"Bonus rewards? Is that even possible?"
"They really went beyond all our expectations. They truly deserve it."
"Exactly. Especially Aliceāshe managed to beat two very powerful opponents at once."
Alice and Tiana exchanged excited looks. They couldnāt wait to find out what the bonus reward would be.
Philip raised his hand, and the top three winners received their prizes.
A B-rank sword appeared in Aliceās hands.
[ You have received an item ]
[ Name: Burning Moon Sword ]
[ Rank: B ]
Aliceās eyes lit up with joy. She hadnāt expected to receive a B-rank weapon.
And a sword, no less! She had been worrying about how sheād find better swords as she got stronger, but now she didnāt have to worry about that anymore.
She glanced at the head of the academy and could see a small smile in his eyes, as if he was saying, "Well done."
Tiana received a C-rank item, and right away, an announcement echoed in her mind.
[ You have received an item ]
[ Name: Elemental Bracelet ]
[ Rank: C ]
[ Description: Increases your elemental compatibility by up to 50%, helps you understand elements more quickly and easily, and boosts your elemental power by up to 50% when using elements. ]
Tianaās eyes lit up with excitement. It felt like this item was made just for herāabsolutely perfect.
"Thank you so much," she bowed slightly in front of the academy head to show her gratitude.
"No need to thank me. You earned it with your own effort," Philip smiled.
After giving out the other rewards, he looked at Alice and Tiana and said:
"Come to my office to receive your bonus reward, and also to get the badge that grants access to the Lapis Phoenix Domain."
Then he rose into the air and turned his attention to the audience.
"Thank you to everyone who came to watch the rise of our future powerhouses and specialists. The test is officially over, and the results are final!"
The audience began clapping and cheering for the winners. What they had witnessed today had gone far beyond what they expected.
"Can you believe it? Geniuses like that were born in our city."
"Iām sure Alice and Tianaās names will be known throughout the entire country! Our cityās finally about to get famous!"
"First it was that genius who cleared the Coliseum Dungeon, and now these two. Haha! Our city finally raised some talents who can rival those from the capital!"
"But what about the bonus rewards? Isnāt he going to give them out now?"
"The audience probably didnāt hear what he said to them. Maybe the rewards arenāt ready yet, since this was so unexpected."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Maybe heāll give it to them in a few days."
The audience continued to whisper among themselves.
"Mom, letās go meet the girls," Daniel turned to Liana and said.
Liana got up excitedly and left the spectator stands. Daniel smiled when he saw how happy his mother was.
Seeing his mother and sister happyāthat was more valuable to him than anything else.
He quickly followed her out of the stands. Soon after,
"Shall we go?" Alice glanced at Tiana as she spoke.
"Yeah, letās go outside. We shouldnāt keep your brother and Aunt Liana waiting too long," Tiana nodded and walked out ahead.
Alice didnāt leave right away. She first looked at Livanaās faceāshe could see the anger and frustration in it. Her expression was dark, and no one even dared get close to her.
Seeing that, Alice burst out laughing loudly, and of course, Livana noticed. But she just ignored it and stormed off angrily.
"Tch, so boring," Alice muttered and left as well.
Alice and Tiana also came out and spotted them.
"Mom! Bro!" Alice ran forward and hugged her mom tightly.
"I did it! I got first place!"
Her voice was full of excitement and joy.
"I knew my beautiful girl could get first place," Liana said happily.
Tiana walked up with a small smile and stood beside them. Even though she didnāt show it, it was clear she felt a little sad that her own family wasnāt there with her.
"Tiana, arenāt you going to come for a hug? Or... do you still not see us as your family?" Liana, of course, could tell how Tiana felt.
"Really?" Tiana asked, eyes shimmering.
"Of course. Come here." Liana opened her other arm, and Tiana didnāt hesitate to step into her hug.
"Haha! Both of my pretty girls got top ranks!"
"Well, now Iām starting to feel a little jealous," Daniel teased. But seeing how happy his family was made a smile form on his face too.
"Bro, I never couldāve gotten first place without your help," Alice let go of her mom and jumped into Danielās arms.
"Now you see why Iām the best brother in the world?"
"Of course, of course! My brotherās the best," Alice laughed.
"Thank you so much," Tiana stepped away from Liana and, a little shyly, sincerely thanked Daniel.
Without his help, she was sure she wouldnāt have even made it into the top five. But unlike Alice, she couldnāt bring herself to hug Daniel.
"No need to thank me. In the end, it was your own effort that got you here," Daniel replied.
Sure, he was the one who pushed them to trainābut if they hadnāt wanted it themselves, they never wouldāve progressed. The fact that theyād come so far proved their determination.
"So, should we head home now, or is there anything left?" Liana asked as she walked up to them.
"Philip told us to come to his office to get our bonus reward and the badge for entering the Lapis Phoenix Domain," Alice replied.
"Good, I wanted to talk to Mr. Philip too," Daniel nodded.
They started heading toward the office of the head of the Awakened Association academyābut on the way, they ran into two people they really didnāt want to see.
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Tiana asked as she saw the man and woman standing in their path.