The Bitter Triumph of Alpheas

The grand hall was filled with the sound of fanfares.

Alpheas shed tears of joy as colorful paper fell from the ceiling, showering him.

The Gold Circle Award is given to the magician who achieves the greatest accomplishment of the year. Winning it not only guarantees a place in the national think tank but also provides numerous benefits and support.

"Congratulations, Alpheas. I knew you'd win it," one said.

"I hope you continue to do well. You won't forget about your old friends now that you've made it, right?" another asked.

As Alpheas's reputation rose, many magicians sought to align themselves with him, hoping to secure a future connection.

However, there were definitely some who were less than pleased.

Especially Sarof, who had competed fiercely for the top spot, looked as if he had just bitten into something sour.

"Hmph, he rose to fame by catching an idiot. With the combination of Mirhi and Bastard, how could anyone beat that?" Sarof muttered.

"Yeah, you're right. It's truly a clever friend, but what can we do? The result is as it is. From now on, we should be careful with our words around Alpheas."

Sarof, knowing that he could not leave the magical society, realized that making nice with Alpheas was the best course of action.

"What now, Sarof? If we meet separately, it'll look strange. Should we try to subtly reconcile?"

"No, I'm not in the mood. You go on. I'll be fine."

"We're in the same boat. Let's just meet up later. Two is better than one. Shall we go to a bar?"

"Yeah, I think we should. I don't want to stay here any longer."

Sarof, who was also a finalist, was ignored by everyone as he made his exit.

Clump burst out laughing, pulling Alpheas through the crowd.

"Hahaha! You did it! My friend won the Gold Circle Award! I can't believe it!"

"Ouch! That hurts!" Alpheas screamed as Clump tightened his grip on his arm.

"I wanted to smack you every time you acted smart, but now I see you're a real genius, huh? You did it, buddy!"

Alpheas, though his head pounded with pain, had no intention of escaping Clump's grasp.

The Gold Circle Award! When else would he get to enjoy such thrilling pain if not today?

"Come on, let's drink until our noses are crooked. I've booked a bar, so we just need to bring our stomachs, not our brains."

Finally freed from Clump's grasp, Alpheas said with a regretful expression, "Ah, I don't think I can go right away. I need to go somewhere for a bit."

"What? The guest of honor is skipping out on the toast?"

"I just need to go home for a minute. I want to give my wife the medal."

Clump couldn't stop him.

Alpheas had married Erina a year ago, but due to both families' objections, they hadn't received any support and were living in a modest, working-class home.

It all began with the Mirhi family. When their son, who had been sent to the capital for studies, decided to marry someone they deemed unsuitable, they refused outright.

The Bastard family also stood firm in their opposition. Even though they were of the same first-class rank, the capital was far more prestigious, and they had no reason to be concerned even if their daughter had some shortcomings.

In the end, the two had to settle for a small, unofficial wedding attended only by their friends.

"I see. So you do have a wife. Why don't you bring her over?"

"No, she wouldn't want to see me stumbling around drunk. I'll be back soon."

"You're sharp, I see. Go on quickly, then."

"Got it. You go on ahead to the bar."

Alpheas rushed out, almost fleeing from the scene.

He was exhausted from the endless research, but today, he didn't even feel out of breath.

'I did it. I really did it!'

He had won the world's most prestigious award.

With this achievement, the Mirhi family would have no choice but to accept him again, and marrying Erina properly was no longer just a dream.

"Hey, I'm home."

Erina, who knew it was the award announcement day, emerged from the kitchen just like any other day.

"You're home? Have you eaten?"

Alpheas, seeing Erina's calm demeanor, felt a wave of gratitude. She wasn't a child mentally just because her intelligence might be deemed lower. Her thoughtfulness when he had failed earlier had always moved him.

"Erina, I…"

Alpheas nervously pulled out the golden medal from his pocket.

"I did it! I won the Gold Circle!"

Erina, always composed, couldn't help but let her eyes flicker with joy at his words.

The day Alpheas had always dreamed of had finally come true.

"Congratulations. This is really amazing."

"No, it's all because of you. You did it all. Come here, let me put it on you."

Alpheas believed that Erina was the true owner of the Gold Circle.

Of course, Clump, in his usual blunt style, said that realizing the true meaning of Erina's words was more impressive than any child's words, but Alpheas knew. The small thought that had come from Erina's mind would become the key code that would shape the future of humanity.

"Look at this. This is the emperor's seal from the Empire. It means the world recognizes your thoughts."

The official announcement had been sent to the countries the day before, but the medal was only one.

Rumors that it had been shipped to Toromia spread late at night, but since Sarof was also a finalist, no one could afford to relax until the very end.

"Here, this is the prize."

Alpheas leaned in to give Erina the medal, but she shyly stepped back and said, "You should eat first. Hurry up."

"Ah, right. Sorry. Clump's holding a party, so I'll have to go. I'll eat later."

"Ah, I see."

Erina tried to hide her disappointment, but Alpheas smiled brightly, scooping her up in his arms.

"Well, we have to save time even for dinner."

"Ah!" Erina squealed as Alpheas dashed upstairs with her in his arms.

"Wait! You'll burn the bread!" she shouted.

"Let it burn! If not, I'll burn you instead!"

After his victory, Alpheas received dozens of invitations each day, all from prestigious aristocrats and organizations.

He maintained his belief that he wasn't interested in mingling with anyone, as it would only lower his status.

He refused all invitations except those from influential people, raising his profile, and his fame spread quickly. Today, he was on his way to attend a banquet hosted by the Alchemy Foundation.

Meanwhile, Sarof and his friends, unaware of Alpheas's plans, had been waiting anxiously outside his house since before dusk. Their impatience was palpable.

Sarof let out a deep sigh.

"Hah, this is humiliating."

"Is it really about pride? The value has skyrocketed. Alpheas, he wasn't just a magician who was good at his craft. I should have talked to him during the award ceremony," another remarked.

Sarof was filled with regret.

In just a month, Alpheas's reputation had soared to unimaginable heights. All of it was due to his exceptional political acumen.

Now, Alpheas was selective about whom he associated with, making it even harder for Sarof to find an opening.

"Dammit, I can't bow my head, but it looks like I'll be kneeling soon. Why does nothing ever go my way?"

At least he had his friends by his side, which somewhat alleviated his embarrassment.

"Let's head in. I'll handle the talk," Sarof said as he approached the front door and knocked.

"Is Alpheas home? It's Sarof."

To his surprise, it was Erina who answered the door.

"Who are you?"

"Ah, it's his wife. You might not remember me, but I'm Sarof, Alpheas's classmate. Is Alpheas home?"

"No, he's out. He went to the Alchemy Foundation."

Sarof knew about the banquet, but since it wasn't a drinking party, it wouldn't take long. He thought it was better this way.

"I see. Would it be alright if I wait inside? There's a lot of attention, and it's... a little awkward outside."

Erina agreed and let them in. They sat anxiously in the living room as time passed, waiting for Alpheas to return.

Seeing their unease, Erina decided to bring them food and drinks.

"Please eat something. He'll be back to eat later."

"Thank you, you're very kind," Sarof said, regretting not bringing a gift.

He had thought about buying one but couldn't bring himself to give it, fearing it would seem insincere.

'Right, it wasn't my skill that let me down.'

Sarof thought that even though Alpheas and Erina had severed ties with their families, their first-class status must have influenced the evaluations they received.

As he drank more, his resentment only grew.

"I'll tell you! I was once someone who could have shocked the world! Me, of all people!"

"Who's to say otherwise? This world is unfair! The ones who worked hard suffer, while some people use connections to rise! Magic is already dead!" Sarof ranted, not holding back.

Despite knowing he was targeting Alpheas, Sarof couldn't stop. His bottled-up frustration finally found an outlet.

"Hah, this is nothing compared to the humiliation that bastard put me through. Whatever."

Sarof, his eyes heavy with drunkenness, turned to Erina.

"Isn't that right, Erina? Magic doesn't just rely on talent, does it? You agree, don't you?"

"I... I don't know much about it."

"Ha! Of course, you wouldn't. But that's the truth. Everything I say is the truth."

People often assume that those with lower intelligence don't understand anything, but it's always the weaker ones who can read emotions.

Seeing Erina's troubled expression, Sarof's friends began to speak up.

"Think about it. The first-class