The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

An Changsong's words echoed in the empty square, but failed to ignite the joy that a victor should have felt.

The elation on Ren Ping's face faded, replaced by a hint of worry. He looked at the group of listless students in front of him and cleared his throat.

"Cheer up, everyone. You are the champions, the pride of Huaqing. Don't look like you're laughing or crying."

He stepped forward to pat Qin Wu on the shoulder, but his hand froze in mid-air, pushed away by that invisible aura of silence.

"When you go back this time, the academy will give you top credit, and all resources will be allocated to you." Ren Ping's voice was extremely persuasive; this was his most effective way of encouraging people—he never made empty promises, but gave direct rewards.

However, all he received in response was deathly silence.

These young people, who had just broken free from the illusion of the demon god's will, had images swirling in their minds: the golden firebird that burned everything, the absolute control that made words law, and the solitary figure that devoured the phantom of a god.

Compared to these forces, the so-called resource rewards seem insignificant and lack any real substance.

"Principal Ren."

An Changsong's voice rang out, and he winked at Ren Ping: "I think we should let the children rest first, and we can talk about the rest later."

Ren Ping opened his mouth, but met An Changsong's unquestionable gaze, and finally nodded helplessly.

"Okay, okay, you've all worked hard. Go to the treatment room first, and let us know if you need anything."

He waved and turned to leave in a hurry.

Only An Changsong and the team members from Huaqing College remained in the square.

An Changsong's gaze swept over everyone, but he didn't say anything more encouraging. He simply walked slowly to Qin Wu, having already noticed the dejected look on the Huaqing team leader's face.

"What are you thinking about?"

Qin Wu raised his head, looked at the president of the Superpower Association, his lips moved, and he forced a smile that was more like a grimace.

"President, I..."

He paused, the helplessness in the illusion gripping his heart once more: "I've failed terribly as captain."

An Changqing frowned upon hearing this and was about to speak, but was stopped by a look from An Changsong.

Why do you say that?

An Changsong spoke in a very easygoing tone, appearing completely unpretentious.

"I didn't accomplish anything."

Qin Wu's voice trembled, the echo of pride shattered by reality: "Faced with Bai Huanran's schemes, it was junior brother Shan Heng who saw through them; faced with the other colleges, it was the junior brothers and sisters who suppressed them; facing the final test..."

He didn't say anything more, but everyone knew what he wanted to say.

Faced with the final test, Chen Guan offered himself as bait, and Long Ao transformed into a god.

And he, the captain and senior, could only watch from the sidelines, using his laughable energy to maintain a barrier that was on the verge of collapse, a barrier that was even released by someone else.

"So you think the captain has to be the strongest person in the team?" An Changsong asked rhetorically.

Qin Wu remained silent; he had always believed this.

"Then you're wrong."

An Changsong shook his head: "The captain's responsibility is not to always be at the forefront, but to be the final signpost that everyone can see when the team is about to fall apart."

He reached out and patted Qin Wu heavily on the shoulder.

"You brought everyone back, leaving no one to risk their lives alone in a moment of impulsiveness. In the midst of the chaos, your orders were clear and effective."

An Changsong looked into Qin Wu's eyes and said, word by word, "You did very well, Qin Wu. You are a qualified captain."

Qin Wu's eyes welled up with tears, and he abruptly lowered his head, biting his lip hard to suppress the stinging sensation in his nose.

……

early morning.

Long Ao leaned against the soft headboard, his pale lips pressed into a thin line. He raised his hand, repeatedly clenching and unclenching it, as if trying to grasp back the lost strength from his empty palm.

"So, I really... just fell asleep?"

He turned to look at the people by the bed, his voice filled with barely suppressed frustration.

It's rare for me to be so strong, so why do I have no memory of it?

An Changqing was peeling an apple for him when he heard this. He twisted his wrist and the long peel broke off with a snap. His tone was gentle.

"Your body has been rebuilt by power; it's a miracle you even woke up. Forget about the individual competition."

"But I don't remember anything!"

Frustrated, Long Ao ruffled his hair. He only remembered rushing towards the coffin, after which his memory went blank. When he woke up, he was a hero in other people's eyes, which felt even more frustrating than defeat.

Su Yuehe handed over a glass of warm water, smiling gently as she spoke.

"Alright, Long Ao, stop being so hard on yourself. You protected everyone, that's enough."

Chen Guan casually quoted the doctor's order: "The doctor said you need to stay in bed for a few more days."

Seeing Long Ao's expression, Chen Guan's lips curled up by a single pixel.

Sure enough, it feels so good to use medical prescriptions to pressure people!

Long Ao opened his mouth, but seeing the unyielding gazes of his three teammates, he could only slam his fist on the bed in frustration, but he was too weak to move due to exhaustion.

"You guys got off too easy. Win back my share."

……

Three days later, inside the huge circular arena, the roar almost lifted the dome.

Students from Taipei Academy, Zero Academy, and Kamiya Academy were already in their respective rest areas, but their gazes, as if imaginary, kept drifting toward Huaqing Academy, the last to enter.

Everyone knows that this is the biggest enemy.

The frivolous and calculating faces of the group from Beishi Academy, led by Bai Huanran, vanished completely. When their gazes fell upon Su Yuehe and Chen Guan, they would quickly look away as if pricked by needles, leaving only awe after being crushed.

Zero Academy and Kamiya Academy were both full of fighting spirit. On Kamiya Academy's side, Hiiragi Seibo's gaze was like a knife tempered with ice, fixed on Chen Guan.

Clearly, the previous incident had made him resent Chen Guan. If it weren't for Chen Guan, Kamiya wouldn't have lost so badly in the first match.

How could he not hate that?

An Changsong appeared in the center of the stage. He didn't use a microphone, but his voice clearly resonated throughout the entire venue.

"Now, I declare the Four Schools League Individual Elimination Tournament officially open!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the rules were suddenly displayed on the huge holographic screen in the center of the arena.

"This individual competition will be a single-elimination tournament, consisting of four rounds, to determine a single champion."

"The matchups for all participants are randomly selected by the system, with no seeded players and no byes."

"The winner is determined by the opponent's surrender, loss of fighting ability, or being knocked off the playing field."

"We'll stop here, but life and death are unpredictable on the field. I hope everyone will give it their all and abide by the student code of conduct."

The arena was instantly ignited, and everyone was on high alert, striving to showcase their talent and be seen in this spotlight.

"Now, let's begin the first round of matchups draw."

As An Changsong's voice fell, the avatars of all the contestants on the central screen transformed into a streak of light and scrolled wildly.

The sound of breathing throughout the entire venue was so heavy that it could be clearly heard at that moment.

Shan Heng nervously pushed up his glasses; his palms were covered in sweat.