Grind and Olivia returned to the Blue Team's castle, where everyone was waiting for them.
Dinko approached swiftly, his voice tense:
"The entire team has been waiting for you... The leader is furious about your delay!"
Grind frowned in confusion:
"Why were you waiting for us?"
Dinko replied gravely:
"Today, the rankings of the top teams this year will be announced. The Red Team—Beryon, the Noctria Skeletons, and Azuria's Spears—are all in the running... King Credon and his brother Fainhar will personally attend the coronation ceremony tonight."
Grind's eyebrows shot up in surprise:
"So... all the teams from across the world will gather? But where is the leader?"
Dinko gestured impatiently:
"He left with Leader Kivai to coordinate... Come on, everyone's waiting."
With a magical incantation, Dinko opened a portal, and the Blue Team stepped through, arriving at the heart of the Kingdom of Beryon.
---
At the gates, the team gazed upward in awe. The kingdom loomed majestically, its grand architecture adorned with gilded designs and walls embedded with glowing magical stones. Grind couldn't hide his amazement.
As they entered, they found themselves in a massive arena surrounded by teams from every corner of the world.
A hundred teams.
All gathered.
And every eye turned toward Grind with admiration and respect.
A familiar figure approached—Thren, vice-captain of the Red Team—and spoke warmly:
"Thank you, Grind... for saving our team that day."
Grind smiled humbly:
"It was my duty. Protecting others is what I fight for."
Thren nodded and stepped back:
"Until we meet again... and once more, my gratitude."
---
Nearby, Thren paused beside his comrade Kevan, who was analyzing Grind with keen interest.
Thren murmured in awe:
"He fought against a hundred Black Cloak cultists... He's grown so much since the incident. Don't you think, Kevan?"
Kevan replied with measured precision:
"Indeed. His power has multiplied thousands of times. He now possesses a rare crystalline energy—one I've never fully seen before. But I can confirm it's of a new tier: Pale Luminescence—Level 50."
He continued his explanation:
"Every crystal starts at Level 1. Grind once had an ordinary crystal, but after completing his trial, he obtained the Pale Luminescence crystal. No one has achieved this in ages."
Thren's eyes widened:
"Are you saying... he's stronger than the five team leaders?!"
Kevan nodded firmly:
"Without a doubt."
---
At the heart of the kingdom, thousands gathered. Magical screens, conjured by the royal sorcerers, broadcasted the ceremony across every city.
Then, suddenly, King Credon and his brother Fainhar appeared atop the highest tower of the palace.
King Credon's deep voice boomed:
"Welcome, heroes. I am King Credon, and this is my brother, Fainhar. Today, we celebrate the teams who have fought for humanity, who have sacrificed for peace."
He announced the rankings:
*"First Place: The Red Team—Beryon.
They fought in over a thousand gates without a single loss, embodying cooperation and strength.
Second Place: The Blue Team.
They battled valiantly, but above all, Grind Fland—alone—protected all teams during the Beryon tournament... He is now humanity's hope."*
"Third Place: The White Team.
They suffered no losses this entire year."
Fainhar raised his voice, declaring:
"Grind... you are humanity's hope. Let us all applaud him!"
Cheers erupted—from the teams, from the crowds in the squares, even from those watching through the magical screens in distant villages. Children chanted his name; he had become their idol.
Olivia beamed with joy:
"Look, Grind... Everyone loves you now, everywhere!"
Grind, tears of happiness in his eyes, whispered:
"Thank you, all of you... You're the best. I will create a world free of monsters."
---
In a faraway village, Songai sat drinking, his eyes fixed on the magical screen as he smirked.
Songai raised his cup:
"I knew it... You are the Chosen One."
Syndra approached:
"More ale?"
Songai grinned:
"Bring it! Let's toast to the hero's coronation!"
And on that day, humanity drank to peace and victory.
---
But in the shadows of the night...
On the rooftop of a distant tower...
A girl stood cloaked in black, her mask hiding her face, her long hair whipping in the wind.
Her voice was a cold whisper:
"Today, you rejoice... Tomorrow, you mourn.
Such is life—no happiness lasts forever."