Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Chapter 33- Spoiling
Valorian Academy—the top-ranking academy in the nation which allows only two hundred students each year to enroll and has only four classes for each group.

The last hundred students are regarded as the second division and receive much more attention because of their weak standings during the assessment. The remaining hundred come in the first division.

It is said that those in the first division surely receive a good opportunity after graduation. The ranking certificate a student gets upon graduation gives a student priority over other students.

As such, it was the dream of every student to pass the academy from the first division and if it was from the first class—the Apex Circle—of the academy, then a golden future is inevitable.

Austin was able to reach this stage because of his academic brilliance and the hard work he has put into his battle techniques over the years. Since he wanted to make himself look better than his brother and get the attention of his parents, Austin trained each day, day and night, without rest.

Despite being a Prince and someone with a secure future, he continues to sharpen his skills, as if he doesn’t work hard, he might not be able to survive for long.

During those times, it was only Valerie and Sebastian who looked at him from afar and they always remained concerned to see how desperately Austin was trying to become better.

After those sleepless nights, Austin finally reached the Apex Circle of the academy….however, as one could expect from the top students of the kingdom, he was still the twentieth ranked in the class.

And tomorrow, if he doesn’t perform well, he might as well get demoted to the Vanguard Divison.

In the past, if it had been for his reputation, then at present, it was because of his fiancée that Austin didn’t want himself to get demoted.

During the lunch break, Austin was intently thinking about the assessment, and without asking him, Valerie knew the thoughts revolving in his head.

With a worried expression, she suggested, “I will ask the Professor to shift your assessment to a later date.”

Austin was startled to hear that, “No..why?”

“You are still not in your best shape to give it your all.” Valerie reasoned, her tone a little quieter.

Austin realized that he might have asked rudely, “I am sorry, I didn’t want to…” He held her hand softly and told her, “Thank you for worrying for me, Val, but getting special treatment would be unfair on those who still give their assessment despite being injured.”

This was the school for warriors. Naturally, injuries and wounds were something they incurred daily. And if Austin gets some days to prepare, then surely others would follow suit and ask the same.

Valerie still looked apprehensive, but she didn’t foolishly keep insisting and said, “There is a balm that my mother gave me a few months ago. Let me apply it to your wound today.”

Austin heaved a sigh, “If that makes you feel better then sure. Umm, should we go to the infirmary?”

Valerie glanced around a bit, the action made her look adorable when she moved her round eyes left and right before she leaned forward and said,

“Exactly at seven-fifteen, the dorm warden goes for a walk. I will guide you.”

Austin was shocked, “Are you inviting me to your room?”

Valerie blushed, hearing him say it so explicitly..

She looked at him with an upturned gaze, before asking, “…you won’t come?”

“I will be there.”

She smiled.

There was not a chance in seven hell that he would reject such an offer, and more so, when she was asking so cutely.

After a brief pause, he asked, “What is tomorrow’s assessment? The regular sparring?”

Valerie shook her head, “Beast hunt; the students would be given a certain time slot to hunt a monster to pass the test and several things would decide the test results.”

Ah! Austin suddenly realized which arc this was. He has some remembrance about this short arc right after Valerie’s expulsion that occurs in the forest when Rhea faces a monster that was not supposed to be there.

Rhea was still a B-rank, and the monsters were only supposed to be of C-rank at best, considering the average levels and battle experience of students.

However, being the protagonist, how could she have faced a normal monster and passed the exam like normal students?

‘So it is tomorrow eh…’ Naturally, he could not tell Valerie about it, and considering she would be around, Austin knew that the danger would get subdued much more easily than it did canonically.

‘Poor Rhea…’ Naturally, now that Valerie would take down the monster, Rhea’s development would be stolen. But not like he could do anything about it.

“Austin, I will be around, so if you need my help, just call me, okay?”

The blond Prince gave her a smile of assurance before he asked, “I should probably clear this task in the minimal time and without damaging the beast’s body much, right?” He asked, a bit uncertain given this mode of assessment was not often adopted.

Valerie nodded and provided him with a bit more details, which generally a student is not aware of, which the Professors take into account while judging a student’s skills.

Austin intently listened to her and inwardly noted everything in his mind so that tomorrow, he could perform well.

Once she was done, Austin leaned back in his seat and with a sigh, said, “I feel quite selfish to have taken advantage of your knowledge.”

Valerie shook her head, a smile of contentment on her lips, “As a council member, if I cannot help the one I care for, then what’s the point of having this position?”

Austin teased, “Don’t spoil me too much or I might start demanding things from time to time.”

Valerie rested her face on her hand and looked at Austin with a warm gaze, before whispering, “I would love to fulfill your demands. Whatever they might be.”

“///” Okay, she might not be thinking about ‘it,’ but surely when she says things like that, more so with that charming look on her face, even someone with quite an experience as Austin couldn’t help but feel shy a little.

‘My fiancée can be dangerous even without a weapon…’

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.