FLYING HEART
A LOUD cheer echoed all throughout the coliseum as the Duke of Hearts announced the champion of this year's Rookie Carnival. It was so loud that it almost seemed like the voices of the crowd were reverberating and shaking the ground.
The duke turned to Luo Yan. "Hmm… we can't have the champion looking worse for wear, now, can we?"
The other snapped his fingers and red smoke surrounded Luo Yan at the same time. When the red smoke disappeared, his severed arm returned and all his wounds also healed. Not only that, the clothes he's wearing also returned to top condition.
The duke made another snap and a two feet high crystal figurine modeled to his likeness appeared floating in front of him. No, wait, it's not a figurine. He saw that the figurine was on top of a stand. And on that stand, his game account name was engraved over the title 'Rookie Carnival Champion'.
So, was this his trophy?
Luo Yan simply held the 'trophy' and couldn't help but observed it. The figurine on top of the stand had its hand under its chin and had a haughty expression on his face. Since the winner of this Carnival wasn't determined beforehand, it could only mean that the game designed this trophy before the tournament even started. They probably had a ready-made design for each 16 players that managed to reach this tournament round.
But why did 'he' look so haughty in this trophy? Was this the image the game devs had of him? With this pretty face of his, shouldn't he look angelic and sweet in this trophy? How come he ended up looking arrogant and overconfident?
He stopped contemplating about that when he heard the duke speak again.
"The rest of your rewards will be directly sent to your inbox."
Inbox? Would they be directly sending the rewards on his Items Tab? – That's what Luo Yan thought when he heard that. Well, he'd just check it later. It's not as if the game would cheat him of his rewards.
Speaking of that, he actually didn't know what kind of rewards the winner of this Carnival would receive. He just joined with the thought of winning and showing everyone how good he was. But now
He didn't open his Status Window to see if the rewards were already there though. He still had plenty of time to do that later. For now, let him basked first in his victory.
The duke floated around the rink again. "This lord has an announcement to make. In order to celebrate the successful end of this year's Rookie Carnival, this lord is going to hold a ball next week. If you want to attend, well, you have to search for a way to be invited," the other said the last part in a playful tone.
There was excitement at first when the crowd heard the first part. But when they heard the latter part, there were groans and some even booed. Everyone here knew how hard it was to get an invitation to one of the Duke of Hearts' parties. Especially since this ball had something to do with the Rookie Carnival – one of the two biggest competitions in the game.
Although they complained in their hearts, they would still try to get an invitation. Because they were certain that this ball would be the biggest party of the duke this year. To be present at that party meant that they had the ability. It's like a symbol of the rich and famous. Who wouldn't want to be thought of as one of the elites in the game?
"The Carnival's top 16 will automatically receive an invite. They can also bring a plus one if they want. Except for the champion," the duke added before turning towards Luo Yan. "You can invite up to four people."
The duke stopped at one spot before facing the crowd and continuing;
"With this, this year's Rookie Carnival has truly come to an end. Once again, this lord presents to you, our champion, Noctis!" the duke said, gesturing towards Luo Yan as if welcoming him.
After saying that, fireworks suddenly lit the night sky. Blooming in different colors and sizes. Then, confetti of flowers fell from the sky. A festive music also filled the air. Everything was celebrating Luo Yan's win.
As if that's not enough, he suddenly floated up in the air. Luo Yan was startled at first, then, he realized that he could control where he could go. It's like it's telling him to go around and greet everyone. Like someone who won a beauty pageant and had to go on their first walk as a beauty queen.
Luo Yan could only hug his trophy and wave at the crowd while gliding from one area to the next. He even posed, winked, and gave finger-hearts. Based on how loud the cheer of the audience was every time he did, he'd say they loved it.
Then, he stopped in front of the royal box of his team. Almost everyone was standing and applauding.
"Xiao Yan, congrats!" Luo Wei Tian shouted to his son.
Anyone could see on his face how happy he was for the other. He would feel the same if the one who won was Luo Jin. There was no disappoint or sadness because one won and the other lost. He saw just how much the two tried their best to win. Feeling any negative emotion because of the result would be tantamount to negating all the efforts of the one who lost. That's why Luo Wei Tian was only feeling overjoyed right now.
The others followed along and wished him congratulations.
"You did great, Yan Yan. Congratulations!" said Shen Ji Yun who spoke last.
Luo Yan turned to the other and grinned. "Thank you everyone!"
He made a heart shape using his fingers with his free hand. Kissed it and then send it off like a flying kiss, except this time it was a flying heart.
Although he addressed that to everyone, the direction where the flying heart was pointing was definitely the area where Shen Ji Yun was standing.