Chapter 192. Threads of union
(Asher’s POV)
Due to the sudden outrage of her summon, Lorraine ended up being disqualified, leaving me as the winner of the tournament. My friends, fans, waifus, and even my mother—along with a few old hookups like Clara—flooded the stage in celebration. People were beyond amazed. Not only was this the first time in history that a male had won the tournament, but I had defeated a prodigy like Lorraine —someone who had summoned an S-rank creature that most had only read about in books. It was mind-blowing.
At least to them.
To me? I’ve fought stronger.
After the celebrations, the VIPs joined us on stage. Though Lorraine secured second place, she was too humiliated to stay and receive her medal. She rushed off, wiping away tears. So, when the Priestess came to award the medals, I received mine as first place, Adrian took third, and Lorraine’s mother Liloth stepped in to accept her daughter’s silver.
Then the Duke arrived with the prize money: I got 100 gold coins, Lorraine 60, and Adrian 40.
Honestly? I was disappointed. I’d expected more when I heard "big prize." But I guess a hundred gold coins is a fortune to a regular citizen. Especially for men—some work a whole year or two to earn that much.
Adrian, on the other hand, was ecstatic. I could already see him planning how to blow through it all at his favorite shop: The Genzai Innovations. This cheat. He let Tama do most of the fighting, but l guess even when it comes to a real fight, no one can complain about how their opponent defeated them with dirty tricks.
That day ended on a high note. I was drained—smacked around by fans, hoisted in the air, drowned in praise. So, before anything else, I went home for a nice, long bath.
But being the man of the hour has its price. Not long after, my mother, Sharon, Anna, and Ivy showed up at the house, claiming they were going to throw me a small party in celebration. Ivy and Anna left to grab food supplies from the shop, while Mom and Sharon started preparing things at home.
As I sank into the warm bathwater, I sighed.