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.

all people, being concerned

That was... new.

Again

asked her a

Was she nervous?

surprised her more, the question itself, or the

Something shifted inside her.

was Arthur’s way of showing care, quietly, awkwardly, like he was

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

lingered in the

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

if it

know? What if, in his quiet, Arthur

them. He could’ve sent someone else. He could’ve ignored the day altogether.

coincidence. He didn’t

because he

down for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She could really use someone to talk to, even if that someone was Arthur, the least

last time and still finding no clear answer in his

took a quiet

she said finally,

don’t know how I’ll measure up. This isn’t just an exam, it’s a test of everything. Of whether I

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

Arthur was silent.

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

walk away,

Arthur, however, was stuck.

Carl would know exactly

Should he call Carl?

dismissed the thought

told himself. Even if I don’t get it perfectly right... I’ll