CHAPTER 661: SHE’LL BE OKAY

"I know," Nnenna murmured, nodding faintly.

"Good," the system replied, sounding almost relieved.

"I need a bath," she whispered, staring at the dried mix of dust and blood smeared across her skin.

Tap tap tap.

Someone knocked.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"It’s me," Carl’s steady voice came through the door.

"Oh," Nnenna replied softly, hesitation flickering across her face. She thought for a moment about telling him to come back later, but decided against it. With a small sigh, she pulled her uniform back on and went to open the door.

"What’s up?" Nnenna asked as the door slid open and Carl’s calm face came into view.

"You haven’t cleaned up yet?" Carl raised an eyebrow, instantly noticing the dust and faint traces of dried blood on her uniform. She had been in her room for at least thirty minutes. What had she been doing all that time?

"I could say the same about you," Nnenna deflected, crossing her arms lightly.

"Yeah," Carl admitted with a small nod. "I haven’t had a chance to clean up yet either." He did not push further, he could tell she did not want to explain.

"I was talking with Arthur," Carl said after a moment, stepping further into the room. Nnenna let the door slide shut and quietly followed him inside.

"In light of what happened today," he continued, his tone turning serious, "I think we should move our plans forward."

"Which ones exactly?" Nnenna asked, motioning for him to sit. He had been on his feet all day, and she knew he wouldn’t rest unless she told him to.

"The main attack," Carl replied simply, lowering himself into the chair after shooting her a grateful look.

Nnenna blinked. "Wasn’t that supposed to happen when I’m over there?"

"Yes," Carl confirmed, his voice steady but his expression unreadable. "That’s why, if you agree to the changes... I would like us to bring you over there sooner than planned."

.....

The words hit harder than she expected.

She froze, her heart skipping once before quickening in her chest. She had thought she had at least another week, maybe two, to prepare herself mentally, emotionally, spiritually. But now... that time was gone.

"What about my exam?" Nnenna asked quickly, almost too quickly. "The results aren’t even out yet. I need to know if I should be preparing to resit."

She tried to sound casual, but even to her own ears, it came out a little too defensive.

"Uh..." Carl blinked, slightly thrown off by her sudden concern. "From what I saw in your first three exams, you more than excelled. There’s almost a zero percent chance you’ll fail, unless someone tampers with your results."

Nnenna stayed silent, still searching for another reason to delay what was clearly inevitable.

"As for today’s exam," Carl continued gently, "I already contacted the academy. Grades will be based on your previous fights. The last one, your match with George, who turned out to be Linda, won’t count. There won’t be any final ranking either, since the duel wasn’t concluded. But don’t worry, your grade’s safe."

"Oh." Nnenna muttered, repeating herself quietly. "Oh." She was already thinking of another excuse when Carl narrowed his eyes a little.

"What’s this really about?" he asked, tone calm but curious. "You’ve never been this worried about grades."

"Nothing," Nnenna replied quickly, shaking her head.

"Alright," Carl said after a short pause, though his eyes told her he didn’t buy it. He leaned back slightly in his seat. "So... are you ready to see where you grew up?"

"I guess so," Nnenna said after a moment, forcing a small, reassuring smile.

"Great." he nodded, satisfied for now. "I’ll inform the others. We leave first thing tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you?"

"That’s okay," she answered quietly.

Carl nodded again and stood up, his usual calm warmth returning. "Then hurry up and clean up. Ava’s been asking after you, but she didn’t want to disturb you."

"Got it," Nnenna replied softly.

Carl smiled faintly and walked out of the room, leaving Nnenna standing there in the quiet, her smile fading the moment the door slid shut.

The next morning.

The team woke up early to prepare. Once everyone was ready, they informed the White family, then gathered in the vast grounds where the Talmac shimmered faintly under the morning sun.

"You’ll come back to visit occasionally, right?" Queen White asked, her voice soft but unwilling to let Nnenna go so soon. Her eyes swept over the girl from head to toe, concern deepening.

"Are you sure this can’t wait a few more weeks?" she turned to Carl. "Look at her, she’s so skinny. She needs to stay with me a bit longer so I can make sure she eats properly. Just a few more weeks, please."

"Mom."

"Honey."

Arthur and King White called out at the same time, Arthur’s tone carried his usual cold steadiness, but a hint of softness slipped through because he understood how much his mother would miss Nnenna. King White’s voice, on the other hand, was gentle but strained; even he found it hard to see her leave.

No one could say when she would return. The war could drag on for years, and even after it ended, she would have to rebuild her kingdom from the ground up.

But as a parent, King White knew that a time always came when children had to step out on their own. He had learned that lesson the hard way when Arthur left the safety of the Prigrian castle.

It hadn’t been easy. He had worried endlessly, lost sleep, and questioned himself a hundred times. But looking at Arthur now strong, capable, and standing proudly beside his team, he knew it had all been worth it.

"I know you’ll miss her," King White said softly, turning to his wife, who was already tearing up. "But she’ll be okay," he reassured, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Nnenna will be okay."