Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

*YAWN*Rhea released a yawn as she left her room and advanced toward the common hall.

She still has an hour before the match between Ravencourt and Auroracrest begins.

She wanted to eat something to replenish her lost energy.

She moved a lot during training and she is famished now.

While rubbing her flat belly with a pained expression, she never saw the other person coming from behind, resulting—"Ah!

" Rhea stumbled forward as the person walked hastily away without stopping to apologize.

When she looked closely she found it was one of the soldiers working for the Council, which made her recall that she saw several soldiers walking around the venue previously as well.

It had been busy since morning, which made her curious.

Since she was too tired in the morning, she didn't ask anyone.

However, now,"Excuse me," Rhea followed the soldier hastily, however, he was too fast and didn't hear her calling.

The pink head sighed and stopped trying.

She had a feeling that even if she had stopped them, the soldiers might not have responded to her query.

Even if there was any emergency, the venue management always prioritized keeping the students calm.

"Hey," Someone familiar appeared beside her as he asked, "What happened?

"Rhea turned toward Rudolph, wanting to tell him about the bizarre situation, but then she paused.

Rudolph has trimmed his hair from the side and has tied his long black hair in a rough bun.

In addition to that, he was wearing a sleeveless shirt that exposed his well-shaped arms and gave an intimidating yet handsome appearance to the boy.

"Rhea?

" Rudolph called out to the dazed girl.

The dual-awakened broke out of her trance, and hurriedly said, "It seems there is a situation going on...

I saw several soldiers walking around in the morning.

"Rudolph frowned, as he crossed his arms on his chest, as he voiced, "I also noticed it and questioned one of them.

However, they didn't answer me.

"Rhea hummed, "Expected," after pausing for a moment, she asked, "Do you think the President might know something about it?

"The Student Council President was their team leader who had come in contact with the venue managers, so she thought that the President might have something to share.

However, "No, I don't think so.

This situation is not something event-related.

This is...

far more severe.

" Rudolph brought the girl to the side, so they didn't block others' path before he informed her,"Three soldiers, whom I saw yesterday in the morning, were not at their station today.

"Rhea was amazed, "You notice such details?

I don't even remember the soldiers who checked our belongings.

"Rudolph chuckled, "It's kind of habit to assess warriors around me.

And when I do that, I remember their faces as well.

""No doubt you score so low during exams.

Your mind is filled with people's faces after all.

" Rhea commented, only to wince as Rudolph suddenly pinched her cheek.

"I am sowweyyy...

" She cried before Rudolph released her and ushered the girl to move toward the table.

"Wait, I will bring something for you.

" Rudolph told her, and a sobbing Rhea nodded, "You have to," she added.

Rudolph was smiling ear to ear while he advanced toward the food counter, and found a familiar person standing there"Hey, Austin.

" Austin was in the line, waiting for his turn to order breakfastHearing the voice, he turned towards the guy, before flashing his brows, "Hey, you woke up.

""I didn't sleep actually.

It's kind of a habit to train that much in the morning, so I wasn't actually tired.

"Austin nodded, "Can relate.

"They moved up the queue as the bigger guy asked, "Did you have some kind of buffing potion...

you look juiced up a little.

"Rudolph wasn't exaggerating.

Austin's muscles were slightly more profound, and his height also seemed a few inches higher than in the morning.

Not only that, his aura was much more noticeable, as if he went through an Evolution.

Austin chuckled...

so he indeed leveled up by defeating the Orc Lord.

He didn't get any notification from the system, but he was actually feeling a little stronger and lighter.

His combat and endurance stats had grown, but he hadn't checked since the moment he woke up after returning from the Dungeon; it was already too late.

That's why, he hastily moved to the Common Hall to have breakfast with his lover.

"Well, good training as good rest did wonders.

"They moved a little ahead, now Austin was just a person away from the counter, as he heard his friend saying,"Why do you give the impression that despite not having your Shard going through evolutions, you are growing continuously?

"Austin shrugged, "Maybe I am?

" This was no longer a secret and soon, during the second round, everyone would know that he was actually way above a D-rank.

Naturally, they all would consider his dual awakening the reason behind his unnatural growth, just like Rhea.

Rudolph sighed, 'Seriously, these dual-awakeners are cheat existence.

' he thought, before turning towards his left as someone passed by.

Seeing the guard passing, Rudolph solemnly asked, "Did you notice...

people are disappearing from the venue.

"Austin also glanced at the soldier, as his brows slowly drew closerHe has also noticed that there have been some unnatural movements of the soldiers since this morning.

He had previously heard that one of the four management chiefs had disappeared, too.

'The Demons are here...

but I cannot sense any of them.

' The plan of observing Rhea didn't work as well.

She didn't 'accidentally' stumble upon any being who could have been suspicious.

And following Rhea everywhere was simply unthinkable.

As such, now all Austin can do is warn Valerie and wait for the Demons to show up.

Despite knowing the level of danger this matter involved, he couldn't inform others about it.

Having knowledge about things that shouldn't be within a human's grasp always creates doubt and suspicion.

The only person to whom he could share his knowledge without the fear of getting questioned back is the lady he admires the most.

After taking his plates of breakfast, he returned to the table where Valerie awaited him.

She wanted to go and take lunch for them, but Austin insisted she wait, considering the queue was rather long this morning.

"Sorry to make you wait, here you go.

" He handed her the toast and coffee, while he himself had banana pancakes with honey syrup.

The duo were nobles who had grown up under strict tutelage that instilled etiquette and manners to their very bone.

The way they lifted their tableware, or how they silently sliced their food before putting it in their mouth, every single movement oozed with elegance.

There were not a few but many who couldn't stop looking at them, as they felt conscious about how they ate.

Especially those who come from a commoner background.

Valerie glanced at her Lord before asking, "Did you receive any letter from your family?

"Austin nodded, "Sebas contacted me...

it seems my father will be coming to see the match.

"Valerie delicately smiled, "Is that so?

"Austin raised his brows, "You look happy?

Do you want me to remain close to my family?

"Valerie nodded—not hesitant, as she said, "I want you to remain close to the one whom you genuinely respect and love.

Please don't ignore him.

"Austin sighed, "As you command, my lady.

"°°°°°°°°A/N:- Valerie knows Austin well, that's why she suggested it.

Thanks for reading.