The entire arena remained silent for several more seconds.
Only after Dean Wirin had completely disappeared from the giant screen did the announcer cautiously step back into view.
The chubby man cleared his throat.
’’That was all from our Dean!’’
He forced an awkward smile.
’’I suppose there’s only one thing left for me to announce.’’
His gaze shifted toward Theo, who was still standing alone in the center of the arena.
’’After defeating one hundred and nineteen challengers in a row, I hereby declare Theo Lane...’’
He paused dramatically.
’’The official winner of the freshman tournament!’’
DING! DING! DING!
Loud bells echoed throughout the arena.
A few hesitant claps rang out.
But that applause rapidly grew louder and louder.
Many still looked conflicted after everything that had happened.
Others simply lowered their heads, still deep in thought about the Dean’s words.
Theo could only scratch the back of his head.
’This...’ he thought.
He genuinely didn’t even know what to say or think.
For several more moments, Theo simply stood there.
Then, he shook his head.
’Whatever,’ he thought. ’At least I got the money.’
That thought alone immediately lifted his mood.
Millions upon millions of dollars’ worth of cultivation resources.
Just thinking about it made his heart race.
He was finally going to be able to spend on himself without constantly worrying about the cost.
Just then, the announcer spoke up once more.
’’I want to thank everyone for coming and watching this spectacular event,’’ he said. ’’I don’t think any of us will be forgetting today’s tournament anytime soon.’’
He smiled brightly at the camera.
’’For those watching from all over the world, thank you for joining us as well.’’
With that, he raised his hand and waved.
’’Until next time... stay safe, and have a wonderful day!’’
The giant screens all throughout the arena faded to black.
For a few moments, no one moved.
Then, the spectators slowly began rising from their seats.
Hundreds of conversations started throughout the arena at once.
’’So that guy is from Santa Barbara...’’
’’I thought he was some rich kid!’’
’’Can’t believe he defeated that many people.’’
’’He didn’t want to give us the money back though.’’
Students gradually made their way toward the exits, but almost every discussion revolved around a single person.
Meanwhile, Theo just began making his way toward the arena’s corridor.
’Ugh,’ he thought. ’This was a lot for today.’
He rubbed his temples, contemplating his next steps.
Just as he reached the exit, a calm voice echoed out in front of him.
’’Theo Lane.’’
Theo glanced up slowly.
A slim, blond-haired man stood in front of him, wearing an instructor’s uniform.
’’The dean would like to see you,’’ he said, pressing his glasses up.
Theo blinked once.
’’Already?’’ he muttered.
The blond-haired man smiled slightly.
’’Yes,’’ he replied calmly. ’’It’s regarding your performance and, naturally... your rewards.’’
Theo’s eyes lit up immediately.
Without hesitation, he waved his arm out.
’’Please,’’ he said politely. ’’Lead the way.’’
The instructor turned around and began walking through the corridor.
Theo quietly followed behind him, his mind still racing.
’What resources do I even want?’ he thought. ’I can’t believe I haven’t thought of that yet.’
At first, he’d just been focused on even getting the S-rank resources.
But now that he’d accomplished it... he had no idea what to choose!
’Remember the instructions,’ he thought as he turned another corner. ’I needed three types of resources — a core, bones, and a soul fragment.’
The soul fragment was by far the most important.
That’d basically determine what kind of creature he’d gain in the end.
’A dragon’s fragment, maybe? That would be sick!’
But after a moment, he quickly shook his head.
’Nope.’
As incredible as that sounded, there was no way the university would hand out something that valuable to a freshman.
’I could try for something inside the dragon family, like a wyvern?’
That didn’t seem like a bad idea.
A moment later, Theo let out a deep sigh and began massaging his temples.
’I need to research my options properly,’ he thought. ’This’ll be the only summon I’ll ever get after all.’
Time passed slowly as they continued walking.
Only after several minutes did the instructor finally come to a stop.
Before them stood a pair of massive oak gates, polished to such a degree that Theo could see his own reflection in them.
A massive, stylish mansion stood behind the gates, barely visible through countless different kinds of trees.
’Is this the dean’s manor?’ Theo thought, raising an eyebrow.
Glancing around, he quickly noticed not a single guard or staff member was even remotely close.
’What a strange place,’ he thought, turning back to the gate.
CREAAAAK!
The gates slowly began shifting open.
Theo’s eyes widened.
A large, exotic forest unfolded before him, filled with countless colors and a strange pressure.
The blond-haired instructor stepped aside with a smile and gestured inside.
’’He’s waiting for you.’’
Theo snapped out of his daze and nodded.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the garden.
The moment his foot crossed the gate, the pressure in the air changed.
Theo instinctively slowed down.
’The mana here...’
It felt several times denser than anywhere else he’d been.
His gaze swept across the surrounding trees and plants as he carefully walked forward.
’It’s almost like this place is alive.’
Every leaf gently swayed despite there not being any wind.
Theo even stopped to rub his eyes as he saw faint streams of light green mana flowing through the air.
’’Impressive, isn’t it?’’
Theo’s eyes widened.
ZAP!
Lightning crackled beneath his feet as he instinctively flickered several yards back.
’’Now, now,’’ the same voice said. ’’There’s no need for all of that.’’
Only then did he finally locate the source of the voice.
Several dozen yards away, a small stone pavilion overlooked a beautiful pond.
Dean Wirin sat alone beside a wooden table, calmly sipping a cup of tea.
Suddenly, the space around Theo distorted.
WHOOSH!
The scenery blurred.
Before he could even react, the forest disappeared.
Only a moment later, Theo found himself seated across from Dean Wirin.
"What?!" he blurted out, taken aback.
Dean Wirin only chuckled lightly.
He calmly poured two cups of tea and slid one over to Theo.
’’Calm down,’’ he said, placing the teapot down. ’’We have much to discuss.’’
Theo couldn’t help but look at the man in front of him.
The sternness from inside the arena was nowhere to be seen. If it wasn’t for his suit and the sharp hairstyle, he could’ve been mistaken for any normal middle-aged man!
Just then, Dean Wirin let out a quiet sigh.
’’Before we discuss your rewards,’’ he started. ’’I owe you an apology.’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
’Apology?’
The dean met his gaze directly with a strange calmness.
’’I used your past in front of the entire university,’’ he continued. ’’And that was not something I should’ve revealed without your permission.’’
For a moment, silence fell between them.
Theo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
’’Yeah...’’ he muttered, not quite sure what to say. ’’That was kind of fucked.’’
A faint smile appeared on Dean Wirin’s face.
’’It was.’’
Not even sure what to say, Theo let out a soft sigh.
’’It’s fine,’’ he said, shrugging lightly. ’’It’s in the past now anyway.’’
’’And if it got your point across, then I guess it wasn’t completely pointless.’’
It wasn’t as if he didn’t know what Dean Wirin had tried there.
Heck, if he’d known beforehand, he would’ve probably even agreed to it.
Dean Wirin let out a faint chuckle as he stirred his tea.
"You are more understanding than most adults,’’ he said.
After taking another sip of his tea, he clapped his hands once.
Several branches moved toward them, carefully clearing away the tea cups and kettle.
’’Now,’’ he said, leaning forward slightly. ’’On to more pleasant matters.’’
He waved his hand lightly.
Whoosh!
A thick folder appeared on the table between them.
’’The university has finished calculating your rewards.’’
Theo nodded immediately.
His previous feelings washed away as he turned his full attention to the dean.
"After accounting for your tournament placement, challenge victories, and the bonus rewards... the total monetary value comes to about 70 million dollars."
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
But before he could say something, the dean spoke up again.
’’Now, if you wish, you could redeem the three resources for an additional 50 million dollars.’’
Theo immediately shook his head.
’’No thank you,’’ he said, quickly waving his hand in front of him. ’’I really need them.’’
Dean Wirin raised an eyebrow slightly.
’’Oh?’’ he said, tilting his head. ’’Didn’t you just break through to Silver though?’’
Theo opened his mouth for a moment.
’Shit,’ he thought. ’How am I going to explain this?’
He swallowed as his mouth closed again.
Silence fell between them for several seconds.
Dean Wirin studied him quietly, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.
Even so, he didn’t ask another question.
Instead, his smile only widened.
’’Very well,’’ he said. ’’Everyone has secrets they wish to keep.’’
He gently closed the folder.
’’Then allow me to make up for my earlier mistake.’’
Theo only looked up, cautious not to mention anything more by mistake.
Dean Wirin continued with a bright smile.
’’Rather than choosing from the standard reward list... I will personally grant you access to several special materials that very few people have the privilege of obtaining.’’