After completing various procedures and leaving the police station, Lanen suddenly thought of something and said to the three newly rescued classmates:
"Let me take you to eat. You've been tied up for a day and a night, so you must be starving."
He recalled that during the earlier statement, Beta and Scott had been tied up for a day and a night without food or water. The other classmate, who had been missing longer, was better off—he had received some food and water from Taylor Denton to keep him alive until today.
"Let's all go have some dinner and warm drinks. After such a long ordeal, a cup of hot honey-pumpkin juice should help soothe everyone's nerves. My treat," Lanen added.
In the final stage of the operation, as per tradition, the four involved in the capture—including Old Mac, Elena, and the Magical Flora and Fauna teacher—divided the spoils. Lanen chose the enemy's withered money pouch, earning himself a small sum. Hence, he was feeling particularly generous at the moment.
With steaming stewed turkey and ox-tongue pies consumed, followed by a large cup of sweet honey-pumpkin juice to ease their nerves, everyone felt their excitement, tension, and lingering fear dissipate, leaving only deep exhaustion. Each began to long for the comfort of their dormitory's sturdy iron-framed beds. After leaving the restaurant, even Heidi, who was reluctant to part with Beta, walked swiftly and directly back to her dorm.
It seemed everyone would sleep deeply and soundly tonight.
——————————
A faint mist hung in the air, blocking the sunlight, leaving it gloomy, damp, and cold.
But the weather didn't match the heated atmosphere.
It had been a busy day.
Not to mention the police officers who were called to work overtime from their dinner tables, beds, or showers that night, or the parents who wept uncontrollably upon finding their child (the rescued classmate from the Mage Chess Club, whose parents Lanen had seen during gym class). By the next day, news had spread throughout the small town, and various parties began to act, stirring up a whirlwind of activity.
The first to arrive was the school. Principal Blank summoned everyone into his spacious office and questioned them thoroughly about the incident. He lamented how he had failed to notice that the superior who inspected the school every semester was actually a murderer targeting students, while vigorously patting Lanen and Hal on the shoulders (likely because the others were girls, whom he couldn't pat, and the Magical Flora and Fauna teacher, whom he probably didn't dare to pat, Lanen guessed).
Finally, the school dared to disclose the incident and the news of past missing students. A large notice was posted on the bulletin board, informing everyone that the culprit had been caught and urging students to focus on their studies with peace of mind.
Students who heard the news gathered around, bombarding them with questions. When Hal revealed that Lanen had delivered the final punch to defeat the rogue ancient mage, Lanen was treated like a hero. This quickly became overwhelming for him, and Elena, who had also confronted the criminal, shared his sentiment.
With classes during the day and word-of-mouth spreading, the commotion peaked in the evening, far surpassing the midday and break-time crowds.
Only as night deepened did the surrounding crowd gradually disperse. Hal took out the cage containing the small creature and called everyone to help name it.
—By the way, Lanen had gifted the Smile Beast he bought to Hal that morning: "Haven't you always wanted one? Here, take care of it."
"This isn't appropriate; it's too valuable," Hal had tried to refuse.
Lanen insisted sternly, "Take it. It's non-refundable anyway. If you feel bad, just treat us all to a big meal and a movie." Hal quickly relented, promising to take everyone to Zorgen's Restaurant for a feast on their day off, then happily ran off to tend to the creature, even rushing to buy pet food before morning classes—
"What do you think we should name him? I've been thinking all day but haven't come up with anything satisfying," Hal asked for help.
"Wait, you actually brought it to class?" Solina looked up from the math problem she'd been working on, surprised.
"Not tomorrow. The automatic feeder I ordered won't arrive until morning. Without it, he'd either overeat or starve when I'm not around." Hal then tugged at Elena's sleeve. "Look how adorable he is. Any ideas for a name, Elena?"
"How about Jerry?" Lanen chimed in.
"No! Too cliché."
"Or Snow White?" Sophia suggested.
"That doesn't fit; he's a boy."
Elena thought carefully. "Look how he's sniffing around everywhere. Why not call him 'Sniffer'?"
"Perfect!" Hal exclaimed happily. "That's the one!"
"..."
Knock, knock, knock.
The group looked up to see a stranger standing before them, rapping the table with his knuckle, with Principal Blank behind him.
"Pardon the interruption, but are you Lanen Banneret, Hal Wesley, Elena Fox, and Sophia Reed?" the stranger asked.
"Yes, that's us. And you are?"
"I'm the mayor's secretary, here to inform you that due to your heroic actions, the mayor plans to meet with you tomorrow morning and hold a joint commendation ceremony for the six of you, setting an example for the citizens."
"You'll come with me in the morning. Don't worry about missing classes; the school has approved it," Principal Blank added.
It was merely a notice, with no option to decline, so they agreed.
Tuesday morning was bright and sunny, sweeping away yesterday's gloom and chill.
The ceremony wasn't the grand spectacle of waving flags and firecrackers one might imagine—there weren't even firecrackers. It was held in a small government hall seating a few dozen.
The room was filled with the town's notable and available dignitaries as the mayor droned on with empty rhetoric.
The awards, however, were substantial.
Old Mac, the Magical Flora and Fauna teacher, and Heidi's group of five were present, forming a line of eleven.
The first to present awards was a representative from the Mage Association—a middle-aged man in a pointed hat and robes. He awarded each a brass medal engraved with a bauhinia flower, accompanied by a case containing five silver coins and a business card.
As the man pinned the last medal, Lanen clearly heard him whisper, "Tell your companions your actions may have drawn the Denton family's ire. If you're in danger, bring this card to the Association for help."
Lanen glanced at the card: "Spellcasters and Arcanists United Association (Mage Association)—Lorendan Branch—Director—Gray Soth."
Next came the police department's commendation for bravery, with each receiving a thin certificate. But the city government's rewards were far richer. Lanen, Elena, Old Mac, and the teacher each received two gold coins, while the others got fifty silver coins each.
After treating everyone the night before, Lanen's wallet had dwindled to twenty-six silver coins (coppers ignored). After today's ceremony, his savings skyrocketed to two gold coins and thirty-six silver coins (coppers still ignored).
Lanen's mood was as bright as the weather outside.
After a round of applause, the ceremony ended, and the dignitaries began to leave.
"Hello, everyone. Please wait. I'm Mike Wallace, a reporter from the Lorendan Times, here to interview the heroes who confronted the criminal."
A neatly dressed reporter stood before them, his slicked-back short hair giving him a sharp, clean appearance.
After the interview, Mike had everyone pose for a photo.
Lanen tilted his chin slightly, keeping his smile subdued.
"Click—"