The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

The moment Mavis finished speaking, the whole crowd of students instantly erupted.

“What?”

“Whoa! Mavis and Eric are actually planning to take on an SSS–rank mission? Holy crap! This is going to be a historic breakthrough!”

“Letting these two newbies team up with Mavis and Eric for an SSS–rank mission? Are you kidding me?”

“If those two newbies really wanna try, they’d better be ready to stare death in the face!”

The students‘ buzz just made Mavis’s confident smirk get even bigger.

She was born into a warrior family–fighting runs in her blood.

Her dad, mom, grandpa, and even her grandfather–they all once served as operative agents, special forces, or military

medics.

She took pride in everything she’d ever achieved at Suntry Academy.

By suggesting that Nova and Yellowcat join her and Eric on the SSS–rank mission, Mavis was just sending a message to everyone in her own special way.

She and Eric were gearing up to take on the challenge of an SSS–rank mission.

They were determined to become the first–ever duo from Suntry Academy to conquer an SSS–rank mission together.

‘As for Nova and Yellowcat, whether those two could survive… Mavis honestly couldn’t care less.’

It looked like Mavis was just sticking up for her little sister, Vivian.

But honestly, she couldn’t care less who messed up with Vivian. This was all about using the moment to announce her next big move to the whole school.

That let her keep up her queen bee vibe and make sure every single person was watching.

“Yeah, exactly! If you really have the guts, go ahead and take on the SSS–rank mission!”

Poor Vivian, totally convinced her big sister was standing up for her, strutted over and called out to Nova and Yellowcat, her voice full of smug satisfaction.

Yellowcat stifled a giggle.

She just shrugged, sticking close behind Nova like an obedient little cat, clearly with zero intention of stepping into the spotlight.

“W–Why are you laughing?” Vivian, still traumatized from Yellowcat’s earlier beatdown, instinctively ducked behind Mavis and mumbled.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. SSS–rank mission… pfft.” Yellowcat covered her mouth, struggling not to burst out laughing.

Her delicate beauty, like a porcelain doll, was on full display–as if she’d shatter at a single touch.

Yellowcat really couldn’t help herself. SSS–rank missions? Please. That kind of thing was old news for her and Nova—they’d

outgrown those years ago.

Eric had been quietly listening to Mavis the whole time.

He wasn’t much of a talker, but it wasn’t that he was standoffish or anything–he just liked to get things done. He was the type of diligent nerd who’d rather work than waste time chatting.

Eric’s attention snapped to Nova as soon as she spoke.

“Sure, we’ll take it.” Nova said, her tone cool and unbothered.

“But there’s one condition,” she added, steady and direct.

“If you lose, your sister has to apologize to my friend.”

The sudden surge of energy from Nova made Eric turn his head, eyes glued to her–he just couldn’t help himself.

It hit him out of nowhere.

SSS–rank missions pushed the limits–they were the toughest challenges out there, even in the international underworld.

At Suntry Academy, every student was a field operative, and whenever they headed out on a mission, it was always for the front lines.

Even when they got deployed, it was always about supporting the war effort.

They didn’t take on jobs from the international underworld.

But no matter who handed out the assignment–the warzone or the international underworld–an SSS–rank always meant the same impossible level of difficulty.

Eric and Mavis had wrestled with their doubts for ages before finally deciding to break through their limits and throw themselves straight into an SSS–rank mission.

Completing an SSS–rank mission was the ultimate test of strength–a mark that showed the world you truly had what it

takes.

On the international stage, there was only one thing out there even harder than an SSS–rank mission, and that was the hell- level, top–secret SSSSS–rank directive mission–legendary stuff that made even SSS look easy.

Across the entire world, in all of history, less than a hundred of those SSSSS–rank directive missions had ever actually been handed out.

Just how next–level mysterious were those hell–level, classified SSSSS–rank directive missions? We’re talking missions of top secret, most people wouldn’t even know they existed.

For anyone in the underworld, just getting the chance to take on a hell–level SSSSS–rank directive was the ultimate endorsement–a sign you’d truly made it to the top.

As far as Eric knew, the only person who’d ever managed to pull off multiple SSSSS–rank directive missions back–to–back was the legendary King of Mercenaries from the international underworld.

As for anyone else? Nobody, as far as anyone knows.

Every student at Suntry Academy was in on it–nothing hush–hush about this fact.

As soon as Nova gave her answer, Eric’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He asked, “Do you even understand just how dangerous an SSS–rank mission is?”

“Nova, don’t go!”

Lillian and Yvonne practically yelled in perfect tinison, their voices tight with concern.

Lillian said, “Mavis and Eric? They’re pretty much the dream team–like real warriors who’ve seen it all.

“One’s the sharpest strategist, the other’s a total powerhouse on the field. Mavis runs the whole show, and Eric charges in like he owns the place.

“With those two in sync, taking down an SSS–rank mission is basically just a matter of time.

“But you guys…

“This isn’t a joke. It’s crazy dangerous–people really do get killed out there…”

Lillian tugged nervously at Nova’s sleeve, desperate to change her mind.

Nova instantly switched gears.

She said. “Honestly, SSS–rank missions? No challenge at all.”

“And the pay sucks. I really never planned on taking them, anyway.”

Nova’s sudden backpedal made all the students who’d just been freaking out shove down their panic, forcing themselves to act chill.

Especially Mavis–she was almost starting to sweat herself.

Honestly, when Nova said yes to the SSS–rank mission at first, it nearly scared Mavis out of her wits. She never in a million years thought Nova would actually agree.

But now, watching Nova, Mavis couldn’t help but think, ‘So that’s what this is…

‘She’s just all talk–putting on an act to look impressive, even if it means making things harder for herself. Saving face is her number one priority.

‘Even now, she’s still clinging to her pride, no matter how pointless it is.‘

Mya chimed in with a smug grin. “Honestly, I might’ve agreed–if you could actually pull off an SSS–rank mission, I would’ve told my sister to apologize to you.

“But since you clearly don’t have the guts, looks like you owe her an apology instead…”

Just as Mavis was halfway through her sentence, and everyone was finally starting to relax….

Listen up.

Nova’s voice came out cool and laid–back, but the moment her words landed, they were like a bomb going off–everyone in the room froze, totally stunned.

Nova said, “SSS–rank missions? Not worth my time–and the challenge is nothing difficult.”

“I’ve actually got an ultra–classified SSSSS–rank directive mission sitting on my desk. So if you’re so determined to prove yourself, meet me on the battlefield of an SSSSS–rank mission. Let’s see who’s the one apologizing by the end.”