They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 540: It's Not Either Of Us His thoughts flickered back to earlier days, when Arthur's support for Nnenna had been hesitant, almost reluctant. Back then, he had only stepped in because of his connection to Somto and Carl.

But now... that was clearly changing.

Good.

The judges paused, Arthur's words hanging in the air like a blade.

Indeed... such a rule existed.

It was in the handbook, plain as day, yet the referee had let it slip from his mind in his rush to please Stephanie. And now, under Arthur's icy gaze, that oversight felt all the more embarrassing.

"A thirty minute break is to be given," the referee announced stiffly, his tone subdued. "Student Nnenna, would you like to accept? It is, after all, the student's choice whether to rest or proceed." Nnenna wasn't foolish. She could feel the strain in her body, her stamina drained from the match with Nicholas. Facing Stephanie without recovery would be suicide.

"Yes, I accept," she said firmly, her voice steady despite her injuries.

The referee gave a curt nod. “Then a thirty minute break is declared.” The announcement drew mixed reactions from the crowd, cheers from some, grumbles from others. Online, the live chat exploded in debates over fairness and favoritism.

Stephanie's displeasure was immediate and visible. Her eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. She leaned toward the referee, trying to pressure him with subtle glances and hushed words.

But the moment she caught sight of Arthur's calm, unreadable expression, the one that seemed to say try it, and see what happens, she knew there was no chance.

He didn't even look her way twice.

Nnenna let out a quiet sigh of relief.

It wasn't that she couldn't have fought for her rightful rest without Arthur's help, she would have, one way or another, but it felt... nice. Nice to have someone speak up for her, to preserve her strength and, in a way, her dignity in front of the entire arena.

She stepped down from the stage and headed toward the resting area.

Barely five minutes passed before Somto, Carl, and Arthur joined her.

"Sorry I'm late, sis," Carl said, jogging the last few steps toward her. "I had to go check on Ava's exam. Since Arthur couldn't be there and Somto hadn't arrived yet, I didn't think it was right for her to be alone." Nnenna's brows lifted slightly. "How did she do?" she asked, her concern genuine. There was no hint of blin her voice for Carl's absence.

"She did great," Carl said proudly, puffing out his chest. “Got an A. All my little sisters are obviously brilliant. They got it from me." "She's my sister. She got it from me," Arthur cut in, deadpan.

Nnenna blinked... then burst out laughing. So, Arthur could get jealous after all.

Even Somto was amused, his lips curving into a rare smile. Carl, meanwhile, just stared between the two of them, utterly speechless.

Not one to accept defeat, Carl fired back immediately.

"I don't remember seeing anywhere in the rulebook of life where the big sibling donates a chromosto the younger sibling at birth. Which means her intelligence cfrom your parents, not you." Arthur paused, his gaze steady. “It's not either of us." And just like that, everyone in the space understood what he meant. Carl had lost. Arthur had lost. The argument was over.

Nnenna gave Arthur another sidelong glance. It was rare for him to actually indulge in this kind of playful back and forth. She found herself wondering what had put him in such a mood today. Whatever the reason, it was... nice.

"Wait," she said suddenly, the thought hitting her. "If Ava's done with her exams, where is she?" "She went to accompany that friend of yours," Somto replied casually, though there was a faint edge in his tone, as if he didn't like the fact that Carl and Arthur were hogging her attention.

"My friend? You mean Emily?" Nnenna asked, a little speechless. She had mentioned Emily's nto Somto more times than she could count, yet somehow, he still didn't remember it. His memory was exceptional, he could recall every detail she had ever told him, except for certain, very specific ones like this.

"Yeah, that's the girl. Emily," Carl replied easily, stepping in before Somto could say anything else.

Then, without another word, Carl grabbed a first aid box and guided Nnenna to sit. He began tending to her wounds with practiced efficiency.

"This will have to do for now," he said, securing the last bandage. "Once you're done with the fight, I'll give you a proper check up."

"I thought you guys would tell her to quit the fight or take it lightly since she already has an A in the course," Arthur said, genuine surprise in his tone. This wasn't how he had pictured the situation, in fact, he had been prepared to argue that Nnenna could handle Stephanie. "It's not like she'll listen," Somto snorted, handing Nnenna a bottle of water.

And he was right. Nnenna had no plans of quitting. Whether she took first place or not, she intended to i finish what she started. The fact that they all understood her without her needing to say a word made her quietly...happy.

The remaining tof the break passed slowly, and the audience began filing back to their seats. M Arthur returned to the judges' stand, while Somto and Carl lingered with Nnenna for a few more minutes before heading to their VIP seats. Nnenna didn't waste a moment once the signal was given, she climbed the stage without hesitation. Stephanie was already there, waiting with an impatient glare.

"Delaying won't make this duel go away," Stephanie spat.

Nnenna didn't reply. Her mind was busy running through every pattern and method she had seen in Stephanie's fighting style, searching for a weakness.

So far, she had not found one.

She could have asked Arthur, or even Somto and Carl, but she refused.