The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 106

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Chapter 106

The Norils Dorm Building, where the exchange students stayed, was located right behind the main student dorm area of Rena University–a relatively new building that stood out on campus.

It was called C16.

“You exchange students really lucked out with the best dorms at Rena University!

“All us local students have to squeeze four people i

into a room, but each of you gets your own place. Way more privacy!

“Ugh, I’m so jealous! Living in a room all by yourself… Basey sighed in envy.

Casey led Nova through the doors of the dorm building, sighing with envy as they walked in.

The exchange student dorm building didn’t split residents by gender–everyone had their own private room, so people pretty much kept to themselves and there was zero interference.

After chatting. Casey walked up to the dorm supervisor’s window on the first floor and breezily asked for a room key

Just as they were about to head upstairs, Nova’s gaze landed on a figure walking in through the doors.

Zane stepped inside, and when he saw the stunning girl standing there, all the tension he’d been holding onto melted away.

It was like he’d found an anchor in a storm.

Nice, you’re here too, babe!

This exchange program means plenty of time for just the two of us.

I’ve finally figured this out. Sure, I lost to you in the duel, but hey, everyone’s got their own ace up the sleeve. You might be born to fight, but when it comes to research, I’m untouchable–that’s one thing you’ll never beat me at

‘We’d make an unstoppable team, babe. So don’t even think about shaking me off!‘ he thought himself.

Zane fixed his deep eyes on Nova; his gaze was so intense that even Casey, who was getting Nova her room key, caught it right away.

“Nova, that hot guy over there keeps checking you out. Do you know him?” Casey asked curiously.

Saint Laurel Royal Academy picked five exchange students, each with a different specialty, because this competition is all about having a variety of talents.

The self–defense match was just one part of it.

Nova was the reigning champ in the dueling scene, so she naturally got chosen for the self–defense showdown

The other four exchange students? They each shined in their own field–not self–defense

That’s why Maxwell, Hannah, Zape, and Ethan–absolute stars in self–defense–didn’t make it onto the exchange squad ins time around.

If Zane was showing up here, there could only be one reason

He was the ace in his own field–best in the entire academy–which is exactly why the school chose him for the exchange

Nova honestly didn’t give it a second thought.

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he replied to Casey. “Nope, don’t know him?

Just four words–plus she wouldn’t even spare him a glance. That hit Zane nke a splash of cold water

‘So she really doesn’t like me tall? Zane wondered, feeling a sting of doubt

Serves me right for brushing her off before. Looks like I’m headed for the classic ‘tragic sustor grind be thought wenty

Just then, someone clapped him hard on the shoulder.

A guy with a cheeky grin and rough–around–the–edges energy showed up next to him.

“Hey, Zane, long time no see! Wasn’t it like a year ago? Man, that self–defense match between ended in a draw, hars

“So, what’s a taekwondo pro like you doing just standing here?” the guy had plenty of bad boy vibes, but to be honest be wasn’t good–looking at all–if anything, he looked more unlucky than tough.

As he talked, he picked up on where Zane was staring and spotted Nova walking away in the distance.

Once Nova was out of sight, the guy glanced at Zane and couldn’t help but smirk. “You got a thing for her or what?

Zane nodded. “Yeah.”

The guy flashed a sly smirk, clearly thinking he had some real experience in this area.

“Looks like she’s not into you,

huh?

“Want to win her over? Easy!

“Man, we’ve been rivals on the field for ages. Come on, it’s just a girl. Let me show you a trick or two–pull a few moves an trust me, no woman can turn you down!” the guy said.

*****

After escorting Nova to her single dorm room, Casey gave her head a playful slap and suddenly exclaimed, just remembering something important.

“Oh shoot, Nova! I totally spaced. Tonight the Rena University contestants are throwing a party for all you exchange students. We’re all heading down to the KTV for some good times.

“So throw on something cute–I’ll swing by to pick you up. Who knows, if luck’s on your side, you might even end new romance! Wink!”

Nova simply fell silent.

Later that evening, at Melody KTV Lounge, inside the huge VIP suite K–1.

Nova followed Casey as they walked into the room.

They were a bit late–the place was already packed with dozens of students.

The crowd was huge, and even as striking as Nova was, she hardly got a second glance when she entered

Meanwhile, a few unfamiliar girls had claimed the mics as their own, basically acting like total karaoke qaret pulling the guys‘ attention their way.

3/5

Chapter 106

soon as Nova walked in, she instantly sensed two sets of eyes tracking her from the shed

full–on watching her every move.

That’s right–two sets, for

One was obviously Zane—weirdly intense, as always

And the other….

..

Was a petite girl tucked away in the corner, rocking a fièxy style, legs crossed, eyes narrowed in a mischievous soul but packing serious attitude.

When Nova locked eyes with her, the fiery little spitfire flashed a sly smile, raised fer glass, and ripped it toward Nova–like the two of them were seated face–to–face for a private showdown.

Was she trying to be friendly, or already throwing shade? Hard to tell if that was an olive branch or a dare.

Nova’s eyes narrowed instinctively. ‘What’s her deal?‘ she wondered, a hint of wariness prickling at the back of her mind.

‘She looks crazy familiar… Have I seen her somewhere before?‘ Nova tried to place the girl, but the memory danced just out

of reach.

Her features matched her bone structure perfectly–no sign of any disguise or makeup tricks.

Nova’s eyes darkened, a chilly edge settling into her gaze.

“Dang, would you look at that! Total goddess alert!”

Just then, some guy with a big mouth swaggered over, radiating bad boy vibes, two drinks in hand as he made a beeline right for Nova.

His loud yell pulled everyone’s eyes straight to Nova in an instant.

The boy flashed a sly, lopsided grin, swaggered up, and offered one of his drinks to Nova.

“Well, well–aren’t you the famous Nova Blake, the Saint Laurel Royal Academy knockout who’s taking the self–defense contest by storm?

“Heard your name all over the place!

“Name’s Silas Bridges, from Cloudwood University. Just like you, here for the self–defense showdown

“Y’know how it goes: friendship first, battling second. So, Nova–how about we raise a glass and get this friendship started, huh?”

Silas was so loud that everyone in the room turned to stare.

With all the exchange students watching, he’d basically cornered Nova–if she turned down his drink now, it’d be like she was straight–up disrespecting him.

It’d look like Nova was flat–out dismissing the “friendship first, competition second” agreement between their schools.

And if that went down, the other exchange students would probably start treating her like public enemy number one for the

whole month ahead.

Honestly, that was a pretty slick move.

4/5

Wan say my

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Chapter 106

Nova Casty binted out in a hesitant little voice. Something felt off, even if she couldn’t say exactly what, she just couldn’t -Belprealling out.

Without missing a beat, Nova grabbed the glass from Silas and knocked back the entire drink in one swift motion

Smooth, fearless–the kind of move that screamed confidence, not a hint of hesitation-

From the very first sip, Nova’s taste buds—and her expertise with weird drugs–alerted her right away.

Whoever spiked this glass didn’t mess around. There was enough knockout juice in here to put a bull to sleep.

In KTV lounges like this, when some shady dude handed one a drink, it was usually a straight–up trap just waiting to mess

you up.

Girls who should’ve just been enjoying a fun night always ended up getting preyed on by that kind of darkness.

One sip of a drugged drink, and next thing they knew, they’d get dragged off to some hidden corner–unable to fight back violated while barely conscious.

Tonight, Nova found herself facing that same twisted setup.

With that thought, Nova looked up, pushed the glass right back to Silas, and flashed him a smirk that was pure challenge.

“Nice flavor–too bad it’s nothing but a cheap knockoff,” Nova said, her voice dripping with insolence.

After surviving over 3,000 days in the mercenary life, Nova had poisoned and tested herself thousands of times–literally more than 3,000 self–poisonings and nearly 3,000 trials.

She’d built up antibodies for over a thousand different toxins, so she was practically immune to anything one could throw her. That knockout drug? Please. For Nova Blake, it might as well have been plain water.

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