Reborn: Apocalypse Ready. War Goddess by My Side novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Her Attention

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Finished

Lilliana knew exactly what had shifted the Dean’s attitude. Someone had made a phone call at precisely the right moment.

Which meant someone had sent that warning.

But who has that kind of reach?

Who can flip the Dean of Students like a switch with a single call?

The answer pointed in one direction: Steven’s background wasn’t anywhere near as ordinary as it looked.

“Steven, that was incredible!” Nelson’s voice rang out, practically vibrating with excitement. “Since when were you that strong? You actually went toe–to–toe with the homeroom teacher! Have you been sneaking in extra training at night?”

Bianca was grinning from ear to ear beside him.

Steven laughed. “Extra training? She was the one who was underprepared. She couldn’t even apply her Divine Sigil’s basic force output properly. Now get moving, both of you. I still need to train with Bianca.”

Nelson rolled his eyes with the theatrical suffering of a man deeply wronged.

“You absolute traitor to friendship.”

Bianca ducked her head, her cheeks flooding with color.

“Get out of here,” Steven said, still laughing.

Nelson grumbled something under his breath but turned serious for just a moment before leaving.

“Watch your back. Timothy isn’t going to let this go. After school especially. He’ll try something underhanded.”

Steven nodded. “Got it.”

Nelson headed off to find a sparring partner.

Steven turned to Bianca with an easy smile. “Alright, let’s get started. I’ll work with you.”

Bianca’s face was still pink. “I… what should we work on?”

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Chapter 18 Her Attention

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Finished

Steven looked at her flustered expression, and the corner of his mouth curved just slightly.

He thought it over for a moment.

Bianca’s awakened Sigil was SSS–rank.

It was the highest tier of the Flame Divine Sigil, the purest expression of that element in existence.

They called it the Absolute Flame.

In his previous life, after ascending to Divine Eternal, she had the power to burn an entire metropolis to ash on her own without breaking a sweat.

Later, she’d claimed the Ember Throne and ruled as the Ember Eternal, sovereign of fire itself.

She didn’t need weapons training. Not really.

“Use whatever close–combat techniques you’ve already learned and come at me,” Steven said. “I’ll guide you from there.”

Bianca hesitated, a little self–conscious, but she nodded.

“You’d better be ready.”

Steven smiled. “Give it everything you’ve got.”

Bianca settled into her stance and came at him.

To Steven’s eyes, the punch she threw looked almost gentle, like something between sparring and a light tap.

It was genuinely difficult to imagine that this was the woman who would one day become the Ember Eternal.

“Commit to the strike! Aim for the vital points!

“When you throw that punch, your right foot needs to move with it. A small pivot is all it takes. Your center of gravity becomes completely solid the moment you do.

“When you’re facing an enemy, there’s no such thing as holding back. You bring your full force on the first move. Every time. No hesitation.”

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Lilliana went quiet.

Maybe there was something worth saying.

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12:14 Tue, Jun 9

Chapter 18 Her Attention

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Finished

After everything that had happened yesterday, Steven had just… stopped acknowledging her. Like she didn’t register anymore.

But was she really supposed to compete with someone like Bianca for his attention?

That thought felt faintly ridiculous.

Still, there were things that probably needed to be said.

Across the campus, in the Dean of Students‘ office, Cassandra jumped to her feet the moment the Dean walked back through the door.

“Sir, did you sort it out?”

The Dean’s expression was not a pleasant one. He’d gone to see the principal, and the conversation that followed had left him feeling like he’d been turned inside out.

He came back knowing one thing with absolute certainty: Steven was untouchable.

He looked at Cassandra, and a thought moved through the back of his mind as he took in the sight of her.

“Ms. Chapman,” he said, his voice heavy with reluctance, “Steven isn’t someone we can move against.”

Cassandra stared at him like he’d said something in a language she didn’t speak.

“What do you mean? Sir, he hit me. You have to stand up for me here!” Her voice carried the full, practiced weight of wounded indignation, and she leaned into the posture of someone deeply wronged.

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