Not the Hero, Not the Villain — Just the One Who Wins-Chapter 66: Day 2 Ends and Chaos begins

Me and Sasha returned to the stall just as the sky turned deep orange.

The moment we stepped past the banner, silence fell.

Everyone stared at us.

No one smiled.

Julie, arms crossed, flour on her cheek.

Seraphina, tapping her foot with dramatic flair.

Lucielle, holding a ledger, expression unreadable.

Eren looked exhausted. Noora just shook her head.

Even Masha gave me a deadpan glare while holding Yumi’s hand.

Yeah.

They were ready to kill us.

"Okay, okay," I said, raising my hands in surrender. "That glare could cook a steak. Fair. I dumped everything on you."

Masha stepped forward calmly. "While you were enjoying your romantic detour, we had a record-breaking day. Seven hundred gold coins in one day."

"Seven hundred?" I blinked. "I guess... that’s nice."

Julie threw her rag at me. "Nice?! Nobody in the history of this Academy has ever earned that much from a food stall! Not even the royal chefs! Why are you like this? Why are you so damn greedy?!"

I looked at her. "Because I have to be. You don’t know anything about me."

There was a quiet pause.

Seraphina flicked her hair over her shoulder and sauntered closer.

"It’s only a matter of time until I do," she said sweetly. "And don’t forget... our date is tomorrow. Miss it and there will be consequences."

"Yeah," I muttered. "I know."

But my thoughts were elsewhere.

Because tomorrow...

Tomorrow was the real challenge.

"The closing ceremony," I said aloud. "The highest nobles, kings, queens, princes, princesses... they’ll all be there. Watching. Judging."

Julie frowned. "You think they care about student food stalls?"

"Not the stalls," I said. "But the strength on display."

The tournament. The official Spar for the title of Best Student in the Academy.

Rin would win that one.

I knew it. Not because he was the strongest—he wasn’t. There were stronger students. Layla. Kali. Maybe others. But they all had better things to do. They saw it as stupid pageantry.

But Rin? Rin knew how to make a moment. He understood image, spectacle, and the value of applause.

And so the title would fall to him.

But the event wasn’t just about titles. It was about power. Strength. Influence. The Academy would be at its brightest tomorrow—and everyone would be watching.

The three strongest academies in the world.

That’s what I had already said.

Our academy, built upon neutral territory and backed by the strongest human factions.

The second, belonging to the dragons—forged in the volcanic region of the Pyronis mountains, built around strength, combat, and fire discipline.

And the third: the Vampire Academy.

The strongest.

Unlike the other two, the Vampire Academy welcomed multiple races within its walls—though discrimination still lived in whispers and stares. Even so, their magic, control, and unity made them dominant.

According to Ashen’s memories, when the calamities arise, and war returns to the world, there will be a grand competition—a moment to settle the age-old question: who is truly strongest?

And the Vampire Academy will crush everyone.

But that day was still far.

Tomorrow, their leaders—kings and queens of both Vampire and Dragon Kingdoms—would arrive at our Academy.

Not just as guests.

But as judges.

Their eyes would linger not only on the tournament, but on everything.

How we acted.

What we stood for.

Who shone the brightest.

Then, pain.

A surge of memory stabbed through my skull like a burning spear.

I staggered, clutching the edge of a crate.

"Ashen?" Sasha asked, stepping forward.

Masha moved, but I raised a hand.

’Not now... not again...’

Visions.

Too vivid.

Memories not mine. Or rather, not just mine.

People. Places. Fates.

And one name louder than the rest.

Lilith Dravon.

The Queen of the Dragon Kingdom.

She ruled Pyronis—a molten land of fire-forged honor and devastating power. Despite her youth, she wore the crown.

But she was also here.

A student at the Academy.

Kind, genuine, strong in both body and heart.

She treated her servants like equals. Helped the injured herself. Had no love for pomp, though it followed her everywhere.

Her parents had died at the hands of her own blood. Uncle. Aunt. Smiling faces hiding sharpened blades.

And one day... they would take her down, too.

Her fate was sealed.

She would fall not from war, but betrayal.

And I would be there when it began.

I clenched my fist as the vision faded.

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow would be far more than a closing ceremony.

It would be a battlefield of masks, titles, and buried intentions.

Let’s see what happens.

I woke up to the soft glow of dawn slipping through the enchanted window screens. For once, I had slept well. A full, undisturbed sleep.

And why not?

The last two days had been a complete success. Nearly one thousand gold coins in profit. More praise than the Academy’s battle rankings ever gave me.

Today, I had plans. Strategic ones.

By evening, when the highest nobles from across the world would arrive for the closing ceremony, our prices would spike. I would change the pricing structure: base menu hidden, and instead, we’d announce that only "VIP exclusive" dishes were left.

Each costing five gold coins.

If all went well, we’d hit today’s target: 2,000 gold coins.

I stretched my arms and sat up.

Something warm shifted beside me.

I turned to see Yumi, curled up next to me like a sleeping kitten, her tiny hands clutching the edge of the blanket. Her silvery hair splayed over the pillow, and her sleeping face looked even more angelic than usual.

Adorable didn’t do her justice.

I gently patted her head.

"Yumi. Time to wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a few times.

"Mmm... big brother... morning," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Come on, Chief Critic. Big day ahead."

She stretched her little arms. "Do I have to wear the apron again?"

"Only if you want your fan club to keep growing."

She gasped dramatically. "Fine! I shall lead our empire with pride!"

After dressing and washing up, I took her for a short walk around the still-quiet campus courtyard. It was peaceful—flowers just beginning to open, birds chirping lazily. Yumi skipped beside me, holding my hand.

"Ashen," she said suddenly. "Will you still be around when I’m big?"

"Probably," I replied, squeezing her hand gently.

"Promise?"

I looked at her. So innocent. So unaware of what fate often did to those who smiled.

"I promise," I lied.

By mid-morning, the Academy plaza was transforming again. Decorations for the closing ceremony were being raised: grand banners bearing the crests of kingdoms, elevated viewing stands, even enchanted orbs to broadcast visuals across long distances.

It was time for the real battle.

The third and final day of the Academy Fest.

Crowds gathered. Our staff lined up. Everyone back in place.

Julie took over broth control. Sasha took charge of deliveries. Seraphina managed customer charm. Masha coordinated everything silently like the general she was.

I joined in too—took orders, greeted customers, even moved crates myself.

The line stretched across the plaza.

Until a sudden ripple passed through the crowd.

Queen Althea of the Nowa Kingdom arrived.

And with her, Liora.

The Queen stood tall, radiating grace and quiet power. Her hair was bound in silver coils, a deep-blue royal dress fluttering around her.

"Ashen," she said with a smile. "You’ve really changed, haven’t you? Working hard. Earning your name. I must say... it’s admirable."

I gave her a polite nod. "My Queen. What would you like to eat today?"

She chuckled. "I didn’t come here to eat. I came to talk."

I exhaled, gesturing toward the line behind me. "And I would love to talk, Your Majesty. But if I leave this stall for even one minute, the kitchen might literally catch fire."

I pointed toward Julie, who was yelling at Eren. Eric nearly dropped a tray. Seraphina was actively wrestling a customer over correct seating.

"That one-minute absence would end in lawsuits."

Queen Althea raised a brow. "Are you turning down a queen?"

"Not turning you down. Just trying to protect the reputation of the human race through this fest."

Before she could retort, a familiar voice entered.

"My, my..."

We all turned.

Headmistress Evelyn.

Wearing a luxurious dark green coat over a sleek battle-gown, she approached like a queen herself, eyes gleaming.

"My favorite student is now not just participating, but dominating the fest," she said. "It’s good to see you putting those talents to actual use."

I gave a short bow. "It’s all thanks to you, Master. You’ve helped me through every step."

I smiled. "As a token of appreciation, allow me to offer you a huge discount. Ninety percent off anything on the menu. What would you like to eat?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I’ve heard about your ramen far too many times. I’ll take that."

"Great. That’ll be fifty silver coins."

She paused.

"Ashen," she said slowly, "do you think I’m stupid? I saw the price on your banner when I walked in. It says fifty silver for one ramen."

I coughed. "You got me, Master."

She narrowed her eyes. "Don’t forget who taught you in the first place."

Before I could reply, Liora stepped forward, clearly irritated.

"Excuse me," she snapped. "Are you two seriously having this little comedy show while my mother—the Queen—stands right here?"

Evelyn turned smoothly. "Ah. My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to ignore you."

She said it with the most insincere bow possible.

The Queen laughed, shaking her head.

I sighed.