The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

The moment Caleb saw the pair of black combat boots stop in front of him, his face went stiff.

In the next instant, as if jolted by electricity, he scrambled to his feet.

The instructors sprawled beside him, still catching their breath, instantly sensed something was wrong.

Without hesitation, they bolted upright, backs straight, eyes wide with panic as they stared at the figure standing before them–Raven, alone, and ice–cold.

Before they had even fully processed the shock of Raven’s sudden appearance, Leopard stepped forward, his voice trembling despite himself as he looked at Caleb and asked, “Caleb, who did you just call trash?”

He was so worked up his tone shook slightly. When he’d said something bad about Raven earlier, he’d been terrified. He thought even correcting himself afterward wouldn’t save him from disaster.

But now? Now someone else had stepped up and said something even worse. Someone had taken the fall for him. Why would he be afraid anymore?

If Raven hadn’t been standing right there, Leopard would’ve thrown his head back and howled with laughter out of pure admiration for Caleb’s suicidal bravery.

Caleb, however, caught the strange look on Leopard’s face and sensed something wasn’t right.

Then a horrible possibility struck him.

“Is this the girl you were talking about? The one who skipped training to go on a date?” he asked, frowning. Leopard blinked.

Then his eye twitched so hard it looked like a tic. Skipped training… to go on a date…

For a second there, he had been worried Raven still had a grudge against him. But now?

He wasn’t worried about himself anymore. He was worried Caleb was about to die.

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Slowly, cautiously, Leopard turned his gaze to Raven–and upon seeing the ice settling across her expression like a winter storm, he knew he had to say something, anything, to do the bare minimum as a responsible squad leader… and maybe save a life.

He looked at Caleb and hesitated, then cleared his throat and said weakly, “I mean… ‘trash‘ might’ve been a little harsh, don’t you think?”

Caleb chuckled, clueless. “So it was someone from your squad?”

Leopard almost collapsed on the spot. ‘Was I helping you or sending you to your death?‘

But it was too late. The trap was sprung. He sighed heavily, walked over, patted Caleb on the shoulder like a man offering final condolences, gave him a look that said “You’re on your own now, brother,” and quickly stepped aside.

Caleb stared after him, completely baffled.

And then… Raven finally spoke.

Her voice was like a blade sliding across glass.

“Who did you just call trash?”

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13:03 Mon, 21 Apr 0

Chapter 142

In that instant, Caleb’s brain short–circuited.

The fear hit him like a truck. His breath caught in his throat.

65%

Wait. No. That trainee who skipped training to go flirt… she couldn’t be… His mind raced. There’s no way she’s the one. right? That Iron Queen actually has a boyfriend?

But this wasn’t the time to question the mysteries of the universe.

With survival instinct kicking in at full throttle. Caleb straightened his spine, raised his voice, and said righteously. Just to clarify, I said that anyone who ends up hospitalized in the middle of military training is trash. But someone who still has the energy to fall in love during boot camp? Now that’s someone destined for greatness?”

The surrounding students stared at him in stunned silence.

They didn’t say it, but the message was clear in their eyes.

That… that’s gotta be the most desperate backpedal we’ve ever heard‘

At that moment, they all collectively began to question just how much dignity instructors really had left.