Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Chapter 30- Soul Shard
Nearly three months there were, for the tournament to officially begin. Austin was barely a D-rank warrior as of now with a weak First-stage Soul Shard.

If someone wants to participate in the Elite category, then they should be in B-rank or above, like Valerie, who is an A-rank officially, but unofficially, she might as well have reached S.

It must sound almost impossible for someone to progress two ranks to participate in the Elite division. And until now, Austin also was thinking of participating in the Rookie-division.

However, now that his fiancée has asked, by no chance he would participate as a rookie.

Walking in the garden with their hands connected, Austin asked, “I will recover by tomorrow and I am hoping you will resume my training by then.”

Valerie was about to deny his request, considering it was necessary for him to properly recuperate for another week….however, seeing the determination in his eyes and what they talked about just now back in his room, all she could do was to nod.

The duo continued to talk things about the tournament and the preparation required when suddenly Valerie asked,

“Can I ask you something about your Shard?”

Seeing her being so hesitant, Austin was confused, “Why are you being so nervous?”

“…because I know that you don’t like when someone talks about your Shard.”

Austin then realized the reason for her apprehension.

Austin’s Soul Shard was a matter to joke about in the past. People used to laugh behind his back about his Soul Shard, calling it weird names. So Austin developed a sense of agitation and always fought the person who talked about his Shard.

However, now things are different.

“As my teacher and my fiancée, you have all the right to ask me whatever you want.” His warm smile removed the stress, making her shoulders relax as she heard him add,

“Tell me what you want to know?”

His casual tone allowed her to verify that he wasn’t forcing himself here.

“Initially, you awaken a small piece of Shard which was of the same size as a stick…then suddenly, one day, you were holding a dagger a few days before the academy assessment test.”

Valerie remembers everything related to her Lord. She was herself quite disheartened to see her Lord desperately trying to make a weapon out of his Shard back then. However, naturally, he was failing every time.

But suddenly, one day, when she went to the palace, a few days before the examination, he was practicing with daggers carved out of his soul.

Austin dug deeper into his memories to remember what happened that day. Since that day was quite a special one for the original owner of the body, Austin still vividly remembers that day.

“You remember I had a bandage wrapped around my head?” He asked, to which Valerie nodded. She was so excited about the transformation of his Shard that she never asked about his injury.

Austin informed her, “A day before that, I went to hunt wild beasts in the forest…all alone.” Valerie was taken aback,

“But you were not allowed-”

“Yes, I know that no royalty is allowed to hunt beasts without taking soldiers along with them. But it was easy for me to escape since the majority of the focus remained on Aiden.”

A tinge of sadness flashed in her eyes followed by frustration. How can they be so lenient to not even notice Austin’s absence?

Austin softly caressed her head to soothe her anger as he added, “I was frustrated that day that I couldn’t develop my Shard at all; as such, I went to vent my frustration by killing a few beasts. I didn’t know when I returned to my room or when the medic healed me since all night long I was just holding my Shard and sulking at my disability.”

Valeria grew concerned as she held his arm. Her eyes trembled and she inwardly blamed herself for not being there when her Lord needed her.

“At that time, any word from you would have felt like you were making fun of me, so it’s good that you didn’t approach me at that time,” Austin assured her, “It was good that I was alone that night.”

Heaving a sigh, he told her what he felt that night, “I was hoping that either if something happens to the Soul Shard or I just…don’t wake up tomorrow.”

Her chest tightened, and her hands shook slightly as she tried to process what she’d just heard. The thought of Austin—her Austin—feeling so broken and alone was too much.

Tears bubbled in her eyes, and Austin instantly regretted telling her about it.

“If you start crying now…I won’t tell you-”

“No, please…I want to know it all.” Valerie insisted. She wanted to know everything he had gone through; experiencing even a percent of that pain would make her feel that she shared his burden.

Austin sighed and softly wiped her tears while he relayed, “…when I woke up, something miraculous happened and my Soul Shard took the form of daggers.” He finishes quickly so she doesn’t feel sad anymore.

Austin has the recollection of how happy he was that day when something meaningful appeared before him in the form of his Shard. He was jumping on his bed, dancing around, and nearly fell unconscious because of a sudden rush.

It took a few moments but Austin somehow calmed his lover and brought her to sit on the nearby bench.

“So yeah, this is the whole story behind my Soul Shard. I haven’t told anyone about it except for you.” Offering her some water, he continued, “However, I cannot say that my Soul Shard has ascended.”

Valerie blinked in confusion before she finished gulping the water and asked, “But your weapon did transform, no?”

One’s Shard can go through multiple transformations, and considering the form of Austin’s Shard changed, Valerie assumed it must have gone through evolution.

However, “The strength behind my Shard remained the same, and the Astral Dial also said my Soul energy hasn’t progressed at all.”

Valerie frowned. This was unexpected.

However, before she could have asked him something further, someone called out,

“Happy birthday, Austin.”

It was Rhea.

———-**———

A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the story so far, make sure to drop a review/comment.