The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Nova’s arrogance was beyond anything anyone could have imagined.

Sophia and the rest of the students in the classroom stared at her in stunned disbelief, their mouths hanging open as if they couldn’t quite process what they were witnessing.

Gently grasping Nova’s hand, Sophia leaned in and whispered as softly as 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 top students respect him. Please, just apologize.”

Sophia’s voice trembled with worry, and her heart pounded so hard she felt lightheaded. She was desperate to protect Nova from what was about to come. If Nova could only show a bit of humility, maybe they could avoid disaster.

But Nova’s eyes dropped, cold and distant. “It’s too late,” she said quietly, her tone devoid of any softness.

There was no trace of submission in her expression—only a chilling aloofness.

Carefully pulling her hand free from Sophia’s grasp, Nova turned to face Ronan directly, radiating a fierce, unyielding presence.

Just as she had anticipated, Ronan’s body trembled with fury.

As a martial arts instructor, Ronan was highly respected, boasting numerous honorary certificates and the admiration of his students. He had never been publicly humiliated by any student, let alone a girl, in his own classroom.

Even if Nova apologized now, Ronan’s pride wouldn’t allow him to forgive her easily.

“How dare you speak to me like that?” Ronan’s voice thundered through the room. “You think knowing a few flashy moves makes you untouchable? I’ll show you what real skill looks like. Watch closely.”

With a fierce roar, Ronan launched into action.

He was convinced that Nova had only picked up some cheap tricks outside the school—nothing worthy of respect—and that was why she was acting so brazenly.

‘Pathetic moves, worthless,’ he thought bitterly. ‘And she actually believes she’s impressive? Fine. I’ll teach her to respect her teacher.’

Puffed up with pride over his own abilities, Ronan prepared himself for the confrontation.

“Nova’s doomed,” one student muttered nervously. “She even dared to provoke Mr. Vale. He’s going to beat her so badly she’ll be begging for mercy.”

“I can’t even watch what’s going to happen next,” another whispered. “Just tell me when she’s out cold.”

A wave of gasps swept through the room.

Some of the more timid girls shut their eyes tightly, bracing themselves.

As Ronan charged forward, the students nearby quickly scattered, creating a wide circle around the two combatants.

But Nova didn’t flinch.

She stood perfectly still, waiting.

One second ticked by. Then two.

On the third second, Ronan clenched his fists tightly, stepped forward with force, and unleashed a powerful front kick aimed directly at Nova’s abdomen.

But Nova was ready.

With a subtle sidestep, she avoided the strike effortlessly, her movement smooth and unexaggerated.

Like she had predicted his every move, she sidestepped with the ease of someone taking a leisurely stroll, effortlessly dodging his strike.

This time, she was even sharper.

While evading, she deliberately spoke, enunciating each word clearly to highlight Ronan’s flaws: “You over-twist your hips, and your punches are too slow, which makes your moves unnecessarily flashy. Mr. Vale, that won’t work.”

Ronan was pushed to the edge.

He shouted several times, frustration boiling over, and shifted tactics once more, launching a renewed barrage toward Nova.

Within 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 countered every single technique with ease.

And with each move she blocked or dodged, she pointed out every flaw in Ronan’s execution.

Her words cut through the air like sharp blades, striking him with ruthless precision.

It was as if Nova were the real instructor, correcting a wayward student on how to practice properly.

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

Every student stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded by what they were witnessing.