The Golem Mage Chapter 1113: Reward Ceremony 1.

--

A few moments later, the three judges who had overseen the tournament proceedings made their return to the stage, their hands clasped behind their backs. However, their demeanor this time was notably different, not carrying the authority they had previously displayed. Instead, they positioned themselves behind an elder mage, a man whose countenance suggested he was no older than his forties.

“I trust you are all prepared, for we have finally reached the point of announcing the finalized list. Once every name has been called, you will be expected to ready yourselves for a journey to the Origin Realm.”

The apparent leader of the judges addressed the assembled crowd initially, but as he concluded his statement, his gaze shifted towards the third tier of the VIP section, the designated seating area for all the mages who had participated in the tournament.

Unlike the usual ebb and flow of battle days, where attendance often dwindled unless a participant's own team was in contention, this day was different. The imminent reveal of the top 100 qualifiers meant that many were seated with a palpable sense of unease, their hopes pinned on hearing their names announced.

Conversely, a select few exuded an air of complete self-assurance, so convinced were they of their selection. Others, perhaps, merely projected confidence, unwilling to be ranked below a perceived rival, their outward certainty a carefully constructed façade.

“Before I commence the roll call for the top hundred, please bear this in mind: those who are chosen will not be evaluated here, but within the Origin World. Furthermore, the selection criteria extend beyond mere tournament advancement; factors such as potential, cultivation talent, and current realm have also been taken into account.”

The elder mage's words acted as a catalyst, igniting a flicker of hope within the hearts of those who had not progressed far in the competition.

“Number 100, Liam Tudor…”

--

# Following an extended interval of name announcements

“5. Damien Sorin, 4. Hoshino Ren, 3. Alec Gordons, 2. Dragov Dragonmir, 1. Ryunosuke Takeda.”

With the final name uttered, the judge concluded the list. Instantly, a wave of commotion swept through the northern contingent of the crowd. They struggled to comprehend how Alec, who had secured victory for his team in the entire competition, had been placed third, falling short of the first-place standing they had anticipated. The frustration of seeing their assumed number one contender overlooked was palpable and deeply felt.

The lead envoy comprehended the source of their discontent. However, this was precisely why he had made it explicitly clear from the outset that the tournament's final standings would not dictate the participants' ultimate positions. He held a genuine admiration for Alec’s fighting spirit and his unwavering strength. Yet, his objective was not to find a mere fighter, but a leader. In his assessment, Alec did not possess the qualities to one day become a significant figure in the Origin World.

The primary determinant for this judgment was talent. He maintained that his perspective was not biased, but rather a pragmatic consideration. Every year, lords were dispatched to the Origin World to bolster the efforts of human kings and emperors in maintaining control over their territories. The attrition rate among these human lords, however, was alarmingly high, making it nearly impossible to keep an accurate count of the fallen. Those who managed to endure were individuals of truly exceptional talents. In the envoy's estimation, no one exhibited a stronger talent than Takeda. He was wagering that with just one more year immersed in the Origin World—a realm endowed with superior cultivation resources compared to the Five Kingdom Continents—Takeda's standing would ascend dramatically.

Should Takeda be fortunate enough to secure suitable mentors for each of his avatars, his combat capabilities would undoubtedly reach unprecedented heights.

For Alec, the envoy believed the progression would be considerably more arduous. The Golem path, while yielding powerful constructs, presented formidable challenges for golems seeking to attain extremely high ranks, particularly after entering the High ranks. This difficulty stemmed from the immense quantity of resources required for their advancement.

Presently, the head envoy harbored the conviction that the War God Mage Academy had been instrumental in elevating Alec’s golems to their current level, solely to secure victory. He did not afford Alec the benefit of the doubt, failing to acknowledge that Alec's own capabilities were a significant factor, a judgment clouded by his preconceived notions. He perceived Alec more as the pampered prodigy of the War God Mage Academy. This impression was solidified the moment he observed Alec offering mental pills to a teammate, believing that an individual who had diligently toiled to acquire such rare items would not dispense them so casually.

These factors, among others, contributed to his decision to rank Alec lower. In fact, had Alec not emerged victorious in the competition and exhibited what appeared to be a hybrid bloodline, he would have placed him below Hoshino Ren. Such was the low esteem in which he held Alec.

The King of the Northern Kingdom had also subtly influenced this sentiment, as he had been actively working to undermine the War God Mage Academy since the tournament's commencement.

While the head envoy had informed King Charles that he would remain impartial, a part of him, as the host of the tournament, had still sought to grant the Northern Kingdom's king some respect.

Consequently, this decision had inadvertently placed the War God Mage Academy in a precarious situation.

Initially, his intent was to swiftly eliminate them, having heard they were not particularly formidable. However, after his inaugural attempt failed and the War God Mage Academy persevered, the matter ceased to be trivial and became intensely personal.

Although he would never voice it, his pride had been wounded; the knowledge that he had attempted to oust a team and failed gnawed at him.

From that point onward, it became a personal vendetta, and currently, that very emotion was once again clouding his judgment. Regardless of the impassioned protests from the northern crowd regarding his decision, he remained utterly indifferent, for he wielded the ultimate authority.

“For those occupying positions fifty-one through one hundred, not only will they journey to the Origin World alongside us, but each will also be bestowed twenty Tier 7 cultivation pills, five Tier 7 healing pills, and a single mental pill. These will facilitate their ascent to the Tier 7 realm and aid in solidifying their attained status.”

The instant the head envoy commenced detailing the rewards, a profound silence descended upon the entire venue.

Upon announcing the first set of prizes, a subtle smile graced his features. He relished the ease with which he had successfully diverted their collective attention away from Alec.

Those whose rankings fell within the parameters he had just delineated had already begun to rejoice internally, with the exception of the contingent of mages surrounding Alec.

This was not due to dissatisfaction with the offered rewards, but rather because their expectations had soared higher.

Alec had already provided them with benefits nearly comparable simply by permitting them to remain in his proximity, an act that only served to deepen their profound reverence for him.

Every single member of the War God Mage team had secured a spot within the top hundred. Indeed, individuals like Agnes and Knight had not even anticipated being selected, and a similar sentiment was held by Sophia and Maria.

Then again, it felt as though the envoy group had enacted this measure to compensate for not awarding Alec the first-place rank. Not that he was particularly concerned with the rank itself; he was merely awaiting the announcement of the rewards for the others to ascertain whether the prize was something he could effortlessly attain or if it truly warranted his displeasure.

For even though he held no particular regard for achieving the number one position, he had already begun to harbor a distinct sense of animosity towards the competition's envoys.