The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

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Natasha’s petite form dangled helplessly from Nova’s grip on her nape, just like a baby chick caught mid–air.

In the stands, the students who weren’t competing stared wide–eyed in disbelief.

As for the exchange students waiting for their turn, they all looked absolutely terrified–like they’d just seen a ghost.

The tense silence was suddenly broken by the distinct sound of someone gulping.

Nova released her grip on Natasha’s neck.

Natasha was dropped unceremoniously to the ground, clutching her neck and coughing hard.

Natasha choked out weakly, “Cough, cough, cough…”

Nova wasn’t about to take Natasha’s word for it.

She knew better than to trust anyone so easily. Even on the battlefield, no matter how much one tortured an enemy prisoner, they’d still lie right to their face and employ every trick in the book.

Betrayal and deception were commonplace in the underworld.

The only reason Nova didn’t go any further with Natasha was because she’d lived through betrayal herself— back when the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps first started, over a thousand men she’d trusted for years had stabbed her in the back without hesitation.

Back in those days, Snowfang was still loyal to her.

Ghost–Hammer, Marlie, Falcony, and Snowfang had all followed her as she escaped to Kylentia.

On the way, she personally saved a little girl from the international slave market in Castille.

With Natasha’s hint and seeing her face up close, Nova finally connected the dots–the girl in front of her matched up perfectly with the little one from her memories.

That was why, from the very first moment, Nova had felt like she already knew her.

Natasha really was the little girl Nova had rescued years ago in Castille.

Five years ago, Natasha was only eleven. Living in the slave market, abused and half–starved all her life, she was barely more than a walking skeleton.

At eleven, she looked no bigger than a kid of seven or eight–tiny and fragile.

Now, though, with her striking presence and well–defined curves, Natasha was practically unrecognizable. It was almost impossible to believe she was the same person as that frail little girl.

No wonder Nova hadn’t realized who she was at first.

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Chapter 114

Besides, Nova hadn’t done it out of some sense of pity or divine mercy.

Back then, she didn’t save Natasha because she felt sorry for her or wanted to play the saint.

It was that look in Natasha’s eyes–a desperate need to survive, a hunger for strength.

That gaze…

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It was just like the one she’d seen in her little brother’s eyes when they were kids, the same stubborn fight to live against all odds.

The two of them exchanged moves so fast and fierce that their bodies were just a streaking blur–nobody in the stands could keep track of what was happening.

Then came the moment when Nova pinned Natasha by the neck, and Natasha started rambling with those confusing, almost nonsensical words that left everyone completely baffled…

During their fight, it was as if the teachers, students–heck, the entire audience–vanished from their minds. The world had shrunk down to just the two of them, locked in battle.

All eyes were glued to the scene on the arena, and people were so blown away by what they saw, half of them sprang right up from their seats without realizing it.

Thud!

One of the judges was so unnerved by the tension in the arena that she nearly jumped out of her skin, sliding right off her bench and landing squarely on the floor.

She was so shaken, she didn’t even realize she was making a fool of herself.

Still dazed, she stammered, “Did she… was she really trying to kill her just now?”

Adults and students just don’t think alike–their perspectives are miles apart.

On the students‘ side, Casey, Zack, Rhys, and Holden were absolutely floored.

Their eyes went wide, bodies trembling with shock.

But what really caught their attention was…

Casey blurted out, her voice shaking, “Nova actually took down Morales’s champion from last year–Natasha!

“Does that mean… could she be our self–defense champion this year for Morales?”

Zack hadn’t forgotten that question he’d asked Nova earlier–just how insane was her strength, anyway?

He pointed right at the arena, his voice shaking with excitement, just like Casey.

“Holy crap, damn…

“Did you see that? Nova nearly straight–up murdered Natasha!

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“Her skills are actually lethal–like, for real, she could’ve killed her if she wanted

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Rhys, who’d always prided himself on being the rational one–never backing down when it came to arguing with Nova–had held tight to his opinions for as long as he could remember.

But now, Nova had just shut him up the hard way–with pure, undeniable skill.

Turns out, nothing’s more convincing than a display of real, battlefield–level moves that could actually kill someone. That was about as clear an answer as one could get.

Rhys’s checks burned with humiliation–he couldn’t believe he’d ever doubted her.

Zane was lurking in a corner, staring at Nova like he was seeing her for the very first time. She looked like a girl who’d clawed her way out of hellfire–scarred, unbreakable, and blazing with strength.

In the end, he just let out a bitter, self–mocking laugh.

‘Guess I really did underestimate you. Maybe I was never good enough for you after all… he thought.

Head hanging low, he slunk out of the arena like a kicked puppy, tail between his legs.

The crowd that had been chanting Natasha’s name, hoping she’d flatten Nova like a frog squashing a bug, just went completely silent.

It was like someone had stuffed a cork in their mouths–nobody could make a sound.

“Whoa… she’s really that strong….

“Nova actually beat Natasha!

“No, she didn’t just beat her–she steamrolled her!” one said.

As the crowd shifted from dead silence to explosive cheers, the referee stepped up with an official

announcement.

“First round of the self–defense competition–Nova Blake of Saint Laurel Royal Academy takes the win!

“Regrettably, Natasha from Grinston University has been defeated and is disqualified from the competition.

“Contestants from other schools, please get ready for your challenge!”

The competition wasn’t over yet, and Nova still hadn’t won it all.

By the competition rules, she had to keep fighting.

But after that mind–blowing show of dominance the moment Nova entered the arena, she’d left everyone too rattled to even think straight.

Not a single soul dared to step up and challenge her next.Nova Blake

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Nova headed toward the edge of the stands, cool as ever.

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Natasha didn’t care at all about getting disqualified–she hurried after Nova, grinning from ear to ear

“Nova, thank you for still remembering me!”

She hurried up in front of Nova, walking backwards with a grin, keeping her gaze locked on her.

“Nova, with the way I fight now, I’m not a disgrace to you anymore, right?

“War is a mercenary’s paradise. I’m a natural–born hunter–in those grey zones, I kill, hunt, and grow stronger, until I can dominate this desperate, suffocating world.

“Those were your words, back then.

“I’ve remembered every single one–right up till today…”

Natasha’s voice faltered and grew quiet.

She was here to pay Nova back for saving her life.

From the moment Nova rescued her, she’d made a vow–to grow strong, just like Nova, and one day become someone powerful enough to take on the whole world.

It was Nova who gave her this life.

Five years ago, she was so powerless that the rich trampled all over her–she was treated worse than a stray dog.

This time, she didn’t just walk up and tell Nova who she was. Instead, she set this whole thing up for one simple reason.

She just wanted Nova to see that she was no longer that helpless little girl who needed someone to protect her.

Now, she was someone strong enough to walk right beside Nova and match her pace.

“You’re exceptional,” Nova said, her voice softening noticeably as she looked over at Natasha.

And she meant it.

Honestly, there weren’t many who could even survive a few moves against her in a fight.

Marlie, her once loyal right–hand, was one of that rare handful.

For Natasha to get this good in just five years? That was seriously impressive.

Natasha’s face lit up with pure delight at Nova’s words, and she straightened up, her posture suddenly confident and proud.

At just sixteen, she struck a bold, signature pose–practically channeling her grown–up, warrior spirit-

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looking way more mature than her age.

She jumped in enthusiastically, volunteering herself right then and there.

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“So do I finally have what it takes to be one of your crew, Nova? To fight by your side and give it my all for you?”

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