Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess
Chapter Summary
Austin also summoned his dagger, having Raijin's work done, before he intercepted Ryan's attempt to reach the training doll. Ryan was ready to summon his Shard, and was about to continue the battle—however, Austin never advanced towards him and held his position. However, before he could have landed, Austin summoned his Axe again and launched thunder towards the falling figure.
Valerie doesn't pray generally.
However, at the moment, she was praying for her Lord's success.
It wasn't that she didn't believe in his abilities; rather, sometimes bad luck also changes the end result.
And she really didn't want her beloved to lose because of bad luck.
He has been tormented and badmouthed for all his life.
She has seen him go through all that with a bold front.
He fought back and tried to change himself.
All because he never wanted to settle with the tag of a loser.
And now, he has the chance to show the world that he has changed.
That all his hard work has finally paid off.
She wanted the world to witness his glorious moment.
And for that, he has to win this test.
'Come on, Austin, you can do it.
'...
"Begin!
" The voice of the Council President roared before Austin saw a familiar war hammer advancing toward him in a horizontal path.
He was standing right before the training doll, and at that pace, blocking the Shard was nearly impossible, unless he was prepared to allow some damage to be dealt to the doll.
Everyone watched with a frown, as Austin didn't move from his spot; rather, he seemed too relaxed for someone about to be hit by such a heavy weapon.
However, before the hammer could have struck him,**BOOOOOM**Something came rushing from the sky and intercepted the Shard—carving it into the ground"Agh...
that hurts.
" Rudolph winced as he saw his Shard plummeted into the ground by the huge boomerang, Austin always carries.
"When did he throw that away...
" Ryan muttered, but Annabelle wasn't in the mood to praise her junior.
Wielding her golden staff, she jumped in the air and directed a torrent of electricity toward Austin.
Austin grinned, as he summoned Raijin and just thrust it forward.
"What the...
" Rudolph exclaimed, and Annabelle's eyes widened as she saw the axe materializing into his hand and absorbing the electricity as if Anna were fueling it.
Landing on the ground, she pushed forward, increasing the thunder as the surroundings were illuminated with her attack.
That much lightning would have killed a non-awakened and would surely have put a low-ranking warrior into hospital.
Annabelle believed that there must be a limit to how much he could absorb...
but,"Endless pit...
" She muttered, in disbelief and slight irritation.
"Don't lose hope yet!
" Ryan shouted as he lunged toward Austin with his dagger(he wasn't using his Shard).
Austin also summoned his dagger, having Raijin's work done, before he intercepted Ryan's attempt to reach the training doll.
*CLANG*Their blades met in a flurry of attacks.
Ryan gritted his teeth and pressed forward, his dagger flashing as he unleashed a series of rapid strikes.
But Austin was faster.
His dagger split into two in an instant, and he met every strike with a precise counter.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Ryan slashed, and Austin parried.
Ryan lunged, and Austin sidestepped.
Then, with a sharp flick of his wrist, Austin's left dagger hooked around Ryan's blade, yanking it off course.
In the same motion, his right dagger shot forward, forcing Ryan back.
Ryan barely avoided a cut to his side.
He spun, trying to regain control, but Austin didn't let up.
His daggers blurred as he attacked from both sides, forcing Ryan to retreat step by step.
Ryan was ready to summon his Shard, and was about to continue the battle—however, Austin never advanced towards him and held his position.
Ryan realized that the boy gave priority to his duty as a defender, and successfully drew his opponent away.
"HAAAAAA!
" Rudolph roared as he jumped in the air, trying to intimidate Austin just like he did with Sheldon.
However, before he could have landed, Austin summoned his Axe again and launched thunder towards the falling figure.
"Aghhh!
" Rudolph winced as he lost his momentum and began to fall down a straight path.
The lightning was not hurting much, but he was completely blinded, and it felt like several mosquitoes were sucking his blood at once.
*WOOSH*Austin twisted his body, dodging the staff by a hair's breadth.
Before Annabelle could pull back, his hand snapped around her wrist like a steel trap, while his other hand seized the back of her collar.
Her breath hitched.
"Wha——"She didn't even get to finish.
With sheer force, Austin ripped her off her feet, his leg sweeping under hers before he slammed her straight into the ground—face-first.
Even Valerie winced from the side...
that was brutal.
Austin instantly let go and looked around—ready to intercept any attack that they might be planning.
Austin's fingers uncurled from his daggers, his sharp gaze sweeping the area, ready for anything.
But the fight was already over.
The three raiders lay on the ground, unmoving.
None of them so much as twitched.
His stance loosened for a fraction of a second—until a cold realization slammed into him.
Three?
His heart lurched.
SWISH!
A pink energy arrow streaked through the air.
Austin barely had time to turn his head.
His pupils shrank as he caught sight of it—a glowing blur cutting toward the training doll from the right.
Close.
Too close.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Rhea had fired from nearly point-blank range.
Even Valerie wouldn't have made it in time.
And Austin?
He couldn't move.
The arrow was already there.
It was over.
But then—TING!
The sharp sound rang through the silence.
Everyone flinched.
Rhea's lips parted in shock.
"…Huh?
"The pink glow vanished, deflected mid-air.
A greenish shimmer spread around the training doll—a barrier.
The doll stood untouched.
Safe.
The battle wasn't over.
Austin had still won.
"Times up!
" Valerie shouted, uncharacteristic of her.
However, no one moved, nor did they speak.
Their eyes were still focused on the barrier that appeared on the training doll and disappeared in the next instance.
It was a funny sight to see Annabelle lying on the ground and looking at the doll with an upturned gaze.
Austin helped her get up first, before he asked them, "Shall we talk in the Command Camp?
"Annabelle opened her small mouth, but then she closed it and nodded.
Valerie had a face full of smiles as she hugged his arm and whispered, "You did well.
"Austin smiled at her as he wordlessly led her to the Command Camp with others behind them.
Once inside, Austin first made everyone sit down before he began, "I know you all have questions, but I cannot answer them all.
Just know that I didn't use any artifact to summon that barrier or any other underhanded method.
So I won't be breaking any rules.
""No, no, tell me something first...
" Rhea got up from her seat, and asked in a low tone, "Did you re-awakened?
"Austin shared a glance with Valerie before he answered, "I-In a way, yes.
"Rhea fell down on her seat, and her eyes widened.
After that, a series of questions followed.
°°°°°°°°°A/N:- I hope you all liked the chapter.
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