[Third Person POV]
The award ceremony was going to happen inside the academy in the largest stadium they had. Almost hundred thousand people wold be inside the stadium. The event was going to be broadcasted live in tv as well. Many famous heroes and other influential people were attending the ceremony so the security around the whole academy was increased tremendously.
"Can't we just receive our prizes in a more private manner?"
"An award ceremony is meant to be done in front of a crowd."
Cary said to Ryujin as he held Ryujin's arm tightly. Ryujin was ready to run away when he saw a chance but Cary did not let him do so. Ryujin's whole squad was there with the addition of Akio.
All of them were asked to wear their school uniforms as the academy had asked them to.
" You did not attend one of the award ceremonies in the middle school. Just why do you hate it so much?"
Adam asked Ryujin. He wondered what was the exact reason why Ryujin always hated being in public.
"Cause the attention is too annoying."
Instead of Ryujin, it was Lucius who answered back. Ryujin nodded in agreement to his answer. He was sitting on the left side of Ryujin and Cary was in the right and Adam was next to Cary.
"I did not ask you, the one who fainted in the middle of the battle."
Adam was quick to insult Lucius.
"So what if I fainted, You did not do any better. Your light spell was the worst I had ever seen. A flashlight would have worked better."
Lucius smirked at Adam as he said that. Adam was about to launch himself at Lucius but Akio intervened.
"Behave yourself. This is not the right place and the right time to fight. Appreciate and be proud that you are here."
"Tsk."
Adam and Lucius clicked their tongue at the same time and turned away.
'He speaks quite like his brother.'
Ryujin thought to himself.
"Clack"
The door of the room opened and an elf with blue hair came inside holding his stomach.
" I do not know if I can go infront of the whole crowd you know! I might die from the stage fright."
Aqua was having severe diarrhoea just from stage fright. It was the eighth time he had gone to the toilet.
" I also have some sort of headache! Going to the stage might make it worse for me."
Ryujin was quick to make an excuse but none of them believed him. Aqua took a sit next to Akio and started talking about the proper manners to greet someone. He was really hopeless in this type of situation.
"Clack!"
The door opened again and this time four girls entered the room. Alice and Emily came in feeling excited and proud. Anna was barely able to walk cause of how nervous she was. Ciel had to held her arms so Anna could walk properly.
Emily made a weird when she saw Cary hold Ryujin's hand.
" I did not know you guys fancy each other in such a way."
She sarcastically commented. Cary did not give any reaction and Ryujin just rolled his eyes. The girls took their seats.
Anna looked around and saw all of them except her and Aqua had a calm expression.
"Aren't you guys nervous?"
Anna asked everybody in a loud voice.
"Well, yeah of course we are nervous. After all there are so many people and influential heroes out there. It's just that we are not nervous like you two."
Alice then looked at Aqua and Anna.
"Aka must not be that much nervous you know. After all he is used to being with his father."
Aka slightly smile when Emily said that. His father was the president of the government and it was a special moment for him to receive an award form his father."
On the other hand Ryujin kept staring at Ciel and she refused to make eye contact with him.
' She did not come to my room this morning and did not even look at my messages and pick up any of my calls. Did I do something wrong?'
Ryujin was thinking about what might have made Ciel's mood like this when a person entered the room.
"It is an honour to meet such young and talented heroes. The award ceremony will now begin. Please come out when the announcer calls your name."
Aqua and Anna almost fainted when they heard that.
"Good morning, citizens of earth, it is me Konstain Grigory. It is my pleasure to be here and announce the names and achievements of the young heroes who managed to stop an Orien on their own."
Today's announcer was the news reporter who reported the attack on Academy live. That incident made his reputation skyrocket.
Ryujin and the others could clearly hear everything. The announcer started giving a small speech.
"Now, I would like to welcome the crown price of the elf kingdom for to come onstage and get the prose he deserves. Aqua Regia."
"*Cheers*"
They could hear the crowd going that hard.
Aqua's name was the first one to be called. He was startled and scared at the same time. He managed to get up and the hero was ready to guide him.
" Do not shit in your pants Aqua"
Ryujin teased Aqua but he paid no mind to it. He slightly pressed his stomach and went out.
*****
After half an hour had gone by and everybody except Ryujin had left the room to receive their rewards. The nine students had receive medals and some privilege inside the academy and some by the government.
Any amount of meal they would order would be free of charge. They would have the access to all of the floors in the library and also received many merit points. They got full scholar ship for their whole high school years as well. Plus a special private facility would be made for all of them to train whenever they wanted without booking them at first hand.
The government on the other hand provided them with 10 millions dollars and they would be able to use any transportation facility in the world free of cost. They would receive some other awards as well but it had not been decided yet and would not be revealed to the public.
Ryujin was looking at the the tv inside the room. It was now his turn to enter the stage.
"Now the moment you all have been waiting for."
The announcer shouted in a loud voice.
'Just do not speak any nonsense.'
Ryujin said as he looked at the tv.
" That day all hope was lost. I thought I had lost my daughter. We were scared and helpless but that day a single boy stood in front of such strong villainous force. He alone was able to hold down a S-rank. If not for him then there would have been many losses of life that would have haunted us for the days to come."
The crowd went wild. All of them started screaming Ryujin's name on top of their lungs. Cielo and others felt happy that Ryujin was finally getting what he deserved.
"I would like to call on stage, the third human being in the world with a Divine Ability. The boy who saved thousands of lives. Astrik's Dragon, Ryujin."
The crowd went wild again.
Ryujin face palmed.
'He said quite a load of bullshit.'
The hero inside the room opened the door for Ryujin.
"The world waits for you."
'Not you as well.'
Ryujin shook his head and stood up. The hero guided him. He could still hear people screaming even inside the tunnel. Once he got out, flashes of light from the cameras blinded him. Fireworks were set off. It was truly the entry of a main character.
Adam looked at Ciel and said
" I raised that boy."
Ciel got annoyed but she looked at her love again. She felt proud and happy.
'I am lucky to have you.'
Ryujin kept walking to the podium. He looked at his right and saw Paul and George inside the stadium holding a huge paper.
"Our hero."
Those were the words written on the paper.
Ryujin frowned as he saw that. He reached the podium and at first shook hands with the announcer. Konstain was crying. He hugged Ryujin.
"Thank you for saving my daughter. I do not know how to repay you."
Ryujin tapped Konstain's back and said
"You can repay me by not crying but smiling cause your daughter is alive and well."
Konstain laughed and cried at the same time and he let go. Ryujin walked toward Arthur who was holding a medal. He put he medal on Ryujin's head and patted his shoulder.
" I knew that pursuing you was the right choice."
Ryujin just smiled and walked forward. Alexander had a small badge on his hand. The band had the logo of the sword that was used to kill the demon king. The Justice Badge was given to the most prestigious of heroes.
Alexander pinned the badge on the Ryujin's shirt. He smiled at Ryujin.
" How do you like all of this? I prepared it especially for you."
Ryujin smiled back.
"I might kill you for this."
"Haha."
Alexander laughed. To the world it looked as if these two were sharing some good words but if they heard what Ryujin had said then they would have lost their minds.