Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Austin was kind of disappointed from his first battle in the tournament.

He didn’t think he would be able to win so easily.

Yes, he was trapped in the water prison there for a few minutes, but still if taken out that skill, the girl was quite weak in other aspects.

’She was at least ranked B…then does that mean she was a fake ranker, or maybe someone favored her during the assessment.

’ The chance is the bare minimum.

Then does that mean the assessment doesn’t actually evaluate someone’s true rank?

’If I remember right, then they give training dummies to the test-taker…’ Other than the evolution of one’s shard, what works for evaluation is how many training dummies they can defeat within a limited time.

Based on what Austin saw, Lucy was at least at the second evolution stage, since she was able to chant magic fluently.

Then that means, she got the evaluation mainly because of her Shard.

’Even though this tournament should have been filled with Champions, there are few like me who don’t belong here….

’ Asutin chuckled.

It wasn’t like he was underestimating himself rather, he was just speaking based on what others might be feeling.

He soon reached his room and instantly went to take a bath.

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Côm He had already informed Valerie that he would meet her in the Command Tent in an hour.

He really needed to take a bath because the sour scent of acid was reeking from his body.

Throwing away his half-burnt clothes to the bucket, he dove into the water.

"Hah~I really love warm baths…" He sighed and took a few minutes to calm his mind and heart.

Even though he showed a bold and confident front in front of others, and Valerie, he was actually quite nervous.

After all, this was his first battle at such a big stage.

It was his luck that he got paired against, maybe, one of the weakest students participating in this tournament.

And thanks to that, he didn’t struggle until the end and passed the first round within five minutes.

[Ding!

] [Congratulations, host!

] [You achieved the quest.

] [Quest points have been added!

] Austin grinned as he spread his hand like some kind of Emperor and leaned backward.

However, the smirk soon died, as Austin opened his eyes and asked the system in a serious tone, "Hey, system...

can you tell me something?

" [What is it, host?

] Austin’s eyes were focused on nothing in particular as he asked in a daze, "Even though all my stats are progressing so smoothly and I can feel getting stronger passing each day...

why is my Soul Energy still the same as it was as before?

" He couldn’t comprehend why, just like his other stats, his Soul Energy wasn’t progressing.

Until now, all Austin could do was to augment his Shard.

Using Raijin for a few minutes drains all his energy.

He has convinced himself that once he ascends to the next stage of the Overall Progression, his Shard will go through Evolution.

However, his Soul Energy wasn’t improving at all.

Today when he saw Lucy releasing so many spells without a second thought, he felt that in a battle of magic, or long-range battle, he would lose almost easily.

There was a long pause from the other end, and Austin was waiting patiently.

Finally, a notification popped up, [The host would surely receive a massive boost of Soul Energy once he ascends.

However, until then, progressing specific stats is prohibited.

] Austin scoffed.

His system was just making excuses now.

What specific stats?

Shouldn’t his magic have upgraded along with Combat?

What a bunch of crap.

’Forget it, I will just go hunting tonight...

’ Heaving a sigh, Austin got out of the bath and wrapped a towel around his waist.

Exiting the bathroom, he was about to move towards his bag, when suddenly, he felt someone approaching him from behind.

Austin didn’t think twice before summoning his dagger and lunging at the ambusher.

"Ah!

" Valerie exclaimed as she suddenly found herself pressed against the wall with slight coldness pressed against her neck.

Austin raised his brows, finding his fiancée sneaking toward him, as he asked, "Didn’t you fear that I might harm you?

" Although he said that, Austin knew that if Valerie wanted she could have easily countered him.

Valerie smilingly said, "Did I startle you?

I wanted to surprise you.

" Austin heaved a sigh, as he lowered his dagger and said, "Well, you succeeded.

I am surprised, but it will take some time for me to react.

" Valerie was brought to his bed with her hand being held, as she asked, "Tired?

" Austin slowly shook his head, "Nah, just all the anxiety and impatience came rushing down at once.

" Valerie sat close to him, her hand hooked with his and her head leaning on his shoulder, intending to say something when suddenly she realized something when her face planted on his warm skin.

Looking down...

she realized that his upper body was bare.

His broad chest rose and fell steadily, each breath making the muscles in his torso shift subtly.

His abs were firm, sculpted like they were carved from stone, each ridge catching the light just right.

Scars ran across his skin—not imperfections, but marks of battles fought and won, adding a rugged, dangerous charm.

There was raw power beneath that skin, restrained yet ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

He wasn’t just fit—he was built for battle, for action.

Heat crept up her neck as she couldn’t stop herself from keeping her eye locked in his god-like body.

Why was he so perfect?!

She covered her face and began shaking slightly.

This is bad.

This is so so sooooo bad!

"I fink I fould leave...

" With her face still covered, she tried to walk away, only for Austin to hold her waist and pull her back.

"Ah!

" Valerie was startled to find herself sitting on her Lord’s lap, with his arm securely locked around her waist and his warmth surrounding her.

"Why are you trying to escape, Val?

Do you fear that you might end up doing something to me?

" His seductive voice rang in her ears, working as a means to elevate the rate of her already rapidly beating heart.

A teary-eyed Valerie glanced at her unfair Lord before she muttered, "D-Do you want t-to?

" Austin took a deep breath.

Truth be told, this mood was really dangerous for him as well.

Having such a stunning fiancée right before him, and then being alone in the room—every sign told him to let go of his restraints and just give in to his desires.

And he knows that Valerie also wouldn’t resist.

However, "I...

still haven’t gained the permission of your family, Val.

And until I don’t do that, I am not officially your partner.

So can you wait until then?

Please?

" He doesn’t want to rush things when it comes to Valerie.

He was eager, yes, but didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Valerie wasn’t his girlfriend, but his wife.

There is no official document about their marriage but he had already considered her.

That’s why, he wanted to do everything properly.

Also, even though Austin had already turned eighteen, there were still three months left before Valerie would become an adult.

So there was that factor as well...

Valerie visibly calmed down after hearing his words.

She would be lying to say that she didn’t follow the customs her mother taught her.

And she believed that they carried values.

Although she wouldn’t have stopped her Lord if he really wanted to...

but after hearing his reason to stop, all she could feel in her heart was inexplicable warmth.

Lowering her gaze, she held his warm hand as she said, "Every single day, you make me realize that I didn’t fall for the wrong man.

" Turning her head, she kissed him on his cheek, before whispering, "I love you, Austin.

" It was Austin’s turn to turn slightly red, hearing those magical words from the front.

He parted his lips and slowly said, "I-I lo-*chu*" his eyes widened when his lips were suddenly sealed.

Valerie parted her lips almost instantly, before asking with a tilt of her head, "I didn’t hear you...

what did you say?

" Austin was flabbergasted as he absentmindedly said, "I said, I also lo-" again!

She interrupted him with such a sweet reward again!

"I didn’t hear you, at all.

Can you repeat it?

" An innocent face which didn’t give the impression that the same girl kept kissing him, asked him.

Austin narrowed his eyes, "So you wanna play it like that, huh?

" The room was filled with Valerie’s giggles as Austin suddenly pushed her on the bed, and began kissing her like a madman.

Without him knowing, Valerie removed the cloud of glooms with her presence.

°°°°°°°° A/N:- For God’s sake, if I get someone like her, imma gonna fight the world for her!

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