11 Rewards 2

"Kael, why don't you come up here and take your rewards."

Kael walked up the stage with pride and arrogance on his face. It seemed that he had forgotten that he just lost against a Wood Mage with a low combat power.

Anyone can forget their animosity towards someone when presented a reward such as an elemental crystal.

A mortal with an elemental crystal can sell it to an auction house with great reputation so as to not get duped. After selling the elemental crystal, they can live a carefree and wealthy life as a mortal.

Those that will buy an elemental crystal will surely have power, status and wealth. They will use it to nurture either their child or will be using on a young elite.

When a young mage uses an elemental crystal, not only will they have a good head start against other mages of their age, but also will have a greater or sturdier foundation in the future when they become a professional mage.

The old man waved his hand again and a fiery red crystal was soon held by his hand.

"This is a Fire Crystal. You already know what it is, so I will be explaining how to use it. Here you go."

He gave the fire crystal to Kael and started to talk about how to use it.

"To use it, you have to move your mana and circulate it towards the crystal. Know how mana flows in it and familiarize the feeling then absorb it. And, that's it!"

"That's it? That easy?"

When the old man heard Kael's response, he chuckled and smirked.

'If this kid knew that using an elemental crystal will be very hard without help, then he would surely get angry at me. Hahaha! Hmmm. I have to help little Von later on.'

"Yes, that easy."

"Okay then, I will start using it now!"

"Hold it young man! Don't you want your second reward? Now that I think about it, I don't know what to give you. What do you want?"

"Something that increases my strength of my spells."

"Hmmm. I think I got the one for you."

The old man waved his hand and a ring emerged from it. It has a little red gem on it which probably signifies that it was an artifact of the fire element.

"This ring is only a low-grade artifact, but it is ranked at the top. It slightly increases the power of your fire spells and lessens the mana used in casting fire spells."

Kael was astounded at what benefits the ring could give him. He was baffled that such an item was of the low grade-artifact.

"How was this ring a low-grade?"

"It was originally a mid-grade artifact. However, it wasn't able to escape the erosion of time, and will only continue to degrade if left unused."

After receiving his reward, Kael went down the stage with a contented look on his face. Alex looked at Kael and chuckled lightly, he was careful not to get caught by Kael or they would definitely become enemies again.

"Alex come here!"

Alex was quick on his feet and walked up the stage, he was clearly happy and excited of what he would receive from the old man.

"Could everyone give a round of applause for this year's champion?"

At the old man's words, the villagers clapped their hands together and once again congratulated Alex.

"Since you are this year's champion I will give you 3 rewards. First will be the Wood Crystal."

As the old man was saying this he gave the wood crystal to Alex.

"As for the other two, it will be your choice. Just ask me and don't hesitate."

Alex's quick response surprised the old man.

"I want another elemental crystal. But it is of the Earth Element."

"Woah! Hey kid, don't bite off more than you can chew, do you think I'm growing elemental crystal or something? But where will you use it?"

"I will give it to my brother!"

Before he went up the stage, he asked his brother if he had used an elemental crystal in the past. Arthur said no, because it was too much of a luxury for him to have that kind of item.

This gave Alex the idea of asking for another elemental crystal from the old man.

"Be sure that your brother will use it. If I found out that you sold it, then I will slap the back of your head! Hehe."

"Of course! For the third item. Hmmm. Do you have something that can help mitigate fire spells?"

"Oh! A defensive equipment quite unusual for a kid to ask for it. Kids your age always wanted to be on the offensive."

"Well, I value my life. And a fire mage will be a huge threat against me."

The old man looked as if he was pondering, so Alex waited for a few seconds.

"It's okay if you don't have it. I'm very happy with the rewards already."

"No! How can that be? I already have something for you."

The next thing that Alex saw was that the old man was holding to a tattered maroon colored cape.

"Woah! It's so cool! With how I look right now (he had tattered clothes) and this maroon cape, I totally look like a beggar."

"What?! Did I hear it correctly? You don't want this cape? It protects you from the environmental heat and from fire spells. What a shame that I have to use this as rag."

Alex was obviously joking when he said those words, and the old man knew it so he played along. When Alex heard what the old man said he looked at him and thought that he wasn't joking. So he quickly snatched the cape from the old man.

"Such a fine cape. Will only be treated as a rag by an old man."

He held it in his arms and caressed it, like it was some kind of pet.

"Hahaha! But are you not disappointed? This only a low-grade artifact."

"As long as it helps me. It is good enough."

The awakening ceremony has finally concluded. The rewards were already given. The villagers talked about the tournament for the entire day. They were clearly happy seeing such sights, even though they were happy, there were traces of envy and regret on their faces.

They were once a teen. Hoping to wield magic.

As for Alex and the others, they quickly went home. Probably excited to use the elemental crystal that was given to them.