Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Nearly an hour past dawn, the carriages from the Valorian academy reached the venue.

It was not far away from the headquarters of the Council.

The towering domes rose into the sky, their golden tops gleaming under the sun.

Each was built with smooth white stone, standing proud like ancient guardians of the land.

Banners of deep crimson and royal blue fluttered from high poles, catching the wind as if they carried the voices of past champions.

The carriages were halted before the main entrance before Harold stepped out and told others to get out.

Slowly every student began to climb down the carriages and lined up before the main entrance.

Austin stood behind Valerie as he assessed the surroundings.

The scent of the sea was profound in the area.

The land where the tournament venue was built, stretched endlessly.

There was nothing as far as the eye could see.

’Ancient war was fought here ...

’ This was one of the spots where the Hero and Demon King clashed and because of the miasma the Dark Lord released, until now, the soil has yet to regain its fertility.

"Nervous butterflies are making me restless.

" Hearing that voice, Austin glanced back and found the pink head standing there.

"Are you not nervous?

" She asked him, only for Austin to shake his head, "Just need to focus on my matches.

" He replied.

Rudolph chuckled, "You won’t be saying that once you see the crowd.

It’s on a whole different level compared to the trials.

" Austin shrugged—he had performed before a massive crowd before, both during when he had a fever for rugby and the craze of MMA.

"They are checking everyone’s ID.

" Valerie’s serious voice reached his ears before Austin turned to look at the entrance.

They have been checking everyone’s belongings and their student’s id.

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Côm Austin remembered the teacher telling them that to participate as an Elite you have to be B-rank.

Although it wasn’t a prerequisite for the trials, the tournament was a different case.

’I hope the headmaster has arranged something...

’ Slowly, the queue decreased, and it was Valerie’s turn to show her ID card.

"Hmm...?

" The security officer was startled to see the golden ’S’ on the card before he lifted his eyes and looked at the girl.

"You may pass.

" He said after her belongings were assessed and handed back to her.

Valerie nodded and stepped inside the venue, but didn’t proceed inside as directed, "I am waiting for someone," she told the staff member.

The staff member told her, "Don’t make it long; you will block others’ paths.

" Valerie gave a nod before she turned toward the entrance.

Austin handed his ID card to the man, as he took a deep breath.

The security in-charge frowned, seeing the D-rank on the card before he looked up, "Austin Eryndor...

what does this mean?

Are you joking here?

" His harsh tone somehow made the surroundings frosty, as the man looked around.

Austin wordlessly requested Valerie to calm down as he saw Harold hurriedly advancing toward them.

"Here, this may save you time.

" He handed an envelope on which the seal of the Valorian academy was visible.

The security guard checked the letter, written by the headmaster.

His brows remained creased as he finished reading before looking at Austin.

Handing the letter back and ID card to Austin, he said, "You may pass.

" The mood of the security guard didn’t seem pleasant.

Someone serving the Council didn’t like favoritism, even though the person in question was the Prince of Eryndor.

However, since the Headmaster has given his consent and shown his confidence, the security guard could do nothing.

Austin heaved a sigh before he took his bag and advanced inside.

Holding the hand of his lover, which was excessively cold, he said, "I told you it won’t be easy.

" "And I told you that I won’t be able to control myself when someone badmouth you.

" She instantly responded, still feeling the itch to freeze the man until his blood turned frozen.

Austin chuckled, "Forget about that.

I got the permission, and that’s what matters.

" Valerie hummed, still a bit displeased.

At the end of the gallery, the path split into several hallways, each leading to different wings of the dormitory.

There were staff members holding the boards of different academies.

Austin and Valerie approached the one who had the board of Valorian Academy before they heard her saying, "The left one is for boys.

And the right, for girls.

You will find the common hall as you further walk ahead.

" Austin nodded before he turned toward Valerie and said, "Let’s meet in the common hall after half an hour?

" "Fifteen minutes?

" She requested.

Her upturned gaze melted the heart of the staff member and the one to whom it was directed.

Austin sighed, a smile blooming on his face as he nodded, "Okay, fifteen minutes.

" He gave a soft kiss on her forehead before waving at her.

Walking through the hallway, he found there were rooms on either side, with the warning written—can only be occupied by two people.

Austin didn’t think much and entered the first room he spotted.

"Oh...

hello, Sheldon.

" He greeted the guy who was already present inside.

The heir of Duke Runebound and the vice-president of the Student Council.

He was the prime suspect during the demon attack on the academy.

"Morning.

" The boy responded briefly without lifting his eyes from the book he was reading.

Austin didn’t say anything after that and rested his bag on the bed, placed on the other side of the room.

There were two cupboards, one bathroom and one toilet, and a study table.

He looked around and found there was a food and drinks menu resting over the table, from which the students could order.

Well, although he was hungry, he decided not to eat there.

Sitting down on the bed, he asked the system, ’How many points do I have now?

’ The bed was unexpectedly comfortable, as he felt himself getting engulfed in clouds.

The system ding-ed, [Total Points: 852] A smile bloomed on his face.

This wasn’t the first time Austin checked the points...

it was just too elating to see so many points.

He has yet to defeat the main boss and the mobs introduced before them.

So surely, he would get enough points from them to unlock the next dungeon.

As such, ’System....

unlock the shop for me.

’ [Ding!

] [Are you sure you want to unlock ’Shop’ option by using 500 system points?

] ’Yes.

’ He said as he got up and got ready.

[Ding!

] [Command accepted.

] [Unlocking the Shop....

] [Downloading the data....

] [Integrating with system...

] [Ding!

] [Congratulations, host!

You have locked Shop!

] Once the system screen faded, a logo of shoping cart appeared before his eyes.

Austin didn’t think twice before choosing it mentally.

Once he did, four options came up, [Potions] [Weapon] [Utilities] [Artifact] ....

Austin narrowed his eyes before he chose, ’Weapon.

’ Ten weapons popped up when he chose the option.

He read briefly about their rank and abilities.

Like there was one: [Reaper: C-] [Price: 300 Points] [Ability: Wounds inflicted by this dagger will not clot naturally and will continue to bleed over time.

] [Note: Skill cannot be upgraded.

] [Note: Ability won’t work on higher level opponent or if someone has healing ability.

] Austin hummed...

quite useless dagger then.

The opponent he would be facing would all be above B-rank, so there was no point in purchasing it.

His eyes went down the list and rested on the most expensive weapon, [Name: Scavenger] [Rank: A-] [Price: 2000 Points] [Ability: Absorbs opponent’s Soul Energy with each attack they direct.

] This was something good...

however, the price was a little too much.

He had several other things to check, however, since it was already fifteen minutes, he decided to focus on his first priority.

Getting up, he was about to leave, when suddenly, "Austin...

are you going to the common hall?

" Austin’s brows elevated as he nodded, "Yeah.

" Sheldon somehow seemed a bit embarrassed but then he asked, "If you find the President there, tell her I won’t be coming.

" Austin hummed in surprise...

were they close?

Well, it is not surprising, considering they both were in the council.

"Got it.

I will tell her.

" °°°°°°° A/N:- Thanks for reading.