Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 204: Puzzled (Extra for Alliance Leader Salted Fish Sage) (5th Update)

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Puzzled (Extra for Alliance Leader Salted Fish Sage) (5th Update)

The students of Imperial Court Academy at the venue excitedly burst into a warm applause.

However, the other two academies couldn’t manage a smile, as thirty billion Federation dollars of the prize were contributed by them, completely given away as a dowry now.

At this moment, the vice principals leading Bikong Academy and Amonks College felt a dull pain in their hearts.

Soon Vice Principal Fleck stepped down from the stage amidst the enthusiastic applause, holding the trophy and the check.

Oakens raised his hand signaling everyone to quiet down and spoke in a composed manner.

"Now, we will begin presenting the individual outstanding awards for this competition, starting with the first prize!"

All the students from the three schools on-site fixed their gaze on Oakens upon hearing this.

Su Ming’s heart also lifted with anticipation, the bonus for the first prize was very substantial, and it would be fantastic if he could get it.

"The recipient of the first prize is Miss Irelia!"

Oakens announced in a grave voice. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Clap, clap~

Many Imperial Court Academy students applauded and excitedly shouted.

"It’s Senior Irelia!"

...

However, Aqua and the others were a bit surprised, quietly discussing among themselves.

"It’s not Junior Su Ming."

"Yeah, I thought it would be him?"

...

Su Ming, on the other hand, did not feel surprised and remained very calm. After all, the competition was hosted by Artificial Intelligence·Celeste, so the judging must surely be fair.

At this point, Irelia walked up to the podium amidst warm applause and stood in front of Oakens.

"In this competition, Miss Irelia has won the first prize with a 98-point rating, let’s congratulate her!"

Oakens waved his hand and a virtual screen appeared behind him, on which Irelia’s score was displayed.

Su Ming looked at Irelia’s ratings and immediately understood why he didn’t win the first prize.

Indeed, as they had said before, as long as they won and the Commander didn’t make any mistakes, they were guaranteed first place. Because she not only had the commander’s rating score, but all the combat personnel below her, including himself, had to share a portion of their rating scores with her, as it was considered her command achievement.

Of course, being a Commander wasn’t easy, the subordinates’ achievements were indeed credited to her. But if the competition was lost or the war failed, the first to be accused of the crime would be the Commander.

At the least, a demotion, or at the most, they might be executed by firing squad.

At this time, Oakens handed the honorary trophy and the bonus check to Irelia.

Irelia accepted them respectfully, then turned to face all students of Imperial Court Academy and solemnly said.

"My juniors and sisters, I am very happy to stand here on this award stage and receive such great honor as the first prize. However, this honor does not belong to me alone, but is obtained through everyone’s united efforts, therefore I officially fulfill the promise I made before and will divide the thirty billion prize money equally among all!"

"Long live the Senior Sister!"

For a moment, all the students of Imperial Court Academy excitedly shouted.

The students of Amonks College and Bikong Academy looked on with envious expressions. Thirty billion divided among ten thousand people meant each person would get at least 300,000 Federation dollars, and with a little more saving, everyone could afford to buy their own First Generation Mecha."

Irelia bowed to everyone, then stepped down from the award stage.

At this point, Oakens said in a deep voice.

"Now, we will begin presenting the second prize!"

The previously noisy auditorium fell silent for a moment, everyone’s eyes fixated on Oakens. Anticipation filled their looks, especially for Timi and the others.

The victory of Imperial Court Academy meant little hope for them to win the first prize. But if it were ranked by performance, there was still a chance for the second prize, especially for Timi, the Commander.

"This time, the recipient of the second prize is student Su Ming!"

Oakens announced directly.

Instantly most of the students in the venue were dumbfounded, especially those from Bikong Academy, who began discussing in astonishment.

"Su Ming? Who is that?"

"Never heard of him, is there such a person among the senior students of Imperial Court Academy?"

...

Rhein and others reacted, shouting at Su Ming excitedly.

"Holy crap, Class Rep, you won the second prize!"

"Class Rep, you won an award!"

...

Even Mia covered her mouth in disbelief, almost laughing out loud.

At this time, Su Ming calmly stood up, left his seat, and walked towards the award stage.

Swoosh!

Suddenly all eyes were on Su Ming.

"Isn’t he the freshman from the first grade?"

"No way, a first-year got the second prize?"

"Is this for real?"

...

People murmured to each other in discussion.

Upon hearing that Su Ming was a first-year, the reporters on-site couldn’t stop clicking their cameras!

Click!

Flashlights kept lighting up!

This was news, the kind of news that attracted attention, and they even had thought up the headline, a prodigy emerging out of nowhere, the hope of the future!

While everyone discussed, Irelia and Begfin stood up and took the lead in applauding.

Clap, clap!

In no time at all, the students of Imperial Court Academy burst into enthusiastic applause.

Su Ming couldn’t help but turn to look at Irelia and Begfin, both of whom nodded towards him, showing their sincere recognition.

At this time, Timi from Amonks College and Colonel Dirken also stood up and clapped!

The students of Amonks College clapped as well, while the people from Bikong Academy were somewhat stunned.

A first-year freshman winning the second prize was one thing for Imperial Court Academy’s people to applaud, but for the students of Amonks to join in, what on earth did this guy do?

Of course, the confusion wasn’t limited to those from Bikong Academy; Vice Principal Fleck of Imperial Court Academy was also visibly stunned when he saw Su Ming walking onto the stage, revealing his astonishment on his aged face.

He remembered the names of all the freshman students at his school, but he couldn’t recall Su Ming. This meant Su Ming was from another school.

For a freshman from an external school to win the second prize was simply inconceivable, especially since people like Begfin acknowledged him.

Vice Principal Fleck immediately took note of the name Su Ming, deciding that after the award ceremony he needed to have a good talk with his students.

At this moment, Su Ming ascended the awards platform and approached Okens, who said in a deep voice,

"Student Su Ming has performed exceptionally outstandingly in this tournament, securing a second prize with a score of 95 points. Let’s congratulate him!"

Clap Clap!

The applause at the venue instantly grew even more passionate.

Vice Principal Fleck then handed over the crystal trophy and the prize check for second place to Su Ming.

"Thank you."

Su Ming gratefully accepted them, then turned and bowed to everyone before walking down.

When he returned to his seat, Rhein and others immediately crowded around, excitedly saying,

"Quick, let us take a look at the trophy and the prize money."

Su Ming smiled and handed the items over for them to see.

"Wow, this trophy is so exquisite!"

"What’s there to look at that for, 1 billion Federation dollars, I can’t even dream of that."

"Look at your ambition."

....

Rhein and the others carefully admired the trophy and check, their faces filled with envy.

Then they heard Okens announce,

"The winner of the third prize is Mr. Begfin, let us welcome him with warm applause."

Clap Clap!

The venue once again erupted in enthusiastic applause.

"Ah! It’s no use! The top three prizes have all been taken by people from Imperial Court Academy."

"There’s nothing we can do, they are strong."

"Yes, but one thing I don’t understand is, how could the second prize be won by a freshman?"

"I’m puzzled too."

...

The students from Bikong Academy spoke with sour expressions.

Su Ming and others turned their attention back to the awards platform where Begfin, after politely receiving his trophy and prize money, turned to everyone and said with a smile,

"Folks, I won’t say much, the prize money will be split among all of us. Thank you for your cooperation and support, and it’s an honor for me to fight alongside you. I look forward to joining you on the battlefield in the future!"

"Thank you, senior!"

"We also look forward to fighting alongside you!"

....

Many Imperial Court Academy students exclaimed excitedly.

Begfin then elegantly stepped down from the awards platform.

Okens cleared his throat and said solemnly,

"Next, we have 100 Excellence Awards and 1000 Outstanding Participation Awards. Due to the large number of recipients, we will not have students come up one by one. Instead, the names of all winners will be projected, and certificates will be delivered to you by our staff."

As Okens’ words concluded, the virtual projection was refreshed, and the names emerged one after another.

At that moment, the students in the auditorium became ecstatic, yelling out,

"Look, I got an Outstanding Participation Award!"

"I got an Excellence Award!"

...

Rhein and a few others also shouted excitedly,

"I won an award too, an Outstanding Participation Award!"

...

Su Ming heard Rhein and the others and then directed his gaze towards the projection as it scanned through the list.

He saw that several classmates had received Outstanding Participation Awards. Lin Chuyu and An Ruoxue had also been awarded Excellence Awards. Overall, it was quite a good result.

Mia watched as several students from her class received awards, nearly beaming with joy. This was all money!

Soon all the award certificates were delivered into the hands of the winners.

Okens raised his hand and spoke,

"Everyone, please quiet down!"

Hearing Okens, everyone ceased chatting and the room quickly fell silent.

"The awards for the tri-school tournament have all been distributed, but winning or losing is just one aspect and not the most important. What’s paramount is friendship. This tri-school tournament has allowed you all to interact, and I believe many of you have formed deep friendships during this event,"

Okens proclaimed with grandiosity.

"That’s right, absolutely! Friendship first, competition second!"

Many Imperial Court Academy students shouted cheerfully.

Students from Bikong Academy and Amonks College muttered to each other,

"All that sounds good. I wonder if they would say the same if they lost?"

"Exactly."

"If I had won, I would shout even more pleasantly than they do."

...

Okens was not the least concerned about the small amount of gossip and smiled as he continued,

"To show our unity and friendship, please join us at the central courtyard of the City Lord Mansion, where we will all take a group photo!"

"Great!"

Vice Principal Fleck led the applause in agreement.

Representatives of the other two schools could only acquiesce, as much as they were annoyed deep down, they had to maintain appearances.