They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System Chapter 527: Bold Genius or a Soon to Crash Comet?

"Honestly, Ava, I knew you were dramatic, but I didn’t know it was a talent!"

"Mum!" Ava groaned dramatically. "You make it sound like I start fights in markets!"

"Do you not?" Arthur asked without looking up.

Ava gasped in offense. "I’m a creative, thank you very much."

Carl chuckled from the back. "She’s not wrong though," he said, turning his attention to Ava now. "You’re a very talented actress, Ava. But I have to say... I was genuinely impressed."

"I practiced more with my teacher after I saw how dedicated Nnenna was in her own major," Ava admitted with a half smile, nudging Nnenna lightly with her shoulder. "She’s been working like a possessed person. I couldn’t let her outshine that easily."

Nnenna laughed softly. "Oh please. I saw your final pose. You were born for the stage."

Somto shifted slightly in his seat but said nothing. He was still a bit tired having rushed over to watch Nnenna and Ava perform. Still, Carl noticed the faint nod that followed, subtle, but a rare show of approval from their resident stone wall.

Queen White wasn’t done. "And Nnenna, my dear," she continued. "That dance! You floated like a feather but hit every beat like a drumline. You should have seen the judges’ faces!"

"She was great," King White added from behind. His tone was soft, but his words carried weight. "Precise and expressive. That’s not easy to balance."

Nnenna smiled quietly, soaking in the praise.

"I thought the girl was going to summon rain at so point," Arthur said, deadpan, eyes still on the window. "All that skirt twirling."

Carl laughed aloud at that. "Coming from soone who once tried to incorporate sword formations into a jazz routine?"

"That was a strategic experint in montum," Arthur replied without missing a beat.

Queen White clapped her hands. "Enough teasing. We should get you all sothing delicious when we get ho. A little celebration al!"

"You an I don’t have to eat my post performance stress banana?" Ava asked with mock delight.

"I’m burning that banana," Somto finally muttered.

"Try it," Ava shot back playfully. "And I’ll write a whole play about you being secretly afraid of potassium."

"Don’t tempt her," Carl said with a grin, leaning back with eyes closed, the picture of calm warmth.

The car continued down the quiet evening road, filled with light laughter, tired pride, and just a hint of nervous anticipation for the final stretch ahead.

Tomorrow was the Fourth Major exam, the second to the last hurdle, followed by the last exam, before the results would decide who advanced... and who didn’t.

-------------

The next day ca faster than expected, and with it, the second to the final round of exams, the fourth major.

Nnenna stood at the entrance of the Grand Strategy Hall, eyes narrowing slightly as she scanned the room. It was an octagon shaped space, tall with digital screens lining the upper walls, each displaying terrain maps, real ti simulations, and rotating holograms of battlefields and economic models.

But that was not what made her and Ava pause in shock.

Sitting among the five judges was Somto himself, stoic as ever, fingers steepled in front of him, gaze fixed on the middle of the room. On the far end was Elder Knox, firm and sharp eyed, nodding along to a quiet briefing from the exam coordinator.

"You’ve got to be kidding ," Ava muttered. "Somto and Stephanie’s grandfather?"

Nnenna chuckled quietly. "Guess we’re going to earn this A the hard way."

The exams started promptly once it was ti.

Multiple students went through their turns taking their exams set according to the curriculum of their classes.

Finally, it was Nnenna’s turn.

The large hall fell quiet as she stepped forward.

Her shoes clicked softly against the polished floor, the only sound echoing in the massive exam hall. Hundreds of eyes trailed her, so expectant, so skeptical, others still unsure if they were watching a bold genius or a soon to crash cot. Her na had circulated for days. Now, it was ti to see if the stories were true in this exam as well.

The holographic projection of the strategic map flickered to life before her, displaying a contested border region between two powerful nations. The simulation’s voice echoed through the hall:

"Scenario: You are Head Strategist of a smaller sovereign state under threat from an aggressive neighboring empire. Your mission, protect your people, preserve national integrity, and prevent escalation into a full scale war. You have 15 minutes to present your strategy."

Nnenna nodded once and began.

---

Her delivery was calm, focused, and controlled, a soft spoken storm unfolding across the room.

"We divide our forces into three wings. One active defense unit to hold the eastern flank, the obvious route of attack. One covert operations unit sent along the mountain pass to monitor enemy movent and disrupt supply lines. And one misleading force... visible, loud, and completely fake, designed to bait the enemy’s scouts."

Somto, who had watched the scenario dozens of tis over the years, leaned forward slightly. His eyes narrowed with focused interest.

Arthur, by nature less expressive, still tilted his head ever so slightly, a subtle sign of approval.

Elder Knox’s pen froze mid scribble. Then resud, faster.

Carl, seated at the back in plain but stylish clothes to avoid drawing attention, gave a faint chuckle under his breath.

As Nnenna spoke, she drew paths, toggled overlays, and rearranged pieces of the digital warboard like a seasoned general.

"While the military feint is in motion, we send a diplomatic envoy to the Eastern Coalition, stall, redirect, earn sympathy. anwhile, I would authorize controlled dia releases showing civilian safety and border patrol victories to calm public panic and strengthen internal unity."

Her voice never rose, never faltered. Everything was fluid. Efficient. Unemotional but not cold. It was like watching soone knit a chessboard together out of fire and logic.

When the tir finally beeped, she stepped back.