As the young officer stood up excitedly and announced the shocking news, the entire restaurant seemed to tremble with the sudden glory. Azul and the surrounding soldiers almost simultaneously rose to their feet, cheering loudly, their faces radiating uncontrollable excitement and pride, as if they had directly participated in that astonishing battle. This joy spread like an infection throughout the room, moving from one corner to another, filling the space with a fervent and jubilant atmosphere.
Caught up in this fervor, Azul even began to dance on the spot, high-fiving and hugging several other soldiers as they celebrated this historic moment together. Their laughter and cheers filled the restaurant, and everyone’s eyes sparkled as if they could see the hopeful future of Noxus.
However, amidst this sea of revelry, Fischer appeared unusually calm, even somewhat disdainful. He surveyed those around him with a cold gaze, his expression showing little change except for his eyebrows occasionally twitching slightly, revealing his inner displeasure. When he saw Azul nearly losing control in his excitement, he could no longer hold back. He strode over and roughly grabbed Azul's shoulder, pulling him back into his seat. This sudden action left Azul momentarily stunned as he plopped heavily back into his chair.
Fischer continued to chew on his bread calmly, as if his earlier action was nothing significant. His voice cut through the surrounding noise with a calm yet ruthless tone: "You’ve got to be kidding me. Happy like this? It’s ridiculous." This statement was like a bucket of cold water dousing Azul's fiery enthusiasm, causing it to cool instantly as he gradually became aware of his excessive behavior and awkwardly lowered his head. The surrounding laughter and cheer contrasted sharply with Fischer's indifference, leaving Azul feeling a mix of helplessness and soberness.
Azul was momentarily taken aback by Fischer's cold and almost contemptuous attitude. He rubbed his forehead in confusion, not understanding why Fischer reacted so coldly to such sudden good news. Hesitantly, he asked, "What’s wrong with you, senior? Did I do something?"
Fischer glanced at Azul with an expression that seemed to regard him as a completely naive rookie, laced with disdain and a smirk. His voice was low and filled with sarcasm: "Don’t you find it strange? Just a few months ago, Noxus's Summoner faced consecutive defeats... And today suddenly achieving something no one on the continent has managed? Don’t you think it’s absurd?"
His words were sharp, seemingly accusing the current celebration as nothing more than a ridiculous farce. Fischer continued in a low voice, tinged with sarcasm and warning: "There are no victories without effort in this world, kid. Behind today’s celebration may lie costs we cannot see. Don’t be blinded by surface glamour."
Hearing these words stirred a sense of doubt within Azul; Fischer's calmness and warning made him ponder whether there was indeed an untold story or price behind this sudden glory.
Azul found himself deeply reflecting on Fischer's words; turmoil of unease and confusion churned within him. Today's victory came so unexpectedly that it was hard to grasp any substantial evidence to verify its authenticity. This sudden triumph felt like it had fallen from the sky—a tremendous shock for Noxus, which was accustomed to witnessing the Summoner's repeated failures. Azul couldn't help but wonder if there were hidden truths behind this abrupt change.
"Regardless," Azul finally broke the silence with a low voice tinged with uncertain hope, "we’ll know the answer next week. Whether they truly have that kind of capability..." His words revealed an expectation for the future but also carried a hint of worry.
Upon hearing this response, Fischer shook his head lightly, a complex smile curling at the corners of his mouth. His gaze was deep, as if he could see through Azul's heart. "Then you better eat up," he said in a low mocking tone, "because when it comes down to fighting, you might not even have food to eat." This statement served not only as a reminder for Azul but also subtly hinted at the potential instability that lay ahead for Noxus. He made Azul realize that no matter how dazzling the Summoner's victory might be, Noxus's warriors must always be prepared for an unknown war that could arrive at their doorstep at any moment. This blend of jest and seriousness deepened Azul's confusion while also making him acutely aware of the impending pressure and harsh realities of war.
After finishing lunch, Azul returned to the barracks' lounge and found an exceptionally lively atmosphere. The entire space was filled with excited conversations among soldiers; most were discussing the recently learned news of the Summoner defeating Nightmare. Some soldiers' eyes sparkled with hope as they firmly believed that Noxus was about to welcome a new spring; they saw this as an opportunity that would lead Noxus toward greater glory.
However, there were also some soldiers who held a skeptical attitude. They whispered among themselves about the possible political motives and manipulations hidden behind this sudden victory. These soldiers believed that such a rapid change must have some unknown secrets behind it, and they worried that it was merely a carefully orchestrated play by the higher-ups for some unspeakable purposes.
The discussions in the lounge rose and fell, with varying volumes, but every time Summoner was mentioned, the emotions ran exceptionally high. Azul chose a more Silence approach; he leaned against the cold wall, closed his eyes, and tried to detach himself from the chaotic discussions. His heart was filled with contradictions and confusion. On one hand, he hoped that Noxus could truly become stronger because of this victory; on the other hand, he was influenced by Fischer's calm analysis, fearing that all of this was just a meticulously designed illusion. Amidst the soldiers' excitement and fervor, Azul felt like an isolated observer. He could only silently seek a balance within himself, waiting for time to reveal the truth.
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