CHAPTER 51: CHOICE? DIE OR GIVE UP

Rather than what the crowd expected rage, cold threats, or a violent outburst Nova’s reaction was something entirely different.

Instead, she let out a long, deep sigh. The kind of sigh that carried not just frustration, but exhaustion, as if she were tired of all this nonsense. She didn’t even try to hide it.

Yes, she was angry. Furious, in fact. His words had stung more than she’d ever admit, especially the way he’d dismissed her so easily calling her "woman" as if she were some stranger, no trace of respect left. But Nova, ever the master of restraint, controlled herself. She could see it clearly: Razeal wasn’t thinking straight. His emotions had overtaken him, and he was flailing in his anger.

He’s still a kid, she reminded herself. A kid lost in his own storm.

Her voice was firm, no longer biting just direct. Not wanting to accept his mistake.

"Look. Here’s the thing." She took a step forward, eyes steady on him. "You don’t need to go through with all this ridiculous planning for your own death or embarrassment. Whatever it is you think you’re doing stop."

She pointed, finger lowering to Selena’s feet, guiding his gaze.

"I’m giving you a chance right now."

Her voice echoed in the hushed coliseum.

"Come. Apologize to Selena. Right now. Call me sister very respectfully. Do that, and I promise you, that no one no one will harm you from this moment forward."

Her words, so clear and direct, sent ripples through the gathered crowd. Eyes widened in shock, mouths parted in disbelief, but no one dared interrupt. The weight of Nova’s authority silenced them more effectively than any threat.

If he can’t understand what I was trying to teach him with words... Nova thought grimly, then maybe I just need to be straightforward. Lure him in if I have to. Looking at his intelligence... he’ll see this is the smart choice. He’ll agree.

But before Razeal could respond, Selena took a hesitant step forward. Her face was a canvas of tangled emotions: guilt, sorrow, confusion. "Nova... it’s alright," she said quietly, her voice almost pleading. "He doesn’t need to apologize. Truly. Remember, you all already apologized on his behalf back then. He received his punishment... you don’t need to force this."

She stood close now, close enough that any other person would have been cut down for daring such proximity without invitation. But Selena, perhaps the only one who could, stood there, eyes flicking instinctively toward Razeal, heart pounding.

Nova’s sharp gaze softened. She reached out and took Selena’s trembling hand, holding it gently, then placed her other hand over it, as if trying to still the shaking. Her strict, almost harsh expression melted for a moment into one of warmth and quiet understanding.

"Selena... you don’t have to feel guilty for any of this. Even if I am his sister, that doesn’t excuse what he did. And yes, even if we’ve apologized on his behalf, even if we punished him you deserve a personal, sincere apology. One just for you."

Her voice wavered slightly not with weakness, but with the emotion she struggled so hard to keep buried beneath her cold exterior. "Maybe I’m being selfish, trying to still hope for him... to still accept him after everything. Maybe he won’t do it. Maybe he can’t. But as his elder sister, it’s my duty to give him at least one last chance."

She squeezed Selena’s hand gently. "Please, understand that."

Selena’s hands trembled harder in Nova’s grasp, her body betraying the storm inside her. She wanted to say something anything but the words stuck, lodged behind the weight of everything she’d endured. She had come so far. What good would it do to say them out now?

Maybe if only... she thought, if only I hadn’t... But she stopped herself. It was too late for if-onlys. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to stand silently, letting Nova’s steady presence ground her.

Nova felt the violent tremor in the girl’s hands, her heart aching at the reminder. This girl is still the same as that day... The trauma never left her.

All the while, Razeal watched them both in silence. His eyes, dark and unreadable, flickered between Nova and Selena.

Nova kept her eyes on him, waiting. Waiting for that moment where his fragile pride, his battered ego, would finally give way beneath the weight of survival. She knew it well the struggle of a boy who’d tasted humiliation and hate, trying so hard to hold on to some scrap of dignity. But when death stood before you, clawing at your throat, even the proudest would consider bowing their head.

And she knew he would. Sooner or later, he would agree.

In his mind, the system’s voice echoed, calm yet urgent.

[Host, this is our chance.]

The system’s voice echoed urgently in Razeal’s mind, sharper than usual, as if afraid he’d somehow throw this opportunity away. [Agree. Before she changes her mind. Don’t fuck it up. You’ll get the perfect chance to develop your power, and you can lay low under her safety. It’s a golden opportunity. I know it’ll be hard for you, after everything they’ve done to you, but don’t be idiotic. We’re not a heroic system. You’re meant to walk the villain’s path. Do what a villain must. Sometimes, being shameless is acceptable. Pride debts can be paid later.]

The system laid out its reasoning in full, though deep down, it knew Razeal didn’t really need the reminder. He was clever.. too clever to throw this chance away. But still... it felt the need to say it. Just in case.

But instead, Razeal let out a low whistle, the sound sharp in the quiet arena. He ran his fingers through his long hairs, a crazy grin spreading across his face. The grin of someone who had nothing left to lose.

His shoulders began to shake, as if holding back deeper laughter, as if the entire situation was one big joke.

Nova watched him closely, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. He’s struggling with it, she thought. Trying to burn off that arrogance, act cool before he gives in. That’s all this is. Honestly its looking painful to break someone ego like this.

[Host...] The system’s voice cracked with dread. It felt the storm brewing inside him, felt that dangerous spark of defiance rising. [Don’t do it. Don’t you dare~]

But Razeal wasn’t listening.

Apologize? His mind spat the word like poison. Apologize for fucking what? For standing up for himself? He bit the inside of his cheek, fighting the words that clawed at his throat but only barely.

His eyes burned cold and wild, as if he’d already accepted death, as if he welcomed it now. He shook his head slowly, expression darkening, then spat on the ground at their feet literally.

Nora looks down at his motion emotionlessly looking down.

"Forget about me apologizing to anyone in here."

His voice was sharp as steel, his gaze daring them to try. His chest rose and fell with heavy, ragged breaths, like a man ready for execution but refusing to kneel.

"In fact, I’ll give you a challenge." His grin widened, unhinged, as his fingers popped the top button of his shirt, loosening it as if preparing for whatever storm would come. "If by any means you can make me apologize to anyone right now I’ll lick that spit clean off the ground. Come on. I don’t fucking care if I die or not. I’m not fucking begging anyone or living on someone’s sympathy."

His words echoed like thunder in the silent coliseum.

The temperature seemed to plummet, as if a winter wind had swept through the arena. Gulping noises could be heard people too stunned to speak, too stunned even to move.

This kid... they thought, horror dawning on their faces. He’s lost his mind.

That thought rippled through the crowd. Utterly mad. He just threw away the one chance to change his life, to claw his way out of hell and reach heaven’s gates and he rejected it. Just like that.

And worse he didn’t just reject it. He challenged her. Her. Nova Virelan. The Raven Princess.

No one moved. No one breathed. Today had been a roller coaster an impossible display of insanity, guts, and defiance. They would never forget this day as long as they lived.

Razeal’s voice rose again, raw, wild, and bitter.

"And as for calling you sister?" His eyes narrowed, voice like ice venom. "You lost that right the day you first raised your hands against me. Don’t fucking bring it up again. You every one of you... this fucking entire world... you’re all dead to me."

His long royal purple hair swung behind him as he lifted his chin, defiant to the end. The blood still streaking his cheek only made him look wilder, more crazy.

"Don’t bother playing games, pretending to be sympathetic. I don’t remember begging for your help. So mind your own damn business. I never asked for help from any of you."

[Are you fucking crazy?! Have you lost it?! You fucking idiot! We could’ve gotten so far! You want to die fine! But why drag me down with you?! Fuck! FUCK!]

The system’s voice raged in his mind now, the fury and despair mixing into a storm of expletives. The usual calm, calculated presence had shattered completely.

[Moments ago I laid it out for you! Crystal clear! Just a simple apology that’s all it would’ve taken! One word, and you’d be safe! We could have hidden, grown stronger, laid low under there shadows even, and then then, you could have paid back every debt or whatever the Fuck you wanted to be! And now? Now you choose this? You had fucking accepted torture before literally, and yet now you can’t even bend your damn pride to say one word? Just one FUCKING work?!]

The system’s voice trembled in frustration, almost helpless in its anger. [Do you even realize what you’ve done? What you’ve thrown away? You didn’t just doom yourself you’re dragging me into your grave with you! FUCK!] Afterall if host died it’ll be system end too that’s why its reacting like that

Its words echoed in Razeal’s mind like a broken chorus, the sound of a plan burned to ash.

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