Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 257 - 256- Pearl

Students weren't told to sit by class year or by gender. It was a trip meant for fun, and so they were free to sit wherever they liked.

Naturally, everyone formed their own little groups, squeezing into the ten carriages that waited outside. The journey began not long after, filled with chatter, laughter, and the excitement of a day away from lectures and rules.

The academy was about six hours from the beach, so they hadn't packed much—just a change of clothes and a few essentials. They were set to return by the next night, after all.

Austin, Valerie, Rhea, and Sheldon ended up in the same cabin. Across from them, by chance, were a few familiar faces.

"Stalker," Averis muttered under her breath, even though she was the one who followed Austin into the carriage.

Austin raised an eyebrow and smiled playfully. "Is it a crime to sit near my sister?"

Valerie leaned forward, her voice gentle. "Your dress looks lovely, Averis."

The boy beside Averis beamed. "Isn't it? I told her the same—"

Jimmy, who sat beside her, lit up and began to speak, but froze when he caught the cold stare from across the cabin.

"What was that?" Austin asked, still smiling. But his eyes, calm yet piercing, told a different story.

A drop of sweat trickled down Jimmy's neck as he stammered, "I-I said the color of—"

"Of?"

"Of the carriage! Yeah! It's… um, it's really classy, right?"

Averis turned to her brother with a scolding glare that said it all: Don't scare him.

Sheldon let out a quiet chuckle while Valerie glanced between them, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Then, another junior chimed in—the same girl who had offered Austin a dumpling not long ago.

"Senior," she said with a curious glint in her eyes, "is it true you're going to get reassessed for your rank?"

The question caught him off guard. "Yeah… I am. But how did you know?"

He'd only talked about it with Sheldon just yesterday.

Austin shifted his gaze toward Sheldon, who immediately raised both hands, as if to say, Don't look at me—I didn't tell anyone.

The girl just grinned. "I've got a few friends here and there."

Austin didn't press her further. "Yeah, soon," he confirmed with a nod. It wasn't like it was a secret. Most people probably knew by now that he'd long outgrown his D-rank label. Sooner or later, it was bound to happen.

"It'll be exciting," she said casually.

Austin blinked. Exciting? The word puzzled him. What exactly did she mean by that? Why would his reassessment matter to her?

Before he could ask, the conversation ended on its own, thanks to the girl sitting beside him. Her quiet presence was enough to keep others from lingering too long.

Jimmy, meanwhile, had finally pulled himself together. He accepted the bottle of water that Averis handed him, his fingers still a little shaky.

"Where'd all your confidence go?" Averis asked, raising a brow. "Weren't you the one who pushed me to sit in the same carriage as them?"

Her tone was flat, giving Jimmy no clue whether she was teasing him or genuinely curious.

He gave a sheepish smile. "It's just early nerves. Once I get to know him better, I'll be fine. I won't be such a mess."

Averis gave a soft hum in response, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes. A nap sounded better than overthinking.

Across from them, Valerie turned to Austin with a soft look. "Want something to eat? I brought sandwiches… and cookies."

"I can't say no to your cookies," he said with a grin, eyes lighting up as she reached into her bag.

He took one, but instead of biting into it, he crushed it gently in his hand and let the pieces fall into his mouth.

Valerie smiled, her gaze full of quiet affection.

Rhea tilted her head, watching. "Why do you break such a perfecty shaped cookie?"

Austin chuckled and nudged Valerie lightly with his shoulder. "There's a story behind it. But don't worry—Valerie doesn't mind."

Rhea raised an eyebrow, still curious, but didn't ask more. Whatever that story was, it clearly meant something to the two of them.

With a small sigh, she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, letting the rhythm of the carriage lull her toward sleep.

The journey was long, and she didn't have much sleep after last night's training.

....

After traveling without a pause for six and a half hours, the carriages finally came to a halt near the edge of the pathway.

The students slowly got out of the vehicles, gasping and smiling at the sight that was presented before them.

A huge sea spread before their eyes, the blue water stretching far into the horizon, shining under the warm afternoon sun.

Gentle waves rolled in, brushing the sandy shore with a soft, soothing sound. The breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, and seagulls circled above, calling out as they flew.

The beach was wide and clean, with fine golden sand that looked like it would feel warm under bare feet.

A professor stood in front of the students and raised his voice just enough to be heard. "We'll head to the beach house first—that's where we'll be staying. No need to rush. Just follow me."

Some students looked longingly at the waves, itching to run straight toward the ocean. But they knew better. With the professor's sharp eyes and quick reflexes, they'd be caught before their toes touched the sand.

One by one, the students began to step down from the carriages, forming a loose line and giving space to those still inside. The teachers walked ahead, a few trailing along the sides, keeping the group in check as they made their way toward the beach houses.

"Let's go?" Austin said, already holding Valerie's bag as he reached out a hand to her.

Valerie smiled and rested her hand on his. With a light step, she climbed down beside him.

But just as she did, Austin suddenly stopped in place, causing her to halt mid-step.

"Hm? What is it?" she asked, looking up at him. He wasn't looking at her—his eyes were locked on the sea ahead.

His brows furrowed ever so slightly. There was something in that brief silence, something unreadable.

Then, just as quickly, he blinked and shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go."

She didn't push him for more, but her hand lingered a bit tighter in his.

°°°°°°°°°

There were several beach houses, and since there were no families visiting the beach just right after the war, they were able to book every house that was available.

There were ten of them, and each had more than five rooms.

Students were told to group according to gender this time since they would be sharing rooms.

Unfortunately, Valerie and Austin had to part ways since they were no exception to this rule.

Standing near the entrance of the beach house with their hands connected, Austin said, "I will meet you in a few hours. Don't rush and relax for a bit first, okay?"

Valerie diligently nodded, "Mm."

The teachers have told the students that they could go to the beach any time they want, but they can't dive into the water unless there is a teacher around.

Since this was the secluded part of the SOS(Sea of Separation), there were no soldiers or lifeguards around.

Naturally, the students weren't going to listen to every rule. And each one of them was superhuman, so surely they had enough confidence in themselves not to drown.

Austin was sharing his room with Sheldon, and two people from the council named, frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Phil, Jacob...did you bring any sunscreen?" Sheldon asked after he checked his bag and realized he had only brought swimming trunks and a comb.

Jacob, a shaved-headed boy who was also one of the Disciplinary Officers, nodded, "Yeah, I always carry it around." He threw the tube to the President.

Austin dropped onto the bed where Phil was arranging his clothes, making the raven-haired guy click his tongue, "I am doing something here."

Austin shrugged, "It's my bed too." He intentionally extended his leg and pushed the pile of neatly tied clothes Phil had arranged.

"Hey! Stop doing that." Phil tried hitting Austin's shin, but the blond was too fast to get caught.

Jacob chuckled, "Man, are you here to settle or something? Why so many clothes?" There were more than seven sets of clothes.

Phil scoffed, "You won't understand. I am prepared."

Austin hummed, "Prepared for what?"

Phil, while still folding his trunks, answered, "In the depth of the sea, there is a shell which has very precious blue pearls. It is priceless and very beautiful. I have heard legends about it that if a man gifts it to his woman, their soul reunites in the afterlife-"

"Pfft-ahahaha!!" Jacob started laughing, and Sheldon also chuckled at those words.

Phil threw underwear at Jacob, and a small fight broke out.

Meanwhile, Austin wasn't smiling.

Rather...he was thinking.

'Blue pearl huh...'

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Trouble, fun, battle, and a lot of steamy romance await. Thanks for reading.