Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

To determine the best candidate for the team's defender, a specialized training exercise was set up.

The defender would stand before a humanoid-shaped training dummy, firmly attached to a vertical pole.

This dummy had a unique feature—it would change color based on the force and number of hits it received, turning a deeper shade of red with each impact.

Four raiders—Annabelle, Rhea, Ryan, and Rudolph (who volunteered)—would take turns attacking the target using different techniques.

A raider could strike multiple times, testing the defender's ability to withstand continuous assault.

The challenge had a strict two-minute time limit—just enough time to simulate how long a defender needed to hold out until the team's tactician arrived.

Once the trial ended, the dummy's final color would reveal the outcome: the defender whose dummy showed the most damage would be benched.

Valerie wasn't taking part in this exercise since she didn't need to.

Currently, the girl and her lover were standing at one side, and seeing Sheldon getting prepared for the round.

He was wearing armor identical to what they would be wearing during the second stage.

Rudolph and the other three and taken different positions—Ryan was not even visible and seemed to have prepared a surprised attack.

"Nervous?

" Valerie asked in a hushed tone as they stood with their shoulders touching.

The blond one shook his head slightly, "Not as much as I was during the first round…maybe because I am now allowed to use all the cards I possess?

"Hearing those words, her expression turned solemn a little as she asked, "Austin…do you trust that woman?

" For him to show such comfort in showing his other skills, meant that he trusted her words about sending a notice to the Council.

"Not really, however, it is a fact that without using my other abilities and Raijin, I won't be able to give my best during the tournament.

"Since those secrets wouldn't remain hidden for long, and Austin knew that while holding back he wouldn't be able to help his team, why not use the stage of the Tournament to announce that he has skills other than his Shard?

Valerie had a troubled look and Austin could understand what she must be feeling.

This world was cruel, and the council heads were freaks who could go beyond normal means to possess something they deemed as an asset for the upcoming war.

That's why, Austin needs to be prepared for any kind of backlash.

"Begin!

"The air tensed as Annabelle's voice echoed across the arena.

Rhea exploded forward, covering the distance between her and Sheldon in three powerful leaps.

Her pink hair trailed behind her, and her sword gleamed under the light.

Sheldon's silver eyes remained sharp, his curved dagger held in a tight reverse grip.

As Rhea feinted left, trying to slip past his guard, Ryan's leg suddenly shot out.

"Ahhh!

"Rhea gasped as her balance was stolen from her, stumbling forward.

But before she could crash into the training doll, a strong hand caught her collar.

"Not so clever, girl.

"Sheldon smirked before yanking her back and tossing her onto the floor.

Rhea clicked her tongue and rolled away, pushing herself up just as Sheldon leaped back—BOOOOOOM!

The entire training hall shook as Rudolph's massive frame slammed down where Sheldon had just been standing.

Dust and debris shot into the air.

"Shit!

"Sheldon cursed.

He had dodged on instinct, but now Rudolph's battle hammer was raised—aiming straight for the training doll.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Sheldon's dagger traced a crescent arc.

Instantly, a clone materialized in front of him and dashed toward the target without hesitation.

"HUPP!

"Rudolph roared as he swung his colossal weapon down.

The sheer force sent a gust of wind rippling outward.

At the last moment, Sheldon's clone threw itself between the hammer and the training doll.

CRAAAAACK!

The clone shattered into nothingness, absorbing the full force of the attack.

But the doll?

Untouched.

"Tch.

" Rudolph scowled as his weapon rebounded, unable to even scratch the target.

Ryan wasted no time.

He was already behind the big guy.

WHAM!

A sharp kick slammed into the back of Rudolph's knee, making him drop slightly.

Before he could recover—DHAK!

Ryan's fist crashed into Rudolph's face with all the force he could muster.

Yet—Rudolph didn't even blink.

His head didn't budge an inch.

Ryan's eyes widened.

His knuckles stung, but it was as if he had punched a damn boulder.

A slow grin stretched across Rudolph's face as a shadow flickered behind Sheldon.

The silver-haired fighter barely had time to react.

His instincts screamed at him—he ducked.

But—"Wrong move, Shelly~" A playful, honeyed voice teased.

Annabelle didn't lunge in for close combat.

Instead, she unleashed her power.

A surge of lightning crackled from her Shard, arcs of blue-white energy lashing out.

The air sizzled.

Sparks danced along Sheldon's back as a violent shock tore through him.

Seizing the opening, Rhea flipped her Shards in a fluid motion.

A sleek crossbow formed in her hands, humming with power.

She wasted no time—her fingers pulled the trigger.

A streak of glowing energy shot forward, an arrow forged from her very soul, whistling through the air toward the training doll.

The victory was within reach.

Then—The figure struck by lightning didn't stumble.

It didn't fall.

It shattered.

With a sound like crumbling ash, the body disintegrated into dust, vanishing before their eyes.

And in the next instant—Snap.

The advancing arrow never found its mark.

A hand—Sheldon's hand—clamped down on it from behind the doll.

His silver hair shimmered under the training ground's lights as he stood there, untouched.

His fingers tightened.

CRUNCH.

The arrow broke like brittle glass, fragments scattering at his feet.

And before him, the training doll remained pristine—completely unscathed.

Everyone in the training hall was struck silent after seeing the Vice-president of the student council using his strength, his Shard, and his wits to win the found.

"That...

was excellent.

" Austin couldn't help but mutter under his breath.

Neither he nor anyone else spotted Sheldon placing one of his clones before the training doll as if it were his real body.

Just as everyone, including Sheldon, thought that the match was over,**SHLINK**Several slashes were delivered to the training doll, leaving several dark marks on it.

Sheldon's eyes widened as he looked at the person—only to get startled upon seeing the person hanging down a rope, attached to the ceiling.

Ryan.

With a grin, Ryan dropped to the ground as he said, "You forgot about me, no?

"Sheldon rested his hands on his waist as he said, "Completely.

Damn...

since when you were there?

"Ryan told him, "Just when you were distracted by Rudolph, I got the time.

"Ryan had the plan to ambush him after everyone tried their best.

If they had inflicted damage to the doll, he would have refrained.

But it seems, it was a good idea to wait until the end.

Austin and others drew closer to the guy, before the Council President said, "You made a severe mistake, Sheldon.

A defender doesn't engage in battle, rather, they just try to keep their enemy away from the target.

You became too busy with Rudolph to notice me and Ryan.

"Sheldon sighed in exasperation, "Have you seen him?

He landed like a golem and was radiating such an intense blood lust that I couldn't help myself.

"Rudolph grinned, "Thanks for the compliment.

"Sheldon rolled his eyes before he turned towards Annabelle and said, "I told you that I am not good with defense.

"Rhea voiced, "But you successfully blocked three of us, even though there would be only two raiders during the battle.

So we can't call this a complete failure.

"Everyone, including Austin, agreed to her words, as the blond Prince said, "You really utilized your Shard's ability in the best possible way.

And I think, if you get more time to plan things, you could have performed better.

"Sheldon rubbed the back of his head as he said, "Praising your rival...

are you forfeiting now or something?

"Austin grinned, "That is impossible.

I am going to give the examination.

"Sheldon shrugged, "Well, best of luck then.

"Soon everyone dispersed.

Austin was taking his position before the training doll, and unexpectedly, this time, Rhea was absent from plain sight.

He tried looking around but couldn't find the pink head at all—however, Ryan was with others, so that was a relief.

'Not depending on the same strategy, eh?

' Austin cracked his fingers and did some light stretching.

Based on his performance now, his life in the tournament would be decided.

It would be a lie to say that he wasn't nervous.

However, if he surrenders before this kind of difficulty, then he should rather hide from the dangers that are about to appear.

"Austin, ready?

" Annabelle asked as she seemed prepared to lunge at him.

The blond one nodded, before she declared, "BEGIN!

"°°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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