...

"Mr. Williams, can we get a statement? How did you manage to take down the criminal single-handedly? Are you trained in combat?" she asked, her words rushing out like an endless tide.

Zastan, caught slightly off-guard by the media attention, glanced at the girls and then back at the reporter. He wasn't one to shy away from attention, but he also didn't crave it. "I just did what needed to be done," he said simply, keeping his answers as convincing as possible even thought it wasn't really the truth. "I have some training, but it's mostly about staying calm and reacting when it counts."

The reporter pressed on, clearly eager for more. "You've become an instant hero. People are already calling you the 'Guardian of Luminae' online. How does it feel?"

Zastan's eyes widened slightly at the moniker. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Guardian? That's a bit much, don't you think? I'm just a guy who happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Despite his humble demeanor, the crowd's admiration only seemed to grow. Applause broke out, spreading through the gathered onlookers like wildfire. Zastan nodded politely, acknowledging the support but remaining grounded in the moment.

Just as the media frenzy was reaching its peak, a sleek black limousine pulled up to the curb, and from it emerged a dignified man in a tailored suit—the mayor of Luminae, Theodore Marks. His arrival commanded immediate respect, the police and reporters stepping aside to make way for him. Mayor Marks approached Zastan with an air of gratitude and respect.

"Mr. Williams," the mayor began, extending a hand. "I heard what you did today. On behalf of the city of Luminae, I want to personally thank you for your bravery. It's not every day that someone steps up in such a decisive way, especially when lives are at stake."

Zastan shook the mayor's hand, offering a polite smile. "Thank you, sir. I was just in the right place at the right time."

The mayor nodded, then gestured to one of his aides, who promptly presented a small, velvet box. Mayor Marks opened it to reveal a glimmering medal.

It was a circular piece of polished metal with the city's emblem marked on it and a star at its center. "It is my honor to present you with the Luminae Valor Medal. This is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness in the face of danger. You, Mr. Williams, have more than earned it."

Zastan accepted the medal, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he took in its significance. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the sound of camera shutters intensified, capturing every second of the exchange. As the mayor pinned the medal to Zastan's lapel, the cameras zoomed in, the flashes bright and blinding.

The media continued to press forward, eager to catch every angle, every expression. Zastan, though composed, felt the weight of the moment.

It was not just the medal, but the collective gaze of a city now looking to him as a hero.

Elara watched from the sidelines, her admiration for Zastan deepening with every second. She saw in him not just strength but a quiet humility, a refusal to revel in his newfound fame. Her heart swelled with a mix of pride and something else... It's a tender, budding affection that she hadn't quite anticipated. She found herself smiling, unable to resist the pull of her feelings.

Amara nudged her gently, whispering, "Looks like someone has fallen."

Elara blushed but didn't deny it. Instead, she kept her gaze on Zastan, watching as he handled the attention with grace. There was something undeniably captivating about him. It's something that made her want to learn more, to understand the layers beneath his calm exterior.

News of Zastan's heroism spread rapidly across the city. Within hours, clips of his confrontation with the criminal were circulating on social media, amassing millions of views. Headlines blared: "Guardian of Luminae: Young Man Single-Handedly Stops Armed Criminal," "Zastan Williams: The Unlikely Hero of the SkyDeck," and "Valor in the Face of Danger: How One Man Saved the Day."

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Zastan's actions were broadcast on every major news network, with analysts and commentators dissecting his every move. Talk shows invited experts to speculate on his background, while social media buzzed with praise and admiration. Hashtags like #GuardianOfLuminae and #ZastanTheHero trended almost instantaneously.

People shared their own stories of encountering danger and finding inspiration in Zastan's actions. Artists created illustrations of him standing heroically before the SkyDeck, his figure rendered in bold strokes of color that captured his poise and courage. Memes sprang up, turning his calm demeanor and powerful stance into symbols of resilience and strength.

Zastan, meanwhile, kept a low profile, retreating from the public eye as the frenzy continued. He wasn't particularly that type of person to bask in the limelight, preferring instead to focus on his own goals and the growing empire he was building. Yet, the impact of his actions lingered, not just in the minds of those he saved but in the hearts of everyone who had witnessed his courage.

For Elara, the day had marked the beginning of something new. She couldn't shake the image of Zastan standing firm, protecting them without a second thought. In that moment, she knew that he was unlike anyone she had ever met throughout her whole life. She found herself wanting to know him better.

...

Zastan lounged on the plush couch in his hotel suite, the city lights of Luminae casting a warm glow through the expansive windows. He idly flipped through channels on the TV, not paying much attention until a familiar scene caught his eye. There he was, clear as day on the screen. It was his confrontation with the armed criminal replayed in crisp, dramatic detail. Every punch, every movement was captured from multiple angles, with news anchors narrating his actions with a mix of awe and excitement.

The headline read: "Guardian of Luminae: Zastan Williams, the Hero Who Stopped a Crisis."

Zastan chuckled softly, leaning back and letting the moment wash over him. He hadn't done it for the fame, but seeing it all play out like a scene from an action movie was surreal. His phone buzzed, and he glanced down to see a text from Darius:

Darius: "Young master, you're blowing up online! Trending everywhere! The way you took that guy down is insane! Like some action hero!"

Zastan smirked, a faint sense of pride flickering in his chest. He casually scrolled through his phone, navigating to social media where his name was, indeed, trending. Videos of his heroic actions had gone viral, and the comments were overflowing with praise and admiration. People were calling him a hero, a guardian, even comparing him to fictional characters from movies and comics. There were fan edits, memes, and even artwork of him in that decisive moment, all celebrating the "Guardian of Luminae."

As Zastan watched the outpouring of support and excitement, he couldn't help but smile—a genuine, unguarded smile that reached his eyes. It wasn't just about the recognition; it was the fulfillment of a quiet, almost forgotten dream.

After all, at some point in every boy's life, there's a moment where they daydream about being the hero. About stepping up when no one else can, saving the day, and hearing the cheers of grateful onlookers. To be the one who makes a difference, who stands against the tide when things go wrong. Zastan had lived that dream today, and now he was seeing the world respond in kind.

He swiped through post after post, soaking in the moment but keeping his cool exterior. Deep down, though, there was a spark of satisfaction, the kind that comes from knowing you've done something truly remarkable. Something that most people only ever imagine. Zastan took a deep breath, setting his phone aside and letting the soft glow of the screen fade as he stared out into the city skyline.

"Not bad," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not bad at all."

...

Zastan stretched lazily as the first light of dawn filtered through his hotel room curtains. Just as he was about to drift back into his thoughts, a sharp ding from the system jolted him awake.

System Notification:

Hidden Achievement Completed - Gain the admiration of 100 million people.

Prize: Eternal Enchantment Milk Tea Recipe.

Zastan blinked, momentarily puzzled by the prize. Milk tea? But as the system elaborated, his interest piqued.

Eternal Enchantment Milk Tea Recipe:

Description: A deceptively simple blend of common ingredients, masterfully combined to create an extraordinary flavor that captivates the senses. The drink's appeal lies in its perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and a hint of something elusive. An indescribable essence that lingers on the palate. Those who taste it are destined to remember its unique flavor, craving it endlessly, as if enchanted by a spell. No matter how often they indulge, they will never get tired of it's taste.

As the system relayed every minute detail of the recipe into his mind, Zastan could see the potential of this simple yet bewitching beverage. It wasn't the ingredients that made it special. But, it was the precise way they were combined. This was no ordinary milk tea; it was a masterpiece in disguise, masquerading as an everyday drink.

"A milk tea that hooks people for life…" Zastan muttered to himself, a smile spreading across his face. "This could be a game-changer."

...