Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Chapter 60- Friendly Spar

“Has he left his room?” Sitting inside his room was the King of the Hener Kingdom, Zurkis.

(A/N:- Changed the King’s name Zurkus->Zurkis.)

The Prime Minister of Hener heaved a sigh and shook his head, “No, Your Majesty. Young Master Park hasn’t left his room ever since he returned. He barely eats anything or answers to anyone.”

Zurkis took a long breath and then his mind went to the reason for his son’s current condition.

With his turning frosty, he asked, “Abel…tell me, are you sure Park was framed?”

The Prime Minister’s expression turned grim as he affirmed, “I had a thorough conversation with Professor Morkel…he has been supporting Your Highness Park during his stay at the Academy.”

Taking a pause, he added, “And according to him, Your Highness Park usually prefers to hunt and instantly kill his prey. Surely, he has an animosity against Prince Austin, but that doesn’t mean Your Highness Park would take such a risky decision of not killing him right away rather than torturing him.”

Zurkis nodded, “I have taught him so I know he won’t torture someone whom he hates. Just slit their throat and end the chapter.”

Interlocking his fingers, he leaned forward, and added, “That means someone plotted against my son…and then framed him.”

Abel nodded, “It seems to be the case, my Lord.”

Zurkis remained silent for a moment, before he uttered, “Butchering the Prince, who became the reason for my son’s condition, would not be sufficient. We need to eradicate his home, his family, and everyone he loves-”

“Father…” Zurkis paused, as he heard a familiar voice from the entrance of the room.

With his eyes widened, he hurriedly got up, “Park?”

The same lanky young man was looking excessively thin and pale, in comparison to the last time Zurkis saw him.

Parkinson’s eyes were drawn to the ground, as he muttered, “I want to meet her…”

Zurkis was baffled about whom he was talking about, when suddenly, Abel stepped forward and whispered, “The girl Your Highness is infatuated with. Rhea.”

Zurkis remembered hearing about the girl from Parkinson, through the letters in the past as well. The only reason why Parkinson decided to stay at Eryndor, even though he initially went there as an exchange student was because of her.

Zurkis rested his hand on Parkinson’s shoulder and said, “Look son, there are only two ways of meeting her; first, kidnap her and bring her here. Second, infiltrate Eryndor and meet her in secrecy. However, the second option is risky so as your father, I will suggest otherwise.”

Parkinson bit his lips; just to meet the love of his life he needs to commit a crime now, huh?

Abel stepped forward and said, “There is a third way, as well, my Lord.”

Abel suggested, “We can offer alliance to Eryndor if they agree to marry Rhea to our Young L-”

“And get myself a lifetime’s worth of hatred.” Parkinson spat, his eyes made the Prime Minister shiver.

“Son? Is she that strong-headed?”

Parkinson’s eyes softened, as he said, “She is a woman of strict ideals, and I don’t want to start my life with her through underhanded methods.”

Zurkis heaved a sigh as he cupped his son’s face before asking, “Tell me, what do you want to do, son? Unless it risks the lives of my people, I can do everything for you.”

Parkinson thought for a moment, before asking, “Can I…get a spot in the Avron academy with a fake identity?”

Avron Academy was the central academy of Hener. Hearing that Parkinson wanted to return there made Zurkis baffled, ” But why with a fake identity?”

Abel answered that for him, “Because the young master wants to participate in the tournament and meet Miss Rhea through it.”

Now Zurkis realized his true motive.

Patting his shoulder proudly, the man muttered, “Do whatever you want, son. You have my full support!”

Parkinson grinned hearing that, ‘Wait for me Rhea….I will meet you and clear all the misunderstandings…’

———**——–

“Okay then, line up with your partner, and wait for your turn.”

It was during the physical training class that the students of Apex Circle in the second year and Brilliance Crest in the third year were grouped in the gymnasium.

Today, a joint training was arranged to let the students know more about teaming up with those with whom they are not so familiar.

In the tournament, they need to participate with their fellow schoolmates, given not only the Apex Circle would be participating in the tournament.

In the second round of the Elite division, where students need to participate as a duo, they cannot be choosy. The best need to pair with the best, regardless of which section or year they belong to.

The students were paired up according to their ranking, that is, the first ranker of Apex Circle was with the first ranker of Brilliance Crest, and so on.

Austin was paired up with a guy with pale yellow hair and freckles on his face. His back was slightly hunched, and from his demeanor, he seemed underconfident.

Austin glanced at Valerie and found a super energetic guy with pale green hair, standing beside her.nHe was trying his best to talk to Valerie with his eyes sparkling. However, despite all the efforts, Valerie wasn’t uttering a single word.

…

“So I watched it, and my friends said if you keep following his path and methods, you will also land into Apex Circle next year…”

Valerie suddenly reacted to his words, making the boy feel that she was finally taking an interest.

However, when he noticed her gaze traveling past him, he frowned in confusion.

Turning his head, he found the center of her attention and realized that she wasn’t even listening to him.

‘Seriously, what she sees in him…isn’t he just a useless Prince with narcissistic tendencies?’

Valerie, unaware of the other one’s thoughts, smiled at her beloved.

‘Do your best!’ She cheered for him.

…

“Instructor, isn’t it boring to just battle without a prize? How about we add a bet.”

The instructor of the Brilliance Crest suggested as he stepped forward, “Offering something at the cost of loss is a very good source of motivation for the students.”

The female instructor of Apex Circle shrugged, “If the bet is within rules then I have no problem with that.”

The other one grinned, before ushering, “We will start from the first pair; Valerie and Blaze, step forward.”

The green-haired boy grinned as he ushered, “After you, lady.”

Valerie didn’t react and just walked towards the arena.

Everyone was quite hyped for this battle. It was said that Blaze was quite a talented warrior, however, because of the restriction he put on himself, he couldn’t get himself a seat in the Apex Circle.

“The best versus the best.” One of the students muttered.

“We will finally see the Pride of Valor struggling against someone.”

“Haah~her cold look is so exciting. Step on me, mommy~”

“Dude, you need to chill…”

The murmuring from the crowd was ignored as the two participants stood while facing each other.

The third-year’s instructor stated, “No killing, no attack that can leave lasting damage. Remember, this is just a friendly spar.”

Blaze smirked as he said, “About the bet, sir, if I win, I want you to go on a date with me, Miss Valerie.”

“Oooooh~”

“Blaze got guts, eh!”

“Say yes, say yes!”

Completely ignoring the fact that Valerie has a fiancée, Blaze suggested.

Valerie’s expression turned frosty, the whole gymnasium felt the shiver as snow began forming around the arena.

Turning her attention to the Instructor, making the older one flinch, she asked, “What is the punishment for crippling my opponent, sir?”

The chattering of the audience and the smirk on Blaze’s face disappeared upon hearing those words.

Everyone who has seen Valerie in action before, that’s why they know that the girl might not be lying.

Rhea was shaking her head, as she muttered,

‘Only target Austin if you want to suicide.’

The instructor responded in a grim voice, “Expulsion from the Academy, and possible imprisonment.”

Valerie nodded before she turned towards her opponent and muttered to herself, “So I need to stop just before making him cripple huh?”

Hearing those words, Blaze’s fist clenched as he said, “Aren’t you too confident in yourself?”

Valerie didn’t respond; she had already considered herself facing an insect, and as such, she found it nonsensical to reply to those buzzes.

The Instructor of the first year was a little anxious to let this spar take place but it was already too late,

“Begin!”

Blaze instantly summoned his Soul Shard and was about to lunge at Valerie, only to realize,

“Huh?” The man found himself completely immobile with his feet encased in a thick layer of ice.

Valerie didn’t summon her Shard; rather, she stepped forward while cracking her knuckles and looking at Blaze with nothing but pure indifference.

Austin chuckled, and with a shake of his head, he muttered, ‘He is about to experience a world of pain.’