Headmaster’s words as everyone gave silence to honor the dead. The solemn atmosphere continued before eventually the representative of the Magus Alliance – Magister Griffith – came forward and spoke of how these students deserve to be remembered despite failing on the mission, because they had performed a service to the Alliance.
The man took this time to remind the acolytes how more brave youth needed to help the war against the elves. Simply put, it was an appeal for all those present to join the military after they graduated.
With Magister’s words coming to a conclusion, the assembly was finally over.
The acolytes began walking out of the hall followed by many familiar faces approaching to congratulate them on their achievements.
Emery saw many of his previous teammates, even some of his rivals from the privileged class – minus Zach Talon who only gave a silent glance for a second before walking away.
Emery also saw Atlas among the crowd; however he couldn’t glimpse the shadow of Annara around. Before he could wonder why, Klea’s excited voice sounded clear in the air.
“We should celebrate our success! Emery has this new house in Zodiac City, so we can have a party there!”