Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Chapter 53- Dinner
Austin didn’t leak the information regarding the Demons and only told the Headmaster about the whole situation.

To say Philius was surprised would have been an understatement. He was baffled at how many serious and life-threatening decisions Austin took to capture the demon all by himself.

“You should have at least told me before following that demon into the forest. Although Sebastian was with you, it doesn’t change the fact that you led yourself into their trap.”

Inside the Headmaster’s office, only the two of them were present, when Austin was getting scolded.

“Everything happened so fast that I never found the opportunity to notify you. And, that demon was monitoring my movements so making unexpected contact with you would have made them suspicious.”

Although Philius agrees that what Austin did was the best possible route to handle the situation, he couldn’t get rid of the anxiety of thinking of a student endangering their life so casually.

It was his failure as a Headmaster that a student had to go to such lengths.

“So…are your injuries healed?” Philius asked as he looked at the bandages around his arm and torso.

Austin nodded, “More or less. Just a few days of rest and I will be fine.”

The older one said, “Take a few days of rest from classes and let your body heal itself. You have been sustaining grave injuries these days.”

Not so long after, Austin made his way out of the room.

Philius took a deep breath and thought back on the young man, who once used to remain troubled about his shortcomings, always entangled in what he lost. However, now, the same young man has been showing such tendencies that Philius couldn’t believe that he is the same Austin.

Calm, responsible, cunning and brave.

Taking out a parchment, Philius began writing a letter to the King.

Although Austin has requested to keep the matter a secret from the students, fearing that the news of the demons roaming around might create chaos, it doesn’t mean that he couldn’t let a father know about his son’s deeds.

‘He is no longer a troublemaking child, Cedric.’

——–**——–

While he was walking back to his dormitory, Austin checked the system,

[Combat: 26/100]

{Next reward at 40}

[Romance: 37/100]

{Next reward at 40}

[Durability: 25/100]

{Next reward at 40}

[Trickery: 21/100]

{Next reward at 35}

[Overall Progression: 26/100]

[Ding!]

[You have two new rewards!]

[Tap to view!]

Austin raised his brows upon seeing that his Combat, Durability, and Trickery stats had gone up.

‘Fooling a fool has gained me a reward? Nice.’

He viewed the rewards,

[Death Disguise: Upon swallowing the pill, the Host’s heartbeat halts for five minutes, effectively simulating death. During this time, the Host is indistinguishable from a lifeless body. The effect persists until the orb’s influence completely dissipates.]

‘….this is unexpected ‘ He couldn’t think of using it any time in the near future. However, considering how unpredictable and dangerous the foes were, Austin had a feeling that he wouldn’t let the artifact rot in inventory for long.

‘Next.’

[Absolute Barrier Scroll: Grants the Host the ability to learn the skill Absolute Barrier. The duration of the barrier depends on the Host’s intelligence stat.

The Absolute Barrier offers complete protection against all forms of damage, both physical and magical, regardless of the attack’s strength or intensity.]

[Current limitation: 30 seconds.]

[Note: Once the barrier is deployed, it cannot be recalled unless its limited time is up. And after one use, it takes thirty hours of rest before the Barrier can be chanted again.]

‘Cool…’ Even if it’s for half a minute, if he gets immune to all kinds of damage, Austin knew he would be able to utilize that time to his benefit.

*Click*

Opening the door of his room, he stepped inside.

A smile bloomed on his face when he found Valerie arranging food on the table while wearing an apron.

“You cooked food in such a small space?” Austin’s kitchen wasn’t big since he never learned to cook in the past. And since there was a cafeteria available, he never found the necessity to bring more kitchen equipment than a teapot and a few cups.

“It wasn’t difficult since you have kept all the things at their designated places.” Valerie complimented. Austin’s things always remain neat and tidy. As such, Valerie didn’t have a hard time finding things in the kitchen.

“So? What did the Headmaster say?” As Valerie rested the pot on the table, she asked.

“Just scolded me and praised me a little. He will be sending someone to guard me all the time since Sebas is busy.”

Valerie frowned, “Why do you need someone else…when I am here?” She felt a little shy saying that so boldly.

“Well, he doesn’t know that you sneak into my room, so there is no stopping him.”

Valerie blushed hearing that ‘sneak’ part. When she entered his room for the first time, she was embarrassed to death and had to make up her mind for the whole night to make the decision.

However, now, it seems it was normal for her to climb inside his room.

“Austin…do you think I am shameless?” Although it didn’t seem Austin minded her coming here, rather he welcomed her with open arms, it was still quite an unlady-like behavior for Valerie to enter her fiancé’s resting space.

Her mother would have fainted if she had heard about it.

Austin softly smiled as he held her hand, and spoke, “The world might regard this shameless, and the things you have learned back home might make you feel bad for coming to my room like this….but, in my eyes, you are the best partner I could have ever asked for.”

His eyes were warm and honest when he spoke, “It’s your care and love that you always come here, so don’t ever regard this as a bad thing.”

Valerie took a deep breath, upon hearing his words.

That’s right, she shouldn’t think about the world when the person whose opinion matters the most to her was content with her presence.

“Thank you.”

They then sat down and began eating the dinner she prepared.

It was nothing fancy, just curry and rice, yet Austin couldn’t stop praising her with each bite.

They were talking nothing serious during the dinner. Their talk mostly was about their childhood and the silly things they used to do.

“…yeah, I remember that day. Those few guys were nothing but wannabe goons, trying to corner you.” Austin chuckled, remembering that celebration night when Valerie was cornered by a few kids from noble families.

She was just a kid but at that time, her tongue was more poisonous than a lethal snake’s. She said things that didn’t sit well with them, and they tried to bully her.

“And then…you arrived and saved me from them.” That’s my favorite part of that memory. Valerie couldn’t forget that time when Austin appeared like a savior…fighting the three older kids, and despite the injury, he continued to fight them until they didn’t start to cry.

And when Valerie asked, why did he go this far to hurt them, he said,

‘I only can make you laugh and cry….and I won’t let that authority be snatched by some snorty kids.’

That statement made her both, laugh and cry.

Austin grumbled, “Forget about that. I was just trying to act cool.” He was a little embarrassed.

Valerie smiled, “Well, you did look cool.”

Seeing the side-eyed look, and that smile on her face, Austin gulped and refused to look at her anymore.

She can be pretty dangerous for his heart from time to time.

After dinner, they were washing dishes together, when Valerie asked, “Did you find any changes in your Shard today?”

Austin raised his brows and thought back on the battle with Kalwar.

“…I think I did sense something absurd.” Austin stated, “When I stabbed the demon, I was targeting its heart, but the dagger stabbed a little lower than the target…it was then when I felt the dagger bending upward.”

“…!!” Valerie’s eyes parted wide, “Your Shard changed shape on your will?”

“Not conscious but yeah, it heard my wish and bent to target the heart. However, the demon was fast and pushed me off instantly.”

Valerie was stunned; changing the shape and form of your Soul is no easy feat. No, maybe there are only a few individuals in the world who can do that.

“Austin I-”

**Knock**

They both turned towards the door and heard the person on the other side, “It’s me, young master.”

Austin wiped his hand and approached the door.

*Click*

“When did you return, Sebas?” Austin asked since the butler went with the search team to locate Rudolph.

Sebastian informed, “Just now, and we have found Sir Rudolph.”

Austin’s eyes widened, as he hurriedly asked, “Where is he?”

“In the infirmary, sir. His situation is critical.”

Austin nodded before he urged, “Let’s go, Val.”

Valerie was also about to step out with Austin when Sebastian said, “Your presence is required somewhere else right now, Miss Valerie. Someone is waiting for you in the administrator’s office.”

Valerie was surprised, “Who?”

“Your father.”

——–**——–

A/N:- Eager for the next chapter? Well, I can barely stop my fingers from writing about their conversation. Drop a comment.