Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Valerie was a little horrified by the means of training Selner had arranged for her.

She was in the same time chamber, currently training for the war she would be participating in.

It has already been around four months and she has been through such an unconventional and unique method of training that she believed that the training until now was just to prepare herself for this.

However, the method of training this time can only be described with one single word.

Ridiculous.

Beneath and above were sharp spikes that would impale her without a doubt. Thin near the crown and thick as they go down. Terrifyingly pointy.

The distance between them was such that Valerie had to keep her feet on the spike, but not enough to get her soles pierced.

Her Shiverfall was above her head like a hovering board keeping her away from drowning into death. But the problem was the spikes above her were so close to her Shard that she couldn't fully levitate as well.

If she lost control over her Shard, she would get impaled for sure.

If she put too much soul energy, her arms would suffer and if her control slipped, her soles would need to be replaced…

"This seems like an attempted murder," Valerie complained as she kept her bare feet on top of the pointed spike.

It was hurting, that's why she had to keep moving around, not letting her feet get dug deeper.

Selner levitated there freely without needing to take the support of her Shard, and not showing any discomfort since she was perfectly hovering between the ceiling and the ground.

"You think so? Well, if I really wanted to, I could have killed you the moment you stepped inside." Selner reminded her that this was her domain, where Selner could use her powers without restriction.

Exhaling a soft sigh, she added, "Look, you know I can heal any wound, that's why I adapted to this new and extreme method of training. Not only will all of this help you build a calm mind, which is very much required, especially at the time of the disaster, but it will also help you gain a strong hold of your Shard."

The training was focused on helping Valerie understand her Shard as a part of her body. And that could only happen if she doesn't 'use' her Shard rather than become one with it.

"Ready? Dodge." Selner suddenly threw a knife at her, which split into four knives mid-trajectory.

Valerie panicked and immediately ducked.

"Agh." A groan escaped her throat as the spike beneath her left foot drew some blood. She didn't lose control over her Shard, rather, she lost the grip slightly.

But there was no time to recover or rest.

Another set of knives came flying.

She twisted and jumped, her Shiverfall tilting slightly to cushion her—but not too much, or she'd hit the spikes above.

One knife grazed her arm this time, leaving a shallow cut. Warm blood ran down, but she didn't fall.

Selner's voice echoed calmly like this was just another lesson in a classroom. "Don't react. Flow. Think with your Shard, not your body."

Valerie wanted to scream. Every part of her burned—feet, arms, legs. But deep down, she knew what Selner meant. The Shard wasn't a tool. It wasn't separate. It was her.

She closed her eyes for just a second.

Breathe.

Feel the air, feel the blade, feel the Shard.

Another volley.

She didn't jump this time. She moved with it. Let her Shiverfall dip and slide just enough to avoid the blades. Her feet barely touched the spike tips now, just long enough to shift again.

The pain was still there, sharp and constant, but her mind was clearer.

Selner nodded, arms crossed. "Good. Again."

Knives flew. Valerie moved. Blood dripped. The pain screamed—but she didn't fall.

Not this time.

She was still standing—barely—but she was still going.

She can do this—her beloved believes she is the strongest, and she is well set on keeping that title for herself.

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"You cannot expect me to remain nonchalant about letting my son leave for a war, can you?" Cedric exhaled a long sigh as he twirled the tea, which had turned cold in his hand.

Austin was standing by the window, looking outside, as he said, "Valerie needs to be there, so naturally, I will go there too."

"Can't I use my authority as the King to stop you both here?" Cedric suggested…or more like extended his wishful thinking.

"Not even the strongest country could go against the command of the Council…so, it's pointless." Austin turned to look at his father. A few wrinkled lines had started to appear on his face, and when he got stressed, his face revealed that he wasn't actually young anymore.

Austin's heart felt a little restless at the sight. He approached his father and said, "Look, Father, sooner or later we have to get involved in this war. So rather than allowing the enemy to knock on our door, I want to wait there at the frontline and welcome them."

Cedric nodded, "I understand what you are saying, but…as a father, I couldn't stop myself from getting worried about you."

Austin knelt before his father and took his hands. Looking into his eyes, he said, "I have sacrificed my chance to become the next king, but I am still devoted to my nation and my people. And to keep them safe, I need to stand before the enemy."

Cedric's shoulders slumped as he rested his hand over his son's head and said, "You are nothing like me, son. You are a responsible, wise, and courageous warrior that this nation needs. Not only have I failed as a King but also as a father." Eryndor was the weakest country in existence, but Cedric isn't to be blamed for it, from Austin's perspective. He actually saved the country from being erased from the map. However, Cedric still feels that he cannot do much for his country.

Not to talk about the lifelong guilt he carries for being a failure of a father…he couldn't help none of his three children when they needed him

Cedric brushed away the negative thoughts and with his gaze filled with familial warmth, the man said, "But I am sure you won't walk on the same path as me and will become a true leader and a great father in the future."

Patting his shoulder, he concluded, "You have my blessing, son."

…

That night, Cedric returned to his room for a few minutes to take something when he found his wife sitting by the window and looking out.

Cedric peeked at what she was looking at and found Austin practicing with his sword there.

The blond one rested his hand on his beloved's shoulder and said, "He is going on a war…won't you at least wish him luck?"

Sophie's grip around the curtain tightened as she said, "I have always been a bad omen for him…I don't want to unintentionally curse him."

Cedric exhaled a long sigh, "You need to recover from the past or you might never be able to live in the present. Austin is about to face the biggest battle of his life…and he would need the blessings of his mother too,"

Sophie felt anxious…can she really talk to him after what she has done?

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A/N:- I will add a 'Sophie warning' in the future chapters for the part where she would be involved, for those who hate her. Thanks for reading.