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

Chapter 530: Arthur ish Way

She could already imagine Ava’s over the top reaction: "Wait, you mean he was the one driving us the whole time?!" Complete with a dramatic gasp and probably a forehead slap.

With that amusing thought easing her nerves just a little, she finally turned to the silent driver still seated in the car.

"Thank you," she said quietly, respectful but cautious.

"It’s nothing," Arthur replied, his voice cold and flat, exactly what she expected from him.

She gave a small nod and reached for the door handle, ready to step out.

But then

"Are you nervous?"

The words were simple, but they stopped her like a slap of cold water.

She turned back to face him slowly, blinking. "...What?"

Not because she had not heard him.

But because, Arthur had just asked if she was nervous.

Arthur. The human iceberg. The training demon. The guy whose emotional range seemed permanently set to "chilly indifference."

He met her stunned gaze with his usual unreadable expression.

His tone had not changed, but his eyes... they held something just slightly softer. "Are you nervous?" he repeated, voice patient this time, as if he did not mind saying it again.

Nnenna just stared for a second.

The first time, she thought maybe her ears had malfunctioned.

The second time, she knew she was not imagining it.

being

That was... new.

Again

her a personal question.

Was she nervous?

stunned, unsure what surprised her more, the question itself, or the fact that it seemed to come

Something shifted inside her.

showing care, quietly, awkwardly, like he was not even

trying to read the expression on his face, but, as always, it was unreadable. Calm. Distant. That same

question lingered in the

just a formality, something he said out of obligation, not real care. If that was the case,

if it

in his quiet, Arthur ish way,

ignored the day altogether. But he didn’t. He came. Drove them. Said nothing, but still showed

her this wasn’t a coincidence. He didn’t just wake up one

came because

to talk to, even if that

closely one last time and still finding no clear answer in his expression, she trusted her

took a

she said finally, her voice low,

practiced. But... I still don’t know how I’ll measure up. This isn’t just an exam, it’s a

laughed lightly, the sound short and awkward. "I know everyone thinks I’m brave or crazy for trying to skip years,

Arthur was silent.

wanted one. Just saying it aloud already helped. She turned to step out again, ready to end the conversation and gather herself

to just walk away,

Arthur, however, was stuck.

while, he felt unsure. A part of him wished Carl were here, Carl would know exactly what to say, how to say

Should he call Carl?

dismissed the

I don’t get it perfectly right... I’ll try. And if trying isn’t enough, then I’ll go back and