Chapter 15

The news that a freshman had single-handedly defeated an entire squad of instructors spread like wildfire across the school forum.

Eli had just wrapped up the ceremony, officially transitioning from vice president to president of the student council. As the meeting adjourned, his friend Gunner Perry sidled up with a grin and an air of excitement.

"Eli, you're not gonna believe this," Gunner began. "This year's freshmen are something else. The forums are blowing up—some girl just annihilated all the instructors. She's unbeatable!"

"Really?" Eli raised a curious brow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A girl managed that? Impressive. What's her name?"

"Noelle," Gunner replied, suppressing a chuckle.

Eli froze for a moment, his expression turning flat.

While the freshmen endured the blistering sun and grueling drills, Noelle was enjoying her newfound freedom. Having thoroughly defeated the instructors, she'd earned an exemption from the entire two-week training period. Now, she strolled toward the school gate, a popsicle perched jauntily in her mouth, her steps light and carefree.

She wasted no time sharing the news with Nicolas, shamelessly asking him to come play with her. Naturally, Nicolas indulged her, sending a car to pick her up.

As she waited for the car near the school gate, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she was surprised to see Eli's name.

"Hello? Eli?" Noelle answered cheerfully, her voice as lively and crisp as ever.

Eli, on the other end, hesitated. He'd been worried that she might still be upset about his behavior yesterday, but her tone was so lighthearted it seemed she hadn't even given it a second thought. She really was a carefree little troublemaker.

Suppressing a sigh, Eli asked, "I heard you took down all the instructors?"

"Yup!" Noelle replied without hesitation, her voice brimming with pride. "They were so weak they couldn't even handle a single move from me."

"You're seriously that good?" Eli sounded incredulous. He'd always seen her as a delicate, doll-like girl, someone who needed protection.

"But now I'm super good," Noelle declared, practically preening. "Eli, if anyone ever bullies you, just tell me. I'll beat them up for you!"

Her words were so sincere and endearing that Eli couldn't help but laugh, the warmth in his chest spreading.

"Who needs your protection! I'm a grown man," he teased, trying to mask how much her words had softened him. "Still, I'm here if you need me," Noelle insisted, her voice bright and playful. "If someone gives you trouble, just say the word, and I'll deal with them."

"Alright, alright," Eli relented with a chuckle.

The more they talked, the sillier it seemed that he'd been upset with her at all. Noelle wasn't the type to hold grudges or scheme; she was straightforward and guileless. His earlier frustration now felt petty.

Taking a deep breath, Eli swallowed his pride. "By the way, about yesterday—I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Noelle sounded genuinely confused. "What are you apologizing for?"

Eli hesitated, a bit thrown off by her reaction. "For yesterday. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions or blamed you. I was upset when I saw Leia crying, and I assumed it was your fault. That was wrong of me."

"Oh, that?" Noelle's tone was light. "It's no big deal. You care about Leia more, so it makes sense you'd react that way. I understand."

Her casual acceptance left Eli speechless. She wasn't upset. She didn't even hold it against him. To her, his favoritism toward Leia was just a fact of life. But to Eli, it stung.