Chapter 155
After that incident, both Oliver and Evelyn were severely reprimanded by the old Sigfor, who made sure that they had it engraved into their brains that safety and tests were important before pulling any such stunts.
The stern lecture echoed in their minds, leaving a lasting impression.
And after getting some punishments, they moved on to the challenge winner being announced.
“So, the winner is…” A tense hush fell over the group, anticipation hanging in the air.
“So, all of you did some pretty great combinations, some even took it a ‘step further’ and did something even more ‘amazing’ too.”
He jabbed and looked at the trio, Oliver, Evelyn, and lastly Daniel, who for some reason had a swollen face. The silent accusation in his gaze was unmistakable.
“Now, I am going to declare the winners. It’s based solely on my judgment about various aspects of your elemental combinations and other stuff such as your level of synergy.”
He said in a calm voice as he looked at the group.
“The winners are Amber and Alphonso.”
His words came off as an unexpected announcement as everyone looked at him with surprise visible in their eyes, clearly not expecting the outcome—even the winners were confused and incredulous.
Amber looked at Alphonso, then back at Sigfor. She clearly did not expect them to win in the end.
But soon, the confusion was replaced by a smug expression as she flared up her chest high, clearly looking happy. Her triumphant grin spoke volumes of her satisfaction.
She glanced around only to see everyone looking confused except for him.
Even after all this, his expression was one of utter uninterested, he did not seem to be bothered by the outcome at all, a bored expression in his eyes as he watched the scene.
His indifference was in clear contrast to the excitement around him
Alphonso could not bear the silence any longer and questioned, “This… Elder Sigfor, are you really sure about this…?”
His voice sounded hesitant. What he was doing was basically declaring that he did not think his team was worthy of winning the challenge and that Sigfor probably had made a mistake.
While Alphonso had a streak in him to win and become strong, his pride as a gentleman did not allow him to win by cheating or misunderstandings.
“It is as you have heard. You both are the winners of this challenge and will receive the deserving rewards for it. There’s no scope for mistake; I have thoroughly judged it.” He paused, his eyes wandering off to a certain duo before he added further.
“And I clearly did not just judge it based on your ‘destructive’ power at all.”
His words had a hint of sarcasm to them as he said that sentence.
Alphonso had a realization dawn on him. He felt that he was now able to understand what the elder meant and why they were declared the winners instead.
It was quite evident that Sigfor was really angry with Evelyn and Oliver this time. They both carelessly acted and neglected the safety of those around them; it was basically a death sentence had they been on a battlefield, which they surely would be in the future.
Sigfor’s way to declare them the winners was a method to teach both Oliver and Evelyn, the duo who were better than Amber and Alphonso in everything, be it their synergy to the overall destructive power of their elemental combination, that ensuring the safety of their comrades and themselves was more important than anything else.
To have your comrades die due to your mistake was one of the worst things ever on a battlefield with demons.
He was conveying this to them.
Alphonso’s heart felt conflicted at this thought. He knew that he and Amber did not deserve to be the victors at all; they were simply being used to set an example for them.
But on the other hand, he felt that Sigfor could have also used Daniel and Nadia’s team as well to demonstrate this and set an example but instead chose theirs. Didn’t that mean that he still sincerely evaluated them?
He wondered if he should really accept this honor and refuse to acknowledge this.
His mind churned with conflicting thoughts, each one weighing heavily on him.
Just as he was in conflict, Amber’s voice rang out close to him.
“Don’t be an overthinker. Elder Sigfor has insight that we won’t be able to understand. If he has said that we are the winners, then there must be something behind that as well. I know what you are thinking, but you need to trust the elder. He’s basically our mentor,” she said in a flat tone, clearly not impressed that Alphonso was being such a wimp about such a small matter.
Alphonso became silent as he heard her words. He considered her advice, and it did make sense. He was probably being too concerned over such a trivial matter.
Her pragmatism cut through his doubts, grounding him.
At least they would be getting a reward now for being victorious in the challenge.
“You are right, haha. I am thinking too much,” he apologized and looked back at the elder.
“You two, come and collect it afterwards in the evening. All of you are dismissed now.”
Sigfor waved his hand and left the children after telling them to dismiss.
“Hah! That old bastard! I bet you both will get double training as a reward from him,” Daniel scoffed the moment Sigfor left, his voice seeming muffled due to the beatings that made his cheeks swollen.
His swollen face twisted into a grimace as he spoke.
He hated the old man even more so now.
Nadia was calm. She was still looking at Oliver’s back discreetly.
Her eyes held no trace of emotion as she recalled Sigfor’s words.
‘Pathetic.’
She thought when she heard him preach about danger and safety like a saint.
She knew all too well how many of his comrades he must have killed or sacrificed to have survived so far from the battlefields.
He had no right to tell them about it. She felt it was very pathetic and cowardly of that old man to even utter a word about safety standards.
Her disdain for him grew, solidifying her resolve to use that weapon that Oliver had displayed in some way or another.
She could not care less about a withering old man.