The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Then, with the help of the other committee members, everyone dispersed. Soon after, the committee announced for the participants to enter the competition room to hear the results of the first session.
Everyone became curious, and hearts began to race...
Meanwhile, Angela was gently tending to Art's wounds from the earlier fight, which had left him injured.
"Thank you, Angela, you're so kind. I truly owe you!" said Art.
"You're welcome. Ever since I first met you, I believed that you are a talented and kind person," Angela replied with a caring tone.
Art was captivated by Angela's kindness and warmth, always showing concern for him.
Then, the previously tense atmosphere turned romantic...
"Dear participants, we will soon announce the winners from ranks 1 to 8, and they will receive prizes," announced the committee.
"Wuaahhh?" all the participants shouted in increasing anticipation.
"And now we will start announcing from the 8th place," the committee continued.
"The winner is... Delvi! Congratulations to Delvi, number 13, with the painting titled Heavenly Rose, which is truly beautiful. Please come to the podium to receive your prize."
Everyone applauded and congratulated Delvi, a friend of Rojan and Polo.
"Hehehe, congratulations Delvi, you're amazing!" added Polo and Rojan.
"Yeees, thank you, this is all thanks to your support. I'm sure you'll be the first-place winner, Rojan, my charming prince!" praised Delvi.
"Hehehe, of course. I can't wait to mock that fool Art," said Rojan.
"Ugh, Art, I'm getting curious. Who's next?" Angela asked nervously.
"Hmm, don't worry Angela, you and I will surely be at the top," Art said confidently.
"Hah, I hope so," Angela replied.
"Yeah, I wonder what my rank is?" shouted Tomy and the rest of Art's friends.
"Relax, guys. Our team will definitely be the champions—just like our school's soccer team!" Art encouraged his friends with enthusiasm.
"Hmm, let's hope so, Art. We're really curious now, because out of thousands of participants, only a few made it to the nominations!" added Avicii.
Then, the committee announced the next winner.
"In 7th place is... Jack!"
With number 5 and a painting titled Abstract Mountain Landscape.
"Congratulations to Jack," all the participants applauded...
"Hooray!" shouted Jack. Art and his friends congratulated him.
"And in 6th place is... Polo! With number 3 and a painting titled Wild Wolf."
Art also couldn't wait to hear who the top winners were. But for him, win or lose didn't matter.
What mattered most was the experience of participating in the biggest and most unique competition in Venice. Art could express his creativity—maybe just as a hobby—not for the prize.
Meanwhile, Rojan, who had been anxious the whole time, also wanted to know the winner. Truthfully, he didn't want to join this competition in the first place; he only did it because of his father's command—Captain of the pirates.
All participants were on edge, wondering: who would win next? Many prayed in their hearts to be on the winner's list. Everyone's attention was focused on the announcer.
Those whose names weren't called would be eliminated and would have to try again next year. The winners would proceed to the next round, which would feature different themes like dance, painting, singing, music, and more.
One committee member stood with a paper containing the winners' list. Meanwhile, the judges were still busy debating which artwork deserved to win.
Judging beautiful and meaningful artwork was not easy because these paintings would become the blueprint for advanced Metaverse environments.
Art suddenly held Angela's hand—soft, pale, and delicate.
Angela's lovely eyes looked at him gently and full of affection. Her lips, tinted soft pink with glossy lipstick, were framed by elegant eyebrows, like a goddess of fortune—symbolizing beauty, luck, and peace.
Art felt like the luckiest man alive to have her.
He gazed into her eyes, full of admiration. Angela had been his strength through all of life's hardship.
Angela also held his cold yet passionate hand—filled with love and sincerity.
"Who do you think will win?" asked Angela.
"Believe me, we will win!" replied Art.
"Really?" Angela said.
"Yes, we have to stay optimistic!" said Art.
"I came all the way from Canada just to join this art competition. And I didn't expect to meet a charming guy like you!" Angela added.
"Hehehe, thanks for the compliment, Angela. I'm grateful to you. Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to enter this big competition," Art said.
"Ah, don't mention it," Angela said.
"Alright, let's just wait and see who wins next, okay?" Art replied.
Meanwhile, a Cat Angel was roaming around the room, as if noticing something...
But Art ignored it for now and focused on the announcement.
The committee took a short break to review the remaining top 5 results.
All the entries were excellent, making it very challenging for the committee.
"And in 5th place is... Tommy!!" the committee announced.
"Woooow!" the crowd erupted in excitement.
"Yes, Tommy, with number 12 and the painting Tears of a God!" said the announcer.
"Hehehe, congrats Tommy!" said Angela and Art.
"Okay, okay, thank you, everyone!" said Tommy.
The committee directed the winners to come to the podium.
"And in 4th place is... Avicii! With number 9 and the painting Mutualism Symbiosis. Congratulations, Avicii!" (Clapping)
"Hehehe, thank you, everyone. I love you all!" Avicii replied.
"Next up, the participant with the painting titled Red Rose and Angel in Toronto, who could it be?" the announcer called.
"Hooray, that's me!" shouted Angela from the crowd.
"Ohh, so it's you, Angela?" said Art, curious.
"Hehehe, yes, Art, that's the title of my painting!" Angela said excitedly.
"Yes, Angela is in 3rd place with number 7. Congratulations! That painting is truly beautiful!" said the committee.
Her friends cheered for Angela.
"Congrats, Angela," said the others.
Art congratulated her, "I'm so touched, Angela. It wasn't in vain that you came all the way from Toronto—you made it to the top three."
"Yes, Art, thank you!" Angela replied.
"Now, next up... woooowww... who could it be?" said the announcer.
The remaining participants grew more anxious—hoping to hear their names.
"We will now announce the 2nd place winner…"
"Which is?..."
But the committee suddenly changed course.
One member whispered to the announcer,
"Sir, let's announce the 1st place winner first to avoid conflict. This is a wise choice since we're being cautious about that Rojan, the pirate captain's son. He and Art are the top contenders."
"Alright then," the announcer said.
"Apologies, everyone. We will now announce the 1st place winner first."
"According to our evaluation, it was very difficult to judge between 1st and 2nd places. Both artworks were excellent and very close in quality."
"And the 1st place winner is…"
Everyone grew tense, hearts pounding rapidly.
"Hmmm, it must be me," Rojan muttered.
Art had a feeling too, "Could it be what the Cat Angel predicted? Maybe it's really me this time?"
This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"And the winner is… Aaaaaarrrrrtttt!" shouted the announcer.
"Hooray!!" Art jumped with joy, overwhelmed with emotion. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Yes, Art with the painting Future City of Venice, number 8. His artwork truly mesmerized the judges," said the committee.
"Hehehe, congrats Art," said Angela and his friends.
Art cried tears of joy.
And then suddenly, Angela kissed him on the lips.
"I can't believe we both became winners," said Art.
"Yes, Art. Do you love me?" Angela asked.
Art kept gazing at her, unable to speak his feelings just yet.
It was such a romantic moment.
But Art missed a golden chance—maybe because the moment was so sudden and rare—even though he truly loved her.
"And in 2nd place is... Roooojaaaaan!"
With number 9 and a painting titled Angel of Triumph! announced the committee.
"Ugh, damn it!" Rojan muttered. "Just wait, Art. I'll get you for this!"
"Come on, boss, second place isn't so bad. At least it's not for nothing," Polo tried to calm him.
"How could I come second to Art? My father will be furious! You know how ambitious and strict he is! He won't accept anything less than first!" Rojan complained.
"Relax, boss. Let Delvi and me explain it to him later," Polo said.
"Alright then. Thanks, guys," said Rojan.
"And those are the winners of this major competition. Please step forward to receive your prizes," said the committee.
Art walked up to receive his golden trophy.
The organizer then informed Art that his painting was purchased by the mayor for a fantastic price: one billion dollars.
"Wuuuaaaaaahhhh!" the crowd shouted in awe.
The committee added that the mayor himself had attended the competition and that the winning artworks would be auctioned and displayed in Venice's Museum of Classic and Historical Art, and used to create Metaverse environments.
It was truly a special, joyful, and rare moment.
Then the committee announced that next year, there would be a drama-musical theater competition!
Art and his friends went home happily with their prizes.
This was the day Art found true luck. He never expected to win and receive such recognition from the mayor.
He now believed that his true calling was to become a renowned artist. All his long-suppressed feelings now felt fulfilled and complete.
But meanwhile, Rojan, Polo, and Delvi boarded a ship and sailed back to the land of Arial.
Once they arrived, Rojan was scolded by Captain Arial.
"How could you lose to that boy—what's his name?" asked Captain Arial in frustration.