Chapter 83: Reward

When Armored Warrior Ives announced that David had taken first place in the Challenge Competition, no one was surprised. Everyone’s attention had already been drawn by David’s battle with Ives.

“The winner of the squash competition...” Ives paused, then looked at David and spoke in a deep voice: “David from Pellan City takes first place with thirty-five consecutive hits.”

“What? David again?”

“How is that possible?”

“I was right there watching David play squash; I knew it from the start!”

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. There were only three prizes, and one person had claimed two of them; this shocked most people, and their gazes toward David brimmed with envy.

“For the speed quiz, the fewest errors were five. Two contestants had the same number of mistakes, but since it’s called a speed quiz, the fastest responder gets the edge. Thus, the winner is David from Pellan City, with five errors completed in twenty-three minutes,” Ives continued.

A roar erupted in the hall as everyone could no longer maintain their hushed discussions. Exclamations rang out, followed by heated debates.

“Ladies and gentlemen, although these events are just preludes to the auction, the Titan Consortium abides by the principles of fairness and transparency. You can check all the results on your identity wristbands, and if you have any questions, please consult the staff!” Ives amplified his voice through the exoskeleton’s speaker, quelling the din in the hall.

After making his announcement, he paid no further heed to the voices in the hall and strode directly to David’s side.

“David, come with me,” Ives said.

“Alright, Mr. Ives,” David replied, knowing very well why he was being called. He had no desire to remain here, surrounded by prying eyes; the feeling made him uncomfortable.

He almost regretted giving his all. In truth, after defeating Ives, there was no need for him to participate in the other two events at all.

He had joined the speed quiz not to win, but simply to gauge his own grasp of general knowledge.

As for squash, it was his first time playing, and he’d never imagined he’d achieve such a result on his first attempt.

David signaled to a few friends, then followed Ives once more up to the second floor.

Once upstairs, with the noise from the hall shut out, his ears finally knew peace.

“David, who taught you your mastery of the spear?” Ives asked, as if casually.

“Mr. Ives, my teacher’s name is Garen,” David replied truthfully. His teacher was indeed Garen, though whether Garen had taught him the spear, he left unspecified.

“Lord Garen!” A flash of surprise flickered in Ives’s eyes, and he murmured softly, asking no further.

In fact, Ives had already accessed some of David’s background through Titan Consortium’s internal intelligence. He knew David’s father, Hans, held the title of “National Scholar,” and that Garen had indeed instructed David for a period.

But Ives didn’t really believe Garen could produce someone with near-master-level spear skills. Still, since David was unwilling to elaborate, Ives let the matter drop.

“David, we meet again. I didn’t expect you to take first place in all three events!” Mr. Boone greeted David with an even broader smile than before.

Both martial and intellectual talents were important, but when both appeared in a single person, Boone couldn’t help but value him even more.

Originally, the Consortium had used the three prizes to encourage participation and select the three most outstanding youths in different areas.

But now, all three prizes seemed almost meaningless for David.

David already possessed two second-tier longswords; the first-tier weapon exchange voucher was of little appeal to him.

The third-tier sponsorship contract was even less valuable, since Mr. Boone had just proposed a second-tier sponsorship.

As for the recommendation, a genius like David hardly needed the Consortium’s endorsement, especially considering his relationship with Garen, as well as his father Hans’s “National Scholar” title.

From what intelligence indicated, Hans intended to pass that title on to David, and Hans had not yet used his sole right to appoint a position, a privilege far more valuable than any Consortium recommendation.

“It was merely luck,” David stated honestly.

“David, you’re too modest!” Boone shook his head, then continued, “I’d like to hear your thoughts on the prizes.”

“Mr. Boone, I don’t need the other two rewards. I’d just like to exchange the first-tier weapon voucher for a first-tier weapon,” David said at once, thinking Boone might be troubled by him winning all three.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. All three prizes are yours, as you deserve. I know they’re not of much use to you, so I was just inquiring about your preferences. But since you wish to exchange for a first-tier weapon, let’s discuss that,” Boone replied with a wave of his hand.

“I’d like to use the voucher for an Armored Warrior Sniper Rifle,” David said immediately, without hesitation.

“David, do you possess a sniper’s talent?” Boone asked, slightly taken aback.

David remained silent, simply looking at Boone and awaiting his decision.

“David, the Armored Warrior Sniper Rifle is very special. Only those who become Sniper Warriors are eligible to receive one, and its value far exceeds that of an ordinary first-tier weapon,” Boone explained, troubled.

The Armored Warrior Sniper Rifle, with its terrifying power and the immense strain it placed on the body, was strictly controlled to avoid accidents and to prevent such a destructive weapon from being freely circulated. Strict procedures surrounded its distribution.

For a sniper to acquire such a rifle, the greatest opportunity came right after passing the Sniper Warrior trial, when there was a one-time chance to purchase one. No sniper would forgo this, as it was the main route to obtain such a weapon.

To acquire another—or a better—sniper rifle later, one had to join the military or a major organization.

Even Boone himself had no right to gift David such a weapon; it would violate regulations.

“In that case, I’ll choose a first-tier spear,” David replied, deeply disappointed. Although he had a replica of the ‘Eye of Death,’ and had even copied it within a medium server’s virtual environment, he’d never seen one in reality, much less owned one.

“David, it was our oversight; we didn’t anticipate this possibility. I apologize for your disappointment,” Boone said, then after a moment’s thought, added, “How about this—I have the authority to let you exchange all three prizes for a second-tier spear. Would you agree?”

David was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such an offer.

The three prizes sounded impressive, but in reality, they were simply the Consortium’s way of recruiting talent.

The Titan Consortium had managed to thrive on Rock Planet, surviving among numerous rivals, precisely because of its strategy for cultivating talent.

They constantly sought out and invested in promising individuals, who, once grown, ensured the Consortium had allies everywhere and reliable support in times of crisis.

Of course, this talent strategy was not unique to the Titan Consortium; every consortium had similar plans, differing only in their level of investment.

Although a second-tier spear was extremely valuable, Boone placed high hopes in David.

From David’s potential, his comprehensive abilities, and his significant likelihood of becoming a second-generation “National Scholar,” all indicated he would one day wield considerable influence—an irresistible prospect for the Consortium.

David’s lack of interest in sponsorship only made Boone more determined to win him over by other means.

“I agree!” David nodded emphatically. How could he refuse such terms?

“Manson, withdraw lot number five from the auction. That item has a new owner!” Boone turned and ordered Manson.