Chapter 10: The prize

When Surk entered the room of the inn where both he and his master were staying, Surk saw his master standing near the door staring at him.

"Where have you been and you're drunk?! I was looking all over the stadium for you!", Caim noticed that Surk was a bit red on the face and was shaking a bit.

"S-sorry master!!", Surk was surprised to see Caim so angry as Surk went pale.

'Well...I guess it's okay...for today. He did win the competition for me...1000 gold! I can't wait for it', Caim smiled as he thought about this while Surk was horrified to see his master smile so suddenly.

"Hmm...I'll accept your apology. In exchange, you better get the prize money! Go to bed early since you'll be meeting with the king tomorrow.", Caim said as he helped his apprentice get to bed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations! You did well today. And here's a gift from me. Don't open it yet until after you become a blacksmith tomorrow", Caim smiled.

"Thank you Master", Surk was touched since it was the very first time that Caim had given him something. He had never expected that Caim would give him something seeing that he was always stingy when it was about money.

Surk immediately fell asleep after that while Caim went out of the inn and headed to the shops in the city. The next day,

"Aaaah!!", Surk sprang from bed and collided his head against something.

"What did you do that for! I was trying to wake you up and you began screaming all of a sudden", Caim rubbed his chin where Surk had hit him.

"Ow, sorry master", Surk rubbed his forehead. 'It was all a dream...'

"Never mind it, just hurry and take a bath. We have to get to the stadium early today.", Caim said as he started changing.

After getting out of the bath, Surk saw his master holding something.

"You'll be wearing this today at the stadium. Don't bother looking for your clothes, I hid them."

"W-Wha? Where did you get that? I can't wear that!", Surk said in protest.

"I bought it last night just for you! You can't wear your usual rugged clothes, you're meeting the king! And you're my apprentice so you have to look decent!", Caim pushed the clothes towards Surk.

"But...", Surk tried to think of something but his master cut him off.

"Just wear it!"

"okay......", Surk could do nothing as he received it and wore them.

At the stadium, spectators and participants of the competition seated and waited for the announcer to start the awarding. A few moments later after the king sat on stage with the generals of the kingdom seating at both his sides, the announcer finally started the event,

"Let us welcome our majestic king, King Oraen of Rulik, along with the generals of our kingdom!", the stadium was immediately filled with roars and cheers from the crowd.

After a few moments as the crowd finally calmed down, the announcer continued,

"And now, after three days of intense combat, I present to you our champion, the swordsman Surk!", the crowd started to cheer but gradually faded as they saw the champion.

At the entrance to the stage, a long black haired person wearing a pure white robe walked slowly towards the king. The robe swayed as Surk's body moved. His hair flowed behind him as he walked.

"So...beautiful..."

The crowd was mesmerized at Surk's appearance. Surk's elegant movement, slim body and feminine face could be noticed even from afar. As Surk gracefully knelt before King Oraen, the crowd immediately cheered as if time was frozen earlier.

"Surk, go out with me!!"

"No, me!!"

"The hell, she's mine!!"

The crowd cheered and argued with each other. Among the crowd, Melik, Ryne, Elenor and Fay watched Surk.

"Surk...sure is popular...pfft", Melik tried his best not to laugh from the crowd's reactions.

"Yeah...he...pfft...sure is", Ryne said hearing Melik's comment.

"Hey! Don't laugh at him", Elenor said noticing that they were on the verge of laughing.

"Oh, we aren't", Fay said with a serious face. But after a moments later,

"pffHahaha!"

"Hahaha"

On stage, Surk could clearly hear what they were shouting.

'I knew it!! I should have definitely not worn this. But...I had no choice. This is so embarrassing!', Surk thought as he knelt and bowed before the king.

When the king and the generals observed Surk, they had a similar thought that came to mind, 'This small, frail looking girl is the champion?...But for a swordsman, she sure is beautiful!'

As King Oraen raised his hand, the crowd gradually calmed down and silently watched.

"Stand Surk. As king and on behalf of all the people in the kingdom Rulik, I congratulate you on winning this competition and as a reward for your efforts, here is your prize.", Oraen gestured his hand to the side and two knights carrying a small red chest came forth and slowly opened the chest.

"Furthermore, you are also awarded with a class advancement title of your profession. So do you wish to be officially recognized as a knight or general of the kingdom?", Oraen waited for Surk's answer as he watched him.

"No your majesty, I would like to become a blacksmith.", Surk gracefully answered the king.

"Oh, you wish to become a blacksmith? But becoming a general would suit you a lot better. Won't you reconsider it?", Oraen was surprised to hear Surk's answer.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but I would like to stay on the path of a blacksmith just like my master.", Surk smiled as he replied politely.

"I see. I can see that you have great resolution. Well then, as king of Rulik, I hereby grant Surk the title of blacksmith. You will now be recognized as an official blacksmith of the kingdom. I will also give referral to allow you to take the selection of becoming a master blacksmith in the neighboring kingdom, Galeon."

"Thank you so much your majesty.", Surk replied as he knelt before the king.

"Now that our champion has been rewarded, the king will be making a very special announcement so everyone play stay on your seats.", the announcer said as Surk struggled to receive the red chest full of gold from the two knights.

'Ugh...so heavy!', Surk's hands slightly shook as the chest was placed on his hands.

"Here, let me help", two hands grabbed the chest on the sides and the man lifted it off Surk's hands. Surk was surprised at this and turned to look who it was.

"Ah, Cruz!", Surk was surprised to see him there. Cruz was carrying the chest on top of one of his hands.

"Thanks for helping me. But why are you here?", Surk wondered why he was on stage with the king.

"Oh, I guess you didn't know. I'm a general. But before that, please take my seat. You should hear what the king has to say. It is important and you may be involved in it."

"Err...is it okay for me to sit here? I could just stand or sit somewhere else.", Surk replied noticing the other generals sitted there.

"It's fine. It's fine. In fact, I insist. The king is about to start his announcement", Cruz said as he stood beside Surk.

"Okay, thank you.", Surk sat elegantly as Cruz stood beside him. The crowd watched in envy as Surk sat beside the generals and as the king began his announcement.

Note: Next chapter will be posted next week.