Sparing shoulder!

[Venessa's POV:]

**BOOOOOOM** 

As the thunderous shockwave reverberated across the battlefield, our movements halted altogether.

From what I sensed, Austin was the one who went in that direction just some moments ago, and adding the sudden explosion into account; I was sure it was Austin who was the center of it.

It was beyond believable how he annihilated that many demons single-handedly using a spell that was far from what I knew was possible to derive through mana.

I mean, I have seen a legendary mage in action, but the elemental attack Austin released in so less time made me doubt whether we were living on the same plain or not?

"Kyou-kun, wait! You haven't healed enough to use levitation."

Turning my head, I saw Sicily-san holding Kyouki-san as it seemed he was about to take off toward the place where Austin went.

Well, I could understand what he must have been thinking. Kyouki-san was a very prideful man, and I highly respect this trait of his.

Being helped by Austin in so many instances but not being able to pay back even once must have put weight on him.

But if he was a prideful man, I was a woman who would take every responsibility of his as mine. I have taken a vow to help him at every step wherever he leads.

"Kyouki-san."

Walking up to him, I supported his front as I gazed caringly at my slightly childish hero, before speaking in the gentlest tone.

"If you have trust in me, then rest well. I will help Austin in your stead."

"Vanessa..."

His eyes shone strangely with complicated thoughts spreading across his face, as he stared at me with slight reluctance.

But I wasn't ready to let him continue his persuasion, so with a slightly firm squeeze on his shoulder, I concluded my parting words.

"Don't worry, Kyouki-san. I might not be competent enough, but I still carry the unbreakable will to face anything with a confident front. So please be obedient and stay here."

_____________ 

Not so long after, I parted from my faction and left a still half unwilling Kyouki-san, who was reluctant to let me go alone. But since nobody else could face high-rank demons other than Sicily, who was healing Kyouki-san right now, I chose to depart solo.

To my utter amazement, the blessings which seemed to have disappeared from existence, returned to me, and I was sure it was the same for others too.

'Well, this sure helps.'

Using gravity manipulation, which I had confidence in previously until I witnessed Austin, I levitated toward the inside fort of the academy while keeping aware of my surroundings.

It's not only Levitation but also various other things I have realized, how inferior I was if compared to a monstrous entity like Austin.

But even with that, I never lost my spark to move forward. If before my target was to reach up to Kyouki-san's level, then now I had a different goal.

A goal that might make me a person whom no one would ever dare to look down upon.

If a person like Austin, who had no backing from his family, was able to pull it off, then with the help of my papa and friends, I believed it would become doable if I give it my all.

'Hmm?'

Finally, I caught a glimpse of the section of the premise from where the massive explosion erupted a minute ago.

'What the....'

Apart from rumbles and a strange humungous black orb, what astonished me was a beheaded demon lying lifelessly on the ground.

From just the looks of it, the demon seemed to be the reason for the blessing's banishment since the other was still alive, despite being in a miserable condition tho...

The demon with a considerable build was facing Austin with one arm severed and another one loosely hanging like it was broken.

In all honesty, I didn't feel any kind of threat from it, so I called for Austin so I could help him in any way possible.

"Austin!!"

But little did I expect that it would end up like the worst foolishness...

_____________________ 

At the very instance, Venessa called for Austin as she tried to draw her sword; the demon found the chance and used the last ounce of his strength in his still usable limbs, before darting toward the descending figure of the amber-haired warrior.

"Huh?"

Vanessa wasn't even able to exclaim properly before her vision got covered, and her body weight increased by high folds.

**DHAK** 

Vanessa, along with the demon entangled with her, ultimately fell to the ground at an astonishing pace making an audible sound upon the impact 

Austin turned his eyes without much of a reaction as he saw the demons on both hind limbs intervene around Venessa's torso, with his sharp teeth just above Venessa's nape.

The reaction after getting captivated arrived slightly delayed, before Venessa flailed her body to jerk away the disgusting creature.

**SPRUT** 

"Don't struggle, girl. I won't hesitate to tear off your neck in one bite."

After piercing her skin slightly, the demon spoke in a hoarse tone as the maroon liquid poured down Venessa's collarbone and stained her vest.

Gulping hard, Venessa didn't try to move as due to the sudden presence wrapped around her made her terrified beyond tolerance.

Her face became entirely pale as she closed her eyes in anxiety and fear.

Austin's eyes were cold as since the time he joined the battlefield. His temperament was as natural as ever while he treated the situation like he was on a walk in the park.

The demon sneered as he felt Austin's aloof approach toward the whole scenario was fake and superficial. 

"Let me go human with that globe right there, or I won't let this woman see the lights of another day."

Valek spoke his mind as he made the offer clear since he still wanted to accomplish the mission so at least he could remain alive after returning.

But little did he expect that Austin would reject the offer so outrightly!

"Kill her but forget about even touching that globe."

His voice resonated clear as day, which made Valek, as well as the previous terrified Venessa, quite wide-eyed.

The demon could discern when someone was having a hard time keeping their word, but looking at this peculiar human's expression, he might bring catastrophe if someone touched the black orb.

Valek kept his rubric gaze neutral for some moments before he finally decided to end this banter once and for all.

"Since you really don't feel anything toward this woman, then I will be taking her life as compensation."

Stabbing his sharp fangs in the soft flesh of the human, Venessa bit her lips as she felt the scorching sensation from her nape, as drops of tears dared to fall out.

The demon's eyes were focused on the blond youth as he inflicted pain on Vanessa and would have killed her in some moments now since Valek knew Austin needed him for the intel.

But suddenly a thick black fog covered the vicinity, and even before the demon could have bared his fang deeper into her skin, the body he was clinging to disappeared like it was all an illusion.

"Huh?"

The demon exclaimed as he felt the fog fading away not so long after, and not only that, his body wasn't listening to his command at all.

"Last chance. Struggle any more than this, and I will throw all my concerns about your background and end you right here and now."

The demon heard Austin's voice, but since he couldn't even move his frozen body from the ground at all, how was he supposed to struggle anymore?

Austin turned blindfold toward him before he glanced at the weeping figure of Venessa, who still was clinging to him since the time Austin saved her using his skill.

The way Venessa's arms were wrapped around Austin's torso while she grieved in silence due to the death she felt some moments ago, made it challenging for Austin to separate himself abruptly.

**Sniff*Sniff**

Folding his hand on his back Austin sighed as he let Venessa calm down first, but little did he remember that someone else was also present beside them.

"Austin~ Care to explain~."

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A/N:- Drop a comment~

Editor : Zenon #4130