Emery stood still, numb with pain and ignoring the tiny rivers of red seeping from his wounds and dripping on the arena floor. He felt neither agony nor fear of death. He simply stared at his opponent lying unconscious on the floor. The overwhelmingly strong opponent he managed to defeat with his efforts.
He took a few moments to relish in the excitement and relief as the crowds cheered for his name. His name was spoken with excitement and wonder.
Voices started to blur together. Some of the audience called him by his name, while others called him by his title: 'The Savage Acolyte'.
Without Emery realizing, the spectators considered the title fitting for him. It was not only a reference to his wolf bloodline and the prowess he displayed in the fights, but it also showed how in their eyes Emery was a real savage, a lower class uncivilized animal who originated from a lower world. An acolyte that should have stayed out of sight at the bottom of the food chain and had now shaken the world that once belonged to the elites.
A bottom class acolyte, yet still able to reach the top, of course he became an overnight sensation amongst the audience. Some of the lower class people even started to consider him an example to follow.
Unfortunately, the fame came with hatred. Emery's win had garnered the dislike of those coming from the opposite side. They hated the fact people like Emery managed to become champions.
While Emery was basking in his victory, discussions started between the various groups who witnessed the match from the closed confines of the Grand Magus area.
In particular, headmaster Altus Dreyden seems to have mixed feelings about the situation he was currently facing.
With a slight limp, Emery walked back to his box. Right as the door opened, his friends gathered close and helped him walk.
"Emery, you did it! Congratulations, you really managed to do it!!"
All four of his friends gathered around him, all excited from the results of the match. Even Lord Izta was not immune, as he flashed a small smile to Emery.
A moment later, they heard a knock from the door. One of them opened the door and let a medical acolyte come in. As Emery was still conscious, they did not take him to the treatment room and immediately started the healing process on the spot.
Emery sat on the corner while the acolyte treated his wounds. Meanwhile, his friends and master were all busy preparing food and drinks to celebrate this achievement.
The previously quiet and serious atmosphere turned loud and rowdy with genuine laughter.
Meanwhile, Emery himself still had a difficult time accepting the fact he managed to win the match. Though he did win, it was partially through luck and the mistakes of his opponent. His friends gathered and convinced him to accept this win before returning to prepare food and drinks for the celebration.
They talked, laughed and enjoyed the food.
A few hours passed and all the final rounds matches were finished. After a short recess, all the participants who won at least 4 times in the third game were all called. Altogether, there are 105 acolytes who managed to achieve that and Emery is one of them.
Magus Serena greeted them and requested for the audiences' cheers and applause to mark the start of the most awaited part of the games. Among more than 10.000 acolytes, 105 were chosen as the winners.
Right as Magus Serena started the announcement, Emery received a notification in his mind.
[Congratulations for winning the Magus Games!]
[For winning 4 matches, you have received 40.000 contribution points!]
[For winning the third game, you have received 30.000 contribution points!]
[70.000 total contribution points received]
He read through all the notifications with a grateful smile on his lips. Absentmindedly, he wondered what items he could get with this much contribution points.
"Now, to the most awaited part of the ceremony, I know all of you have been waiting for this!" Magus Serena clapped and smiled, mimicking the excitement most of them probably felt. "It's time to see which Grand Magus will accept them as their disciples!"
Emery had been briefed on the details of this particular reward before. There were more than 50 Grand Magus all standing on a podium in front of them.
Each of the 105 winners would be called and they would receive offers from the Grand Magus interested in them. Some might get a few, some might get plenty of offers. But in the end, each acolyte could only choose one as their master.
This practice was made in order to let each acolyte choose their own master as a reward.
Each name was called, and on average an acolyte would receive three offers. Normally, the offers would come from the elemental institute the acolyte was proficient in, from the destiny path institutes and sometimes a Grand Magus from a huge faction might add an offer if they were interested.
Although, an event where Grand Magus fighted over a talented acolyte was unusual, actually obtaining a talented acolyte among the winners would be a huge boon for them in the long run.
Famous names, such as Zach the dragon boy, received more than a dozen offers from Grand Magus representatives from different factions. In fact, most of the 50 previously chosen privileged acolytes all received at least half a dozen offers.
"Silva Oroboros"
Emery saw Silva step forward and after a few seconds of appraisal, four Grand Magus raised their hands. Silva looked over each of them before choosing Yvere, the Grand Magus from the Plant Institute.
"Roran Hartlight."
On Roran's turn, two Grand Magus raised their hand. He chose a Grand Magus representing the destiny path of War.
One by one, each acolyte was called, and finally, Emery's turn came.
"Emery Ambrose."
Emery stepped forward. He felt worry and doubt starting to creep into his mind. He knew he was one of the least favorite acolytes among the 105 winners, but he still held out hope one of the Grand Magus present would accept him as a student. Perhaps the Grand Magus of the Darkness Institute, Zenonia, would take him in or perhaps Yvere, the Grand Magus from the Plant Institute.
A few awkward seconds passed, but there was no offer.
It was then he realized, none of the Grand Magus present would take him.
"Why… Why?" He muttered, despair evident in his voice, though it was drowned by the palpable silence.
Magus Serena, sensing the situation, finally stepped in to save him. "Well, now this is truly an awkward situation…"
Emery was sidestepped from his reward while he tried to figure out what happened. The Magus Games finally ended with a fanfare, the Headmaster's speech and another show of fireworks, a jubilant celebration contrasting Emery's disappointment.