The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 555

Chapter 555: The Prototype Problem

Destroy.

Destroy...

DESTROY...

It practically echoed across the arena.

At one point, one could definitely hear a pin drop. Not metaphorically. Literally.

Marshal Julian was almost certain he could hear his own blood circulating. Every beat felt like a drumline out of sync, and when that boy—that boy—called out to him so casually, his heart skipped like a scratched record.

He was sure he wasn’t the only one.

Even the master with the worst hearing among them probably heard it crystal clear.

Then—

GASP.

The air snapped. Time unpaused. And chaos exploded.

Tables screeched. Stools tilted. Wrinkled limbs launched into motion.

Even Master Allan was halfway through crawling over the panel table with murder in his eyes and spit flying from his mouth.

"WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE WAS THAT?!"

"UGH! MY HEART!"

"QUINN, YOU PRICK! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"

"WAIT, WHY ME?!"

Several of the older masters were engaged in an ungraceful shoving match, scrambling to determine who would be the first to throw themselves across the tables and reach Luca. They looked ready to expend their final slivers of life energy just to throttle the child and rescue the mecha from his obviously unworthy hands.

The noble cause? Saving the mecha.

If they died in the process, so be it.

Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately for Luca—the attempted stampede was halted.

Because Luca was no longer within reach.

He had been gently swept into the protective arms of a tall, calm figure who had not been derailed by the chaos, nor by an unfortunate seating choice earlier.

Face met chest.

Luca blinked.

"...Xavier?"

"Mn. I’m here," came the low reply, spoken as Xavier positioned a steady hand behind Luca’s head. "Do you have something you want to tell them?"

Honestly, he almost froze the moment Luca said that. But it was his little honest chipmunk. And considering that, Luca was likely planning something else entirely.

Surely there was more to it.

At least, he hoped there was more to it.

Because that sounded a lot like his spouse had just asked the highest-ranking military officer to destroy what was already promised imperial property. Which explained why Xavier had crossed the auditorium like a man on a mission.

Luca, still confused, tilted his head. "Why? What’s wrong? Weren’t you sitting over there?"

"Just a possible misunderstanding. Let’s try to clear it up," Xavier said gently, standing firm like a wall between Luca and the dozens of people losing their collective minds.

Marshal Julian, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to vanish from the planet. If not that, then maybe request an assignment in deep space.

He wanted to close his eyes.

He wanted to stop existing.

At the very least, he needed earplugs.

Because what was he supposed to do if his sister—the Empress of Solaris—heard about this?

He couldn’t even fake an illness. That excuse had already been used twice this quarter.

And frankly, even a lifelong bachelor like him could tell what this was.

Now, would it be too late to look the other way?!

The moment Xavier had ignored custom and crossed the floor without being called—what could anyone even say?

Julian counted to three in his head, slapped a neutral expression on his face, and said in the calmest voice he could manage:

"Cadet Kyros, would you like to explain further?"

Xavier slowly relaxed his hold, and Luca, now blinking wide-eyed like a student just realizing there was a pop quiz, turned to look at the audience.

Dozens of eyes stared back.

So did his parents.

And his friends.

Oh no.

He had definitely said something bad.

Luca realized this with the weight of dawning horror and made a mental note never to shout things like that again in public.

He bowed politely and said, "Marshal, I would like to deeply apologize. I realize that in my excitement, I have failed to string the correct words..."

The entire auditorium sighed like a hurricane being deflated.

And then Luca continued.

"Actually, this mecha was built to properly demonstrate the usefulness of the mecha I was really planning on making for the exam."

"...?"

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