NovelUSAChapter 298 Citrine forced herself to keep singing, doing her best not to falter.
Meanwhile, Sebastian stood in the crowd, watching with a faint frown etched on his face.
Just as Citrine finished her song, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Now cthe entertainment segment-anyone could take the stage and show off a talent.
Maybe because everyone had just laughed at Citrine, Hastings, for once, seemed to take pity on her. He didn't try to make things harder.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut then, to everyone's shock, Citrine stepped forward on her own.
She looked straight at Hastings and said, "Mr. Cooper, I heard you're part of the Vermillion Vanguard. Rumor has it your squad's faced down real criminals from Magnolia, and you're all top-notch fighters. I've picked up a bit of sparring myself would you dothe honor of a match?" Hastings froze. So did the students and upperclassmen gathered to watch-their eyes widened in disbelief.
"A freshman challenging a member of the Vermillion Vanguard? She's got a death wish." "Look at her-she looks like a stiff breeze would knock her over. Mr. Cooper will flatten her in seconds." "Whatever pretty moves she learned out there are nothing compared to real combat training. This girl's dreaming." "Mr. Cooper isn't actually going to agree, is he?" "You... really want to spar with me?" Hastings couldn't help but laugh as he spoke, his tone half-amused, half- incredulous. This girl had snerve, but clearly didn't know her place.
Citrine had no idea what he was thinking. She kept her gaze respectful and earnest. "Mr. Cooper, I'm genuinely asking to learn. Even if I lose, I won't complain." From start to finish, she looked every bit the humble student.
Hastings snorted. "Don't say I didn't warn you-we don't pull our punches when we train with each other. If you get hurt, don't ccrying." Compared to Citrine's humility, Hastings sounded downright harsh.
But Citrine wasn't fazed. She replied breezily, "Mr. Cooper, I'll say the sto you if you get hurt, try not to take it too personally." To everyone else, her words sounded downright cocky.
No one really believed in her.
"Fine," Hastings said, thinking of Kali, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.
He accepted immediately.
By now, the crowd had gathered in thick circles, everyone eager for a show.
Citrine and Hastings faced off, both getting into a fighting stance.
Hastings clearly didn't take her seriously. As far as he was concerned, this was a child's game-he wasn't worried in the slightest.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Go ahead. You start."
Citrine could see he was underestimating her. She didn't m pleasantricht bother with pleasantries. In one swift, clean motion, she kicked Hastings square in the chest. Fast. Precise. Brutal.
Hastings barely had tto register what happened the rest of the crowd didn't even see her foot move. With a heavy thud, Hastings hit the floor, staring up at Citrine in utter shock.
What power-he felt like his ribs might have cracked.
It took him a moment to get back on his feet, shaken.
This time, Hastings didn't dare let his guard down. He drew on every ounce of skill he'd honed in the Vanguard, ready for a real fight.
They began to trade blows. Every time, Citrine landed her punches, striking his
face with pinpoint accuracy.
Hastings, on the other hand, couldn't so much as graze her not even a strand of hair.
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