CHAPTER 241: WRATH OF THE VEGETABLE VIGILANTE [2]

At Velcrest Academy, the first round of the ranking matches wasn’t exactly a headline event.

I mean, sure—it mattered. No one wanted to lose. But compared to the all-out war zone that was the end-of-semester rankings or the second semester’s big events, it definitely felt like a warm-up.

Still, since it was our very first official event as freshmen, the buzz was unavoidable.

The tension in the air wasn’t just from inside the academy either. People from the outside were paying attention too.

And the reason was obvious.

Ryen and Leo.

The top two rankers of Velcrest Academy’s current batch.

People were hungry to get a glimpse of their power. Recruiters, sponsors, talent scouts—no one wanted to wait until the semester-end matches or the academy’s sports festival, which were open to the public. That would be too late. If they wanted a shot at grabbing the next big star, they had to act now.

But before all that, I had two problems.

Well—technically, I had one problem in a dress.

Leona.

My roommate stood in front of me with a bright smile and a suspiciously full tray.

"It’s match day," she announced, practically singing. "So I made a big breakfast. Eat up."

I blinked at the spread.

Rice, eggs, stew, grilled meat, pickled veggies—there was enough food here to feed three people. Or one Ryen.

"You... cooked all this?" I asked, still half-asleep and very confused.

"I do it out of love," she said, setting the tray down with theatrical flair. "Love for glory, combat, and proper nutrition."

"Right."

It was impressive, sure. But it was also kind of terrifying. I wasn’t sure if she was being thoughtful or trying to fatten me up so I’d move slower in the match.

Still, it smelled good.

I sat down and picked up my chopsticks, only to pause when I saw Leona staring at me.

"...What?"

"Eat more. You need protein."

"I’m not a child."

"Children also need protein," she replied, smiling sweetly.

I sighed and took another bite.

Outside, I could already hear the faint echoes of cadets heading toward the arena, voices overlapping with excitement and nerves.

Today was the beginning of the ranking matches after all.

Leona, still in her usual crossdressing form—short hair neatly tied back, jacket slung over one shoulder like some rebellious noble—plopped herself down across from me, her eyes scanning my face like she was measuring my stress levels by sight alone.

"I already know what you’re going to ask," she said, grabbing a piece of grilled meat from my tray without hesitation. "And no, I didn’t drug the food. I want you alive for the match. Mostly."

"Mostly?" I repeated flatly.

"Well, if you trip and fall once or twice, I wouldn’t mind. Adds drama."

I gave her a look, but she just grinned and kicked her feet up on the bench.

Outside, the noise from the other cadets was getting louder—shouts, footsteps, and the occasional explosion of raw mana echoing down the courtyard.

The ranking matches were starting to rev up, and soon we’d be shoved out into the ring like dancing monkeys for the audience’s delight.

I took a breath and let it out slowly. Even if this was a "light" event, I wasn’t about to take it lightly. I still had a lot to prove. Not just to the academy—but to myself.

Leona watched me for a moment, then tapped her chopsticks against the tray. "Hey."

"Yeah?"

Her voice dropped an octave—still playful, but with a hint of sincerity. "You good?"

I blinked. "What?"

"You’ve been spacing out ever since we left that restaurant," Leona said, glancing at me from across the table.

Damn. So much for keeping a poker face.

Everything seemed fine on the surface.

But there was one thing—just one—that kept bothering me.

Green Earth Produce.

A company founded by a lone man who graduated from Velcrest Academy nine years ago. On paper, it was a small agricultural business. One member. Modest output. Nothing special.

But in the novel, he was something else entirely.

He farmed by hand, wielding superhuman strength. Protected his home with ease. Lived quietly... until he didn’t.

He wasn’t a villain. Not really. But he also wasn’t quite a hero either. He didn’t fit into either box. He was something else. Something wild.

A wildcard.

And according to system, that very same man was coming to the academy today.

Why?

To deal with the cadets who had been bullying Kiera.

I should’ve been relieved.

After all, in the novel, he didn’t do anything too extreme. He didn’t murder anyone outright—well, not unless they really, really earned it.

I picked up my spoon and took a sip of soybean paste soup, trying to shake off the tension.

Then I followed up with a bite of warm grilled meat. Chewed slowly. Swallowed.

"...This is really good," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.

I wasn’t planning to do anything.

He wasn’t after me. As long as I kept my head down, I’d be fine.

Hopefully.

"...So, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?" Leona asked again, leaning forward slightly, watching me closely.

She wasn’t smiling.

It was rare to see her this serious.

I gave Leona a slow blink, then leaned back in my seat and shrugged.

"It’s nothing serious," I said casually, poking at my rice. "I just didn’t sleep well. You know how I get before events. My brain won’t shut up."

It wasn’t a lie, technically. Just not the whole truth.

Leona stared at me a beat longer, eyes narrowed in suspicion like a cat watching a glass on the edge of a table. Waiting for it to fall.

"...Huh," she said finally, leaning back and stretching her arms overhead. "Guess I’ll have to knock you out next time so you do get some sleep."

"I’ll pass on the head trauma, thanks."

She chuckled and stole another piece of grilled meat from my tray, as if that was her price for dropping the subject.

"Well, get your head right soon. Soone enough you will be finghting.

"Yeah."

I nodded, though my thoughts were still trailing elsewhere.

I wasn’t worried about the match. Not really. I’d been training, improving. Nothing much to worry.

No—the match wasn’t the issue.

It was everything else that was building under the surface.

Green Earth’s wildcard appearance today.

I forced a smile and downed the rest of the soup.

Leona leaned in again, grinning.

"Good. You’re eating properly. Now, go win that match so I can brag that my roommate isn’t a complete disappointment."

I rolled my eyes and stood, grabbing my gear. The arena loomed in the distance, the cheers and chatter growing louder.

"Wish me luck?"

Leona winked. "You won’t need it."

And just like that, the morning was back to normal—on the surface.

But deep inside, a low hum of tension lingered. Something was coming.

And I needed to be ready.

For now, let’s focus on ranking matches.

----

Author Note:

Thank you for reading the Chapter. I hope you continue to do read more in future.

It’s my first novel so if there’s any kind of mistakes you find in the novel related to grammar please tell me and I’ll edit it as soon as possible.