The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Nova was downright arrogant–beyond anyone’s imagination.

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Sophia and the other students in the class stared at her in shock, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

Grabbing Nova’s hand, Sophia whispered in the softest voice she could manage, “Nova, please just stop talking.

“Think about yourself for once. We really can’t afford to offend Ronan. Even Maxwell and those other top guys in school respect him. Please, just apologize.”

Sophia was so worked up that she nearly fainted from worry.

Sophia was thinking for Nova’s sake. If Nova softened even a little, things could be over.

“It’s too late.” Nova’s gaze dropped.

Cold and aloof, Nova didn’t show the slightest hint of submission.

Silently pulling away from Sophia, Nova faced Ronan directly, exuding an intense aura.

Just as she predicted, Ronan trembled with anger.

As a martial arts instructor, he had dozens of honorary certificates and was highly respected by his students.

He had never been publicly humiliated by a mere girl in his classroom.

Even if Nova apologized, he wouldn’t forgive her easily.

“How dare you speak to me like that?” Ronan bellowed. “You think knowing a few fancy moves makes you invincible? Let me show you what real skill looks like. Watch out.”

Ronan let out a fierce roar.

He was certain Nova had only learned some shabby moves outside of school–nothing respectable—and that was why she was acting so brazen.

‘Pathetic moves? Worthless. And she actually thinks she’s impressive? Fine, I’ll teach her how to respect her teacher, Ronan thought. Proud of his own skills, he readied himself.

“Damn, Nova’s doomed. She even dared to provoke Mr. Vale. Mr. Vale’s going to beat her senseless until she begs for mercy,” one student muttered.

“I can’t even watch what happens next. Just tell me after she’s knocked out,” another whispered.

Gasps spread through the classroom.

Some timid girls shut their eyes completely.

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Chapter 21

As Ronan charged, the students nearby quickly scattered, clearing a wide space for the clash.

But Nova didn’t even flinch.

She simply waited.

One second passed, then two.

By the third second, Ronan had clenched his fists, stepped forward with momentum, and launched a powerful front kick aimed squarely at Nova’s abdomen.

Nova waited for the perfect moment, then sidestepped lightly, avoiding the strike without any exaggerated

movement.

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Ronan had executed a taekwondo kick, but Nova sidestepped it with ease.

Sophia and the surrounding students, including Ronan, were stunned.

Nova’s clear, crisp voice suddenly rang out, “Your leg power isn’t enough, your hips aren’t raised high enough, and your reactions are too slow. You can’t hit me, Mr. Vale.”

Though she used his title respectfully, everyone could tell she was subtly criticizing Ronan’s strength.

The students collectively inhaled sharply.

Ronan’s face darkened immediately.

“I underestimated you just now, but you’re not qualified to judge my skills. Watch this,” he roared.

As if shouting louder could somehow make him stronger.

He switched tactics, abandoning taekwondo for free combat.

Using free combat punches, he twisted his hips and launched a lightning–fast attack at Nova.

To the students, his speed seemed like a bolt of lightning.

To Nova, however, it was as slow as a snail.

After all, as a former queen of the battlefield, she had trained in techniques designed to kill at maximum speed–fast, precise, and lethal, with no need for flashy moves.

Ronan’s aggression, by comparison, seemed almost trivial.

Nova casually crossed her arms.

As if anticipating his moves, she sidestepped as leisurely as taking a stroll, effortlessly dodging his strike.

This time, she was even sharper.

While evading, she deliberately spoke, articulating each word to directly point out Ronan’s flaws. “You over-

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twist your hips, and your punches are too slow, making your moves unnecessarily flashy. Mr. Vale, that won’t work.”

Ronan was completely pushed to the edge.

He shouted several times and changed tactics again, launching a renewed assault toward Nova.

In just three minutes, Ronan cycled through seven different fighting styles–taekwondo, free combat, traditional martial arts, hand–to–hand combat, grappling, boxing, and karate.

What was truly terrifying was that Nova effortlessly countered every single one of his techniques.

And with each move she deflected, she pointed out every single flaw in Ronan’s execution.

Her words cut like knives, striking him directly in the face with ruthless precision.

It was as if Nova were the real teacher, instructing a wayward student, Ronan, on how to practice properly.

The scene was so surreal that complete silence fell over the classroom.

Every student stood there, utterly dumbfounded.

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