Martial Arts Worlds - Chapter 774
Chapter 774: Pride of New Rakuya
“Hahaha!”
Robert clapped his hands loudly.
“…”
Kiernan wasn’t speaking much and just watched the scene with a smile on his face and was really happy that Karuza High was still at the top.
It also worried him that Karuza High might deteriorate after his graduation, but luckily, that wasn’t the case.
Without him knowing, Kiernan had actually inspired the younger generation of Irio so much that they were stronger than ever before.
They also wanted to enjoy the thrill and glory of winning the nationals.
Kiernan proved that anybody could do it as he went from a normal young man to a world-famous martial artist.
Knock! Knock!
In that moment, someone knocked on the door, and one of the Masters family members opened the door.
There was a tournament organizer standing with a humble expression on his face.
“Sir Grand President, it is time for the trophy ceremony.”
“Ah, right. I’m not doing that, but I got someone that is a much better choice.”
Robert Masters said.
“Ah?”
The tournament organizer looked shocked.
At first, he felt pissed that the Grand President wasn’t doing it, as they had already signed it off as a deal.
But then, he saw where Robert Masters was looking and saw a handsome gray-haired young man sitting at the bar.
It was easy to recognize him.
“K-Kiernan Hunter?”
The tournament organizer stuttered in a shock.
“If you don’t mind, can I be the one to hand the trophy over to them?”
Kiernan finished his drink and approached the door, where the tournament organizer was standing with a blank expression on his face.
“A-Ah… Not at all, sir!”
The tournament organizer said with a big smile.
He didn’t mind it at all, and instead he was absolutely thrilled!
Kiernan bid his farewell to Robert and his family and followed the tournament organizer to the downstairs.
“This is the trophy!”
The tournament organizer showed him the trophy, and there were other tournament organizers present, who looked shocked at the sight of Kiernan.
“Okay.”
Kiernan grabbed the trophy and held it in his hand.
It was light.
“I will say the word, and then you’ll take it to them. Is that alright?”
“Yeah.”
…
Karuza High members were gathered in the ring and were being drowned by cheers from the audience.
All the cameras were flashing, capturing every single moment of celebration, as this moment would be engraved into history books.
“…It is time for the trophy ceremony, and bringing the trophy this year is a very important figure…”
The commentator said.
The audience quieted down and turned their gaze towards the doors of the west entrance with anticipation.
It was because the lights were only at the west entrance and ignored every other entrance, so the trophy must be coming from over there.
“…He has been named as one of New Rakuya’s Top 5 three times, which is the record, and the only time that has happened in the nationals’ history!”
The commentator said.
“Who could it be?”
One of the fighters of Karuza High asked excitedly and squinted his eyes towards the west entrance.
‘Three times…? I only know one person that it could be!’
Coach Jin’s eyes widened in surprise, and his heart started beating quite hard, like it was drumming against his chest.
He wasn’t the only one that started to realize who it was, and excitement started to slowly spread across the audience.
“…He is a two-time champion of the nationals and was also chosen as New Rakuya’s representative for the Junior Martial Arts Championship!
“He then joined the World Martial Arts Draft and became one of the seven representatives of humanity for the fight against the Animal Kingdom.
“In the final match, he fought against Beast Prince Arazimir and won, bringing the victory over to humanity!”
There was no question about it anymore, and everyone realized just who it was, and the cheers became so loud that the ceiling almost blew off.
“It’s him? He is here?!”
Karuza High’s members looked at each other in disbelief, and their chests turned tight with excitement.
“…Please, everyone, welcome him back, Kiernan Hunter!”
The west entrance’s doors swung open, and with trophy in hand, gray-haired Kiernan stepped out onto the arena, greeted by thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.
His name was being screamed at the top of their lungs.
“The Pride of New Rakuya!”
Kiernan slowly walked up the steps to the ring, and came across the members of Karuza High, who had turned into shy children in front of him.
They were all extremely talented children and the future of New Rakuya, but in front of Kiernan, they were just kids who looked up to him with admiration.
“You should’ve said that you were here, and we could’ve gone for drinks.”
Coach Jin said with a wry smile.
“Haha, after this, alright?”
Kiernan said with a smile, and then he looked straight at Saro, who flinched, and shrunk under his gaze.
He slowly approached him with the trophy in hand and offered it to him.
“Good job, young one. Excellent showing in the match.”
“T-Thank you, it means a lot…”
Saro humbly accepted the trophy, bowed deeply, and then other members gathered around him, and they all grabbed the trophy with their hands.
“3… 2… 1…”
They lifted the trophy at the same time, and the fireworks went off, coloring the dark night sky with bright bursts of color.
“Your national champions, Karuza High!”
…
Tiamut, Drinker’s Pub.
“…Thank you.”
Coach Jin got a drink from the bartender and took a deep sip, feeling the weight of the successful season finally lifting off his shoulders.
Kiernan sat next to him, and he couldn’t avoid the constant gazes that the bar’s customers were giving him.
They were debating whether they should approach him for autographs, but in the end, they didn’t want to disturb him.
“I met your father not long ago. It looks like he is doing well. Did you come to New Rakuya to meet him or what?”
Coach Jin asked.
“No, I only came for the nationals, but I do frequently talk with my father. ”
Kiernan said.
“Are you planning to visit Irio? I am sure everyone would love to meet you again.”
Coach Jin said.
“…I need to go back to Montrael, sadly. So much stuff to do, and I am already behind on some stuff after taking a few days off.”
Kiernan said with a wry smile.
“The life of a dojo master… Do you regret becoming one? You are still very young, and if that dojo is taking so much time that you don’t have time to train yourself, maybe it is better to shut it off for a while.”
Coach Jin said.
“Thank you for your concern, but I love my dojo, and I’m not planning to shut it down. I am still only beginning.”
Kiernan said with a smile.