SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Cordelia urged Larry to head back first, then made her way toward the other side.
After crossing the street, she slipped into an alleyway where the raucous shouts
of street vendors seemed to be cut off, creating an oasis of calm amidst the
clamor.
She walked on for about two hundred meters until she heard noises coming from
around the corner. Turning the bend. she was met with a group of about seven or
eight individuals.
In that instant, Cordelia’s vision was flooded with red.
The seven, decked out in various school uniforms, represented different
institutions. The girls sported pink. hair, while the boys’ fir
red locks were slicked up with enough gel to rival a bonfire.
At that moment, they had Merry cornered.
Flame No. 1 shoved Merry, “Who gave you permission to dye your hair back?”
Flame No. 2 chimed in, “Merry, are you trying to bail on us?”
Flame No. 3 added, “Have you forgotten what happens to those who try to leave
the fold?”
Merry was trapped in the middle, shivering with fear, her heavily made-up face a
canvas of terror. She pleaded with someone on the side, “Yates, please, let me
be!”
That was when Cordelia spotted Flame No. 8.
Leaning against the cool grey wall, Yates also sported an exaggerated red mane.
Despite his wild hair, his good looks were unmistakable. He was slouched
against the wall, eyes half-lidded, engrossed in a game on his phone, an
aggressive aura around him.
Flame No. 1 spoke again, “Merry, have you forgotten the oath you took when you
joined? We'll give you one chance. Dye your hair back by tomorrow, or face the
consequences of betraying the Flame Union!”
Standing bewildered at the entrance of the alley, Cordelia finally began to piece
together the situation.
Merry’s fiery hair was apparently the hallmark of the Flame Union, and their
ringleader was none other than
Yates.
Everyone at school avoided Merry, fearing Yates. Even Hanley wouldn't dare
cross him. It seemed this guy was either fearless or came from a powerful family,
or possibly both.
Despite her fear, Merry stuttered, “What do I need to do so I don't have to dye it
back?”
Flame No. 2 scoffed, “Not dye it? Are you kidding me?”
Flame No. 4 accused, “Who helped you out when you were being bullied and
crying for help? And now you're so ungrateful and clueless!”
Flame No. 1 offered a solution, “If you don't want your red hair, fine. We've got a
better idea. We'll shave it off for you. How about that?” With that, he brandished a
pair of scissors.
Merry crouched down, clutching her hair, “No, please...” But her arms were
grabbed, leaving her powerless to resist.
“Merry, you've brought this on yourself!”
Flame No. 1 lifted a strand of her hair, ready to cut without mercy!
That's when...
“Stop.” A voice, cool and indifferent, rang out, freezing everyone in their tracks.
They turned to look at the mouth of the alley.
Cordelia stood there, her misty eyes scanning the group before settling on Merry.
13.06
Merry, seng Cordata, was momentarily stored, then urgently oted our “Cordella,
don’t worry about me just
Cordelia walked right toward Marry Shepped fragile and dermy as the stomached
the Flame
essen
servure, yet members instinctively cleared a path
Once she was in front of Sherry the faced Fem o 1
After few ronds of silence, during which Flame is 1 began to question his life
choices Cordelia finally spoke, “What does it take to leave her alor
140
Flame 1 blurted out at once. Thears only one way Bear rates, and you become
the boss of the Flame Union. Then you make the rulesm
Cordelia processed this for a moment, her expression revealing her surprise &
fights
Seeing her reaction, the others felt a return to normalcy
Flame No. 1 regained his swagger “Scared, huh? Mind your business and bear e
don’t waste our time?
Merry pushed at her too, We don't know each other, just got
Cordelia handed her backpack to Merry and then turned to face fates, saying
simply Ter’s fight
finishing
Yates didn’t respond immediately Only after fughing his game did he show signs
of impatience tossing no phone aside and limbering up, his joints cracking Mare it
quick”
But upon seeing Cordelia, his expression faltered
Was it this the girl who had grabbed him on the street the other day, confessing
her feeings?
She looked so gentle and fail, clearly not from their word How could he fight her?
Cordelia didn’t recognize him. They stood fading each other inblence
Yates finally said, “Well, come at me then
Cordelia paused before asking. “Could you give me half an hour?
Yates was perplexed, “Why?”
With an impassive face, but inwardly feeling somewhat embarrassed, Cordelia
soled Tcont know how to fight. I need to learn first.”
There was a moment of stunned silence before Yates, almost refervely, nodded
in agreement.
Ignoring the bewildered expressions of the others, Cordelia made her way to the
Midnight Scent
Inside, Everard was still behind the counter reading a book, his deep eyes
flickering with surprise as she entered, “What's up? he asked.
Cordelia regarded him. His features were sharp, and he exuded a rogue charm.
He might look lean and pale, but he knew a thing or two about throwing a punch
She began tentatively, “Could you teach me how to fight?
Calvert, who was fiddling with his phone on a stool, looked up blankly at Cordelia
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As Cordelia searched for the right
words to explain, Everard, shrouded
: ’ :
in shadows, didn't bother with
questions. He casually stretched out
his leg, nudging Calvert Teach her
some basic combat moves The
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“Got it.”
Calvert responded instinctively, only realizing once held stood up that she might
not be able to learn everything
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But following orders was second
nature, and he began to instruct,
« . . v 2
Boxercise is a mix of kicks, punches,
takedowns, and grappling
fundamentals. The moves break
3 2 » ;
down like this...” The content is on
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chapter there!
Chapter 16
He demonstrated in the open space of Midnight Scent, then faced her and said,
“Get into your fighting stance.”
Cordelia nodded.
Her photographic memory had already captured the essentials. She raised her
fists, stepped back with her right foot, and slightly bent her knees, ready to strike.
Suddenly, a warm and large hand rested on her waist. As Cordelia tensed up,
Everard's deep and resonant voice came close to her, “Tighten your core.”
It was only then that Cordelia realized Everard had moved next to her, his touch
brief and leaving her with little time to ponder.
She relaxed and focused intently on the lesson.
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Everard stepped back, his gaze
5 . )
dropping to his own palm. He hadn't
expected that beneath the baggy
school hoodie, her waist would feel
so supple and slender, almost as if
he could encircle it with just one
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chapter there!