They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 534: You Gave Her a 10?? The referee, who had been stealing glances at him since the match began, understanding exactly who held the most authority in that arena, immediately picked up on the shift in mood. Arthur didn't need to raise his voice or gesture. His silence alone was sharp enough.

The referee straightened up, then stepped forward with a firmer tone.

"Student Kai. Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Kai flinched. The haze of irritation and disbelief faded from his face. He turned quickly to the referee, bowing slightly in apology.

"N-No, sir. It's just that—" "Then begin," the referee interrupted, not the least bit interested in excuses. His eyes flicked briefly toward Arthur before returning to the arena.

Kai's jaw tensed. His pride stung, both from Nnenna's blunt dismissal and now from being publicly shut down. Embarrassed and now eager to reclaim the spotlight, he took a step back and assumed a ready stance.

But he didn't bow.

He looked straight at Nnenna as if she were beneath that courtesy, an insect that happened to wander into a ring meant for giants.

The crowd murmured at the disrespect.

"He did not bow...?" "Rude. Even if you think she's weak, it's still a match." "Bro's ego is wounded, that's what this is." Nnenna simply stood, face unreadable. If he wouldn't bother with the formalities, she wouldn't either. She adjusted her footing, centered, balanced, calm.

From the judge's seat, Arthur's expression remained unchanged. But he tilted his head slightly, fingers drumming once on the armrest. The arena's tension seemed to stretch tighter at that subtle shift.

A deep, charged silence fell.

The fight was about to begin. And this time, it was personal.

The referee gave a sharp nod.

"Begin!" Kai launched forward immediately, aiming to end things with one solid, fast strike. He moved with the speed and confidence of someone used to winning.

But Nnenna didn't flinch.

She stepped aside at the last second, so swiftly and smoothly it looked like he had missed on purpose.

Kai stumbled, confused.

She turned.

Then struck.

One clean, fluid move, her palm connected with his side just below his ribs. A sharp gasp escaped him as he lost his footing entirely and hit the ground hard. Flat on his back. Disarmed, disoriented, and defeated... in under thirty seconds.

The entire arena went silent.

It stayed that way for a beat.

Then "W-What just happened?!" "Is it over? Wait, seriously??" "Rewind that! Someone rewind the livestream!" "THAT was ruthless! Elegant, but ruthless!" Online, the comments poured in like a flood.

@MartialArtsDad99: That was a surgical takedown! @OmnioraWatchLIVE: REPLAYING NOW! Did anyone catch her footwork?? @KaiFanBoy12: BROOOOOO?! You good?? ✪|| @NnennaNation: WHO IS SHE?! WHO TRAINED HER?! WHO DO I PAY FOR LESSONS?! Kai groaned from the floor, still processing what just happened.

From the judges' table, Elder Onyedika gave a long, impressed hum and leaned forward.

"That girl's balance and timing..." he muttered. "Flawless." Master Tayo scribbled rapidly. "She read every move he was about to make. Like she had already fought him before." Commander Olivia chuckled. "Or maybe like she didn't even need to." Only Arthur remained unmoved. His arms stayed crossed, his gaze cool. But the faint tilt of his head, the quiet gleam in his eyes, said everything.

He was proud.

He didn't clap. Didn't smile.

But he hadn't expected anything less.

"Scores!" the referee called out.

One by one, the judges raised their boards.

Master Tayo - 15.

Commander Olivia - 15.

Madam Wolke - 14.

Prince Arthur - 10.

Elder Onyedika - 14.

Student Nnenna - Total: 69. Grade: B Nnenna felt her eye twitch when she saw the score board.

A 10? Seriously?? It wasn't just her.

Everyone also felt Prince Arthur was being quite brutal. The girl did well and you gave her a 10?? Master Tayo - 11.

Commander Olivia 11.

Madam Wolke - 11.

Prince Arthur - 6.

Elder Onyedika - 10.

Student Kai - Total: 50. Grade: C The arena exploded in applause.

Nnenna calmly bowed, then walked off the stage with the squiet grace she had walked in with, composed, collected, and clearly no longer underestimated.

And somewhere in the crowd...

"That Kai guy should write her an apology letter." "Forget that. He should build her a statue." "She skipped years for a reason!" Nnenna had made her statement. Loud and clear.

And the tournament... was far from over.

The matches rolled on.

If Nnenna's swift victory caused a stir, what cnext left the crowd in awe... and a little shaken.

Stephanie.

Every ther nwas called, the arena tensed.

Her first match was against a tall, muscular student who was om considered one of the stronger fighters in the class. Seven thought he could give Nicholas a challenge. He didn't last ten seconds.

She didn't just win, she overwhelmed him. Her moves were fast, sharp, brutal. A combination of deadly grace and raw strength. The moment he moved, she was already three steps ahead, slamming him into the ground with a force that made the front row gasp. @OmnioraWatchLIVE: Okay... okay WHAT was that move?? @StephSquad: She doesn't fight. She demolishes.

@SpectatorGuy: I think I need therapy after watching that.

Master Tayo - 19.

Commander Olivia - 19.

Madam Wolke - 20.

Prince Arthur - 15.

Elder Onyedika - 17.

Student Stephanie - Total: 90% - A Then cher second match. This time, her opponent was quicker, more cautious. He tried to stall her out, avoiding direct confrontation.

Didn't matter.

She dragged him into a corner of the arena and ended the match with a flip and an elbow strike to his chest that left the audience wincing. "Is she human?" someone whispered from the crowd.

"She's Stephanie," someone else answered. "That's worse." Even the judges seemed to sit straighter when she stepped onto the stage each time.

Arthur remained still, face unreadable, but his eyes tracked every movement with razor focus.

Elder Onyedika nodded once, lips tight in approval.

Master Tayo let out a soft whistle. "Calculated brutality," he murmured.

An extra Chapter. Enjoy!