Gasping for breath, Luke also could hardly believe that he had actually won the Tournament of Legends, the most prestigious youngster competition in the Broteforge Empire. He looked around as he saw Nebezial fall unconscious at his feet and watched the entire stadium explode in excitement.
'Did I win? Did I really win?'
The half-beast continued to question himself, and confirmation of his achievement only came when the hologram of Mikaela ?kerman appeared in the center of the Municipal Arena and announced loud enough for the whole city to hear:
"AND THE GRAND CHAMPION OF THE TOURNAMENT OF LEGENDS OF THE YEAR 512 IS... THE 'HALF-WOLF'!"
'Ha... so, I did actually win.' He concluded, letting a proud smile escape. A few years ago, a title like that was nothing more than a distant dream for him.
No one imagined that Nebezial would lose to an unknown half-wolf, and many didn't even believe the rumor that the half-wolf managed to beat the last edition's champion. All the Clan leaders watching the battle were ecstatic and ran as fast as possible to the back exit, to try to talk with the half-wolf and maybe recruit him.
The members of the Strogueher Family were impressed as well because they didn't think Luke could really win.
While watching people shouting his nickname, the 'Half-Wolf' sank into old memories, about the first time he had the chance to watch the Tournament of Legends.
On that occasion, the competition took place in a small town called Boiji, north of Oukiwa. Meredith, Matthew, the little John, and the big Zack, who were the other gang members at that time, were distracting people who looked like civilians inside the local stadium for the half-wolf to steal from them. Although they didn't find many opportunities for stealth, they did get a chance to watch the battles.
For the little ones, seeing people with winged abilities, powerful lightning, absurd fighting speeds, and much blood, was like a slap in the face. The world of those competitors seemed to be a totally different one from the one they lived in.
At dawn, they gathered to eat old loaves of bread on top of a hill, while waiting for some caravan of carriages to pass by for them to hitch a ride to Oukiwa.
"Do you guys think anyone can be like those people we saw today? You know, tremendously powerful." John asked, looking up right at the sun slowly rising in the East.
All the other gang members were looking at the sunrise as well. Matthew touched the short man's shoulder and spoke:
"John, this is a different world than ours, a heavier world. The adventurers have to give up many things to be as strong as the people we saw today. But, unlike them, we are free, truly free."
Everyone in the gang already understood this, except John, who was still very young and dreamed of being an Adventurer, but he finally understood that day.
Now, only seven years later, Luke wondered what John would say if he learned that the half-beast won the Tournament of Legends, proving that anyone can be strong, even with all the obstacles.
A few seconds after Mikaela ?kerman announced Luke Lange's victory, the half-beast was teleported away. When he heard the nearby noise of the thousands of people getting muffled, he opened his eyes again. In front of him was the Sensory Mage of the tournament, personally.
"My congratulations, 'Half-Wolf!" Mikaela congratulated him. The two guards beside her knelt down when Luke looked at them.
"I know you probably wanted to enjoy the cheering atmosphere more, but I have to present you with your award."
Luke raised his eyebrows, surprised, because he didn't know he had an award. "First, the cash award." While she said this, she extended her right arm, and in the palm of her hand appeared a large bag of coins, which she handed to Luke.
The half-beast opened the white bag carefully, and his eyes sparkled when he saw the dozens of gold coins.
"Now, the second award." In the woman's left palm, a scroll appeared, which she herself opened and showed to him. "This is an S-Class Gene Skill license, which you can use to purchase a rare or higher-level skill in the Cardinal Realm."
Luke tied the bag of gold coins to his belt, because he no longer had any space in his inventory and picked up the parchment. He didn't understand much of what was written, but he realized that Mikaela wasn't lying because there was a gold stamp that he had never seen before.
"Thank you very much." Luke thanked her.
"You have been a good surprise to everyone. I hope to see you serving as an Imperial Guard one day. Your talents could be better honed there..."
"At the moment, I will serve only Ayumi Yamazaki Strogueher, but thank you very much for the compliment."
Immediately, Luke asked permission and left the room to go to the infirmary. He was still worried about Nathalia and Shiro. A few seconds after he left the room and turned a few corridors, from the yellowish wall behind Mikaela ?kerman, a man appeared.
This man's face was being covered by a long hood, and his robes were long like that of a wizard.
"What do you think of him?" The man asked Mikaela as he wiped away the little dust that remained on his cloak.
"If you asked me that earlier in the night, I would say that he is only a little strong. However, after seeing his evolution in these last two fights, I have no doubt that he is an extraordinary one." She replied, still looking at the wooden door through which Luke exited.
*
When Luke entered the infirmary, Nathalia, Shiro, Ayumi, and Oliver were waiting for him.
"You're amazing, Luke." Shiro yelled when he saw him and tried to get up, but his ribs hurt, and he lay down. "Ouch, ouch! Sorry, buddy...the hug will have to wait for a later time."
The half-wolf smiled. "You should thank me for clearing your honor. I think a chocolate truffle would be a good start..." he said, with his right hand on his chin.
"That's... fair." Shiro spoke, feigning disappointment.
"You were great!" Ayumi spoke, hugging Luke lovingly in front of everyone. "Your reward comes later~." She murmured in his ear.
Lastly, Luke went to check on Nathalia's health. Although her face was a little swollen, she seemed fine.
"I knew you would beat that guy from that moment in the bleachers." She spoke, looking into Luke's eyes.
"Wait, what moment?" Shiro asked, confused.
"When you were defeated, Luke immediately confronted Nebezial."
Shiro smiled briefly, and then his face turned red. "Really? I mean... thanks for that, Luke." He thanked him, a little embarrassed.
Everyone began to laugh at the big guard's timid reaction, because his appearance was so rugged that it was almost impossible to guess that he actually had delicate feelings.
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