The thunderous cheers celebrating Alex's victory gradually subsided, though the excitement lingering throughout the stadium showed no signs of fading.
Despite the tournament not yet being officially over, everyone already knew the final outcome.
Only a single contestant from Crimson Bastion Academy remained, while Star Shine Academy still had three. After Evelyne's defeat, Crimson Bastion's morale had plummeted.
The championship had already been decided.
Nevertheless, tournament regulations required every scheduled match to be completed. The final duel soon began.
Ordinarily, it would have served as a fitting conclusion to the Nine Academy Tournament.
Unfortunately for the competitors involved, they had the misfortune of stepping onto the stage immediately after the clash between Alex and Evelyne.
Compared to the previous battle, everything else inevitably felt ordinary. The audience still watched and applauded, but the explosive enthusiasm that had shaken the stadium moments earlier never returned.
Instead, discussions throughout the stands remained focused almost entirely on the match that had just ended.
"Did you see that last spell?"
"Tier-7... They're both monsters."
"I still can't believe Miss Evelyne actually lost."
The final match concluded with little fanfare.
Soon afterward, the rabbit-kin announcer returned to the center of the arena, her energetic smile once again lighting up the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Her cheerful voice echoed throughout the massive venue. "With the conclusion of the final match, this year's Nine Academy Tournament has officially come to an end!"
A fresh wave of applause swept across the audience.
"Now, I would like to invite all the participants and their academies onto the stage for the final rankings and award ceremony!"
One academy after another, the competitors made their way onto the enormous platform prepared at the center of the arena.
Following tournament tradition, they assembled according to their academies' overall rankings.
Standing proudly at the very front was Star Shine Academy.
The rabbit-kin announcer beamed as she raised her voice once more. "After many years, Star Shine Academy has once again claimed first place in the Nine Academy Tournament!"
The stadium erupted into applause.
The announcement drew especially loud cheers from Star Shine's supporters before the announcer continued.
"In second place—Blitz War Institute! And in third place—Crimson Bastion Academy!"
A noticeable murmur spread through the audience.
Many had expected Crimson Bastion Academy to secure second place, making Blitz War Institute's final ranking one of the tournament's biggest surprises.
However, once they recalled that the points earned across all three phases of the tournament were combined to determine the final standings, the result became easier to understand.
Blitz War Institute's consistently strong performances throughout the earlier stages had ultimately allowed them to edge past Crimson Bastion Academy in the overall rankings.
The announcer continued with the remaining results.
"Fourth place—Stone Gate Academy!"
"Fifth place—Ashford Institute!"
"Sixth place—Dawnspire Academy!"
"Seventh place—Leycross Academy!"
"Eighth place—Greyfield School!"
"And finally, ninth place—Iron Ward Academy!"
As the final rankings echoed throughout the stadium, another round of applause followed.
The Nine Academy Tournament had officially come to an end.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
That evening, the Nine Academy Tournament's closing ceremony was held.
Unlike the fierce competition that had dominated the past week, tonight's atmosphere was relaxed and elegant. The grand banquet hall had been transformed into a lavish ballroom illuminated by hundreds of crystal chandeliers. Soft orchestral music drifted through the air while attendants moved gracefully among the guests, serving exquisite cuisine and expensive wine.
Students from all nine academies mingled freely, many taking the opportunity to form connections beyond the tournament.
What was a celebration for most was an opportunity for others.
Every participant had exchanged their academy uniforms for elegant evening attire, making the gathering feel less like a tournament banquet and more like a noble ball.
Laughter, conversation, and music blended beneath the shimmering lights. Yet despite the lively atmosphere, one person remained the unmistakable center of attention: Alex.
Everywhere he went, eyes followed him.
The title of tournament champion already carried tremendous prestige, but Alex's achievements had elevated it to an entirely different level.
Dressed in a tailored black formal suit embroidered with subtle silver patterns, he stood out effortlessly among the crowd.
Combined with his naturally handsome features and the faint icy aura that still lingered around him after casting
More than one young noblewoman found herself stealing glances in his direction.
While some admired his appearance and many more his talent, it was the combination of the two that proved devastating.
Before long, groups of students began gathering around him one after another. Most congratulated him on his victory, while others attempted to strike up casual conversations.
A surprising number simply wanted an excuse to introduce themselves. Among them, however, the intentions of several noble heirs were considerably less innocent.
Before arriving at the banquet, many had received explicit instructions from their families to befriend Alex, and if possible recruit him.
If recruitment proved impossible, then they were to establish a connection before someone else did and sabotage other's attempts.
Whether through friendship, future cooperation, or even marriage, no influential family intended to ignore a young man of such extraordinary talent.
The crowd surrounding Alex grew denser by the minute.
Standing quietly beside him, Sherry looked overwhelmed by all the attention Alex was receiving. Clutching the hem of her dress with both hands, she remained close to his side, shrinking back whenever another group approached.
Though she hardly spoke a word, she made no attempt to leave, seemingly finding comfort simply by staying near him.
The girls proved even more direct in trying to win his favor, while several young nobles subtly steered the conversation toward their respective families.
Alex could only smile awkwardly, his polite responses doing little to discourage them. If anything, they only encouraged even more people to approach.
Aurora teased him.
"Quite popular, aren't you?"
Alex resisted the urge to sigh.
"This is exhausting."
"Really? I thought young men dreamed about being surrounded by beautiful women."
"Not dozens of them at once."
Aurora's laughter rang through his mind.
Fortunately, his suffering didn't last forever.
A familiar group eventually made their way through the crowd.
Vivianne arrived first alongside her cousin, Helena, followed closely by the Sylfen sisters.
Whether intentionally or not, their presence immediately created a subtle barrier around Alex. The surrounding students exchanged glances before gradually backing away, seemingly reluctant to compete with the four beautiful young women who had claimed the space around the tournament champion.
Within moments, the crowd had thinned considerably. Alex silently welcomed the reprieve.
Standing beside him, Vivianne sipped lightly from a glass of fruit juice, a faint smile resting on her lips.
Unlike before, the atmosphere between them had become noticeably more natural.
After everything that had happened the previous evening and throughout the tournament, the awkwardness that had once lingered between them had all but disappeared.
Although they could hardly be called close friends, they were no longer merely acquaintances. Their conversations flowed with surprising ease.
Nearby, Aria had already disappeared into another group of students.
The younger Sylfen sister seemed perfectly at home amid the lively atmosphere, effortlessly drifting from one conversation to another with her usual cheerful energy.
Watching her, Alex couldn't help but think she truly was a natural social butterfly.
Unlike her younger sister, Arista remained nearby. She folded her arms before giving Alex a long, exaggerated look.
"You know..." she began thoughtfully, "who would've thought the junior I believed I had protected would end up being much stronger than me?" Arista let out an exaggerated sigh. "What a disappointment. I thought I was a dependable senior."
She looked at him as a mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Instead... perhaps I'll have to rely on your protection from now on."
Alex chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure you're doing just fine on your own."
Helena folded her arms and looked away with a small huff.
"Hmph... I still don't see what's so amazing."
Aria giggled while Vivianne simply shook her head, clearly accustomed to her cousin's stubbornness.
Before anyone could respond, another familiar voice interrupted.
"Quite the crowd you've attracted."
Everyone turned.
Walking toward them was Myrra Tempest, elegantly dressed in a dark blue evening gown that complemented her long sapphire-blue hair. As always, a confident smirk rested on her face.
She offered Alex a brief congratulation before naturally joining the group.
As expected, it wasn't long before she and Vivianne resumed trading their usual barbed remarks, neither willing to let the other have the last word.
Alex wisely chose to stay out of it, earning an amused laugh from Aurora.
Fortunately, another arrival interrupted them before their verbal sparring could escalate any further.
Draim approached with his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
Seeing the unusually lively group gathered around Alex, he couldn't help but smile.
"Looks like I found the busiest corner of the banquet."
Then, almost imperceptibly, the lively atmosphere began to change.
It started near the entrance.
Conversations gradually quieted as students instinctively stepped aside, creating a clear path through the crowd.
Alex noticed the change immediately.
"...?"
Following everyone's gaze, he looked across the hall.
A familiar figure with crystalline white hair was walking toward him.
She wore an elegant white evening gown embroidered with delicate crystal patterns that shimmered beneath the glow of the chandeliers. Her long hair flowed neatly behind her, and her usual calm expression remained as unreadable as ever.
Without the slightest hesitation, she continued forward with her composed, unhurried steps until she came to a stop before Alex.
The surrounding hall fell completely silent.
Countless pairs of eyes shifted back and forth between the two finalists.
Evelyne looked directly into Alex's eyes.
Her expression remained unchanged, and her voice was as calm and emotionless as ever.
"...Congratulations. You were stronger."
She held his gaze for another moment.
"You've caught my interest."
Alex blinked.
Of all the things he had expected to hear from Evelyne... those words hadn't been among them.