The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]

As if the universe hadn’t already been unfair enough, the audience suddenly heard a series of familiar clicks and clanks coming from one particular section of the stands. Countless heads turned almost in unison, only for everyone to realize that, once again, the people associated with DG were pulling out those now-famous food containers that had once taken Star Net by storm.

The only difference this time was that, instead of merely making everyone jealous, the lucky military personnel selected from headquarters had apparently been included as well.

One after another, they proudly pulled out matching lunchboxes, their expressions practically screaming victory. They’d fought tooth and nail for those seats without knowing there’d be any additional perks, simply wanting to witness such a momentous occasion in person. Yet somehow, they’d ended up being handed the same precious lunchboxes once received by those who survived the battle at Zone Four.

They genuinely felt as though they’d made it in life.

For everyone else, however, the sight was met with gawking stares and disbelieving scoffs.

The injustice!

Even the section reserved for the master mechanics wasn’t spared.

A palpable sense of envy spread through the area as meals began arriving one after another. They’d all been delighted to hear that something called catering had been arranged for today’s examination. And having experience with Luca’s kindness, they were certain it would be a great experience and they weren’t even wrong.

But the moment that blasted Quinn opened his lunchbox, it became painfully obvious that his meal belonged to an entirely different league.

The old man didn’t even have the decency to look apologetic.

Instead, he ate with the smug satisfaction of someone fully aware that every pair of eyes around him was glaring daggers.

Still, the guild that had once again climbed to the top of Star Net’s trending discussions wasn’t nearly heartless enough to leave everyone else starving.

Nor were they unenterprising enough to let such an opportunity go to waste.

The moment Luca realized tens of thousands of spectators had nowhere to buy food while they themselves would have some sort of lunch, he immediately volunteered the services of DG’s ever-reliable popcorn and beverage machines.

Not only would they be able to make sure everyone interested had access to food, they’d also be able to earn a little on the side while maintaining even tighter surveillance with those specialized machines.

So just as the fortunate few were happily enjoying meals prepared by the dungeon’s kitchen, and just as everyone else began resigning themselves to watching with empty stomachs, a series of mechanical whirs echoed throughout the arena.

Several ears twitched.

Then came the unmistakable scent of melting butter that had people unconsciously salivating.

Moments later, the rich aroma of freshly grilled skewers drifted through the stands as the new addition to the menu took everyone by storm.

People actually stood up in panic and surprise.

No one had expected the official licensure examination to suddenly include refreshments.

If the attendees had already been proud of the tickets they’d managed to secure, this unexpected turn of events only made them even more elated.

The muscle aches and psychological trauma had truly been worth it!

Sure, they weren’t fortunate enough to receive the lovingly prepared lunchboxes that had clearly been packed specifically for DG and their friends.

Even so, for countless people who had only ever admired those famous delicacies through pictures and videos on Star Net, finally getting to taste them in person was already an unforgettable experience.

Who would’ve thought attending the examination live came with benefits like this?

Naturally, there was another reason Luca had arranged everything this way.

The moment refreshments became available, the atmosphere throughout the arena changed completely.

People who had been obsessively watching every movement of Ollie’s hands suddenly found themselves debating a far more difficult question.

Should they continue studying the manufacturing process...

Or should they go get food before all of it disappears?

Even many of the spies who had come solely to observe Ollie’s techniques found themselves glancing back and forth between the testing grounds and the refreshment stalls.

It was, admittedly, an extraordinarily difficult decision.

As a result, while the audience busied themselves deciding what to put into their mouths, far fewer eyes remained on Ollie as the next stage quietly progressed on its own. While he enjoyed his meal, the freshly manufactured components sat submerged in an automated bath of spiritual water, allowing the spiritual energy to gradually permeate each designated part.

By the time anyone looked back toward the arena, the curing process had already finished.

They really couldn’t have asked for a better distraction.

But as though the heavens had decided to answer Ollie’s prayers in the strangest way imaginable, even more unexpected distractions soon descended upon today’s examination.

Namely, two individuals who somehow concluded that approaching people quietly enjoying their meals was the smartest decision they could possibly make.

See, the Luxastra twins were thoroughly dissatisfied.

In their eyes, it was nothing short of insulting that royals of their standing were expected to eat exactly the same food as ordinary Imperials.

Sure, the other dukes who had similarly forced their way into the audience were about to receive the very same meals, but that wasn’t the point.

The point was that they had never been treated with so little regard that even their pride struggled to accept it.

They’d gone through the trouble of convincing devoted admirers to surrender their precious tickets so they, along with several attendants, could attend today’s examination. They’d even made a point of mentioning their attendance when they confronted Killian before the event.

How could the Empire possibly claim not to have known they would be here?

Shouldn’t that alone have earned them treatment befitting their status?

Or were these Imperials really planning to pretend no special accommodations were necessary simply because they hadn’t been invited in an official capacity?

Even the innovators from their own kingdom were receiving better treatment simply because they had something to do with mecha manufacturing. How could they not be infuriated by such an obvious disparity?

The more they thought about it, the more aggrieved they became.

Then they spotted an especially irritating sight.

The very people they’d crossed paths with in the restroom earlier were seated together as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Owen Mylor, suddenly blissfully oblivious to everything around him, was happily occupied with the impressive meal before him, looking perfectly content to let the world sort itself out while he finally concentrated on eating instead of something else.

The problem lay with the other two.

Jackson Taylor casually reached over with his utensils, holding up a bite toward the Empire’s Chief of Staff while staring at him.

”Open.”

Killian didn’t even look away from whatever had supposedly captured his attention elsewhere. He simply parted his lips without hesitation, accepted the bite, and continued staring ahead as though absolutely nothing unusual had happened.

”...”

”...?”

But only an idiot would believe that was the real score when the exposed tip of Killian’s ear looked moments away from spontaneously combusting.

The twins couldn’t quite put their finger on it, but something about the atmosphere between those two felt fundamentally wrong, especially in the eyes of people pursuing the very same man.

Argh!

They couldn’t help but see red.

Thankfully, the situation also presented the perfect opportunity.

The Minister and his wife were seated right there.

Killian was nearby.

What better opportunity could there be to gently air their grievances while putting the Empire’s Chief of Staff in an awkward position before so many witnesses?

The two exchanged a subtle glance before gracefully stepping forward, sweet, pitiful voices already at the ready to draw Killian’s attention, only for an unexpected blockade to stop them in their tracks—

”Aah!”

”Ow!”

The twins cried out almost simultaneously as a sharp pain suddenly shot through them.

”What the—?!”