V2. Chapter 36 — The Award Ceremony

The Capital was gradually returning to its normal rhythm of life. Everyone was so busy that it seemed no one had even noticed that an entire week had slowly passed since the catastrophe.

Although traces of the beastmen’s attack could still be found throughout the city, the destruction was being repaired at a frightening pace. The Builders' Guild, together with the other craft guilds, worked almost without pause, using magic, artifacts, and massive construction spells to restore streets and buildings.

Entire sections of walls were literally being rebuilt before people’s eyes. Groups of mages simultaneously used mana to lift entire structures into the air and clear away rubble.

Destroyed cobblestone streets were leveled by streams of mana.

Burned houses were dismantled and rebuilt within mere days.

However, even with the aid of magic, the process required enormous amounts of resources and manpower. The situation was further complicated by the fact that many beastman slaves had died during the revolt, causing a significant portion of the dirty and labor-intensive work to fall upon the mages and craftsmen themselves.

Nevertheless, life went on.

Trade was gradually returning to its normal pace. The craft districts were once again filling with the sounds of work, and the Academy had resumed classes. It was as though the Empire itself refused to slow down, even after such a catastrophe.

Of course, the atmosphere within the city still remained heavy, and many people continued to observe mourning.

On some streets, one could still see altars with red candles and the names of the dead.

And conversations about the beastmen’s attack could be heard almost everywhere.

But alongside that, there were also those trying to live as they had before.

Restaurants and taverns were gradually seeing the return of their customers, merchants were once again calling out to passersby, and young couples and groups of students could increasingly be seen strolling through the streets…

✦ ✦ ✦

At that very moment, a genuine commotion was unfolding inside the Merry Drunkard tavern.

A line of mages dressed in expensive clothing, bearing the emblems of wealthy families and clans, had already formed near the entrance. Some were even openly craning their necks, trying to peer inside through the tavern’s windows.

One of the tavern workers stood at the entrance, helping seat guests while simultaneously trying to handle the endless stream of questions.

“Excuse me, is young master Kael currently in the tavern?”

“Pardon me, but could you at least tell us when he usually goes out?”

“May I deliver a letter to him personally?”

Questions like these came almost without pause.

Other visitors did not even bother hiding the purpose of their visit.

Some approached the girl with pointed politeness, handing her spatial rings resting on expensive lacquered stands.

“I’m here to deliver a gift from the Blue Rose Family,” one young nobleman said with a slight smile. “Please pass it on to the young hero Kael.”

“And this is from the Eastern Trade Association.”

“The White Bone Family also wishes to express its gratitude.”

The girl at the entrance already looked visibly overwhelmed, awkwardly accepting more and more gifts while constantly glancing back at the other tavern workers.

Beside her, another employee continuously carried spatial rings and boxes deeper into the building, where they had already been forced to clear out an entire room just to store them.

And judging by the fact that the stream of visitors continued to grow, this was far from the end.

Watching all of this in silence from behind the bar were Violet and Dorian.

Violet observed the endless flow of guests for a while before offering a crooked smile.

“I didn’t think it would go this far…”

Dorian, as usual, looked remarkably calm.

“Once Kael’s name spread throughout the Capital, many influential families immediately began gathering information about him,” he replied calmly, watching yet another noble hand a gift to the tavern worker. “And the fact that he is young, talented, and does not come from a great family makes him even more attractive.”

Violet frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Dorian calmly adjusted his collar and replied without a second thought, “Many of them will want to marry him to their daughters.”

And the moment those words were spoken, something cold flickered briefly in Violet’s eyes.

A barely noticeable irritation.

She gave a quiet snort and shifted her gaze toward another young nobleman at the entrance.

“They don’t even understand who they’re trying to win over…”

Then she added with a hint of mockery, “Knowing how cunning Kael is, he’ll just accept all the gifts and play dumb. All those noble families will only be wasting their resources.”

Dorian, completely oblivious to Violet’s sharp reaction, merely let out a tired sigh.

“They understand that perfectly well themselves,” he said calmly. “But there's no harm in asking.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, “In any case, the Imperial Branch will almost certainly take an interest in Kael. A girl from their branch of the family would easily overshadow all the others.”

At that very moment, Violet suddenly flinched.

She unconsciously bit her lower lip, feeling a strange and unpleasant sensation suddenly appear within her chest.

For some reason, her heart began beating faster, and her fists clenched slightly.

“What am I…” Violet murmured almost inaudibly, not understanding why Dorian’s words had provoked such a reaction from her.

Dorian did not even notice.

Continuing to calmly observe the activity at the entrance, he accepted yet another lacquered gift box intended for Kael from one of the waiters and absentmindedly set it beside the others.

Violet, meanwhile, seemed to freeze for a moment, continuing to stare somewhere ahead.

Inside her, it was as though a sudden realization had ignited—one she simultaneously did not want to accept, or perhaps was afraid to accept.

“Kael has become a part of our lives…” drifted slowly through her mind.

But almost immediately, the thought seemed to correct itself: “No… of my life…”

At that realization, Violet’s heart began beating even faster.

She did not even notice herself tightening her fingers, trying to make sense of the feelings that had suddenly surged within her.

And at that moment, every event of the past year seemed to flash through her memory in an instant.

Her first meeting with Kael, and all his oddities.

Back then, Kael had seemed to her like an ordinary joker who constantly made ridiculous jokes, deliberately embarrassed her with playful flirting, and generally behaved strangely for someone his age.

But the more she got to know him, the more her impression changed. There was something mysterious about him, something impossible to describe.

At some point, his endless jokes and teasing had almost imperceptibly given way to quiet trust and respect, and Kael himself had become someone whose presence felt completely natural to her.

Then Violet’s memories drifted to everything that had happened after they left Lasthold.

The journey through the mountains, the Empire, a new language, constant troubles, and an entirely new environment. Amid all that chaos, Kael had somehow gradually become someone she relied upon almost instinctively.

Even in the hardest moments, Kael remained calm and kept moving forward, as though he had always been prepared for whatever awaited them.

And only now did Violet suddenly realize that she had long since stopped seeing him as merely a talented youth several years younger than herself.

In her mind, Kael had long ago become a man.

Confident, composed, and dependable.

Someone whose presence made her feel secure even in the midst of complete chaos.

At those thoughts, Violet’s heart beat even faster.

“If Kael becomes part of the Imperial Branch…” crossed her mind.

She involuntarily imagined a girl from a great family standing beside him, and an unpleasant ache tugged at her chest.

“I should be happy for him... Then why does it make me so angry?”

And in the next moment, a possibility suddenly slipped into Violet’s thoughts, causing her cheeks to instantly flush pink.

She quickly looked away and shook her head, as though trying to banish those thoughts from her mind.

“What am I even thinking about?”

Taking a deep breath, Violet hastily adjusted her robe, trying to regain her usual composure. Then, as though nothing had happened, she looked at Dorian and deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere, “How long do you think the awards ceremony will take?”

Dorian, oblivious to her state, answered calmly, “Kael said he would definitely be free by evening. Don’t worry, I’ll have enough time to prepare a celebratory dinner.”

Violet merely nodded in silence, turning her gaze slightly toward the noisy hall.

Then, inwardly, as though speaking directly to Kael himself, she quietly added, “Finish up quickly… and come home, Kael.”

✦ ✦ ✦

At that very moment, inside one of the enormous halls of the Imperial Palace, a ceremony was being held to honor those who had distinguished themselves during the beastmen revolt.

One person after another entered the main hall, appearing before several of the Archmagisters and General Salazar himself. After a brief conversation, the recipients emerged carrying medals, artifacts, or scrolls bearing imperial seals.

Kael, however, was still standing before the closed doors, waiting for his turn.

Around him were roughly a dozen other mages, most of whom wore black military uniforms embroidered with the Empire’s red dragons across their chests.

Some spoke calmly among themselves.

Others sat in silence, waiting for their names to be called.

Standing beside Kael at the moment was one of the soldiers—a tall man with short dark hair and a deep scar near his chin. Smirking, he held out a metal flask.

“Why so gloomy?” the soldier chuckled. “Here, have a drink, kid.”

Kael merely smiled faintly as he accepted the flask.

“I’m not gloomy,” he replied calmly. “I just have one of those faces.”

Then he took a small sip and almost immediately grimaced.

“What is this bitter swill?”

The soldier burst out laughing and took the flask back.

But Kael, now wearing a more genuine smile, added, “You should come to my tavern instead. I’ll treat you to some genuinely good drinks.”

At those words, several soldiers exchanged glances.

“Your tavern?” one of them asked with interest. “Wait… are you that student who distinguished himself during the attack?”

Another immediately snapped his fingers as though remembering something.

“Kael, if I remember correctly?”

And the moment his name was spoken, the other soldiers visibly perked up.

“That’s right!” one of the large men suddenly exclaimed, studying Kael with interest. “And here I was wondering what a runt like you was doing here!”

The woman standing nearby in a black military uniform immediately shot him a mildly irritated look.

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“Don’t take offense at his manners, student,” she said calmly, turning her gaze toward Kael. “The army has its own peculiar way of communicating. And its own sense of humor…”

But Kael merely waved a hand dismissively.

“As long as the intention is good, I’m not particularly concerned with how it’s expressed.”

At those words, several of the soldiers smirked approvingly, and even the big man grunted with respect.

The woman was about to add something else, but at that moment, the doors ahead suddenly opened.

All of the soldiers immediately straightened their backs and lifted their chins slightly, almost instinctively adopting a more formal posture.

An elderly man with a long gray beard and a dark-red palace servant’s robe appeared in the doorway.

Sweeping his gaze across the room, he announced loudly, “Kael is invited forward to receive his award.”

Almost immediately, voices sounded from behind Kael:

“Good luck, kid!”

“You did great!”

And the big man even gave him a firm pat on the back, nearly making him take a step forward.

Kael merely smiled at that.

“Thank you for the support.”

Then he calmly headed toward the open doors.

As he crossed the threshold into the hall, Kael found himself thinking: “It would be nice to get a bit of money…”

The thought was surprisingly mundane for such a grand occasion, yet at the moment it concerned him far more than any lofty titles.

“I need to pay for the gauntlets I essentially stole…” he reflected calmly as he walked forward. “And finally start proper training. The battles during the revolt made it abundantly clear how much strength I still lack.”

The auras of the Archmagisters immediately resurfaced in his memory, along with the monstrous pressure of the beastmen and his own helplessness before truly powerful opponents.

With that thought, he finally raised his gaze.

A spacious hall of white marble immediately opened before him, streaked with thin red veins resembling frozen streams of blood. Heavy crimson banners bearing the Empire’s dragons hung along the massive columns, while a broad scarlet carpet stretched across the entire hall toward a set of high steps.

At the top stood a massive red throne.

But it was not the interior that captured Kael’s attention.

At the foot of the steps leading to the throne stood a short man with glasses and graying hair, watching him with a hawk-like gaze.

“General Salazar…” Kael noted inwardly. “I didn’t get a good look at him during the memorial service. But now… this man’s aura is incredible…”

Even standing still, Salazar radiated a sense of monstrous pressure. His aura did not flare with overwhelming power. Instead, it felt astonishingly restrained and dense, as though something far more dangerous than brute strength was hidden within the old man.

As he walked along the scarlet carpet, Kael discreetly glanced to either side.

Seated in massive carved chairs on both sides of the carpet were the Empire’s Archmagisters.

Kael had already seen four of them during the beastmen attack.

At that moment, he unexpectedly caught Archmagister Al-Hakim’s gaze.

The man nodded to him with a slight smile, causing the long earrings in his ears to softly chime.

Kael noticed a similar reaction from the blind Archmagister Guro, who sat calmly with his eyes closed, yet somehow remained turned toward him.

A little farther away sat another Archmagister—a voluptuous woman whose skin carried a faint greenish tint. Several dozen long inscription needles were fastened in her slightly disheveled emerald hair, and her fingers absentmindedly twirled one of them, as though she were still pondering something even now.

And judging by the way she studied Kael, the interest in her eyes was completely undisguised.

Watching this, Kael smirked inwardly.

“Each of them already considers me part of their Guild…”

However, he quickly pushed the thought aside after noticing that he had reached the pattern woven into the center of the scarlet carpet. He immediately understood that this was where he was supposed to stop.

Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee.

Then, bowing his head first to one side and then the other, he declared loudly, “Greetings, esteemed Archmagisters!”

After that, he turned his gaze forward and added with even greater respect, “Greetings, esteemed General Salazar!”

And almost immediately, approving grunts sounded from both sides, while several of the Archmagisters even nodded slightly in return.

Then, in the next moment, Salazar’s raspy voice echoed through the hall: “Raise your head, Kael.”

Kael immediately obeyed and met the General’s eyes.

Salazar’s red reptilian pupils stared directly at him, sending an involuntary chill across his skin. The gaze was too heavy, too piercing, as though the old man sought to lay bare every thought and intention within him through sheer observation alone.

And yet Salazar himself looked remarkably relaxed.

He stood with a slight slouch, his hands tucked into the pockets of his long dark cloak, as though ceremonies like this held little significance for him.

The contrast between his casual posture and his monstrous aura only made his presence feel even more overwhelming.

Yet in the very next moment, Salazar spoke in an unexpectedly solemn tone, once again overturning Kael’s expectations.

“I greet you on behalf of the Emperor, who, unfortunately, remains absent.”

Adjusting his slightly slipping glasses, the General continued, “You have displayed great courage. You acted as any great warrior ought to act.”

Salazar’s voice remained calm, yet every word seemed to weigh upon the space around them.

“You risked your own life to prevent a catastrophe.”

His words echoed throughout the hall, reflecting off the white marble and massive columns.

Then the General continued in a slightly louder voice, “That is precisely why you stand here today. For such a deed, the Empire wishes to reward you appropriately!”

And in the next instant, Salazar’s figure suddenly blurred.

Kael never even saw him move.

One moment the General had been standing near the throne’s steps—and the next he was directly before him, calmly taking Kael by the shoulder and helping him to his feet.

The sheer speed made tension instinctively surge through Kael.

“Strong...” was all Kael managed to think.

Now standing this close to Salazar, he felt the pressure emanating from the General even more clearly. Despite being of similar height, Kael somehow felt as though he were standing before a dangerous predator.

And the worst part was that Salazar continued to appear completely relaxed, as though he had no idea what kind of pressure his mere presence exerted upon those around him.

But amidst all this, Kael suddenly sensed something strange.

His intuition persistently told him that Salazar’s behavior was not merely a formality or an act of courtesy.

It felt as though the General wanted something from him.

“This old man is acting far too strangely…” Kael noted inwardly, doing his best to maintain a calm expression.

Casting a discreet glance toward the Archmagisters, he quickly realized that the feeling was not his alone.

Several of the Archmagisters also looked slightly surprised.

Especially the woman with emerald hair, who had raised an eyebrow ever so slightly while continuing to observe Salazar.

And judging by their reactions, the General had clearly not treated the previous recipients this way.

But in the very next moment, Salazar unexpectedly spoke again—and so directly that Kael was briefly caught off guard.

“Only recently were you torn away from your homeland, soldier,” the General said calmly, continuing to look him straight in the eyes. “I harbor no illusions that you have already grown attached to an Empire that is foreign to you.”

Hearing such candid words, Kael unexpectedly felt a trace of respect for Salazar.

The General continued holding his gaze.

“And yet, despite that, you still risked your life,” Salazar said calmly. “Why?”

Kael’s answer came almost instantly.

“I try to think in terms of facts,” Kael said in an even voice, deliberately misrepresenting his true motives. “The Empire is a bastion of the human race. If it falls, life for all humans will become a nightmare. My homeland will be no exception.”

Hearing that, Salazar unexpectedly smirked, and even that faint emotion looked rather predatory on his face.

“A worthy answer,” the General said. “I like it.”

Then, immediately afterward, Salazar unexpectedly extended his hand to Kael. For a brief moment, Kael even hesitated, as such a gesture from someone of the General’s stature felt too unexpected.

But the instant Kael shook his hand, it felt as though his palm had been caught in a steel vise—the grip was so powerful and unyielding.

Meanwhile, the General narrowed his eyes slightly as he continued studying Kael from such close range that his gaunt face, hooked nose, glasses, and neat goatee no longer gave the impression of a scholar or official.

Salazar felt more like a bird of prey that would never let its quarry escape once it had set its sights upon it.

“I don’t like this... He’s pushing far too hard,” Kael muttered inwardly, sensing that something was off.

But in the next moment, it was as if the General had sensed the doubt within him and abruptly interrupted with a question, “What reward do you desire?”

Feeling his hand gradually beginning to go numb beneath Salazar’s monstrously powerful grip, Kael tensed inwardly. “Is he testing me? But why?”

Almost immediately, he recalled what he had heard earlier while waiting outside the ceremonial hall.

The General had not questioned the other recipients, had not approached them, and certainly had not engaged them in conversations like this. He had simply presented their rewards and dismissed them.

“He didn’t ask the others... he simply rewarded them...” Kael noted warily.

But in the next instant, something seemed to click inside him.

“Damn...” he cursed inwardly. “If I want to advance within the Empire, reputation has to come before profit. If I simply ask for money now, I’ll make a terrible impression...”

Kael rapidly analyzed the situation, realizing that his answer would serve as a demonstration of both his character and his ambitions.

“How can I make the best use of this situation?” he wondered.

At that moment, Salazar noticed the change in Kael’s expression and narrowed his eyes even further, the corners of his lips twitching ever so slightly, as though the General appreciated how quickly the young man had grasped the situation.

The Archmagisters behind him, however, no longer looked quite so calm.

Several of them frowned faintly, clearly not entirely pleased with Salazar’s methods.

Archmagister Al-Hakim even coughed softly before saying with a slight smile, “General... you’re putting too much pressure on the boy.”

Yet Salazar did not even turn around.

He merely raised his free hand slightly, as though dismissing any further discussion with a single gesture.

Seeing that, Al-Hakim only shook his head and muttered quietly, “The General is far too headstrong...”

But in the next moment, a distinct gleam appeared in Kael’s amber eyes, and he slowly straightened his back before speaking without hesitation, “I would like to ask for the safety of Lasthold and respectful treatment of its culture and people.”

At that answer, several Archmagisters raised their brows slightly, and even Al-Hakim stopped looking quite so carefree, studying Kael’s face more closely.

Kael calmly continued, “I could ask for money to develop my own strength and cultivation, but that is something I can earn myself. Securing my homeland’s safety, however, would require far too much time.”

As he spoke, he looked directly into Salazar’s eyes.

“If I could achieve that now... then I would be able to focus on my own growth far more calmly. I would be helping both my homeland and myself.”

After those words, Kael briefly swept his gaze across the Archmagisters seated on both sides of the hall, then added in a somewhat softer tone:

“Lasthold has lived apart from the rest of the world for hundreds of years. I fear it will be far more difficult for my homeland to become a part of the Empire…”

In response, Salazar unexpectedly clapped Kael on the shoulder and said with satisfaction, “Another worthy answer.”

Then, giving their clasped hands a slight shake, the General continued, “I will personally write a letter to the Emperor. I promise that the first major delegation sent to Lasthold will consist of worthy mages.”

At that response, Kael merely smiled calmly and replied with a bow, “Thank you.”

Yet inwardly, he immediately assessed the situation rationally: “A shame I won’t be getting any money… but under the circumstances, that was the best possible answer. I just hope that promise will actually be honored… at least in part…”

Kael was already preparing to take his leave and conclude the ceremony when he almost immediately noticed that, for some reason, Salazar was not letting go of his hand. In the next moment, the General activated a spatial ring with a wave of his free hand.

A black military uniform embroidered with the Empire’s red dragon suddenly appeared in the General’s hand.

At this turn of events, several Archmagisters' expressions immediately changed, while Al-Hakim and Guro nearly rose from their seats simultaneously.

“General, what are you—”

But Salazar did not even allow them to finish. Continuing to hold Kael’s hand, he declared solemnly, “I have one more gift. A personal one.”

At that moment, Kael felt that something was wrong as clearly as if the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. His intuition was practically screaming danger.

Taking a slight step back, he tried to object, “General… I don’t—”

But Salazar interrupted him immediately without changing expression.

“I was surprised when I learned that one of my former subordinates—Lieutenant Dukhlas—had written to me about you even before the beastmen uprising.”

With those words, the General extended the black uniform toward Kael.

“And considering your accomplishments,” Salazar continued, “you have long since surpassed ordinary students and recruits.”

At those words, he suddenly let out a raspy laugh, then sharply raised his voice and announced to the entire hall:

“By the authority vested in me, I hereby declare that from this day forward you are officially enlisted in the Imperial Army and no longer need to take the military qualification examinations!”

The moment those words were spoken, Al-Hakim shot to his feet and exclaimed indignantly, “I object! This goes far beyond all acceptable limits!”

Guro almost immediately supported him, striking his staff against the floor.

“I agree! You are acting unfairly, General Salazar!”

Yet Salazar completely ignored the Archmagisters’ outrage, continuing to look only at Kael.

“You managed to cross an entire Capital consumed by chaos,” the General said calmly. “That alone is enough to understand how sharp your survival instincts are. And your blood-soaked gauntlets told me that you know how to kill.”

Salazar paused briefly, still holding the military uniform before Kael.

“If you remain in the Capital, you’ll simply waste your talent.”

At that moment, something seemed to flash in the General’s red eyes, and he looked at Kael as though he were staring at a priceless treasure he had no intention of letting slip from his grasp.

“Therefore, I personally invite you to become part of one of the Empire’s strongest armies,” Salazar said in a raspy voice. “Part of the Scarlet Serpent Army!”

At those words, Kael’s heart seemed to skip a beat, and a chill immediately ran down his spine.

“Oh, damn it…” he cursed inwardly, feeling a cold sweat begin to break out. “I don’t want to go to war… I need to come up with a good excuse immediately.”

Despite his inner shock, Kael regained his composure almost at once, forcing a polite smile onto his face.

“Thank you for such an incredible offer, General Salazar,” he said as calmly as possible. “But I’m afraid I have already promised the Scholars’ Guild that I would join their ranks. If I break my own oath, it—”

But he was not allowed to finish.

“Don’t worry,” Salazar interrupted with complete composure. “Archmagister Al-Hakim will nullify that oath.”

And at that very moment, the entire hall seemed to freeze.

Al-Hakim even lost his usual smile for a second before sharply turning toward the General.

“Excuse me?” the Archmagister exclaimed indignantly.

In the next instant, Al-Hakim’s figure also blurred, and he appeared beside Kael in a flash, glaring at Salazar with irritation.

“And why exactly would I do something like that?” he demanded. “We have long considered Kael part of our Guild!”

And seeing Al-Hakim so openly take his side, Kael immediately felt a surge of hope ignite within him.

“Yes! Thank you, Archmagister!” he shouted inwardly.

Realizing that he needed to strengthen his own position immediately, Kael quickly drew a breath and added aloud in a polite tone:

“I also wished to specialize in alchemy and inscription arts. My potential is not limited solely to the military profession…”

However, Salazar merely let out an unexpectedly good-natured laugh, shifting his gaze between Al-Hakim and Kael as though he were watching two naïve children who still failed to understand the full situation.

“Unfortunately,” the General said in his raspy voice, adjusting his glasses slightly, “that decision is not yours to make.”

Then, after a brief pause, he calmly added, “Nor is it within mine.”

The moment those words were spoken, Al-Hakim suddenly froze, and for the first time genuine shock flashed across his face.

“You mean that...” he whispered warily.

But before the Archmagister could finish, a deep voice suddenly swept through the entire hall, its tone both calm and somehow inexplicably mystical: “It is my decision.”

At the mere sound of that voice, the air in the hall seemed to become heavier, and every gaze instantly turned toward the throne, beside which now stood a figure in a long black robe and a golden mask.

Kael did not even understand when exactly the figure had appeared there. Only a second ago, the space beside the throne had been empty.

And the moment the assembled people saw the stranger, Salazar and all of the Archmagisters dropped to one knee without the slightest hesitation. Only Kael remained standing in the middle of the hall, unable to understand what was happening.

Only one thought flashed through his mind: “But the Emperor isn’t in the Capital... Then who is this? And why is everyone kneeling before him...?”