Chloe did not notice the all-around, omnidirectional cameras enveloping her.
She held a lollipop in her mouth, not saying a word, merely listening to her teammates chatting beside her. As she glanced up, she could see people from other military academies around her.
Especially Feng Xi.
The Lanxicha Military Academy was located right across from The No.1 Military Academy, in plain sight. Not to mention Feng Xi, who was currently pushing his way to the very front like a pompous peacock, chest puffed out. It was hard for Chloe not to notice him.
She quietly averted her gaze.
Finally, the judges had tallied the scores. The No.1 Military Academy was the undisputed champion.
The Tagal Military Academy came in a close second, followed by the Sasley Military Academy, with Lanxicha coming in last.
But everyone understood that, in terms of sheer strength, Sasley was no match for Lanxicha.
Lanxicha's loss was due to their late entry; otherwise, their ranking would have been ahead of Sasley's.
After this competition, Feng Xi and his teammates would be hotly pursued by the human race.
At the thought, Chloe yawned, swallowing her lollipop in a few gulps at the urging of the announcer before stepping onto the podium.
The podium was built tall, with ample space for five people.
In front of them was a crowd of spectating elves, raising their long and short guns, making it painful to look at.
Chloe simply lowered her gaze and draped her arm over Anderson's shoulder beside her.
The contest organizer held a microphone, delivering a touching speech that earned the audience's tears before turning his attention to The No.1 Military Academy.
"The Joint Military Academy Competition has concluded. I wonder what the main team members of The No.1 Military Academy have to say?"
The microphone was first handed to Chloe.
After a brief pause, she simply uttered four words: "Success well-deserved."
Then, she passed the microphone to her left.
To Chloe's left stood Qin Huaibei first.
Qin Huaibei responded sincerely yet perfunctorily, "Thank you to the academy for nurturing us and the instructors for their guidance. And thank you to the audience for your support."
The microphone was passed further to the left.
Daniel was enthusiastic, "Who else could be the champion if not us? Not only did we win this time, but the next time, the time after that, and the time after that, it should be..."
Before he could finish, Katherine hurriedly snatched the microphone from his hand, "He's just joking. What we mean is, we're glad to have made so many good friends through the Joint Military Academy Competition."
The interrupted Daniel was quite displeased, "Hey, I wasn't done yet."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qin Huaibei punched him hard in the lower back.
Daniel cried out in pain.
When the microphone was passed back to Anderson, he looked rather dazed.
Anderson raised his eyes, meeting Chloe's gaze.
She said nothing, but her eyes held an encouraging expression.
Anderson regained some composure, took the microphone, and said softly, "I'm glad to have participated in this competition with Miss Chloe."
Everyone: "..."
Well, while others thanked the instructors and academy, Anderson chose to thank Chloe instead.
Below, some mischievous elf mimicked Anderson's tone, purposefully calling out in a mocking manner, "So glad~ Miss Chloe~"
Anderson gave him a cold glance but said nothing.
Amateur impersonator, he thought.
But when Anderson turned his gaze back and saw Chloe watching the mischievous elf with amusement in her eyes, Anderson's heart suddenly tightened.
He carefully tugged at Chloe's sleeve.
Chloe regained her senses and gave him a reassuring look.
Only then did Anderson settle down.
Perhaps due to their recent argument, Anderson had become particularly sensitive lately, constantly worrying that she might abandon him.
Chloe lowered her gaze, feeling both amused and helpless.
After everyone had spoken, the staff brought over the trophy reserved for the champions.
The trophy was made of pure gold, polished very clean and reflective, with the Joint Military Academy Competition emblem and the words "The No.1 Military Academy" engraved on the base.
Chloe and her teammates held the trophy together as colorful ribbons were sprayed over them, fluttering down onto their bodies.
The surrounding cheers were deafening. Chloe was slightly dazed.
Her teammates were smiling happily, even Katherine had a faint smile on her lips.
She tilted her head slightly towards Anderson and saw a glimmer in his eyes as well.
The audience below was shouting their names loudly.
For some reason, Chloe's nose felt a little sour.
How strange.
As she was pondering this, Daniel's lowered voice came from beside her, "This trophy is huge, like an ice cream cup. Do you think we can use it to eat ice cream balls after bringing the trophy back?"
"I've never used a pure gold ice cream cup before."
Everyone: "..."
Chloe smiled, "Is there a possibility that you still have a recording microphone pinned to your collar?"
Daniel froze, his left hand instinctively touching his collar and feeling the hard microphone there.
He immediately turned red with embarrassment.
"Pfft!"
Daniel fumed, "Chloe, don't laugh!"
But Chloe couldn't help it and laughed even louder.
Immediately after, the entire No.1 Military Academy, except for Daniel, burst into laughter.
The podium turned into a mess, even the grand trophy was shaking precariously. The staff below the podium stood nervously, afraid the trophy might fall.
Daniel wanted to take off and throw away the recording microphone, but was reminded that he would have to pay for any damage.
The impoverished Daniel didn't dare act rashly anymore, but he was even more enraged.
On the other side, the photographers were unable to find a suitable angle to capture the scene, so they hastily snapped a single shot.
In the frozen image, Chloe had her arm draped over Anderson's shoulder, laughing unrestrainedly. Anderson turned his head, his gaze gentle as he looked at her.
Daniel had one hand clutching his collar and the other fist punching Qin Huaibei's chest, his expression somewhat fierce, like an angry wolf cub.
Katherine held the trophy with both hands, her silver-white eyes pure and gentle, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze fixed on the front.
It seemed as if she was looking at Chloe, yet also at Daniel.
The composition of this photograph was quite good, though the models were uncooperative.
But fortunately, even with this chaos, the photo didn't appear disorderly, instead conveying a sense of lively warmth.
Compared to the solemn photos from previous years, this one seemed overly joyful.
They didn't look like military academy students, but rather like celebrities from some entertainment variety show.
Nevertheless, this photograph later became one of the most popular group photos among the masses.
They said this was how military academy students should be.
Flamboyant like a fiery red sun, vibrant and energetic, thriving freely wherever they pleased.
