Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 259 - 258- Cheating?

The atmosphere around the seven of them was warm and cheerful. They sat close to the campfire, sharing stories and laughter.

Valerie and Austin sat side by side, their hands gently clasped, chatting with Rhea and Sheldon. A little distance away, Jimmy, Averis, and Taya were deep in conversation about their classes and teachers.

Then, out of the blue, Jimmy turned toward Valerie and asked, "Senior Valerie, can I ask about your time as the Disciplinary Officer?"

The question seemed to come from nowhere for those on her side of the fire, but the trio had been talking about the student council, so for Jimmy—now a disciplinary officer himself—it was a natural curiosity.

Valerie tilted her head, thinking back to those early days. "I… made my name during the enrollment trials. That's why I was chosen. But not everyone liked it. Some students didn't take kindly to me patrolling the halls."

The fire crackled softly as everyone leaned in, listening closely. It was rare for Valerie to open up like this—unless Austin was part of the conversation.

She continued, her voice calm but distant, "Once, a group tried to frame me. They found another Shard user with the same ice magic I had. Then, they locked themselves—and me—inside a locker room… and hurt themselves with ice magic."

Taya gasped. Rhea's brows shot up. Averis's eyes widened, and Jimmy just stared, stunned.

That... wasn't a prank. That was something far worse.

Austin hadn't heard this story before, though he remembered the time Valerie had been questioned by the higher-ups.

"So… what did you do?" Averis asked, her voice soft, a little nervous. It was clear Valerie still held her title, so whatever happened, she must've gotten through it.

Valerie looked into the fire as she spoke, "I made an ice lance and stabbed my own thigh. Then I collapsed beside them and pretended to be unconscious. In the end, they had no choice but to claim someone had ambushed us all. Everyone ended up the victim, including me."

The silence that followed was heavy.

Jimmy's mouth hung open. The others looked just as shocked. No one knew what to say.

Except Austin. Although he was worried about her situation back then, he let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head, "Of course. They never could've guessed you'd go that far just to turn the tables."

Valerie smiled faintly, her fingers still wrapped around his.

"…They surely never messed with you again," Rhea said with a dry laugh, a little surprised by how casually Valerie spoke about it.

Valerie gave a small nod, her tone calm but firm. "No, they didn't. Nor did anyone else. After that, I gained quite a reputation around the school."

But then she narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice turning serious. "Don't ever try something like that yourselves."

Sheldon backed her up right away. "She's right. Your seniors aren't bullies, and if anyone gives you trouble, go straight to the Vice President. He doesn't tolerate that kind of thing—not even a little."

Jimmy rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "I don't think I'd even survive pulling something like that off. But yeah, I'll keep it in mind."

Just then, the topic shifted when Taya leaned forward and asked, "Senior Austin, why didn't you join the council?"

Austin gave a crooked grin. "Because, until a few months ago, I was barely hanging on at the bottom of the list. I was clinging to the edge of Alex Circle."

There was no shame in his words. He said it plainly because it was part of who he was—and how far he'd come.

Taya's eyebrows rose. "So the rumors about your sudden rise weren't exaggerations."

Austin gave a light shrug. "Guess not. It all changed the moment I held this hand." He gently lifted Valerie's hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. "Lady Luck's been on my side ever since."

Valerie flushed, trying to hold back a smile, while the others grinned, clearly enjoying the sight of the two being as close as ever.

They talked for a while longer, sharing small stories and jokes—nothing serious, just easy conversations around the fading warmth of the fire. Eventually, Rhea began telling a bit about her past—before she joined the academy and the journey that shaped her into one of the strongest students of Valorian.

As she finished, Jimmy let out a soft breath and murmured, "Your batch is really something... you're all true warriors. On the battlefield—and in life."

His words carried quiet respect, and they settled deep in the hearts of the four seniors. Valerie, Austin, Rhea, and Sheldon exchanged glances. No one said anything, but their smiles said enough.

As the sky began to glow orange with the setting sun, they decided to head back. Tomorrow promised a full day of fun, and they needed rest.

Just before parting ways, Austin leaned toward Valerie and said softly, "Hey, Val... meet me near that rock in an hour, okay?" He pointed toward two large stones jutting out near the edge of the clearing.

Valerie's cheeks tinged pink. She gave a small, shy nod. "Mm."

She walked back to the dorms with the other girls—Taya, Rhea, and Averis. As they approached the wooden stairs to the building, Valerie was just about to step up when—

CRACK

A sharp sound split the air. One of the wooden steps gave way, soaked and weakened from moisture, and a girl fell with a yelp.

"Are you okay?!" her friend cried out, rushing to help.

Valerie instinctively stepped forward. She considered running to find a teacher—or maybe patching the step herself with a bit of ice magic—when suddenly, the sand beneath the stairs stirred. Like a living thing, it flowed up and molded itself, solidifying and filling the gap where the stair had broken.

Surprised, she turned toward the source of the magic.

"Kyah! Senior Trevor!"

"So cool!"

There he stood—a tall, tanned young man with dark yellow hair that looked almost gold in the evening light, and sharp red eyes that gleamed like burning coals.

Valerie blinked, recognizing him instantly.

Trevor.

Trevor moved his hand slightly, and the sand responded instantly. With quiet control, he used his Shard to rebuild the broken stair as if it were nothing. Once done, he turned toward Valerie with a smile and a small nod.

Valerie nodded back, watching him for a moment. He's been helping out quite a bit lately… Was he always like this? she wondered. Still, without dwelling on it too much, she stepped forward to usher the others inside.

"You all go ahead and rest. I'll inform the teacher," she said.

Just as she turned to leave, Trevor approached her.

"I will go and tell them." He offered

"I'm not tired, really," she said, blinking at him in slight confusion.

"Ah," he replied casually, "I'm heading that way anyway."

Before she could say anything else, he was already walking ahead toward the place where the teachers sat.

Valerie paused, then shrugged. If he's that eager, fine by me.

She turned to make her way back toward the beach house—but then heard his voice call out behind her.

"Oh, by the way… Your hair looks more beautiful when it's undone."

Valerie froze mid-step.

Her brows slowly drew together into a frown as she turned around—but he was already gone.

A chill crept up her spine—not from fear, but from the uncomfortable weight of the words.

He knows I'm engaged… Was he hitting on me?

Her frown deepened.

As she thought, only her Lord is the true gentleman in the academy.

She soon reached the room and was instantly questioned.

"Was it senior Trevor outside?" Taya asked with slight excitement reflecting in her voice.

Valerie's expression turned slightly dark again, "Yes...why are you so obsessed with me? He doesn't appear like a good person."

Taya was taken aback, "He is so sweet though. The coffee you had earlier, he provided it."

Valerie was surprised...Taya brought coffee earlier which Valerie and Sheldon had. Turned out, it was Trevor again.

'Why is this guy all over the place all of a sudden?'

Regardless, she didn't care much and decided to take another bath to prepare for her meeting with her Lord. And she also brushed her teeth...just in case.

She wore skirt and a T-shirt and allowed her slightly wet hair to fall over her shoulder.

"Going to meet my brother?" Averis asked with a teasing grin.

Valerie faintly smiled but then sternly told her, "Don't go out now. It's time to sleep."

Averis chuckled and didn't say anything.

Valerie made her out of the beach house and approached the rock where he invited her.

All the way, she was calming her breath to not panic or become a blushing mess.

However, the moment she reached the other side of the rock...her complexion changed and her mind turned numb.

Her Lord had a woman in his embrace and was kissing her passionately with the woman's back against the rock.

And the girl looked...exactly like Valerie.

"What ...is this?"

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A/N:- Here comes the drama. Thanks for reading