The Duke's Merit Ceremony
In the annex hall of Valkar Duke's Mansion, where the merit awards ceremony was underway, a peculiar tension permeated the wide space. It stemmed from the unmistakable aura of those fresh from the battlefield—their lingering battle fervor churning the air. The researchers from the Technology Development Bureau, veterans of multiple waves by now, paid it no mind...
"Ah... I wish the duke would give us some vacation as a reward."
"You think that's possible with a mountain of overdue reports?"
"Hey, man, you telling me not to dream?"
To the academy students, even that casual banter felt alien.
How can they be so chill?
Amid it all, one student stood tall with a beaming smile, chest puffed out proudly. Body Technique Master... no, Kail. Spotting his composure, another student muttered under their breath.
"Look at him, acting like he's already claimed his reward and wrapped it all up."
"Well... considering what he pulled off, it's not that weird."
"Sigh— I just want a fat stack of gold."
With Kail's realm of proficiency, he couldn't have missed those whispers, yet his face remained dead serious, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Finally.
Right now, nothing filled Kail's mind but overwhelming gratitude.
The Northern Defense, the monster wave. His ascent in realm, and now this merit ceremony before his eyes.
This is all thanks to GameMakerCute's grace.
At this point, could he call the bond between himself and GameMakerCute fated?
Then—
"The rightful lord of Valkar Territory! Conqueror of the Eternal Frostlands! Descendant of the first duke, Tor Valkar—enter, Duke Sigurd Valkar!"
At attention!!!
"We pay respects to Duke Valkar!"
As the Northern knights and soldiers snapped to salute in unison, the outsiders awkwardly followed suit. The duke's charisma silenced the murmurs in an instant.
Kuh— that presence...
Wasn't he half-retired after that injury not long ago?
The duke ascended the podium and slowly surveyed the hall. Mercenaries, mages, students, knights, soldiers, engineers. People of diverse origins and motives.
But now, they were comrades who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder atop the Northern walls.
"Repelling this monster wave was no sole achievement of Valkar."
Without an amplification artifact, the duke's low voice still filled the hall.
"Folks from across the Empire bolstered the North. We swear never to take lightly those deeds, that grace."
"...!!!"
Northmen and outsiders alike widened their eyes at the duke's solemn vow. The ruler atop all but the emperor himself, pledging this to them?
A front-row mercenary cleared his throat quietly; students straightened their backs; Technology Development Bureau researchers exchanged proud glances.
And with that, the duke launched straight into the merit awards.
Mercenaries cheered double their promised pay; mages gained access to rare Northern artifacts and grimoires; squire knights earned spots in the Valkar direct knight order.
Next came the second-grade honorees.
First called was the Technology Development Bureau chief, Ethan Herbon.
"Ethan Herbon."
Ethan stepped forward at the duke's summons. In a steady voice, the duke recited his feats.
"As bureau chief, you coordinated frontline and rear operations, maintained and operated the fireball shooters—"
His exploits unspooled. The duke paused briefly before adding curtly,
"To you, we bestow the second-grade commendation medal and 1,300 Imperial Merit Points."
More vital than the number was the debut of "Imperial Merit Points."
One student whispered to the neighbor,
"1,300 Imperial Merit Points—is that a lot?"
"Dunno. But doesn't sound small."
"How do you not know that? Why even go to the academy?"
"Shut up."
Ethan's response was his usual stoic self—no surprise, no elation, just a beat-late bow.
"I shall continue devoting my utmost as Technology Development Bureau chief for Valkar."
Next was Grace Academy's escort professor. Students buzzed softly at the name.
"Whoa, prof's a second-grade honoree too."
"He busted his ass for us."
"Wasn't he the first to collapse after the wave? Yeah, total trooper."
The professor stood awkwardly; the duke praised his bridge-building between North and academy. Rewards: second-grade medal, academic research collaboration proposal, and 1,200 Imperial Merit Points.
But the prof ignored it all, nagging the students instead.
"Can't you lot stay quiet even here?"
"No, prof, what'd we do?"
"..."
As the brief commotion died, the mercenary captain who had led multiple bands to the North advanced. His massive frame shifting drew grateful looks from students and Kail alike.
The captain took the duke's praise and medal with a throat-clear.
"Well, reckon we earned our keep, eh."
His thick dialect drew chuckles through the hall.
"For your reward: 200 gold, priority on Northern commissions, and 1,600 Imperial Merit Points."
"Whoa, most points so far."
"Without that guy on the outskirts, we'd have been toast."
"And he didn't come solo—brought a whole crew..."
Students whispered until the duke's gaze shut them up. They could guess who it fell upon.
"Grace Academy student, Kail."
"..."
"..."
A short silence, then sighs rippled through the students.
"Ah. Community's gonna milk this forever..."
"Gonna feast on this till graduation."
"Jealous... concept post reserved."
"...?"
Kail's shoulder twitched, but his serious face marched to the duke.
"A role too heavy for a mere student, yet you never retreated."
"..."
"On-site responses, saving endangered soldiers... a true exemplar."
Under the duke's praise, Kail's cheeks twitched up-down like a spasm, freezing into a weird grin.
"To you: first-grade commendation medal, knight order entry, and 1,500 Imperial Merit Points."
1,500 Imperial Merit Points. Valkar direct knight order entry.
Not just Grace Academy—not even other academies' students—everyone stirred.
"Second year and job's locked... wild."
"So jealous..."
"But he did fight like a beast."
Kail clutched the medal, throat bobbing repeatedly before speaking gravely.
"GameMakerCute guided me here."
Students' faces crumpled.
"Please... not this outside too."
"Ugh, here we go again."
Undeterred, Kail pressed on.
"I'm grateful to repay even a fraction of his grace."
A brief hush fell over the hall.
Then.
Clap——— clap clap clap——
"What? Why's everyone reacting like that?"
"Sigh... without Northern Defense, none of them would even be here."
"...!"
The professor's words hit students late. To them, an alumni making fun, novel games... but outsiders saw him differently.
"Ah, so that's why they reacted to Kail like that."
"Thinking about it, GameMakerCute is impressive."
"...Still feels off, seeing that reaction here."
"Wait, you saying we're the weird ones?"
"Gasp."
As Kail returned, applause faded. With him, all standout field figures named.
One remained.
"Commander and Technology Development Bureau researcher, Ariel Valkar."
All eyes converged.
Her fragile beauty evoked legendary ice spirits—contrasting her battlefield steel and command charisma. Proving her the duke's daughter, she stood composed before him.
"From fireball shooter development and upgrades to deployment. No core force of this defense untouched by your hand."
"..."
"Plus flawless command, turning this monster wave into resounding success—"
Her feats poured out: shooter dev, setbacks, refinements, leadership.
All under her command acknowledged her, but unseen efforts amplified the awe. None could argue.
She was victory's linchpin.
As the duke raised the medal, Ariel hesitated, turning to scan the crowd.
"Before accepting, one thing to say."
Unfazed by confusion, Ariel spoke firmly.
"Grace Academy's Chase Roman. Without that student's advice, fireball shooters never reach the field."
Grace students reacted first.
"Huh?"
"Who's Chase?"
"Oh... uh! That guy who sleeps all day?!"
Unyielding, Ariel continued.
"He proposed shooter improvements and operation concepts. Absent him, they'd be festival rides, discarded."
Several bureau researchers nodded. They'd witnessed her dev struggles up close.
No empty words—they knew best.
The duke eyed his daughter long, then handed the medal.
"Yet your feats shine undimmed. Worthy of acclaim—don't diminish yourself."
"Thank you."
As Ariel returned, student buzz persisted.
"He majored in magitech? Anyone know?"
"Nah?"
"Probably not? Never heard."
As murmurs ebbed, all assuming end—
The duke spoke again.
"And."
The hall hushed.
"Two more honorees absent but deserving."
Some swallowed; others glanced around puzzled.
"First: GameMakerCute."
Silence shattered; students erupted.
"Whoa."
"He's really getting it..."
"Spread Northern wave awareness Empire-wide, motivated volunteers—"
Fancy words aside, all knew: the game that drew them here. Its creator. Top contributor? None other.
Then the duke named the second.
"Chase Roman."
"..."
"Again?!"
"Contributed to fireball shooter upgrades and field ops... key to perfecting this defense's core force. Thus..."
Stirrings halted at the follow-up.
"To both: plaques of thanks and 2,000 Imperial Merit Points each."
Students eyed each other; professor's brows shot up.
"...Whoa."
The captain's exclamation closed the ceremony.
That evening, Valkar Duke summoned Ariel to his office.
Fatigue etched their faces, yet eyes stayed sharp. Stiff as commander and subordinate, not father and daughter.
The duke tidied papers, gazing at her.
"Well done."
"Thank you."
Ariel bowed curtly.
"That student, Chase Roman—matters that much?"
Ariel's eyes flickered briefly. The duke noted but didn't press.
"Publicly naming him means his skill and insight are exceptional."
"...If personal opinion, he was invaluable."
"Hmm..."
Drumming fingers on desk, the duke waved it off casually.
"Want him at the academy? Can arrange."
Ariel met his eyes, gaze off the tapping fingers.
"This ties us to Academy City—professor, collab research, feasible."
"..."
Her confusion drew an inner sigh.
Our once-childlike girl.
Now leading waves, crafting new arms...
Smitten, even.
"No rush to answer."
"...I'll consider."
Satisfied, the duke dismissed her with a wave.
The blizzard outside raged on.
But in Ariel's mind as she left: Academy City memories, polar opposite calm.
"Roman count family..."
The monster wave—the greatest threat—ended, yet the duke's sigh deepened in the snowstorm.