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

Chapter 496: Just Another Warm Up

One that did not have to be forced or chased.

Even if it took years... even if her heart ached every time she saw Somto and Nnenna together... she would move on.

Quietly.

Gracefully.

And one day, she would find someone who loved her the way her father loved her mother.

She opened her eyes and gave a tiny, determined smile.

’You’ll be okay,’ she told herself. ’One day, this won’t hurt anymore. And when that day comes, I’ll be ready to love again, with someone who chooses me back.’

She sat up straighter and glanced at Nnenna, who was humming to herself and flipping through flashcards. Ava nudged her shoulder playfully.

"Teach me one more trick," she said with a soft laugh, voice lighter than before.

Nnenna blinked and grinned. "I thought you were done already?"

Ava shrugged. "Well, you never know when a good hack could save your life."

Somto glanced at them in the mirror and smiled quietly to himself.

And just like that, the ache in Ava’s chest softened.

She would be fine.

Eventually.

The car rolled to a smooth stop near the academy gates, where other families were already gathered. Students clutched their notes, hugged their parents, or exchanged nervous jokes.

inside Somto’s car, the atmosphere

at the two girls beside him. His gaze

and low. "But don’t let that shake you. You already know everything you need to.

Nnenna nodded. "I’m ready."

gave a short nod back, the corner of his mouth lifting

to Ava, his expression still calm, but less soft. "You too, Ava. Don’t rush your answers. You’ve worked hard. That will

smile, more comforted by his quiet confidence than

Nnenna reached for the door, Somto’s voice stopped

and she looked

else says or

words sinking deeper than she expected. She nodded once, firm,

not say anything more.

as they walked toward the gates, blending into

steering wheel. He watched their retreating figures, Nnenna’s determined stride and Ava’s quiet focus, until the crowd swallowed them up

he start the engine again and drive off, his face calm, unreadable... but his gaze, for a moment, had held something warm and

began

settled across the hall... until the first few students flipped their

of

Then

"What the—?"

writing year two

"This can’t be real..."

through the room like waves crashing on a shore. Pens hovered in

let out small gasps, others clutched their heads in disbelief. The questions were brutal, not impossible, but

easy, but this felt cruel. Like the questions had been

it was all

scribbling answers. Some sweated profusely, chewing on their pens, muttering

But not Nnenna.

her, this was just

a calm, almost amused smile tugged at her lips. Seriously? This was nothing compared to what she had drilled herself on back