The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 70: You're the Bravest Newbie I've Ever Seen Evelyn's POV "Great, like I need more attention,' I muttered as Nadia's excitement about my advanced classes echoed through the cafeteria. She squeezed my arm, eyes bright. "Do you realize what this means? You could finish school early and jump straight into full-time Sentinel training!" "Mind keeping it down?" I whispered, feeling stares from every direction. "I'm already sticking out enough." "Sorry!" Her volume dropped, but her enthusiasm didn't. "It's just so cool!

"Yeah, it is," I admitted with a small smile, though my thoughts were already racing ahead to the afternoon's challenges. I spent the next several hours catching up on missed coursework. The royal school's curriculum was impressively efficient - well- structured courses that let me progress quickly. According to my calculations, I could make up the month I'd missed within a week. Mark drove us back to the training center around six. I'd packed every textbook and study guide Elara had given me, determined not to fall behind.

"You know, you don't have to hit the books every second," Mark teased as we walked. "Even Sentinels need downtime." 74 We'd barely stepped through the main entrance when Seraphina blocked our path, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "Skipping mandatory training already?" Her voice dripped with contempt. "If you can't handle basic requirements, maybe you should crawl back to your pathetic little pack." Before I could answer, Mark stepped beside me. "Back off.

It's her first day and she didn't even get a proper schedule." "That's no excuse, Seraphina kept her eyes locked on me, completely ignoring him. "Once you join Sentinel training, you're expected to show a warrior's responsibility, not act like some spoiled princess." I raised my hand to stop Mark from saying more. I didn't need anyone fighting my battles, especially over this petty power play. "That's enough," I said quietly but firmly. "Think whatever you want about me, but I have orders from your superiors, and I'm not letting anyone interfere with those.

You don't have to like me, but if you try to sabotage my schedule again, we're going to have problems." I took a step closer, watching uncertainty flicker across her face. "Want me in training? Give proper notice. Want me to wake myself? Just say so. Try acting like a real leader instead of using me as your punching bag." I met her gaze steadily. "Now unless you have something important to say, I've got assignments to finish before dinner." 1/4 18:25 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 70: You're the Bravest Newbie I've Ever Seen She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Meet me at the testing field at five tomorrow morning, and again at five in the evening for additional training. No exceptions." "Fine. Can I go now? I need to finish my work, and Mark has to report in." "Go. Sit with me at dinner tonight."? I nodded and walked away. If she thought separating me from my new friends was punishment, she was mistaken. "Not gonna lie, that was badass!" Mark whispered once we were out of earshot. "You've got serious guts for a newbie." "You're such a dork," I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. In the library, Mark stared at my mountain of books.

"What is all this? I don't think I saw this many textbooks my entire high school career." 74 "I'm taking junior and senior courses but missed a month of material," I explained, flipping through pages. "Need to catch up fast. Wish I could've started during my hospital stay." Mark's expression turned serious. "Hold up - what kind of injury keeps someone in the hospital for a month?" I mentally kicked myself for the slip. "Not important.

Just saying it was boring, and I could've used the time to study." "Look, you don't have to talk about it now," his voice softened, "but eventually you might need to. If it was serious, your mental health matters too. Warriors coming back from rough missions get psychological evaluations for a reason." He paused, unusually thoughtful. "Bad experiences can haunt you when you least expect it. I know you're tough you kicked my ass easily enough - but you wouldn't be here this early unless something major happened.

If you ever need to talk, most of us are willing to listen." I raised a skeptical eyebrow. 'Okay, not everyone," he admitted with a smile, "but you get what I mean." I nodded. Nadia had said similar things, as had her parents and the boys back home. But I wasn't ready to rehash those memories. "Thanks, but I really need to focus now," I said gently. He took the hint. "I'll grab you for dinner later. Even if you're stuck with the drill sergeant, we can at least stand in line together." After he left, I threw myself into studying, mapping out a plan to complete everything within a week.

Seraphina's extra training sessions would complicate things, but I'd manage. "That's enough, nerd!" Mark's head suddenly popped through the doorway. "Study time's over!" 2/4 18:25 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 70: You're the Bravest Newble I've Ever Seen 74 Sophia and Cyrus appeared behind him, helping me gather my books. Mark insisted we take everything to my room to prevent tampering. In the dining hall, I stood near the front of the line as instructed, but apparently this still wasn't good enough.

"I told you to have dinner with me, which includes standing with me in line," Seraphina called from behind us. "Can't follow simple instructions? Get over here now!" When Sophia started to speak up, I gently grabbed her arm. This was my battle. "Actually, you said to come early and sit with you," I replied calmly. "I'm doing both, but you never mentioned where in line I should stand. I'll wait for you at a table after getting my food." I turned away, ignoring her fuming. I hadn't come here for petty power games.

While we waited, Cyrus explained the daily training routine, probably trying to help me avoid more schedule mishaps. "We gather each morning for announcements, learn about available missions, stuff like that," he said. "We can volunteer for missions?" I asked. "Sometimes. Simple recon or protection tasks, you can sign up. Bigger missions get assigned based on skills." "Have any of you been on missions yet?" "Nah, we're all still on probation," Mark bumped my shoulder. "But soon we'll start helping around the royal territory." "Hope I can join you. Wouldn't want to miss out." Sophia smiled.

"You're years ahead of schedule already." After getting my food, I waited for Seraphina while my friends reluctantly moved away. This was even more childish than high school drama back in Polaris. "Come along, newbie." I followed her to her "exclusive" table that apparently others avoided. It could seat ten people but held only her group of three plus me. As I moved to sit down, the long-haired girl blocked me. "Don't sit there, that's my seat." I shifted to the other side. "That's my spot," the short-haired girl immediately snapped. 3/4 18:25 Sat, Jan 10 The Lightning Wolf Chronicles admin