Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

*Click*

Valerie was back in her room. Standing silently with her back pressed against the door.

There were so many thoughts in her mind that she just…became blank.

Many things happened today and Valerie couldn't decide what she should think first.

Looking at her hand, she found the ring which she painfully took out today, was placed back there once again.

A soft smile adorned her lips as she pressed her hand against her face and tried to feel the lingering warmth of her beloved.

When she left her room this afternoon, she couldn't have ever anticipated such a result.

Her lord…didn't abandon her. There was still some hope that they could become one, once again.

'I am so happy…' Tears rolled down her eyes as she continued to smile helplessly. Falling to her knees she held the hand on her chest and allowed herself to release all the stress she had accumulated.

The elation of getting back this ring was not something she could explain to anyone.

For a long time, Valerie remained sitting there, crying tears of joy.

Although she didn't want to be too hopeful, she had a faint belief that after today, things between her and her lord would change.

'I pray…that even if it is fake, you keep looking at me, my lord.'

—-------**---------

After parting ways with Valerie, Austin returned to his dorm, where a smiling old man awaited

"Young master…" Faintly, Austin could see tears in Sebastian's eyes, which didn't surprise him.

Austin smiled faintly, "I knew you were expecting something else from me but I am not that big of a scumbag, Sebastian." Well, originally, he was.

The older man wiped his tears with a handkerchief, before bowing his head, "I apologize for misunderstanding you, my lord."

Austin patted his soldier, "Don't bow your head like this."

Austin walked towards his bed while pulling away his necktie as he asked, "What about the visit to the Capital?"

Earlier, when Austin was going through his documents while taking Sebastian's help to prepare the dialogues, Austin noticed that he had marked the day, exactly a week later, to return home.

Sebastian nodded, "Yes, my lord. On the occasion of your birthday, Your Majesty has arranged a celebration back home and naturally, you are invited."

Austin wanted to scoff; a celebration for him? Yeah, what a joke.

Sebastian sensed the disdain in his master's eyes, making the older one feel a little guilty.

"Young Master…it's purely a coincidence that…"

"Yeah, I know. You can go now." Austin waved at him as he unbuttoned his shirt.

The older male lowered his head and with a grieving look, he left the room.

Austin heaved a sigh; he purposely showed that he was disgusted about this whole celebration, but actually, he was not interested at all.

The fact is, Prince Austin is a useless prince and someone who was spoiled by his mother until…his elder brother, whom they thought was dead, returned one day. And the day he returned coincidentally was Austin's birthday.

So every year, rather than celebrating Austin's birthday, people gather around to celebrate the fact that a more responsible and strong Prince returned that day. A mini-arc is about to begin in seven days since the Protagonist would be present there as well…and as one could expect, the first Prince would become infatuated with her.

'Seriously, pink hair is such a red flag…' He was slightly prejudiced since his first girlfriend was also pinheaded.

Although his favorite anime character is also pink-haired, his hatred for his first girlfriend is stronger.

*Click*

Once Austin locked the door, he sat on the bed and said,

'Now then…system, rise and shine.'

[Ding!]

[Congratulations host! You have altered the plot significantly; providing a kick-start to your journey!]

He received the notification when he slid the ring on Valerie's finger…but that moment was so precious and beautiful that he didn't pay attention to the system at all.

But not like he would keep ignoring the golden spoon.

[THE PROGRESS-REWARD SYSTEM]

'What a grand name…'

[The system allows the host to track the progress the host would make in several fields—romance, plot, strength, achievement, hatred, trickery. Until the host continues to progress, the system will provide worthy rewards. And through rewards, the host can alter progression as well.]

Austin hummed, and while scratching his chin he asked,

'You mean through rewards I can progress in one of those fields? However, will that affect the physical world and other people?'

[No, host. The progression in question here is the personal achievements of the host.]

'I don't understand but continue.' Austin gave the green flag as he sat cross-legged on the bed.

Austin knows that Sebastian reports to his father that's why he was talking to the system through thoughts. God knows what kind of surveillance artifact guy might have planted in the room.

[Ding!]

[The current progression:]

[12.5/100]

[Stage-> 1]

[Upon reaching every hundred points, the host would ascend to the next stage. Progressing in each stage would grant rewards, and upon breaking to the next stage grants mega rewards.]

[Ding!]

[Upon reaching the first threshold the host has received a reward!]

[Open: Y/N]

Austin looked at the blue and black screen closely and pondered for a few minutes.

If his mind is working right, then he just needs to make progress in any field, and the bar will continue to move up.

And every time he crosses a certain point in the mark, he would receive rewards.

Nice.

'Hmm…open the reward.'

[Ding!]

[Memory transfer!]

[The host can regain all the memories of the previous owner of the body!]

[Transfer: Y/N]

Austin's expression turned blank, 'Tell me something, the great system, shouldn't I get this by default? Why as a reward?'

He was mildly annoyed that he wasn't getting an actual reward.

[Ding!]

[There is an option to dispose of the reward!]

[Dispose: Y/N]

'....'

—------**--------

A/N:- Savage system! Drop a comment if you enjoyed reading the chapter..