The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

For Nova, taking a life was just another routine part of her day.

Yet, the students around her suddenly froze in place.

They practically jumped in shock, their eyes locking onto Nova with sheer disbelief.

“What do you mean, killing? Who even taught you that?” Hannah snapped, her eyes wide with incredulity.

She added sharply, “Nova, just because you took down nearly two dozen wolves doesn’t mean you’re suddenly an expert. Do you seriously think you’re ready to kill people now?”

“I’ve told you before, Saint Laurel Royal Academy is full of hidden masters, even stronger than Max and me. They keep to themselves and never show off,” Hannah continued, her voice tinged with warning.

“You only killed some wolves, that’s it. Killing a wolf and killing a human are completely different things. So don’t go bragging like you’re some kind of pro.”

“What if you end up provoking those hidden experts and drag Max and me into trouble?” she said, her tone sharp and urgent.

Hannah sprang to her feet in shock, glaring at Nova with a fierce intensity. Her words weren’t kind at all.

No matter how many wolves Nova had slain, it was clear Hannah’s opinion of her remained unchanged.

And honestly, Hannah wasn’t wrong.

At Saint Laurel Royal Academy, when it came to sheer strength, there was no doubt who reigned supreme: Maxwell, the head of the Free Combat Club, and Zane, leader of the Taekwondo Club.

Right behind them were Ethan, Hannah, and a few others.

But that ranking only applied to the well-known students.

Beneath the surface, there was another layer—a hidden group.

Some students at Saint Laurel Royal Academy concealed their true identities, blending in as ordinary pupils.

Unlike Zane or Maxwell, who were always in the spotlight, these individuals kept a low profile, so no one suspected the depth of their power.

Many of them were former international bodyguards, some had real special forces experience before even turning twenty.

Maxwell and Zane couldn’t hold a candle to these hidden legends.

These were the elite Hannah warned about—battle-hardened veterans who had seen real combat, nothing like Nova, who thought she was hot stuff just because she’d taken out a few wolves and now acted like she could handle anything.

At least, that was the general consensus.

Even though Saint Laurel Royal Academy was crawling with these hidden elites—ex-bodyguards, former special forces—no one would ever lump Nova in with them.

No one believed she was some returning legend either.

Because deep down, Nova had only gotten into Saint Laurel Royal Academy thanks to the Blake family’s influence.

If she were truly talented, she would have earned her place on her own merit.

Claire quickly chimed in, siding completely with Hannah. “Yeah, Nova, don’t get cocky just because you bagged a few wolves.”

“Hannah’s right. Us and those hidden legends at school, we keep to ourselves and never stir up trouble.”

“If you poke that hornet’s nest, you’re crossing a dangerous line. And if you drag all of us down with you, believe me—nothing would be able to cover for it.”

Nova wasn’t even engaging with them, but just one careless comment from her was enough for Hannah and Claire to blow everything wildly out of proportion, imagining all sorts of catastrophic consequences.

They shouted and ranted as if Nova had committed some unforgivable sin.

Nova let her eyes drift downward, a look of boredom settling on her face.

In her mind, Hannah and Claire weren’t worth the energy.

She glanced over at Ethan, her voice calm and direct. “So—still want in?”

“What? Of course I do. I’m totally in,” Ethan replied without hesitation.

After everything that had happened—like Victor, the former owner of Frostwave Bar, bowing to Nova—Ethan was beginning to see her in a completely new light.

Her wild talk no longer shocked him.

Deep down, Ethan couldn’t help but wonder if Nova might actually be as formidable as those hidden legends at Saint Laurel Royal Academy.

“Alright then,” Nova said with a confident smirk, raising an eyebrow. “From now on, you’re my student.”

“Huh?” Ethan sat there, stunned, wolf meat halfway to his mouth. Her sudden acceptance caught him completely off guard.

“Wait, Nova, weren’t you going to see how I handled myself first? How did I pass before even showing you what I’ve got?” he asked.

It wasn’t disappointment—he had hoped to impress her with his skills.

He wanted his future mentor to know he was more than just the guy who cleaned up around here.

“Wait, that’s it? I passed without even showing off?” Ethan thought, his mind racing.

“You’re in,” Nova said simply.

When Ethan heard her mention killing, he didn’t react with shock or call her out like everyone else.

He just said he wanted to learn, not even blinking.

Right then and there, Nova considered his test passed.

But Ethan would never understand what her true standards really were.

He scratched his head, still chewing on the wolf meat, and mumbled with cheeks puffed out, “Huh, turns out it was pretty easy after all.”

Even though Ethan was a former member of the Taekwondo Club and had some history with Maxwell, the latter held no grudge and didn’t use it as an excuse to kick him out.

In fact, Maxwell even gave Ethan space to set up his tent.

As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply.

Maxwell busied himself, setting up various animal traps around the tents before finally calling it a day.

He was reliable, his planning meticulous.

Suddenly, she saw him.

A strikingly handsome man with an arrogant air, short hair falling carelessly over his brow.

Such power—slipping through the night silently, close enough to touch her before she even sensed his footsteps—could belong to only one person.

It was Damien Thorn, head of Shadow Sanctum.

The only enemy Nova had ever admitted was stronger than her.

Her eyes turned icy.

Having faced Damien Thorn before, she didn’t hesitate or blink.

Nova lunged straight for his throat, aiming precisely beneath his handsome face.

She was determined to strike first.

Her attack was barely halfway through when a voice shattered the silence from outside the tent.

“Nova? Did I just hear something? Is everything alright in there?” Maxwell called, concern heavy in his tone.

He must have caught the faint noise from the tent and came over, genuinely worried.

Nova’s hand froze mid-swing.

She’d lunged too hard—what was meant to be a strike became a second collision against his chest.

Tonight, Damien Thorn hadn’t come to kill her.

When they first crossed paths in the woods, he had intended to end her life.

But when that stunning girl crashed into his arms, something inside him snapped.

The darkness he had locked away cracked open, and the cold, ruthless killer found himself drawn into her orbit, completely against his will.

He’d even enrolled in Saint Laurel Royal Academy’s training.

And now, he’d come all this way just for her.

Damien Thorn never lost his composure—never for money, status, or anything else.

For a killer, losing control was the one thing he could never afford.

But that day, she was the only one who ever shook his resolve.

That’s why he showed up now—to understand what it was about her that nearly made him snap.

As Nova ended up in his arms again, Damien’s icy eyes grew deeper, darker.

On instinct, he turned his head, reaching to steady her by the shoulder.

But his elegant fingers landed on her most vulnerable spot—soft and yielding like sinking into a marshmallow.