Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Ah..." Austin gasped as he sat up in bed, his breath shaky.

For a few seconds, he just sat there—eyes wide, chest heaving—until the heavy pressure on his body slowly began to lift.

'System?'

[We have successfully landed in the past. Congratulations, host!]

The system's familiar tone echoed in his mind, but Austin barely registered the words.

A smile crept onto his face as he stumbled toward the mirror. His fingers brushed against the edge, almost as if he needed to feel something solid. Something real.

He remembered the first time he woke up in this world. The very first thing he did was check his reflection.

And there it was again.

A slim, golden-haired young man stared back at him. The broad shoulders, the roughness in his skin—marks of years of relentless training—were gone.

He was...delicate again. Untouched by war. By loss. By regret.

"Haah... all those gains," he joked weakly to himself. But the smile faded as quickly as it came.

He turned toward the door, heart pounding. Each step forward felt like walking through a dream—no, a minefield. He feared what lay beyond it.

What if this wasn't real?

What if the system had failed? What if some divine force had interfered? What if he had only imagined this chance?

His fingers hesitated on the doorknob—

Knock

"Young master?"

Austin froze.

That voice…

He could never mistake it.

Click

The door opened just a crack—but that was all he needed.

"Ah!" Austin cried out and lunged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around the man before him.

Sebastian didn't even have time to react. The old butler stumbled slightly under the sudden weight.

"Young master...? Is everything alright?" he asked, worry evident in his voice. Austin's shoulders were shaking.

"I...I..." The words caught in his throat.

He thought he'd be calm. He thought he'd explain things with a smile, maybe tell a clever story to ease Sebastian into the truth.

But the moment he saw that familiar, wrinkled face, the months of sorrow and longing burst out of him like a dam breaking.

Sebastian didn't press for answers. He simply held the trembling boy in his arms, gently rubbing his back.

"It's alright," he whispered over and over, voice soft like a lullaby. "Everything will be fine."

It took some time, but Austin eventually pulled away, eyes red but steady.

He looked up at the man who had always been by his side and asked quietly, "When was the last time you got eight hours of sleep?"

Sebastian blinked. "Young master...?"

"You need to rest more, Sebas." Austin gave a watery smile, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "But first… let's go save Val."

Sebastian froze, his eyes wide. "By Val… you don't mean…"

"Yes, Sebas," Austin said, his voice firm now. "I mean my wife."

He stepped back and rested his hand on his shoulder with a confident smile. "Now come on. We've got work to do."

Austin stepped out of his room and paused.

The morning breeze greeted him, soft and cool against his skin. For a long moment, he stood still, letting his eyes wander over the sight before him—the academy, whole and unbroken.

After the demon's attack in his previous life, most of the buildings had been reduced to ruins. No one had ever bothered rebuilding. It had become a graveyard of memories.

But now…

Bathed in pale moonlight, the academy stood tall again. Majestic. Peaceful.

His chest tightened—not from sorrow, but a deep, aching peace.

"Are you sure you're alright, young master?" Sebastian asked quietly.

Austin nodded, his voice calm. "Better than ever. Just had a bad dream, that's all… Makes you appreciate things more, you know?"

He didn't want to lie. Eventually, he would tell Sebastian everything. But not now. Not today. Today was for reclaiming the future.

They walked together, making their way past the familiar pathways and gardens, eventually stepping out of the male dormitory. In the distance, the tall arches of the main building loomed—where the trial was being held.

Just as they reached the entrance, Sebastian called out.

"Young master…"

Austin paused and turned slightly, humming in acknowledgment.

Sebastian hesitated before adding, "I know how things might seem right now, but… please believe me—Lady Valerie isn't the kind of person who would try to hurt someone over a personal offense. That's not who she is."

Austin stared at the old man for a beat, eyes softening.

Sebastian had always known Valerie's feelings—how much she cared for Austin, how much she endured silently. And he had hoped, perhaps quietly prayed, that one day Austin would see it too.

But Austin had been too consumed by resentment to listen back then.

Now, things were different.

"I've got this," Austin said gently, his voice filled with quiet assurance.

He stepped forward and pushed open the door.

Inside, just as he expected, were seven people seated in judgment.

And among them—Valerie.

His eyes found her instantly.

She wasn't angry. She wasn't broken.

She was… shocked.

Back then, she had already accepted her fate. She had lost hope.

But now—she looked as if something impossible had just happened.

Her eyes trembled as they locked with his.

"There you are," the Headmaster said, his voice calm and firm.

Austin tore his gaze away from Valerie and looked across the room.

Standing beside Rhea was his old friend.

Seeing him—alive, well—brought a smile to Austin's face before he could stop it.

"What's so funny?" snapped Parkinson, clearly irritated.

Austin turned toward him with the faintest grin. "Nothing. Just feeling lucky, that's all."

With calm, confident steps, Austin walked to the center of the room and stood before the Headmaster.

"I believe I have a better solution," he said, voice steady. "One that doesn't involve dragging this through a full trial."

Philius blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

Austin turned his gaze to Rhea, his expression unreadable.

"If Valerie apologizes for damaging your Shard, and agrees to stay away from you… Will that be enough for you to drop the complaint?"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Even the air seemed to be still.

Valerie… apologize to Rhea?

Everyone knew the animosity between them—especially Valerie's. The idea felt unthinkable.

Parkinson shot to his feet, voice sharp with outrage. "She nearly killed her, and you think—"

"I accept," Rhea interrupted, her tone calm but laced with surprise. "If she promises to stay away from me, I'll withdraw the complaint."

Austin exhaled a small breath of relief. "Thank you, Rhea."

Without waiting, he stepped toward Valerie and gently took her hand.

The room tensed.

Even Rhea's frown deepened, her arms crossing, but she said nothing.

"Val…" he said softly.

She looked up at him, startled. Her eyes, wide and unsure, searched his face.

He knew why she was surprised. It was the first time in so long that he spoke to her like this—gently, without bitterness.

She didn't understand it. She couldn't.

But even in her confusion, she didn't pull away.

Instead, she slowly turned to face Rhea.

And then, with a small but graceful bow, she said, "I'm sorry for what happened. Let's keep our distance from now on."

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

Rhea blinked.

She had expected the apology—Austin had arranged the terms after all—but hearing those words from Valerie's lips, from someone who had always looked at her with scorn, still caught her off guard.

She remained silent.

Austin gave her a nod before turning back to the Headmaster. "That settles it, doesn't it? Can we leave now, sir?"

Philius looked at them, then at the Vice-headmaster. There was nothing more to say.

"Yes," he said slowly. "You may go."

"One moment, sir," came a sharp interruption.

It was the bespectacled Professor Morkel. He adjusted his glasses, his tone crisp with disapproval. "If we let her walk away now, we set a dangerous precedent. Students might believe that even nearly killing someone can be brushed aside with a few soft words."

The intent behind his words was clear.

He wanted Valerie punished.

Parkinson, standing beside him, gave a nod of agreement, arms crossed and expression stern.

But Austin didn't flinch. He wasn't upset. If anything, their resistance only deepened his sense of peace.

He was too happy to let their bitterness reach him.

"Professor Morkel," Austin began, his voice calm but firm, "if Valerie truly intended to kill Rhea, she could have. Easily. And Rhea knows that better than anyone."

He turned slightly, meeting Rhea's gaze. "But it was a moment of impulse. The moment she realized what she was doing… she stopped. She backed off. Isn't that right?"

Rhea's jaw clenched. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

After a moment, she said tightly, "Professor… It's fine. Let it go."

Morkel scowled at the Prince but offered no reply.

The matter was done.

As Austin and Valerie stepped out of the building, the air felt lighter. Brighter. The warm breeze carried the scent of the garden flowers, and the two walked side by side in silence for a while.

Austin's mind stirred with thoughts.

Should he tell her the same story again? That he had been wrong? Did he remember what they had, what he lost?

Or… should he walk a new path?

He was still lost in thought when he heard a soft voice beside him.

"Austin…"

He stopped.

Her head was lowered, hair falling slightly over her face. She slowly lifted her hand and extended it toward him.

"My finger feels lonely," she whispered. "Will you place another beautiful ring there… just like before?"

Austin froze.

His heart stuttered, and his eyes widened.

"V-Val…?"

She looked up at him—and in her eyes, he saw the tears. But he also saw the truth.

Her voice trembled as she nodded. "Yes… I remember it. Everything."

Time seemed to stand still around them.

The garden. The wind. The world.

Only the two of them remained, standing together.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Mostly slice of life with family, friends and of course his wife. Thanks for reading.