Chapter 135: Milestone of Champions

Chapter 135: Milestone of ChampionsThe moment the announcer declared Eratz the winner, the arena seemed to hold its breath for a fraction of a second.

Then, a deafening roar erupted from the stands. It was as if a dam had broken, releasing a wave of emotion.

The noise was overwhelming, a mix of cheers, applause, and screams that shook the foundation of the stadium.

"Eratz! Eratz! Eratz!"

The chants blended together, each voice a part of the ecstatic roar filling the stadium.

It was a victory that everyone felt in their bones, a moment of shared triumph.

Zara couldn't contain herself. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she lunged forward, throwing her arms around Victoria.

She let out a half-laugh, half-sob, squeezing her partner tightly.

"He did it! He actually did it!" she cried out, her voice breaking with emotion.

Victoria laughed too. She hugged Zara back, holding her close. They pulled back, looking at each other and bursting into laughter again, the joy overwhelming them.

Kaida jumped up, pumping her fist into the air.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she shouted, her face flushed with excitement. She bounced on her feet, unable to stay still.

Ryder, right beside her, was grinning from ear to ear. He jumped up too, his body feeling weightless from the sheer exhilaration.

"He really pulled it off! Eratz has won!" he yelled, his voice almost hoarse from cheering. Before he could react, Catarina leapt onto his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She screamed into his ear, her laughter bubbling over. Ryder stumbled a bit but caught her, both of them laughing and screaming together.

On the opposite side of the arena, Cassie and Mercury were locked in a tight embrace, clinging to each other as they cried and laughed at the same time. Cassie's voice was choked with emotion. "He did it... He did it!" she sobbed, burying her face in Mercury's shoulder.

Mercury nodded, hugging her tightly.

"He really did it, he's the best..." she whispered.

They clung to each other, swaying slightly as if trying to hold onto the reality of the moment.

Roger, meanwhile, had scooped up both Colin and Milo, one in each arm. He held them up high, his booming laughter echoing across the stands.

"He's the champion! Our Eratz did it!" he shouted.

Milo was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, while Colin was clapping her hands and shouting at the top of her lungs, her face lit up with pure joy.

Across the cities, the celebration spread like wildfire. In Lugina, Crescent Moon headquarters exploded with cheers.

Staff members hugged each other, chanting, laughing, the sound of their joy filling every corner of the building.

Trainees high-fived and cheered, the pride of being part of Eratz's journey lifting their spirits sky-high.

On the big screens scattered throughout the city squares, people watched the broadcast, clapping and cheering as if they were right there in the arena.

Strangers hugged each other, united by the shared thrill of witnessing such an incredible victory.

But back in Grushia, at Genova Academy, the mood was starkly different. Kenny had watched the final with the teacher guarding him.

The teacher's expression was a mix of awe and disbelief as he watched the final moments of the battle replayed again and again.

"That was... unbelievable," the teacher muttered, his eyes wide. He began clapping, slowly at first, then faster, the realization of what he'd just seen hitting him fully. "Incredible. Truly incredible. He's become a champion... someone from the academy has become a champion in a year."

But then, a sudden realization dawned on him, and his expressions darkened. He turned to look at Kenny, who was sitting hunched over, his hands clenched tightly into fists on his knees.

His head hung low, his dark hair hiding his face from view. The cheers from the screen filled the room, a stark contrast to the darkness that surrounded him.

The teacher's face twisted into a frown.

"We lost him," he said, almost to himself. "We had Eratz here, and we let him go." He sighed, the sound filled with regret. He looked at Kenny, his disappointment evident. "And whose fault was that? We trusted you, Kenny. Look at him now, bathing in the light and fame while we couldn't even send a challenger."

Kenny's shoulders trembled, but he didn't look up. His nails dug into his palms, drawing small, sharp pains, but he barely felt it.

His body jerked as if he'd been struck. Slowly, he lifted his head, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. He stared at the screen, where Eratz stood in the center of the arena, bathed in light. The crowd's chants of his name filled the room, a sound so loud it felt like it was pressing down on him.

Kenny's vision blurred as the tears finally spilled over.

"Why? Why do you need to attack me like that?!"

His path led him here, into the shadows, far away from the light of victory.

A sob escaped him, raw and broken. He covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking as the tears came faster. He cried, the sound muffled but filled with a pain that had no words. On the screen, Eratz sat cross-legged face to Raya, the crowd's roar reaching a fever pitch. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment. He glanced up, savoring everything, the faces, the lights, the sounds of victory that seemed to fill the air with electricity.

It felt surreal, like he was floating above everything, watching a dream unfold before him. He let his gaze drift back down, meeting Raya. She was still kneeling, her breath calmer now. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They simply existed in that shared space, two warriors who had given everything they had.

"Can you stand?" Eratz asked, his voice low.

Raya tilted her head slightly, considering the question. Her lips curled into a tired smile, and she let out a soft chuckle.

"I can try," she said, but then added with a light shake of her head, "But I might just fall right

away." He nodded, he stood up and slowly stepped toward her, taking her hand hand.

He pulled her up, steadying her with an arm around her shoulders. Then, Eratz lifted her arm, raising her fist high into the air.

The public broke into an explosion of applause and cheers, louder than anything they had heard before.

It was a standing ovation, the entire arena rising to their feet as one. Fighters, spectators, everyone stood, clapping and shouting, their faces lit with admiration and awe.

Sia and Gabriel were clapping, their expressions filling with deep respect. Fireworks burst into the sky above the stadium, painting the night with streaks of color and light. The booming sounds mixed with the cheers, creating a symphony of celebration.

Raya had a small, serene smile on her lips. She opened her mouth slowly, her voice almost a

whisper.

"This... I can feel it," she said.

They stood together, side by side, basking in the warmth of the crowd's adoration.

Minutes passed, the cheering finally beginning to die down. The officials stepped onto the

stage, signaling the start of the final ceremony.

Eratz and Raya stood side by side.

The head official stepped forward, holding a polished silver plate. He approached Raya, bowing slightly as he handed it to her.

The plate was wide and intricately designed, reflecting the stadium lights with a soft, silvery sheen. For a moment, Raya just held it, her expression blank, as if she wasn't quite sure what

to do.

She turned the plate in her hands, feeling its weight. Her fingers traced the engraved edges, and then she gave a small, almost shy smile.

She nodded her thanks to the official, then lifted the plate lightly, holding it out in front of

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The audience responded with a wave of applause, respectful and heartfelt, honoring the warrior who had given everything she had.

Then it was Eratz's turn.

The official turned to him, holding the gold trophy, a gleaming masterpiece, tall and with

Greenridge sculpted on its surface.

The gold surface caught the light, casting a brilliant reflection that seemed to illuminate

Eratz's face.

The moment felt suspended in time as Eratz stared at it, his breath catching slightly.

He stepped forward, reaching out with both hands. His fingers wrapped around the base, feeling the cold, smooth metal beneath his skin.

For a heartbeat, he hesitated. The trophy was heavier than he'd imagined, not just physically but in the weight of everything it symbolized, the battles, the sacrifices, the endless hours of

training.

It was the first tangible proof of how far he'd come.

The crowd held its collective breath, waiting.

Eratz lifted the trophy, his movements slow. He brought it up, first to chest height, then over

his head.

He held it there, his arms outstretched, the golden trophy gleaming against the darkening

sky.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer called out. "The moment we have all been waiting for, the pinnacle of this incredible tournament! It's official... Your Greenridge League

Champion, the Apex Predator, Eratz Pandora!"

And then the applause erupted.

The noise was deafening, a wave of cheers and shouts that seemed to shake the ground

beneath their feet.

Fireworks exploded overhead, filling the sky with brilliant colors. The golden light bathed Eratz in a radiant glow, as if the world itself was celebrating his victory.

He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the vibration of the cheers through his entire body.

His smile widened, genuine and full of wonder.

He had done it. The trophy was real, and it was in his hands. He stood there, soaking in the adulation, holding the symbol of his victory high above his head as the fireworks continued to

paint the sky.