Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Chapter 61- Lester

The third-year student, Blaze, was taken to the infirmary after the ‘friendly spar’. He wasn’t crippled, or any lasting damage was dealt; however, receiving several blows, to the face no less, by an S-rank whose expertise lies in combat was, surely, would be too much for the man.

Something that everyone was surprised by was the fact that Rhea lost her battle against the barrier user. She lost her cool in the middle and lost her steam by the third minute as well; leading to an easy victory for her opponent.

Austin was…slightly concerned after witnessing the battle. She should have been able to defeat her opponent and also made some connections with her second Shard. However, the cross-bow she wields is just a decoration to her, giving her the label of ‘Dual-wielder’ and nothing more.

‘I cannot help her train, but surely can give a few tips.’ It was an undeniable fact that against the final boss, Rhea was a great asset. Valerie was strong and there were a few more who would be actively participating in the war. However, there were several Generals as well who needed to be dealt with.

Rhea, the chosen one, cannot fall behind and remain in the shadows. Although Austin knows that he has snatched a few chances of her progression, she shouldn’t have lost her true motivation to become stronger.

“Austin and Lester, step onto the stage.” Hearing the instructor’s voice, Austin and the other guy walked forward.

Since it was the end of the class, many people were yawning and wanting to return to their dorms.

“We need to watch the bottom feeders as well, now?”

“The lowest of the low…”

“I wish I could dip in a warm bath already…”

“Now they will fruitlessly put effort to make this match look exciting and tough.”

Several opinions were flying in their direction, and looking at how Lester was hiding his face from the crowd, Austin assumed he was being affected by their comments.

“Don’t limit yourself because they expect us to finish fast, okay?” Austin urged as they stood facing each other in the arena.

Every battle, every spar matters to his growth, as such, Austin didn’t want to let others ruin it for him.

Lester took a strong gulp, as he said, “Please don’t hurt me too much. My mum gets worried if she sees me injured.”

Austin was baffled hearing that. However, he never got the chance to ask anything as the instructor barked,

“Begin!”

Austin placed his hand behind his back and summoned his WhisperWing, making it seem he was taking it out from behind.

“Woah, no Shard but an old school boomerang?”

“The guy got style and a bird brain to think he can defeat a third year with that.”

“But it’s Lester we are talking about.”

Ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, Austin hurled WhisperWing toward Lester, aiming for his head. If it landed, the blow would create the perfect opening.

The boomerang tore through the air, a blur of motion slicing toward its target.

Austin’s vision sharpened as he summoned his Soul Shard, every second stretching like an eternity. He couldn’t afford to underestimate Lester—not even as the lowest-ranked.

But something felt off.

‘What the…?’

Lester, fully aware of the approaching boomerang, calmly lifted his hood, pulling it over his head with agonizing slowness.

Ten feet.

Austin gripped his Shard and stepped forward, and time seemed to crawl. WhisperWing was inches away from colliding with Lester’s forehead.

And then—

*ZAP*

Lester vanished into thin mist. The boomerang soared through empty space, its sharp whistle fading into silence.

“What?!” Austin skidded to a halt, scanning the arena. His heart pounded. Did Lester have some kind of vanishing skill like Kalwar?

His answer came fast.

*SHLINK!*

A thin line of pain flared on Austin’s shoulder. His eyes widened as a shadow blurred past him with unnatural speed.

Lester.

The realization hit like a hammer.

‘A speedster.’

Blood trickled down Austin’s arm. His pulse roared in his ears as he turned, bracing for the next strike.

Austin spun on his heel, scanning the arena with razor-sharp focus. His instincts screamed danger, but his eyes barely caught the flickers of Lester darting around him, faster than his body could keep up.

Another blur.

*SWISH!*

A shallow gash opened across his ribs. Austin hissed, staggering back, gripping his Soul Shard tighter. Blood seeped into his shirt, but he forced himself to stay on his feet.

He sharpened his senses, watching for even the faintest sign of movement.

A gust of wind to his left. He twisted, raising his Shard defensively—too slow.

SLASH!

This time, a thin cut appeared on his thigh. His knees buckled slightly, but he caught himself before hitting the ground.

“Goddamn! Lester at it! He is upholding the honor of Brilliance Crest!”

“Lester is going brutal. Not finishing the battle but inflicting small wounds. Wicked~”

“Is he toying with Austin? Woah, woah, woah, you’re gonna anger a certain someone, lad.”

Rhea bit her lips seeing Austin being completely helpless against the speedster. Even she cannot keep up with his movement because of his tendency to remain completely out of any pattern.

Valeria balled her fist, but there was no other reaction detectable from her.

Austin calmed his mind and assessed the situation. Thanks to his increased durability, he was still in the condition to think rationally.

‘He is going to the far end of the arena and returning to attack me.’ Austin could trace the guy however, his reaction speed was too slow to attack or defend himself.

Holding his Shard above his head, he increased the size to the point that both ends touched the rim of the arena.

“Woah! Augmentation?”

“That size is unreal for a last ranker.”

“His size is making me wet…ahh~”

Austin’s trick worked; Lester finally had to bring himself to a halt, or he would have collided with the Shard that had perfectly divided the arena into two.

“Wing!” Austin called out, and in the next instance Lester found something advancing toward him

**CRACK**

However, it was too late. Before the speedster could react, the boomerang hit him on the back of his head, pushing his head forward from his body and drawing blood from his nose.

And it wasn’t it, as the speedster suddenly found his hair being clutched and a knee advancing towards his face.

‘This is gonna hurt…’ was his last thought before Lester was thrown out of the arena after being hit.

*THUD*

The third year fell to the ground with a soft thud; knocked out cold.

The instructor heaved a sigh in disappointment to see the match concluding so soon before he announced,

“Austin wins!”

Austin wiped the blood from his lips before asking the instructor, “Can you feed him a potion before sending him home? He said his mother would be worried.”

The instructor seemed to have remembered something as he said, “Ah, yes, his mother works in the kitchen. Well, I will ask the healer to feed him one. You can go now, student.”

Austin gave him a firm nod before he found his hand being enveloped in a familiar warmth.

“Did I worry you?” Austin asked with a warm smile as he turned towards his beloved.

With a soft smile on her face, she said, “I, indeed, am worried, but the pride I feel right now has completely overshadowed it.”

Austin grinned, “Glad to hear that.”

———**——–

Rudolph was doing something that annoys him to no end.

Resting.

It has been like three days already since he was brought here, and thanks to potions and proper care, he has recovered quite well.

Although not completely, his body was functioning well, so he asked if he could ‘walk around’ a bit. However, the vice-headmaster completely rejected the request, saying that Rudolph would again jump into the arena to train.

Well, he was not wrong but can there be any better way to recuperate than some light training?

‘It feels so bad to see Rhea coming here every day…’ He has told her not to, but the silly girl always comes to meet him after school and before school. Most of the time, if not in the classes, she spends it here in the infirmary.

And that makes him feel guilty, making him feel the need to recover faster, even more.

“You have a visitor.” The nurse informed, making Rudolph think that it was Rhea again…but much to his disappointment, it wasn’t her.

“Morkel.” With his voice a little heavy, and a frown knitting his brows, Rudolph called out.

The green-haired man pressed his finger against the bridge of his glasses, as he said, “You seem dissatisfied. Were you expecting Rhea to come?”

Rudolph heaved a weary sigh, “Just tell me why you came to meet me. I am not in the mood to argue with you.”

Morkel chuckled, “Look at you, being all wary of me and all friendly with our enemy.”

Rudolph’s frown deepened, “What nonsense are you spouting now? What enemy?”

Morkel, with his brows raised, asked, “Oh you know him. Your dear childhood friend, who framed Parkinson? Does that ring any bells?”

Rudolph growled, “Don’t you fucking dare talk nonsense about Austin. We all had the evidence against Parkinson.”

Morkel chuckled, “You will always remain a knucklehead, Rudolph. Well, let me share some insight that might help you realize one or two things about your dear friend~”