“Finally! The moment you’ve all been waiting for! The Awards Ceremony!” The caster’s voice boomed in the arena. However, instead of a throng of cheers for the winning team, there were a flurry of boos directed at the retreating figures of Viina and Barett.

Barett’s gaze was low to the ground, and only the energy fields containing the venue’s seats prevented thrown trash from hitting him.

He very much seemed to be looking everywhere aside from the press box, where the royalty of both nations were currently located.

Opposite of Barett, however, was Viina. Her head was held high, and she bore the stares of the crowd with poise and grace.

“You can tell who was loved more as a child.” I commented offhandedly. “One handles negative attention far better than the other.”

“Yes, well, I suppose that’s what happens when your entire family has diplomatic designations, and you’re labeled as a neuromancer.” Lucina added, coming to walk up beside me.

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Winter leaned on my shoulder, before being pulled off by Reya. “Hey! No public displays of affections with Joshua! Get the ceremony done with, and then you can be as irresponsible as you want to.”

Winter rolled her eyes but did as the Crown Princess said, coming to stand in a line with the rest of the leaders from Metron’s side.

“Now, let’s present the awards!” The voice boomed, and the crowd’s attention immediately turned to the stage where the seven of us were standing.

‘Ooh, an awards ceremony! I was never part of one myself, being that I was on the losing side of the previous war.’ Un chuckled into my ear.

You aren’t missing much. It isn’t so much a celebration of the players, but rather a celebration of the establishment that set up the event in the first place.

‘Hah! That’s an awfully pessimistic take on the whole thing. It sounds like you don’t believe in humanity.’

Well, I believe in humanity, to be sure. I believe in human greed, and the fact that all actions are self-driven. Maybe the less successful people in the world do things for others, but those in power are greedy, and that’s why they’re in the position they’re in.

‘... I see.’ X said. ‘I was worried that you had changed after your little love scene with Lucina. I’m glad to see I was mistaken.’

I think you should be more worried about yourself. A program feeling jealous of something. What a joke.

‘And a human feeling the need to explain themselves to said A.I. is just as pathetic, Master. We’re both illogical beings at this point, wouldn’t you say?’

Well, she had me there. I decided to stop with this pointless line of questions and answers, and pay attention to the actual ceremony going on around me.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Best Individual Achievement goes to: Raiden Metron! His usage of his units to disassemble the Primal Kingdom’s mechanized soldiers, and subsequent cleanup and retreat of his troops was top notch! Prince Raiden, please step forward!”

Raiden did as instructed, and a gold emblem appeared in front of him. It was a square with a spear facing to the right, and a flag on a pole facing to the left. The virtual medal shone brilliantly, before being scanned by and absorbed into Raiden’s Judgment Panel.

“Next up, we have the Best Utility Player! This award goes to Paladin Joshua Cole! His usage of Neuromancy to disable the mechanized soldiers, as well as the aerial task unit, was the turning point of the game!”

Are you serious? My thoughts didn’t help me out of that, however, and I reluctantly stepped forward onto the same platform that Raiden had occupied a moment earlier.

The Council would like to award you a medal for your exceptional service in the War Game against the Primal Kingdom. Would you like to accept?

‘Don’t even think about it. If you care at all about your progress with the Metron siblings, you’ll take the award, Master.’ X said.

I sighed, knowing that she knew that I was contemplating just leaving the award here. I took it, and a silver medal, identical in design to Raiden’s, appeared in front of me. It rotated a few times before being absorbed into my Judgment panel.

‘Congratulations. You’ve unlocked a new feature in Judgment. You may view your war achievements at any time from the main menu, under Profile > My Achievements > War.’

I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I stepped back, and let the hollow applause of the crowd wash over me.

“Finally your Most Valuable Player of the match, Lucina Metron! Her kill count numbered 120, numbering just over half of the total forces in the Primal Kingdom’s army! Please step forward and collect your medal!”

Lucina took a confident step forward, letting her visor fall away to reveal a smiling face towards the crowd. Unlike with mine, the applause she received was full and genuine. It struck me once more how many people liked Lucina.

‘Jealous?’ Three’s soft voice whispered to me.

No. If I was loved that much by people, I don’t know if I could maintain my current outlook on life. That’s why I think Lucina is amazing. She is that much of a realist, even when surrounded by love. I guess some people really are different.

Once she was done accepting her medal, which was a rainbow-colored variant of Raiden’s and mine, she returned to line, and allowed her visor to cover her face once more.

Tired of smiling already? I sent to her privately. She didn’t reply. Instead, she mimicked stretching, and took that as an opportunity to smack my helmet.

I smiled, since the blow didn’t affect me in the slightest, a side benefit to wearing state-of-the-art technology.

“And with that, the War Game has come to a close! Please make your way out of the stadium in an orderly fashion! The betting droids at the counters will be giving people their winnings. If you have any questions or concerns about your bet, please…”

I let the sound fade from my mind, and walked off the stage with the rest of the people from the Kingdom. Raiden and Lilian were having a very animated conversation in the front of the group, with Winter and Reya speaking about logistics for an upcoming night.

Lucina and Akahime were chatting like the old friends they were, and laughing about something that Lucina had just said. While they all filed into the equipment room, I took a detour, and walked into the Primal Kingdom’s side tunnel.

“Am I that easy to predict, or are you that smart?” I asked Viina Secela, who was sitting on top of a metal crate.

“Of course I’m smart. If I wasn’t both Barett and myself would have died back there.” She sighed, and got off of the crate. In the time the awards ceremony had taken, she had changed out of her armored suit, and into a red sundress.

Her black hair was tied into two pigtails, each reaching down to her lower back. Her face still had the warpaint on from the match. Her pouty lips frowned as she approached me.

“I have decided to accept the terms and conditions of your contract. From this day forwards, I will follow you as my boss.”