The students looked at each other, confused and awed. They looked back at Daniel, the 'myth' the Director was talking about.
"As the… unequivocally top-ranked Aspirant of this set," Wexford said, pointing a hand toward Daniel, "Daniel Rivers, on behalf of Vanguard Academy, it is my honor to present you with these tokens of your exceptional… thoroughness."
Daniel felt a pull, then he stepped out of the crowd. The students parted for him instantly, creating a wide path leading straight to the stage.
He walked forward. His boots clicked on the floor. He walked up the stairs to the stage and stood before the Director.
Wexford clapped his hands once. The air beside the Director shimmered and distorted. A golden chest materialized from thin air.
It floated there, rotating slowly. It was the Apex Vanguard Cache. The chest opened with a soft hiss of escaping steam.
Several items appeared on a floating tray beside the Director, hovering in the air so everyone could see them.
