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

Chapter 460: Grow A Spine

Arthur didn’t answer. He just stood there, staring at them, his jaw tight.

"Say something," Carl repeated, growing irritated. "You’re wasting our time."

Arthur looked...embarrassed? Then conflicted. His eyes flickered away, and for the first time, Ava found herself studying him in genuine disbelief.

These were expressions she had never seen on his face before. Arthur always wore either an easy smirk or a cold mask.

Finally, Arthur cleared his throat again and spoke up, voice low and almost reluctant.

"Somto... Somto is going to teach her martial arts?"

"Yes," Carl said flatly.

Arthur hesitated, his gaze shifting to Nnenna, then back to Carl. "Don’t you think...you have someone better than Somto to teach her that?"

Carl tilted his head, confused. "I don’t think so. Somto is better than me in martial arts."

Arthur pressed his lips together, clearly holding back something. His brows furrowed deeper.

"Anybody else you can think of?" he asked again, almost as if he were giving Carl some invisible hint.

Carl thought it over with all seriousness, oblivious to Arthur’s growing exasperation. "Nope."

Arthur’s face went utterly blank. He was speechless.

He was much better than Somto in martial arts. In fact, he was leagues ahead. He had fully expected Carl to remember this and casually suggest him.

Then, when everyone looked his way, he would pretend to think it over and finally agree, reluctantly, of course. It would have been the perfect chance to get closer to Nnenna, to show her he was dependable.

But this buffoon of a friend hadn’t even thought to recommend him.

Arthur felt a sudden, childish urge to just blurt it out himself, I’ll teach her! but he swallowed it down, his pride too thick to let the words escape.

"Is there something else you want to say?" Carl asked, tilting his head, genuinely curious.

Now Nnenna and Ava were both staring at him, and Arthur felt strangely cornered, like a cat caught stealing fish.

Why do I feel like Carl is doing this to me on purpose? he thought warily. But Carl’s expression was as unreadable as a brick wall.

Arthur clenched his jaw. He couldn’t figure it out, so he finally resigned himself to fate.

"...I’m better than Somto in martial arts," he said at last, voice low but calm, as if simply stating a boring fact.

But Carl’s reply left Arthur absolutely speechless.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Carl said lightly, snapping his fingers like he had just remembered something trivial. "Thanks for reminding me." noveldrama

Then, without even sparing Arthur a second glance, he turned back to Nnenna.

"Anyway, Somto will teach you martial arts," he continued as if nothing had happened, "and we’ll find teachers for the two talent skills later."

Nnenna nodded slowly, her expression calm. She trusted Carl completely. If he thought this was the best arrangement, then she wouldn’t question it.

For a split second, she actually considered asking Arthur herself when she heard him say he was better than Somto. But since Carl hadn’t recommended it, she decided he must have a good reason.

Arthur felt something deflate in his chest. Unbelievable...

Meanwhile, Ava had finally pieced everything together. She glanced at her brother and felt a twinge of pity. So that’s what this is about.

A part of her wanted to help him, just speak up for him, nudge Nnenna a little, but she stopped herself.

Arthur was always a man of few words, always holding everything in. If he really liked Nnenna, he needed to learn to open his mouth and fight for what he wanted.

With that thought, Ava quietly decided: No, I won’t interfere. He needs to do this himself.

By now, Arthur knew Carl was doing this on purpose. He could see it clearly, the way Carl deliberately didn’t mention him again after he had reminded everyone he was better than Somto.

It was like watching the opportunity slip right through his fingers. If he didn’t act now, it would be gone for good.

Panic prickled at the back of his neck. He didn’t know what else to do, so he just blurted out his intentions in a rush:

"I’ll teach Nnenna martial arts," he said hurriedly, his voice firmer than he felt.

Nnenna turned to stare at him in disbelief.

She had honestly thought she would have to beg him, plead and convince him that she wasn’t just another ordinary student. That she wouldn’t be a burden to him or waste his time. She had been ready to prove she was worth teaching.

And just like that, he had offered on his own.

That...wasn’t like Arthur at all.

A slow understanding dawned in Nnenna’s mind. Maybe...this was what Carl had been up to all along.

Ava hid a small, knowing smile. Finally, she thought. He grew a spine.

No wonder Carl hadn’t mentioned it at all.

Nnenna was just about to agree and thank Arthur when Carl spoke up, his tone calm but deceptively thoughtful.

"I appreciate you offering to do this for me and Somto, Arthur...but it’s really unnecessary," Carl said, shaking his head lightly. "Even that class rep in Year 5, George, can teach someone and help them pass with no trouble. Not to mention me or Somto, who’s even better than I am in martial arts, teaching Nnenna."

He smiled politely, his expression tinged with something that looked almost touched. "Thank you for volunteering, though. I really do appreciate it."

Everybody was speechless.

Ava and Nnenna, who had already guessed what Carl was playing at, were now a little confused. Hadn’t he already gotten Arthur to do exactly what he wanted? So why was he still pressing?

But Arthur finally understood, clear as daylight, exactly what his friend was doing.

Carl was trying to make sure it looked like Arthur was the one truly eager, so eager that he would insist on taking the responsibility himself.

That way, he had have no choice but to take the job seriously, without needing to be bribed, coaxed, or begged into it.

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