h4Chapter 505: Something From Deep Within Her/h4

    Her form wasn’t perfect, but she was fast.

    Arthur dodged effortlessly, catching her wrist mid swing and flipping her over his shoulder.

    Crash.

    She hit the ground hard.

    Carl and Somto tensed in their seats.

    Arthur waited.

    She groaned, pushing herself back up. Her lip trembled, but she didn’t quit.

    Strike. Block. Spin. Kick.

    Arthur met her every move like a stone wall. His footwork was minimal. Controlled. Mastered.

    Her breathing grew shallow, each limb aching more with every failed attempt.

    Then came the fifth fall.

    This time she didn’t get up immediately.

    Carl shot up from his seat. "Arthur, that’s enough!"

    Arthur didn’t look at him. "Sit down."

    "She’s in pain! You’re being too hard on her—!"

    "She’s not done," Arthur said, eyes still locked on Nnenna. "And if you interfere, she’ll never reach what’s ahead of her."

    Somto stood, fists clenched. "She’s not a machine—!"

    "Sit. Down." Arthur’s voice thundered with finality, sharp as a de. "She chose this path. She knew the rules. Don’t insult her by stepping in now."

    But even as the young men hesitated, watching her battered form still struggling to stand, they couldn’t take it anymore.

    Carl moved.

    "Stop," Nnenna’s voice cracked as she knelt on one knee.

    Her hair was a mess. Her lip was bleeding. But her eyes... they burned with something primal.

    "Please..." she whispered, barely audible. "Don’t interfere."

    Carl froze mid step. Somto clenched his jaw and slowly sat down again.

    Arthur stared at her, silently.

    Inside her chest, her heart roared with frustration.

    What more do you want from me?!

    A soft voice rang in her mind.

    "You’re hurting... Let me help you. Use your good points—"

    "No," she gritted through clenched teeth. "If I win, it won’t be because of you. It’ll be me."

    "...Then I’ll wait."

    Her vision blurred from exhaustion. Her legs trembled. Her arms felt like lead.

    And still, she stood.

    Arthur’s expression shifted, only slightly. The faintest flicker of something... not pity, but recognition.

    She came again. Barely standing, barely breathing, but she moved.

    Left strike. Right feint. Low sweep

    He countered with ease, trapping her movement with a wrist lock and spinning her body away again.

    She crashed for the sixth time.

    The world tilted.

    Her bones screamed in protest, her spirit threatened to crack.

    Why am I even trying!

    And then something snapped.

    Not pain.

    Not fear.

    But instinct.

    From deep within her, older than the year two or year three teachings. Her body moved before her mind could follow.

    A rapid shuffle step, fluid and explosive. Her hand twisted upward, elbow tucked, a unique pivot of the wrist

    Arthur’s eyes widened. Toote.

    Crack!

    She mmed her palm into his chest using a spiral force unique to one particr form.

    He skidded backward, his stance broken for the first time in the entire duel.

    The technique, he knew it.

    He hadn’t taught her that.

    Only one person had ever learned that from him. And it was—

    "...Impossible," he whispered.

    The memory shed across his mind, a memory from more than a decade ago.

    He looked at her, stunned into silence.

    And she, just realizing what she had done, blinked once, and then swayed.

    Her knees gave way.

    Before her body could hit the ground, Somto was already there. He dashed forward, catching her gently in his arms.

    "Nnenna..."

    She copsed against his chest, too weak to even lift her head. Her breathing was shallow but steady.

    Somto held her tightly, pressing his lips together as he looked down at her bruised face.

    His heart twisted.

    Carl’s voice cracked through the air as he rushed across the field.

    "Code Red. I need an ambnce sent immediately to the training grounds. Female,te teens, copsed, semi conscious. ETA?" His breath caught. "Get here fast."

    He tossed his phone aside and dropped to his knees beside Nnenna.

    Shey in Somto’s arms, barely conscious. Her breath came in short, faint bursts. Her skin was too pale. Too cold.

    "I’ve got her," Carl said sharply.

    Somto shifted, allowing Carl space. Carl was already checking her pulse with one hand, the other hovering near her corbone.

    "Heart’s beating, but it’s weak." His fingers moved with practiced speed. "Breathing’s shallow... Might be hyperventtion mixed with physical shock."

    He tilted her gently onto her side, the recovery position, elevating her head with his hand. He slid off his jacket and folded it under her neck to keep her airway open, unfastened the top of her training vest to let her breathe easier, then propped her upper body slightly using his own knee.

    "She’s not in danger, but she needs rest, and fluids. Her system’s just overworked. Likely a mix of fatigue and mild copse."

    Carl pulled out the handkerchief from his coat pocket and dabbed her forehead, brushing damp strands of hair away from her face.

    She didn’t respond. But her eyelids fluttered.

    He exhaled.

    Good. Still responsive.

    He rubbed her wrists lightly, stimting blood flow, murmuring more to himself than anyone else, "Come on, Nnenna. You’re tougher than this."

    Behind them, Arthur still hadn’t moved.

    He stood several paces back, eyes locked on the scene, arms stiff at his sides. Silent. Watching.

    Carl, meanwhile, continued with quiet, precise motions, lifting Nnenna’s hand, checking her fingers, scanning for tension or reaction.

    No visible broken bones. No bruising. Just a drained, overheated body that had pushed too hard.

    He nced at her face again.

    Of course you pushed past your limit... again.

    He said nothing more, but his hands moved with a little more care.

    Moments passed like that, Carl steady, focused, treating her with minimal words. Somto beside them, holding her hand. Arthur frozen in ce.

    And then, faintly, Nnenna stirred. Her lips parted, the faintest breath escaping.

    Carl paused. Then gave a soft nod.

    "She’s stabilizing. The ambnce will be here any minute. We just have to keep herfortable till then."

    He did not look up. He didn’t need to.

    You’re safe now, he thought quietly.