Chapter 204: Awards Ceremony (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Salty Fish Sage) (Fourth Update)

One hour later.

Buses pulled up to a plaza.

As the doors opened, Su Ming and the others stepped out of the vehicles.

“Wow!”

At this moment, sounds of surprise rang out.

Upon hearing them, Su Ming and the others turned their heads to look, only to see flights of stone steps entering their vision. These steps were all constructed from colossal white jade stones, each level radiating a cool, clear brilliance. What was most astonishing was that the layers of steps stretched upward, seemingly without end.

“Everyone, gather up!”

Vice Principal Fleck clapped his hands, instructing everyone to line up in the same formation as when they entered the competition.

Su Ming then led Rhine and the others forward.

Soon, Royal Court Academy’s team was neatly arranged, with Begfins, Irelia, and Olivert standing at the very front of the line.

“Straighten yourselves up!”

Many teachers from Royal Court Academy instructed their students.

“Teacher, how many steps are there? Do we really have to climb all the way up? Isn’t there an elevator or escalator or something?”

One student after another asked curiously.

“Yes, why wouldn’t there be? But today, you cannot take an elevator or escalator; you must climb yourselves! Because reporters will be following you as you ascend the Sky Ladder to the City Lord’s Mansion. This is a very rare opportunity!”

“Rare?”

“Although I shouldn’t be telling you this, there are some things I still need to say. Being followed by reporters can increase your fame, which will be very helpful for your future.”

“Aren’t we supposed to serve after graduation?”

“Yes, you are, but there’s a big difference between having fame and not having fame. If you and a classmate are roughly at the same level, but one has fame and the other doesn’t, when you enlist, the major legions will also review your resumes and prioritize those with fame.”

“Understood.”

Su Ming listened to the teachers from other classes instructing their students, then turned his gaze towards Mia.

Mia was smiling so broadly her mouth wouldn’t close, occasionally calculating something on her wristband.

Su Ming couldn’t help but shake his head.

Soon, all the participating students from the three schools were lined up.

Begfins, Timmy, and the others led their teams onto the steps, ascending one step at a time!

At this moment, reporters carrying professional photography equipment climbed alongside the teams from both sides, pointing their cameras at the many students.

Lin Si, a reporter from Starlight City Television, held a microphone and explained with a smile.

“Dear viewers, we can now see students ascending the pristine Sky Ladder, making their way to the magnificent City Lord’s Mansion. At this moment, we are genuinely happy for them, and we feel joy that the Federation possesses such exceptional talent.”

Su Ming and the others stepped on the stone steps, climbing upward one by one.

After an unknown period of climbing, they saw the City Lord’s Mansion, as majestic as a towering mountain. The entire City Lord’s Mansion was grand and imposing, constructed entirely from stone and redwood, with golden glazed tiles on its roof that shimmered brilliantly and shone with dazzling light under the sunlight. On the solemn, crimson main gate, the vicissitudes of time were etched, leaving a profound impact on one’s soul.

“It’s quite magnificent!”

Su Ming also exclaimed in admiration.

“Of course it’s good; this City Lord’s Mansion has thousands of years of history. And while it’s called the City Lord’s Mansion, it was actually an imperial palace before. But I heard that in recent years, much of the City Lord’s Mansion’s interior has been renovated; apart from some precious historical relics and architecture, everything else has been modernized.”

Rhine explained to Su Ming.

“I see. Have you been here before?”

Su Ming asked curiously.

Upon hearing Su Ming’s words, Rhine replied with a rather colorful expression.

“Class Monitor, you think too highly of me. Is this a place I can just come to whenever I want? If it weren’t for the Three School League, I probably wouldn’t even touch the gate, let alone go inside.”

“True.”

Su Ming thought for a moment and responded.

While Su Ming and Rhine were chatting, the team had already reached the main gate of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Soldiers in exoskeleton armor stood in neat rows, saluting everyone.

Begfins and the others nodded slightly in return, leading their team inside.

The interior of the City Lord’s Mansion was very spacious, with ancient stone bricks paving the ground and many green plants lining both sides of the road.

Besides this, Su Ming also saw many staff members carrying documents. When they saw the incoming teams, they all moved aside, their eyes filled with envy.

If there were no accidents, the future prospects of the students participating in this competition would not be bad at all; they could basically achieve great things in various legions.

Not long after, Su Ming and the others arrived inside the City Lord’s Mansion, at a palatial auditorium constructed from bluestone.

Inside the auditorium, three adjacent seating areas were arranged. Each seating area had redwood tables and carved wooden chairs, and on the tables, there was a cup of steaming hot tea.

At this point, students from the three schools took their seats in different areas.

“Wow, these chairs and tables are made of wood!”

“It’s real wood.”

“How luxurious.”

One student after another exclaimed in surprise.

Su Ming touched the table and chairs, also a bit surprised; they were indeed made of real wood. In this era, wooden items were extremely expensive, let alone redwood.

At this moment, all the lights in the auditorium were turned on. A middle-aged man, dressed in a white shirt and black suit, with meticulously combed hair, horizontal lines on his broad forehead, and sharp eyes, walked in from a side door and headed directly to the auditorium’s podium.

“Everyone, quiet down!”

The middle-aged man spoke calmly.

Immediately, the noisy auditorium gradually quieted down. Everyone’s gaze focused on the man before them, and many whispered in surprise.

“Isn’t that Lord Okins, the Vice City Lord and Senior Executive Officer of Starlight City?”

“Yes, I didn’t expect him to host this awards ceremony.”

At this moment, Okins spoke in a deep voice.

“Let me introduce myself, my name is Okins! I will now be responsible for the Three School League awards ceremony.”

Upon hearing Okins’ words, everyone showed excited expressions; the awards ceremony was finally about to begin.

“First, the champion of this Three School League is Royal Court Academy. We now invite Vice Principal Fleck of Royal Court Academy to come to the stage to receive the award.”

Vice Principal Fleck walked step by step towards the auditorium with a wide smile, completely devoid of his previous anxiety.

Soon, he reached Okins. At this moment, a clear-faced woman in a work uniform walked to Okins’ side, carrying a tray. On the tray was a crystal trophy, with the words “Three School League Champion · Royal Court Academy” engraved on its base, and in addition, a check.

Okins first handed the trophy to Vice Principal Fleck, then picked up the check and officially announced.

“This Three School League was jointly supported and hosted by Starlight City, Rainy City, and Sky Dome City. For this, the Three Cities specially prepared 30 billion federal currency as a reward for the winning school. Congratulations to Royal Court Academy!”

“Thank you!”

When Vice Principal Fleck took the check, he was smiling so broadly his mouth could barely close.