Flashy Adventurer System : Show Off to Get Stronger!

Similar scenes played out as Colby called Ian, Harry, David, and Siegfried onstage; the scout course started a wave of cheers for Ian, the mage course for Harry and David, while the warrior course destroyed their throats for Siegfried.

As more of the representatives stood onstage, the longer it took for cheers to die down—pure chaos.

It wasn't even over as the ace representative, the one who took the championship for Colzen in a hopeless one-versus-three situation still hasn't gone up the stage.

Shye repeatedly took deep breaths—he just felt too giddy.

The feeling of loving the crowd's attention burgeoning in his heart. It felt good.

After all, who wouldn't want to be a hometown hero?

What he didn't expect was that the academy had something for him.

"Colzen's ace representative, Shye Crowley!" called Colby, signaling something with his hands as he made eye contact with a staff member holding some sort of remote control for a certain mana-powered device.

Hearing his name, Shye proudly stood up and strode up the stage with a wide smile on his face.

As he did so, huge holographic screens appeared in four corners of the square allowing everyone to witness a certain glorious scene play out.

They all saw it before and they sure as hell want to watch it again.

After all, it was the final moments of their ace representative's battle with Aslan Academy's ace representative.

Witnessing once more how Shye, despite being battered, bruised, and exhausted, struggled fiercely to survive the onslaught of the ember wyvern as though a brave general who would never allow his beloved motherland to fall while the Aslan representatives fell one by one, the people watching the replay couldn't help but cheer at the top of their lungs—thunderous would be a slight understatement—even louder than the cheers for Wendy's cute antics.

People love heroes, and Shye was Colzen's hero; their pride.

[Congratulations! You've earned 1890 points!]

[Congratulations! You've earned 502 points!]

[Congratulations! You've earned 1051 points!]

[Congratulations! …]

As a bunch of notifications appeared in front of him, Shye's heart felt warm—Colzen City would always have a special place in it.

Even as he soared through the skies as a prominent adventurer, he would always proudly say that this city nurtured him to become who he was.

If there comes a time when he could pay the academy and the city back for everything it has done for him, then he would do it without a second thought.

Although there were a few unpleasant encounters here and there, the entire city and the academy have mostly been supportive of his growth, not holding him back for petty and stupid reasons such as being jealous of his talents.

Hence, he vowed to give back in the future.

Hopefully, Colzen will be one of the most prominent and well-developed cities in the future.

However, that's for the future. As he is now, he was far too weak and poor to be of help.

With a positive outlook, Shye sentimentally shook the hands of the deans (and the archpriest), who had been so supportive of him throughout his entire journey.

The deans of other courses—Dean Evelyn Privett, Dean Gaston Shadowvale, and Dean Luster Vanz—extended him the same treatment as if he were one of their own students, evoking immense gratitude and appreciation from him towards them.

Following the handshake with Dean Snowcrest, Shye offered him a brief hug, accepted his personalized graduation token, and then pivoted to make his way toward his allotted spot on stage.

What caught him off guard was the dean whispering something into his ear, causing his heart to quicken its pace unexpectedly.

Still, he pretended that it was nothing important, proceeding to walk beside Siegfried while waving to the crowd with a smile.

In the midst of another resounding wave of cheers and thunderous applause, the Colzen Seven bowed.

Dean Privett then stood up from her seat, signaling for Shye and the others to descend from the stage, subsequently, as she approached the podium, she grasped the mana-powered microphone to deliver her closing remarks.

Speaking a few heartwarming, inspiring, and sentimental words, Dean Privett smiled at the graduating students—some of them already crying their hearts out.

There will never be another episode quite like this in their lives, that much is certain.

As they transition into adulthood and embark on their journeys as professional adventurers, none of them will ever forget the youthful, enjoyable, and demanding experiences of their adventurer academy life.

Shye…was quite a sentimental person so he couldn't help but shed a few tears.

It could be quite some time before he reunites with the significant people in his life, after all.

Still, they must carry on and accept that the fun academy life was nothing but a small part of their journey as an adventurer and although some friendships might end here, he would be able to forge new and deeper ones with his upcoming guildmates.

Realizing this fact, Shye felt better.

Moments later, the graduating students tossed their caps, robes, and capelets into the air.

Some wind specialist mages even cast gentle [Wind]-type spells to extend the duration of their airborne celebration.

This marked the end of the graduation ceremony.

A few graduates remained rooted in their spots, shedding tears of emotion; others cheerfully bid farewell to their friends; some embraced their beloved instructors; while a few simply departed from the academy, wearing nonchalant expressions.

As for Shye, he was currently sobbing while hugging Maia, who was crying even harder than him.

"B…Big…uuuu…Big brother…stay…uhuu…in contact, okay? If you forget to send me a letter, I'll be angry and sad…uuuu…"

"Don't worry, Maia. I promise to stay in touch, alright? I'll be residing in Balkrow City, so if you ever miss me, feel free to visit anytime, okay? And Shirley, you too. Please let me know which city you'll be staying in so I can visit."

After a few heartfelt moments with his two beloveds, Shye went over to his favorite instructor, Fienna, engaging in conversation with her.

They reminisced about memorable moments together, sharing laughter, until Fienna offered him a reassuring pat on the back followed by a tender hug.

"Goodbye, Crowley. Take care of yourself. It's been a pleasure teaching you. May we cross paths again in the future, perhaps as rivals, so give it your all."

Hearing his respected instructor's words, a dawn of realization struck Shye, prompting him to nod excitedly.

Indeed, Instructor Fienna was still young, likely eight years his senior at most. Her words hinted at her imminent return to adventuring, which filled him with excitement.

Being rivals with your former instructor…Now, isn't that thrilling?

"Shye, Siegfried and the others are waiting for us. Shall we go?" Shirley asked as he concluded his farewells with Instructor Fienna.

"Let's go."

As Shye and Shirley walked towards Siegfried and the others who were already waiting, a few lowerclassmen swarmed him, saying their heartfelt goodbyes and words of gratitude for inspiring them to be better versions of themselves.

Naturally, Shye warmly returned their sentiments, taking a moment to say his goodbyes before proceeding with his walk toward where his friends awaited.

The eight of them (including Shirley), then walked together towards the gate, bidding each other temporary goodbyes.

Their voices slightly trembled with the intensity of their emotions, as they all struggled to mask them; yet, despite their efforts, slender streams of tears inevitably trickled down their cheeks.

Even Wendy's usually icy expression cracked.

Shye and the other representatives were the only friends she had, so one could only fathom the anguish she must have been experiencing—parting ways after growing accustomed to each other, with the duration of their separation uncertain.

Still, although goodbyes mark the end of a chapter in their lives, it also symbolizes a new beginning.

As the eight of them arrived at the exit gates, Siegfried was the first to go his own way.

He already bid his goodbyes and he wasn't as sentimental as all of them, hence, with a simple last glance—his face adorned with a gentle smile, Siegfried walked off.

"Well then, Crowley, everyone, see you in Valenzia City," Kiin remarked, striding away in a direction separate from Siegfried's.

"Bye guys, take care of yourselves, we're all so talented, and we're bound to see each other again, so don't make that face, Wendy," David said, ruffling Wendy's hair before walking off with Harry while waving their hands with a smile.

After David left, Wendy became even sadder.

Throughout the years, David was the person she conversed with the most. Despite her inability to reciprocate his romantic affection, they maintained a close friendship.

Hence, tears once again streamed down her cheeks as she watched one of her close friends leave.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Shye and Shirley rubbed her back, making her feel slightly better.

Once Wendy regained control of her emotions, Shirley, Ian, and Wendy grouped.

"Shye, take care of yourself okay? Don't be lazy in preparing a proper meal and always take a bath. I'll inform you through a letter once I've settled down in Nookbury City."

"Well then, see you around, Crowley."

"Okay, take care you three. Ian, make sure to drop Wendy off at her guild branch before you go off on your own."

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll ensure her safety."

"Thanks."

After a short conversation, Ian, Wendy, and Shirley walked off, leaving Shye alone in front of the gate.

Feeling the weight of solitude, Shye took a few moments to close his eyes, reflecting on several cherished memories from his time at the academy.

He then cast one final glance at the familiar academy gates and drew in a deep breath before setting off in a new direction under the dimming dandelion skies.

'Farewell, my beloved academy. Thanks for everything.'

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END OF VOLUME 1 - Adventurer Academy