Reborn: Apocalypse Ready. War Goddess by My Side novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 I’m Not Good Enough for Her!

The classroom fell completely silent.

One of Steven’s close friends from his usual seat gave him a thumbs–up.

Meanwhile, the students Steven had called out couldn’t think of a single comeback.

Timothy’s expression was unbelievably dark.

Even Lilliana, sitting in the third row, couldn’t help turning back to look at Steven.

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For the first time, she felt like she was seeing him in a different light. Today’s Steven really did seem different somehow.

Standing up for classmates was admirable.

But provoking this many people by yourself? Was that really smart?

Lilliana only looked for a moment before turning back around.

Bianca stared at Steven’s profile and felt her heartbeat pounding in her chest.

No one… No one had ever treated her like this before.

She wanted to carve Steven’s face permanently into her memory.

He’s really… so good to me…

After Timothy finally recovered from the shock, he let out a mocking laugh. “Big talk coming from you. What, you think you’re some kind of big shot now? You’re just a B–rank combat scrub. How exactly are you gonna protect her? With your lousy skills?

“This afternoon in combat class, I’m gonna see if you can actually fight as well as you talk.”

Hearing that, the students Steven had called out regained some confidence.

One after another, they started sneering again.

“You wanna play hero? Better make sure you’ve got what it takes!”

Bianca quietly tugged at Steven’s pant leg, signaling for him to stop.

But Bianca also knew Steven was strong in a fight. She just didn’t want him ruining his relationship with the entire class because of her.

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Chapter 9 I’m Not Good Enough for Her!

Steven didn’t care.

He looked at them and sneered. “Against you people? I won’t even need both hands!”

Hearing that, everyone felt like Steven had completely lost his mind.

The students he’d called out burst into mocking laughter.

“His brain’s definitely fried!”

“What an idiot!”

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Timothy let out a cold laugh. “Then I guess we’ll see this afternoon during combat class how exactly you plan to fight all of us.”

The class bell rang, and the teacher arrived.

Steven finally let the matter drop.

He exchanged a glance with Bianca.

“Don’t be scared. Nobody’s allowed to bully you anymore.”

After saying that, Steven returned to his own seat first.

Meanwhile, Bianca’s bright eyes remained restless for a long time.

She lowered her head as a tear quietly fell.

But she really was happy.

That battered, scarred heart of hers was slowly being stitched back together piece by piece.

After returning to his seat, math class began.

Even in this era, students still had to study natural sciences like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and more.

Those who failed to awaken Divine Sigils would take the SAT and become the foundation of the nation’s academic world.

Even after the world changed, technology still needed to advance. These subjects remained essential.

The only thing humanity abandoned was nuclear weapons, though nuclear energy still existed.

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Three hundred years ago, humanity had tried using nuclear weapons to destroy the beasts, but they discovered nuclear energy could only eliminate weaker beasts.

As for high–level beasts, they actually absorbed the energy from nuclear explosions and evolved further.

Once that happened, nuclear weapons completely lost their original value. Not only did they destroy humanity’s homes, but they also helped beasts evolve.

That was why nuclear weapons were ultimately banned, leaving only nuclear energy research behind.

Steven had absolutely no interest in listening to any of this.

He was never going down that path.

He slumped across his desk.

His best friend, Nelson Dittman, leaned over from beside him and gave him a thumbs–up.

In a lowered voice, he said, “Damn, you’re incredible, Steven!

“Yesterday evening, you went from getting rejected to completely fracturing her ego, then you went after Timothy, and today, you cursed out half the class. What exactly are you trying to do? You seriously giving up on Lilliana?”

Steven glanced at Nelson. In his previous life, Steven had personally watched Nelson die in front of him while trying to save him.

His eyes immediately grew slightly wet. This time, he absolutely had to change all of it.

Suppressing those emotions, Steven smiled. “It’s nothing. I just can’t stand people acting like that.”

Nelson hesitated before saying, “Then what are you gonna do this afternoon? Timothy’s definitely coming after you.

“Even with me helping, the two of us probably still aren’t his match!

“How’d you make Timothy back down yesterday? Can you pull the same trick again today?”

Nelson looked genuinely worried.

Steven laughed. “What are you scared of? Just beat the shit outta him!”

“Ugh, please don’t. That sounds gross. I don’t wanna clean that up.” Nelson made a disgusted

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Chapter 9 I’m Not Good Enough for Her!

face.

Steven laughed and punched him lightly in the waist.

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Nelson grinned. “You’re right. As long as we fight together, why should we be scared of him?”

Nelson’s combat rank was only B+ too, which wasn’t especially high.

But why would Steven be afraid now?

Nelson cautiously leaned closer and asked, “So what’s going on with Lilliana anyway?

“You seriously switched over to liking Bianca now?”

Steven curled his lips slightly. Even if he really did like Bianca, once she awakened her Divine Sigil, would she even still look at someone with only a B–rank Divine Sigil like him?

At most, she’d probably remember what he did for her now and treat him as a friend in the future.

Steven said, “Forget Lilliana. I’m done with that. It’s too exhausting.”

There was no way Steven would ever fall for that woman again. Once she awakened, she would absolutely distance herself from him.

Nelson’s eyes widened. Not good enough for Bianca, the ugly duckling?

No, wait. Crap. Steven already said not to call her that anymore.

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He’s really moving over to sit with me?

What’s going on with him?

Could it be… he really did come to me only because Lilliana rejected him, and he needed someone to rebuild his confidence with?

Did Steven seriously fall for Bianca?

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At the same time, irritation rose inside Lilliana. This guy would rather go after a girl like Bianca than continue simping after me?

What the hell?

He must be doing this on purpose. Playing hard to get. Does he seriously think I’ll fall for something so childish?

Steven completely ignored everyone’s mockery anyway. After all, he only had one more week to waste here.

Next week was Divine Awakening. At that point, he’d be saying goodbye to a lot of people.

Steven revealed a warm smile.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want me sitting here?”

Bianca finally snapped back to reality.

“Huh? N–no…”

Bianca’s ears turned bright red, and she didn’t dare look at Steven.

She couldn’t understand what Steven was thinking at all.

Still, she stood up and quietly moved her books and belongings closer to the window.

Bianca had always sat alone without a desk partner.

Steven’s sudden closeness stirred all kinds of unfamiliar emotions inside her.

Steven simply smiled and naturally sat down beside Bianca.

Bianca lowered her head shyly, and some sharp–eyed classmates immediately noticed her reaction.

Are these two… seriously getting together?

The second class began.

Bianca was completely unable to focus anymore.

Even though she didn’t look at Steven directly, her thoughts kept drifting toward him.

They were sitting so close together.

It made her heart race uncontrollably.

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Chapter 9 I’m Not Good Enough for Her!

She didn’t understand why Steven was suddenly getting close to her.

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Even if everyone else was right, and he was only using her to rebuild his confidence, she still… would willingly accept it.

Maybe this is the gift God decided to give me during the darkest moment of my life.

If Steven hadn’t saved me yesterday, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.

If he wants to lie to me, then I’ll let him.

I’m willing

Not long after, Steven slid a note over toward her.

Bianca’s heart immediately started pounding wildly.

What’s this?

Don’t tell me it’s one of those love letters…

This soon?

Whatever. I’m going all in.

Bianca carefully picked up the note.

Then she opened it.

“Pay attention in class. Stop overthinking.”

Instantly, Bianca’s cheeks turned bright red.

Meanwhile, Steven had already laid down on the desk and fallen asleep.

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