The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

There was dead silence.

And no one dared to move.

Raven tilted her head slightly and said, “Leopard, go help them.”

Yes, ma’am, Leopard replied without hesitation.

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But just as his words landed, one of the two students who had run seven laps–Steve Bartlett–stepped forward with stiff resolve.

I’m not taking it. I’d rather quit the entire training.

“I hereby withdraw from Regalhold University.”

The declaration fell like a rock into still water.

Steve hadn’t originally intended to give up his student status. But under these circumstances, he saw no other way out.

One of his family’s three precious nomination slots for the Hundred–Man Unit had already been granted to him.

If taking that pill damaged his body and cost him the chance to compete nine days from now, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

So maybe it was for the best to cut ties with Regalhold now and focus entirely on preparing for the test ahead.

Following his lead, several others stepped forward.

“I’m quitting too.”

“Count me in.”

“I’ve never been treated this way in my life. I’m done playing along.”

They turned to leave, ready to walk away from it all.

But then Raven’s voice cut through the air, laced with frost.

“Quit if you want. After class. But in my world, no one walks away halfway through.”

Steve froze mid–step.

Then he glanced over his shoulder and gave her a mocking smirk. Without a word, he turned and resumed walking.

He was leaving. No one could stop him. Or so he thought.

He’d barely taken two more steps when something flickered in front of him.

Then–an icy grip seized his jaw with the strength of iron pincers.

In the next instant, two pills were shoved into his mouth.

That cold hand pushed upward on his chin, forcing them down his throat.

Only after she made sure he had swallowed did Raven release him.

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Chapter 130

The moment Steve was free, he doubled over, gagging violently.

Raven glanced at him without much interest.

Then she shifted her gaze to the rest of the group.

The moment they felt her eyes on them, their nerves snapped taut.

“I–I’ll take it too.”

“Same here.”

One by one, they each took the pill.

Within seconds, all of Class Six–except for Raven–were writhing on the ground.

Leopard stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with a strange mix of awe and sympathy.

Ten days ago, on the first day of Raven’s special training, he’d looked exactly like that.

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Chapter 130

He never thought he’d live to see the day someone else suffered the same fate.

It was poetic, really.

But just as he was beginning to appreciate the irony, he suddenly felt Raven’s quiet gaze settle on him.

And in that instant, every drop of amusement drained from his face.

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