Chapter: 130
The Empire is vast.
Within this expansive Empire, the August family resided far from the capital.
Perhaps this distance played a role.
Unlike the central nobility, the local nobility independently structured their own power.
Even the Epania royal family turned a blind eye to some degree, allowing this independent power to flourish.
This was understandable; no matter how strong the royal family was, they lacked the manpower to deal with world erosion or external invasions occurring in the provinces.
Naturally, local noble factions tended to band together.
“Originally, Sigryn would’ve actively worked to prevent them from uniting at the Academy, but this time, they were too preoccupied with the generation of the Sky to stop it.”
As a result, the local noble factions of the Empire had gathered around Pandora August.
Kraush gazed at Pandora, who, with his cunningly perched glasses, had a history of ill fate intertwined with him.
“Even that esteemed Valheim is just another name in the Empire. You know that, right?”
He was deeply rooted in a severe sense of imperial superiority.
Thus, he had repeatedly oppressed Kraush, the direct descendant of the Valheim family, representing Staroon.
Every time he suppressed Kraush, it was like proving the Empire’s superiority over him.
In Rahelrn Academy, he had relentlessly tormented Kraush to an absurd degree.
So perhaps it was no surprise that Kraush snapped, “Who do you think you are to tell me to stop?”
His brows furrowed, reflecting his disgust at Pandora’s mere presence.
One shouldn’t judge people based solely on memories from their past life.
People can change for even the most minor reasons.
However, if someone grows up with not a single reason for change, it’s also a reality that they likely won’t take a different path.
“Oh, junior, I meant that for my fellow students. You know, I was just worried they might pull something foolish.”
Pandora’s smirk curled into a snake-like grin, reflecting his inner self.
It was evident that the students currently surrounding him were indeed the ones he had summoned to provoke the Staroon second-years.
Just seeing how they adjusted their attitudes the moment Pandora stepped in said it all.
This guy was exactly the same as always, steeped in imperial superiority, wanting to undermine other kingdoms.
Kraush, sharp as ever in his assessments of people, was certain of this.
This fellow hadn’t changed one bit from before.
“So, junior, what did our classmates do to deserve such treatment to be left in that state?”
Pandora pointed at the classmate still at Kraush’s feet, posing his inquiry.
Upon hearing that question, Kraush chuckled lightly.
“I simply found him annoying.”
And that was it—the answer came entirely out of left field for Pandora.
It seemed he had expected Kraush to say that he came to help after witnessing the harassment of the Staroon second-years.
However, Kraush had no intention of complying with that expectation.
“Annoying, you say? Us?”
“Yeah, I saw your face and couldn’t help smirking in disgust. I thought I’d beat him up. And if you’re here, you might want to prepare yourself because I’m planning to do the same to you.”
“Ahaha… How savage,” Pandora laughed in disbelief, adjusting his glasses.
“Is it true that all Staroon students are like this?”
Seeing his plan already failing, Pandora’s true colors began to show.
He initially thought of nudging Kraush into action by poking at the Staroon second-years, but now he clearly just wished to provoke Kraush himself.
Kraush, however, now sought to jibe back at him.
“Hmmm, looking at the central aristocrats, it seems not all within the Empire are ignorant.”
Kraush decided to turn the tables on him.
Pandora’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“What’s your problem?”
The smile on Pandora’s face, like a snake’s, cracked for the first time.
“Oh, is it because you’re a local noble?”
And as if to seal that remark, an ominous aura emanated from Pandora’s glasses.
“…You seem to know a bit about me.”
“No, it’s just kind of obvious.”
Sorry, but sarcasm is my specialty, buddy.
[Who’s the snake-tongued one now?]
He harbored an imperial superiority complex.
Despite the remarkable power of the local factions, in the end, they would always fall short compared to the central nobility.
For him, being from a local noble family was a sort of complex.
He wanted to be part of the central nobility.
Thus, Kraush’s provocation acted as a catalyst for Pandora.
“You seem to have a knack for getting under people’s skin.”
The air around Pandora quivered as his aura grew furious.
His followers also seemed thrown off, clearly not expecting Kraush to provoke Pandora to this extent.
“Can someone explain what’s going on here?”
However, Pandora wasn’t backing down.
He masked his boiling anger, directing questions at his classmates.
“Those second-years invaded our space, so I just warned them. We also needed a training spot to work together. But this loser threw the first punch out of nowhere.”
“A conflict during a warning?”
“No, of course, we tried to settle it verbally.”
Their words flowed so smoothly, one could think it was rehearsed beforehand.
However, the ones truly wronged in this situation were the Staroon second-years.
“We invaded? We were here first!”
“That’s right! The training room is free for everyone to use!”
The Staroon second-years began to protest.
From Kraush’s perspective, he wished they would just sit tight, but they were still too inexperienced.
Growing up as nobles, they couldn’t stand being wronged, especially not as they had just stepped into adulthood.
It was for this reason that Pandora unnecessarily picked on the Staroon second-years rather than Kraush himself.
He intended to keep Kraush from escaping the spotlight as the representative of the fundamental studies for the second-year group.
As the protests continued, Pandora turned to Kraush and said, “Seems we’re not the only ones acting out. Still, don’t you think this is a bit excessive?”
His face regained some of its confidence.
“So what? Should we apologize?”
Kraush reacted with indifference.
He wasn’t in the mood to play along with their games.
“To apologize? If it gets out that students clashed like this, it’ll be awkward for both sides.”
With leisurely strides, he made his way closer to the imperial faction members.
“Thus, in the spirit of resolving differences, why not settle this with some good ol’ unarmed combat?”
Kraush moved his hand to the back of his neck, loosening it as if it was a habit before combat.
“Alright, then.”
“Let’s divide into teams of first and second years and see how it goes, shall we?”
Just as Kraush was ready to throw a punch, the next statement made him frown.
“What?”
“Oops? It’s not just my juniors having issues here. Other juniors should have the right to voice their opinions as well.”
“Is battling first years really their way of claiming those rights? That sounds more like trampling over them.”
As Kraush reacted in disbelief, Pandora shrugged nonchalantly.
“This is Rahelrn Academy. The principal himself said to prove it with strength. If we don’t prove ourselves with power, how else are we to prove ourselves?”
Laughter began to bubble up from the imperial faction members.
“Still seems rather unfair, doesn’t it? How about this?”
He proposed in a way that seemed almost generous to Kraush.
“Let each team send out one member to fight. The team that wins continues with the same members while the losing team swaps in a new opponent until all team members are defeated. Then that team loses.”
As he voiced this, Pandora looked at Kraush.
“What do you think? You wanted to take us all on by yourself, right? It’s not a bad deal, is it? Go ahead, beat all of us by yourself if you’re confident.”
Kraush soon caught on to why Pandora was pulling this stunt.
‘This guy knows about my breakdown ability.’
Through various endeavors at Rahelrn Academy, Kraush had racked up quite an impressive track record.
And there were quite a few who had witnessed his power imploding upon itself during battles.
Thus, Pandora had put two and two together.
Kraush’s fighting style resembled a fiercely blazing torch.
Once that wick burns out, it extinguishes quickly.
So, his plan was likely to drag this out, making sure that wick burned all the way down.
‘And if I refuse…’
That would be just the kind of rumor he relished spreading, that Valheim had backed out in fear and ran away.
This guy was a master at weaving those kinds of tales.
Given the current circumstances, many would eagerly jump at the chance to cut Kraush down to size.
And there were indeed many who did not look favorably upon Kraush being the top second-year.
Of course, they were all just waiting for a morsel of juicy gossip to eat up.
Conversely, if they managed to defeat Kraush, that would be the sweetest victory ever, especially considering he stood as the biggest obstacle to the Empire.
‘Podium ranking of Augusta, being able to crush the top second-year at Rahelrn Academy…’
This scenario presented Pandora with only advantages.
Kraush turned to the Staroon second-years.
They were considered geniuses back home.
Yet, this academy was a gathering of geniuses, and even the first-years who had a year of experience under their belts were far stronger.
In reality, that meant Kraush alone was meant to take on the imperial faction.
“Well, well,”
Kraush suddenly burst into laughter.
Seeing Kraush laugh perplexed Pandora, who looked baffled.
Kraush turned to him, locking eyes.
“Do you really think that’s a condition under which you can win?”
It seems they view me as an easy target.
But there are those who don’t shoot cannons at less worthy adversaries.
And sorry, but even if Kraush was just a first-year, he wasn’t intimidated by those struggling to stay afloat in the generation of the Sky.
“Sure, I’m not at a loss here.”
They had only heard rumors about Kraush’s prowess but had never faced him directly.
Over the past year, they’d grown stronger.
Even if he was the first place in the second-year rankings, with enough numbers on their side, they would surely be able to overcome him.
They likely believed it was a matter of time before they would triumph without realizing how blinkered their views were.
“Your reasoning holds no water.”
Kraush decided to make use of them.
This was a perfect opportunity to show the first-years, who might still be unsure about his strength, what he was really capable of.
Kraush Valheim of the second-year at Rahelrn Academy—he was not someone they could mess with.
And whether they liked it or not, he was part of the imperial faction.
Even Sigryn, representing the Empire, would have no choice but to flinch.
A bright smile grew on Kraush’s face.
How could he not feast on prey that willingly stepped into his mouth?
“What’s going on over there?”
Voices suddenly rang out from the entrance.
As Kraush turned, he spotted Glen Diana, cousin to Balak and Mary Diana.
He and the others alternated glares between Kraush and the imperial faction before approaching.
“Is something going on, seniors?”
Glen asked with a hint of confusion.
Pandora flashed a friendly smile at Glen.
“There’s just been a disagreement. We’re merely settling it with a friendly bout. You don’t need to concern yourself, Glen.”
“A friendly bout involving Kraush?”
Glen sensed something was off.
With everyone silent, Glen turned to Kraush.
“Including those guys, huh?”
Therefore, Kraush didn’t hesitate to inform Glen about the situation.
Glen’s expression soured as he frowned slightly.
The prospect of first-years and second-years squaring off was clearly going to be an imbalanced affair.
“Seniors, I don’t know the details, but isn’t this quite against chivalry?”
Glen was the type unable to tolerate any injustice.
As his noble sense of justice flared up and he criticized them for their unchivalrous actions, Pandora sighed softly.
“Ha, Glen.
Pandora’s eyes shifted coldly as he regarded Glen, the expression clear: What do you think you’re doing here?
“This isn’t a place for you to interfere.”
As Pandora advised, Glen narrowed his eyes.
“This is exactly where I’ll interject.”
“Why would the Diana family, whose member almost assassinated a royal, behave like this?”
“Shameful, isn’t it?”
At that moment, a voice from behind Pandora caught Glen’s attention, making his eyebrows twitch.
It was about the incident where Mary had tried to assassinate the fourth princess, Sizzli Epania.
The Diana family had faced humiliation because of that event.
Had things gone poorly, they might have faced total extinction as a family.
Naturally, the standing of the Diana family had been considerably weakened compared to the past.
Because the imperial faction was keenly aware of this, they had no intention of treating Glen as a noble of the Empire.
To them, he was merely someone associated with a family that attempted to assassinate a royal.
“…Why is my family being brought into this?”
Glen glared at the imperial faction members, though they simply chuckled in response and offered no answer.
Thud
At that moment, Pandora placed a hand on Glen’s shoulder.
“Sorry, Glen, but your friends are being a bit troublesome.”
He spoke with a sardonic smirk on his face, one that suggested some deeper meaning behind his words.
“Still, it’s not entirely wrong. To be honest, the Diana family has brought trouble to the Empire time and time again.”
Pandora continued with his passive-aggressive tone, slowly patting Glen’s shoulder.
“Because of it, it’s best that you step back. Frankly, we’ve had just about enough of your presence.”
Pandora’s words struck a nerve with Glen.
It would have been a serious blow to his pride.
However, he couldn’t voice that discontent.
After all, the Empire wouldn’t protect a family that had tried to assassinate a royal.
Glen clenched his fists tightly.
Reality dictated he could not argue against that fate.
But it wasn’t just Glen who felt annoyed; someone else was becoming increasingly irritated.
“Ugh, stop babbling so much.”
Kraush reached out and grabbed Pandora’s collar.
Caught off guard, Pandora was dragged closer to Kraush.
As their gazes met, Kraush’s eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
“I might not know much, but one thing I do know…”
Black flames began to seep from Kraush’s body, radiating power so strong that even the imperial faction could not help but falter momentarily.
“Mary Diana, no matter how battered she may be now, is still infinitely stronger than all of you.”
Despite her downfall, she remained a force to be reckoned with.
Even if Mary hadn’t reincarnated, these guys wouldn’t stand a chance against her.
Kraush, though foolish at times, recognized her ability as a fighter.
In a situation where others could be cursed or killed, Mary always held her ground, proving to be an unbreakable spear until the very end.
Thanks to her persistence, she had inflicted the most curses, leaving an indelible mark on the timeline.
Kraush couldn’t deny that without Mary, their formation would have crumbled within the first few encounters.
“That she ranks second isn’t due to a lack of skill.”
Kraush intended to enlighten them on reality.
“It’s simply because I’m that ridiculously strong.”
The mere fact that Mary ranked second isn’t an indication of her inadequacy; instead, it’s evidence of Kraush’s overwhelming power.
Even if they gathered a hundred to fight him, they would all inevitably fall before Mary.
“And what you’re picking a fight with now is the very person who defeated Mary.”
Kraush let out a rough laugh, the sound reminiscent of Charlotte in many ways.
“Get to the point and shut your mouth.”
He was determined to make them run away at the mere mention of his name in the future.
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