The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 971: The Expo’s Final Gift
To be fair, Kyle Nox sure as hell didn’t wish for it.
In fact, he most definitely only thought about the minuscule possibility that was even smaller than a crushed speck of dust.
Yes, it was that unlikely.
So what in the flying fuck was this?
In the midst of one banquet they really could have done without, one adjutant was really about to pop a vein.
But to understand what was happening to the usually patient aide, it would be best to backtrack.
Like back to that time when Solara was still basking in the golden hour, as the two-week Expo that had shocked the Empire—and even its allies and enemies—was about to come to a rather successful close.
__
Frankly, only the stressed organizers, the members of DG, and their associates were slightly looking forward to the end of the Annual Expo.
But to be clear, it wasn’t because they disliked it or had qualms about the pleas that definitely exploded as the event’s end drew nearer. It was simply because they had so many other things they needed to focus on.
Given how they had to physically and personally keep reporting for shifts at the expo, it had become much harder to keep up with several things at once. Fortunately, that was supposed to end after today, provided they could survive the citizens’ relentlessness.
Oh.
And the expected hostility and wariness from the other participating guilds.
Safe to say, the people of the Empire were in a frenzy. They were beside themselves, trying to imagine a future in which they would once again hear nothing about DG and their greatness.
Of course, "nothing" was an exaggeration, because even before that, there were reports of them here and there.
But with House Kyros and DG’s historical record of simply vanishing without further news, one could say that their panic was completely justified.
While everyone would know all the vital statistics of members of other popular guilds, whether they liked it or not, they likely wouldn’t even hear a peep about DG until something explosive had already blown over.
And really, no curious and self-respecting netizen wanted such a moment, not when they were already so invested in such people and all the things they were up to.
After how many days of being able to live vicariously through the lucky people who could get into the booth, all of a sudden, they had no idea what they would do tomorrow.
Star Net was practically in mourning.
By the time Luca had announced that the winners of the polishing competition would be divided into house affiliates, masters, and complete amateurs for the sake of additional prizes, people all over Star Net were already weeping.
The reactions were dramatic.
Almost theatrical.
People couldn’t even see each other in the livestream chat, yet they were all in solidarity as they expressed their concerns.
Some even behaved as if it were the last time Luca would ever address them with any sort of announcement.
And the melancholy only continued when DG finally announced the winners of the arts and crafts competitions.
Amid the flood of sad reactions and gloomy statements, the public barely managed to acknowledge one particular result.
The winner of the painting competition was a rather shady yet unbelievably beautiful portrait.
It depicted an exceedingly familiar woman.
And in her arms was a very potato-shaped creature.
"???"
The artwork had actually been the product of two visits and a new relationship status that allowed for such a bold piece. Unsurprisingly, it completely captured the hearts of the cadet judges who knew the story behind it.
Thankfully, there were also less dubious paintings of chickens and vegetables that won prizes in the competition.
Ideally, the participants were supposed to paint their partners, but after many realized this might result in a breakup, many of the submissions they received were paintings of livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
Honestly, one redhead welcomed such pieces and generously graded the works with impossibly high bonus points.
As such, they definitely ended up with more winners than they originally imagined.
Well, as a wonderful piece of news, it did help stabilize the situation.
Then again, maybe they should have started by revealing the prizes first, so everyone could focus on all the good news that had just been announced instead of moping into oblivion.
Because honestly?
A sizeable chunk of the Empire broke when the well-mannered cadet began discussing something they didn’t particularly expect.
The prizes.
Aside from the participants of the polishing competition taking home their components, there would be a tiered allocation of items depending on where the winners placed.
Naturally, that alone already caused a lot of excitement, especially when they could even pick items from the Arcade Redemption Booth instead of just the Minimart.
But Luca didn’t linger on the explanation.
Instead, he continued speaking in his usual polite and earnest manner, mentioning the different placements and what each tier of winners could expect to receive.
Somewhere in that explanation, he also mentioned something else. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
A monthly pass to visit the booth for all the fortunate placers.
The problem was that the golden-eyed miracle bringer glossed over that particular detail almost immediately.
Instead of elaborating, he simply moved on and began respectfully thanking everyone who had participated, supported, and enjoyed the offerings of their booth.
His gratitude was sincere.
Heartfelt.
After all, how could Luca feel anything else for the people who gave them a lot of love and a lot of Star Coins?
Of course, he would express his gratitude with the utmost sincerity, even to the questionable event organizers who likely deserved a different kind of thanks if one asked the opinion of the other members.
But that was for later.
What mattered was how, for a good moment, the people who were still busy mourning the end of the expo didn’t immediately catch on.
But eventually, someone did.
One person paused.
Scrolled back.
And then read the caption for the announcement again.
Wait a moment.
A monthly pass?
A MONTHLY PASS?!
The realization and all the insinuations spread like wildfire.
And just like that, all hell broke loose.
Star Net exploded.
Because safe to say, the one cadet who was already far too popular for his own good somehow managed to become even more popular and desirable simply because of his innocent words.
To think they hadn’t even seen him for the night.
Haaay!
