<strong>Chapter 434: I’m Here</strong>


    His face was stone, but his aura? Livid.


    His head snapped up, sharp like a de unsheathed.


    With swift precision, he grabbed the two people beside him, Nnenna to his left and Ava to his right, and pulled them down behind him, shielding them without a second thought.


    Then he scanned the grounds, eyes sharp and searching. His senses expanded as he searched for even the slightest trace of movement, or intent.


    But there was nothing.


    No unusual presence. No fleeing figure. No suspicious aura.


    The attacker, if there really was one, had either blended in too well or… was still here, watching.


    By then, Jana had already turned her face away, shrinking her presence as much as possible. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, but she forced herself to appear calm. She blended into the background, just another silent student amidst the tense crowd.


    Arthur, now in full alert mode, didn’t even nce her way.


    His thoughts were focused elsewhere, on potential assassins, not students.


    He swept his eyes across the entire training field, his sharp gaze moving over every face, every shadow, every building in the distance. His senses were trained for war, not schoolyard drama.


    From his perspective, if someone had nned to assassinate a student, especially under his watch, it wouldn’t have been one of his own students. That would be too foolish.


    They had all been in the academy for nearly two months now. If anyone among them had ill intentions, they would have struck earlier, when suspicion was low and everyone was still strangers.


    But now? This felt too deliberate… too precise.


    Still, despite his intense scrutiny, nothing stood out. No flickers of movement. No fleeing figure. Everything appeared normal.


    Too normal.


    Finally, his gazended on Nnenna.


    She stood rooted in ce, her bow ck in her hand. Her wide eyes were still filled with lingering fear, and something else… awe. The aftershock of a near death experience clung to her like a second skin.


    Arthur’s expression softened, ever so slightly. Just for her.


    “It’s alright,” he said quietly, gently. “I’m here.”


    His voice was calm and low, yet it carried strength. Like a protective wall had just surrounded her.


    Nnenna nodded slowly, trying to steady her breathing.


    She had been trying to stay calm, reminding herself the love system would act if things went south. But despite its power, nothing couldpletely erase the cold rush of fear that came from almost losing her life.


    Arthur had saved her before the system could even act.


    Everyone still looked shaken. Whispers had started to rise again.


    But even in the middle of her fear, Nnenna couldn’t stop the awe slowly creeping into her heart.


    How… how did he catch that arrow without even looking?


    Her eyes dropped to the splinters of thick wood now lying useless on the ground. And he broke it, just like that.


    She stared at Arthur’s hand. It didn’t even look strained. Was this the kind of power Omniora Academy could shape someone into? Could she… be like that too? Or maybe even better?


    The thought sent a small spark of excitement fluttering through her chest.


    “Cool…” she whispered before she could stop herself.


    Arthur blinked, caught off guard.


    He had been turning toward her, ready to offer more reassurance, morefort, something. But her small, breathy word froze him in ce.


    The fear in her eyes had vanished. In its ce was pure wonder, admiration… trust.


    For a second, he forgot they were surrounded by students. He forgot he was supposed to keep his cold and distant mask on. His lips curved, slowly, unconsciously, into a small smile.


    And it wasn’t just any smile.


    It was warm. Real. The kind of smile no one had ever seen on Prince Arthur’s face.


    Nnenna’s eyes widened even more.


    He smiled?


    She stared at him like she had just witnessed a unicorn walk by. Her breath hitched slightly, and she quickly looked away, pretending to refocus on somewhere else. But her hands were a little unsteady now, not from fear… but from something else entirely.


    Why did he smile like that? At me?


    “Brother… what’s going on?”


    The soft, shaken voice cut through the strange warmth of the moment. Arthur turned immediately. Ava had spoken.


    She was still crouched beside him, right where he had pulled her down for safety a few moments ago. Her usually proud andposed face was pale now, her lips slightly parted in shock, her eyes fixed on the shattered remains of the arrow on the ground.


    Arthur’s gaze softened as he realized what she must be thinking.


    She thinks it was meant for her.


    And to be honest, so did he. Nnenna was still rtively unknown in this part of the world. A princess from Lionara, yes, but not someone who would draw this level of danger. Ava, on the other hand… she was his sister. The only one. And his enemies knew that.


    She was an easy target to get to him.


    He sighed quietly, suppressing the anger that began to rise again, and gently ced a hand on her head. Ava flinched slightly at first, still shaken, but then froze when she felt his touch.


    “It’s alright,” he said softly, voice lower than usual. “You’re safe now.”


    Ava’s eyes flicked up to him. She wanted to believe it, she really did, but the lingering fear made her shoulders tremble.


    Arthur didn’t hesitate.


    He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a protective hug, his hand continuing to gently pat her back like he used to when they were younger.


    Although it was something he rarely did, he felt it was necessary now. He could feel how tense she was, how rigid her posture remained.


    “It’s okay,” he repeated, almost in a whisper. “No one will hurt you while I’m here.”


    For a long moment, Ava didn’t move. Then slowly, her shoulders rxed, her fingers clutching the front of his jacket as the adrenaline faded.