Jacob stood by the door. There, right in front of him, the most beautiful angel God had ever blessed Earth with, stood motionless. Her skin was fair, and her hair was gold. Jacob didn’t think of their age difference as he had with Juliet, he simply put on a smile coming straight from his heart.

“Jacob?” she asked.

“In the flesh, milady,” he chuckled. Then, after a beat, he cringed a bit for what he had just said.

“I need to speak with you.”

Helena’s gaze was poking holes through him like a hot knife through butter.

“Shoot,” Jacob said.

Helena glanced over his shoulder with her bright green eyes, meeting a different set of green ones.

“I would like if we had some privacy if you don’t mind,” Helena said and smiled at him.

Jacob felt a burst of emotions coming from his Ancestral Bond from behind him.

Is this going to become a problem?

He ignored Juliet’s for the moment and showed the way to the back to Helena.

“Follow me,” he said and led the way.

They got to his backyard, shielded from prying ears.

Why is she here? Jacob thought.

As if reading his mind, Helena said: “I’ve spoken to Francis. He told me you know way more than you allow people to get from you.”

“Meeting some bad wolves has done things to Francis’s mind. I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Jacob shrugged.

“Juliet, the wildest person in our school, is at your place. So is Joseph, that spoiled brat. Now, you are sick, weak, and unpopular. People would barely look at you. And here you have the principal doing your bidding on Juliet’s behalf. I’ve spoken with Fred earlier, and he got insanely strong. But he is not even close to the spot you are in, you are in the eye of the storm, and you look as comfortable like a fish in the sea.”

Bright and perceptive as always. I guess I’ve also not been so careful with my actions.

“So, what’s happening, Jacob? People died, everyone is panicking and you look unfazed, like a Buddhist monk.”

Helena’s wit and words were sharp as blades.

“Juliet is strong and she took a liking to me, I guess. When you go through all the pain I’ve experienced in life, the apocalypse doesn’t look so bad. Joseph was alone and I simply offered him some food and company. Calamity brings people together, that’s all.”

Jacob was going to make the same mistake twice. He had already made one with Francis and had to remember that the people he was used to were the adult versions of those now in front of him. He would always love Helena, but the one in front of him was just a kid. One day they might end up together and have the same bond as in his past life; however, he had to be careful right now. His duty was to save these people, even before bonding with them.

“Jacob, I need to know” Helena stepped forward, and only a few centimeters were now between them.

“You are just scared, Helena. Francis is telling people lies. You better not get caught in them, too,” Jacob said and tried to back away.

She grabbed his shirt and hissed: “Jacob, I need to get stronger. I need it. Whatever you may know, I need to know. People died, and I cannot stay idle.”

Helena always had a strong sense of justice: it was one of the reasons she always protected him even if he had been useless in his past life.

Jacob was going to tell her something. He couldn’t help it. His feeling was just too strong, and he needed her close to him.

He hunched his head forward until his mouth was right by her ear.

However, before he could say anything, the backyard door was opened and slammed against the wall.

“You bitch, step away from him.”

Juliet's voice felt like thunder, with her aura oozing from every inch of her body.

Helena left Jacob’s t-shirt and looked at the other girl.

“Excuse me?”

“I said, bitch, take those filthy hands away from Jacob. Then, if you hurt even one hair on him, I’ll rearrange that pretty face on yours.”

“Juliet, there is no need for—” Jacob tried to defuse the situation before it escalated even further.

“Did you just call me a bitch?” Helena’s eyes flared with a murderous gaze.

“Oh, I’m sorry, you are right,” Juliet said

As Helena’s tense expression started to realize, Juliet added: “I should have called you a whore. Now, step away before I give that ugly nose the surgery it needs.”

Jesus Christ, Juliet, Jacob was shocked by the girl’s temper.

Unfortunately, Juliet was not the type to just let the matter be kept only between words. The girl stepped forward toward Helena and, before Jacob could react, punched straight toward the girl.

Jacob totally expected that Helena would be clocked in the face as it had happened with all the other people at town hall. However, what happened right after left him speechless.

Helena moved with unnatural speed, tilting her head slightly to the side and raising a palm to catch Juliet’s fist.

“Sh*t, Helena, don’t!”

Jacob feared the girl would break her own fist, but that’s not what happened.

Helena held an incredulous Juliet’s fist in her hand while looking at the other girl with despise.

“You have always been a hothead, Juliet,” said Helena with venom in her voice.

Juliet tried to back off but found that Helena’s grip was like steel.

Jacob finally noticed that Helena was unconsciously exuding her Qi aura. His eyes widened in surprise and confusion.

Helena had a 7th level talent in Qi and mana in her past life. What the hell? What is happening? Why…

Helena’s aura was not that at the 2nd level of the Cockroach realm. Nor was she at the 3rd.

She’s beyond the first Great stage.

She’s at the 5th level of the Cockroach realm.