The arena was growing restless.
Students filled the stands. Teachers were whispering to each other. Parents and guests kept checking the time. The stage had already been prepared for the award ceremony, yet nothing had started.
"Why hasn't it begun yet?"
"Did something happen backstage?"
"I heard there was a disturbance."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, low but steady.
Near the front rows, Senior Staff Member Feng spotted a familiar figure entering from the side passage. His eyes widened slightly.
"Chief Xu Wenhao?" he said, stepping forward quickly. "Sir, why are you here?"
Chief Xu didn't slow down. His expression was firm, controlled. "Don't mind me. I need to make an announcement."
Feng immediately understood the tone. Something serious.
He hurried to the center of the stage and activated the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Feng announced, forcing calm into his voice, "we have an important update. Please welcome—Chief of the Gene Education Bureau of Starfall City, Xu Wenhao."
The arena stirred instantly.
Whispers turned into sharp murmurs as Chief Xu stepped onto the stage.
He stood tall at the center, gaze sweeping across thousands of faces. The noise gradually died down under the weight of his presence.
"I will keep this direct," he began.
"There has been a serious incident behind the scenes of this tournament."
The audience fell completely silent.
"After a thorough and immediate investigation, we have confirmed that Director Zhao deliberately manipulated aspects of this event for personal gain."
Shock rippled across the stands.
Chief Xu continued without pause.
"He abused his authority. He attempted to frame a student. When that failed, he personally attacked him."
Gasps broke out everywhere.
"Jin, along with another student, Lin Hao—who intervened to help him—are currently in the infirmary receiving treatment."
The crowd exploded.
"What?!"
"He attacked a student?!"
"That director always felt off!"
"I knew something was strange from the start of the tournament!"
"Yeah! The match pairings were suspicious too!"
Anger replaced confusion. The audience was no longer whispering—they were openly protesting.
Chief Xu raised a hand, restoring some order.
"Director Zhao has been detained."
At that moment, several enforcement officers escorted Director Zhao onto the stage from the side entrance.
His once-proud posture was gone. His face was pale, jaw tight, eyes avoiding the crowd.
The reaction was immediate.
Boos thundered through the arena.
"Shame on you!"
"Disgrace!"
Some stood up, pointing and shouting curses. The noise was overwhelming.
Chief Xu's voice cut through it again.
"We have already reported this matter to the Gene Association. A full investigation will follow. Appropriate punishment will be enforced according to Starfall City law."
Director Zhao was escorted off the stage under a storm of hostility.
Gradually, the crowd began to settle.
Chief Xu took a slow breath.
"Now," he said firmly, "this incident will not overshadow the hard work of the students who fought fairly and honorably."
He looked across the arena.
"The award ceremony will proceed as planned."
Applause started—hesitant at first, then stronger.
"We will first present the Team-Based Dungeon Challenge awards."
Large screens lit up behind him, displaying team rankings.
"Followed by the Individual Combat Ranking Tournament awards."
More applause rose through the arena. The tension hadn't fully disappeared, but the focus had shifted.
Senior Staff Member Feng stepped forward again, a tablet in his hands. He passed it respectfully to Chief Xu before stepping aside.
Chief Xu glanced at the rankings, then looked up at the massive crowd.
"We will now begin the awards for the Team-Based Dungeon Challenge."
The tension that had lingered from earlier slowly shifted into anticipation.
"Third Place — Team 002, Starfall First Academy."
The screen behind him flashed.
Team 002
Academy: Starfall First Academy
Team Leader: Han Yue
Team Members:
• Guo Ming
• Li Xuan
• Tang Rui
• Mo Chen
Dungeon Completion Time: 18 minutes, 02 seconds
Applause broke out immediately from the First Academy section. Students were already chanting before the names were fully read.
Han Yue and her team stood and walked to the stage under steady cheers. It wasn't surprise — it was recognition. They had fought hard for that placement. Their classmates roared as the medals were placed around their necks.
Chief Xu continued without pause.
"Second Place — Team 001, Starfall First Academy."
This time the cheers were louder. Team 001 had been the academy's strongest lineup all year.
The screen shifted again.
Team 001
Academy: Starfall First Academy
Team Leader: Lu Shen
Team Members:
• Bai Feng
• Xu Kai
• Deng Yu
• Luo Tian
Dungeon Completion Time: 16 minutes, 27 seconds
Lu Shen led his team forward calmly, expression controlled but eyes sharp with pride. Their academy section was on its feet, clapping rhythmically as they received their awards.
Then Chief Xu looked toward the final listing.
Team 211
Academy: Starfall Tenth Academy
Team Leader: Wei Jin
Team Members:
• Zhao Chen
• Liang Xu
• Sun Wei
• Qiao Ning
Completion Time: 09 minutes, 35 seconds
This time the cheers were mixed — admiration, excitement, and a layer of sympathy.
From the Tenth Academy section, four students rose.
Zhao Chen walked at the front.
People noticed instantly.
"Jin's not here…"
"He's still in the infirmary…"
The applause didn't weaken — it grew heavier.
Chief Xu spoke clearly. "Wei Jin is currently receiving treatment. His teammates will accept the award on his behalf."
For a moment, Zhao Chen didn't move.
His eyes stayed on the stage, jaw slightly tight. The cheers around him felt distant. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Jin should've been the one standing there.
From behind, Teacher Han placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"What are you standing there for?" he said, unable to hide the pride in his voice. "Go. That's your team's trophy."
Chen hesitated. "But—"
Teacher Han cut him off. "You fought for it too. All of you did. Bring it back."
There was no room for argument in his tone. Just trust.
Chen took a slow breath, then stepped forward.
The crowd watched him walk toward the stage, and the applause softened—not weaker, just heavier. People understood why Jin wasn't there.
Chief Xu gave him a measured look as he approached.
Zhao Chen bowed slightly before receiving the medal.
"For our captain," he said simply.
No speech. No extra words.
Behind him, Liang Xu, Sun Wei, and Qiao Ning joined at his side. When the championship trophy was handed over, Chen didn't lift it alone.
The four of them grasped it together.
They raised it as one.
This time, the arena roared.
Teacher Han was on his feet, clapping harder than anyone in his section, eyes bright with open excitement.
"That's our Tenth Academy!" he shouted without caring who heard him.
The trophy gleamed under the arena lights, held by four students—while the fifth, the one who led them there, rested in recovery.
Even in his absence, Team 211 stood complete.