### Chapter: 184
The next day, while being seen off by Bianca, Kraush returned to Rahern Academy.
It was a short break, but it packed multiple meanings.
Perhaps because of that, Kraush felt significantly lighter than before upon his return.
He seemed to owe it to acknowledging certain things.
But there was one little worry nagging at him.
“I’ll come back stronger before I start at Rahern Academy next year.”
It was nice to see Bianca showing such determination.
“I’ll become an amazing woman worthy of Lord Kraush and protect you by your side.”
However, her fierce determination seemed to take a slightly different turn.
Kraush caught a glimpse of emotions reflected in her blue eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Because he realized that the feelings in her eyes were jealousy and possessiveness.
It was both endearing and a tad pitiful.
After all, it was Kraush who had made her feel uneasy.
[ Well, it’s your usual behavior, isn’t it? Surrounded by ladies all the time, and buying rings in every variety? ]
Maybe that was why, seizing this opportunity, Crimson Garden chimed in with quips.
Kraush felt a bit unjust about that.
Moreover, today, Ebelasque’s rotting rat seemed a bit quieter.
She must have been tired from dealing with the Luminosity Prince.
It seemed fair to let her rest for a while.
‘Looks like I’m starting to get used to Rahern Academy.’
As he walked down the corridor, Kraush took a short stretch.
Having rested for a day, he felt refreshed.
‘Well then, it’s time to get down to business.’
With countless tasks piling up, it was time to put his recuperated energy to good use.
Just as Kraush made this decision, he overheard a rumor.
“Did you hear about the princess’s assassin?”
“I was worried because Sigrid hasn’t come out of her room. Apparently, she was screaming and causing a ruckus?”
“Unbelievable. Sigrid took her in despite everything, and she’s doing that?”
“That’s just her nature. I wouldn’t be surprised if the story about being manipulated by the Night Ravens is a lie too.”
Kraush’s sensitive ears caught the voices.
Peeking out of the second-floor window, he saw a group of students gathered.
It was the perfect spot for a behind-the-scenes gossip session.
But what’s that? Is that smoke they’re puffing?
Smoking was strictly prohibited within Rahern Academy.
Sure, some professors sneaked a smoke, but for students, it was different.
Upon closer inspection, it seemed the crowd consisted of the academy’s most problematic students.
Before coming to Rahern Academy, they had dreams and hopes soaring high.
But after meeting true geniuses, they ended up veering down the path of troublemakers.
Kraush faintly remembered some of these guys from previous cycles.
‘Back then, I was their senior.’
Now they were merely fellow second-year students.
“Still, the redhead is something, huh? I’d love to embrace her.”
“Are you crazy? You want to hug a criminal like the princess’s assassin? You’ve got some nasty taste.”
“Embracing a bad girl is what makes a man, you know.”
“Ugh, is that all you guys can talk about?”
And they were still such airheads.
Kraush leaned out the window frame.
“Hey.”
At Kraush’s call, the students jolted and looked up.
Upon seeing Kraush’s face, they turned pale.
Kraush Balheim, the top second-year student, direct descendant of the Balheim family.
There wasn’t a single soul in Rahern Academy who didn’t know his name.
Kraush effortlessly hopped over the window sill and landed before them.
Immediately, they wore frozen expressions, unsure of what to do, while he snatched their cigarettes out of their hands.
Screeeech!
Then, without a care, he crushed the smokes into a pulp.
Even though the embers were hot, his expression didn’t change, further intimidating them.
Kraush let the ashes fall from his hand and eyed them slowly.
“Should I extinguish it myself, or will you guys take care of it?”
“U-We’ll take care of it!”
They hurriedly snuffed out the cigarettes as best they could.
Watching them, Kraush brushed off his hands and confronted the group.
“Who was just talking about how Mary Diana yelled at Sigrid Ephania?”
“I-I did!”
One panicked fellow immediately raised his hand at Kraush’s question.
Kraush looked at him with crossed arms, leaning against the wall.
“Care to elaborate?”
These kinds of matters were usually well-known among the troublemakers.
*
The incident of Mary getting into a fight with Sigrid occurred while Kraush was away.
It seemed like Sigrid, furious over Mary rejecting her orders, tracked her down.
Given Sigrid’s personality, she must’ve unloaded all her pent-up insults on Mary.
‘At that point, Mary was likely at her breaking point.’
Naturally, she didn’t have the mental fortitude to endure Sigrid’s outbursts, leading to her eventual explosion.
She probably thought all the troubles she faced were Sigrid’s fault.
When someone who had always followed orders without question finally screamed, Sigrid must have been taken aback.
Before long, she’d realize the uproar was attracting attention.
Consequently, with eyes now fixed on her, Sigrid felt the need to bow out for the sake of her reputation.
‘After leaving Mary’s room, Sigrid probably walked away with tears welling up in her eyes.’
After that, she likely used her subordinates to subtly spread the word.
Sigrid intended to comfort Mary, thinking about their old connection after her failed midterm evaluations.
But Mary, despite Sigrid’s good intentions, screamed and chased her off.
Sigrid had always been regarded positively among the students.
Meanwhile, Mary was notorious for her bad reputation.
Naturally, rumors were interpreted according to their established perceptions.
Mary secluded herself in her room and didn’t make any move.
Thanks to that, the rumors solidified as truths, isolating her completely.
‘Sigrid really pushed Mary away completely.’
Given the circumstances, it was more detrimental than beneficial.
With Sigrid’s character, she wouldn’t keep Mary around any longer.
And so, Kraush halted before the female dormitory.
‘This is definitely an opportunity.’
With Sigrid having cast Mary aside now, it was the perfect time to pull the last dial of ‘Surrender’ on her.
But there was one problem here.
Would Mary even come out of her room if she heard that Kraush was looking for her?
Kraush knew Mary’s personality well.
‘Sure, I succeeded in wiping Sigrid off the map that day, and I’ve gotten my own foothold.’
But as time passed, that had likely faded quite a bit.
Now, she might be even more afraid of simply stepping outside.
If Kraush were to show up himself, that might be different. But if it was some random unknown person, she’d likely bolt.
‘What to do?’
Kraush glanced at the female dormitory.
Compared to the male dormitory, the female one had far stricter security measures.
This was because the female professors took turns personally overseeing security.
Even Kraush couldn’t just barge in unchecked.
[ What are you worrying about? ]
At that moment, he heard Crimson Garden’s voice from above, where she was flying.
[ Didn’t that alchemist kid have a way to handle this? ]
And there came the suggestion he had been avoiding.
Kraush frowned at the sky, feeling frustrated.
Finally, he let out a short sigh and turned his body.
Annoying as it was, it seemed that this was the only option left.
*
Inside the alchemy lab at the Special Class Hall.
Arriving there, Kraush’s face was crammed with irritation, unlike usual.
Because of that, fewer people dared to approach him as he passed by.
He even noticed some avoiding his gaze, making him reach a classroom.
He resolutely flung the door open.
“Hahahahaha!”
At that moment, a loud, manic laughter erupted from within.
A woman with a crazed smile was raising a flask high above her head.
She was lost in her mad genius.
Today, Kraush felt like that mania was anything but welcoming.
The future Alchemy Empress.
Darling Danphelion.
An individual he knew quite well.
“Hey? What brings you here, boyfriend?”
Just then, their eyes met, and Darling greeted Kraush with a cheerful smile.
It was the reaction of someone who had seen him often recently while he was around for enhancements.
“Didn’t expect you to come by so soon since we’ve only just seen each other!”
“Got a favor to ask.”
Kraush’s tone was devoid of enthusiasm.
Darling tilted her head, curious.
It made sense; Kraush’s requests were mostly one-sided.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you bang your head or something? My memory restoration potions are all out.”
Can she even whip up something like that?
Kraush was suddenly reminded of Darling’s brilliance, and he slowly closed the door behind him.
Then, he walked over to stand in front of Darling.
Their eyes locked.
Kraush stayed silent, hesitant to speak, and Darling waited patiently.
Bubbling—
The sizzling sound of bubbles erupted from the boiling flask as silence stretched on.
After a moment, Darling began twirling her golden braid whilst giving him a playful grin.
“You’re so cautious with your words. Are you finally confessing your feelings for me? I never thought you’d share your heart!”
Darling’s voice was overflowing with mischief.
“Where shall we hold the ceremony? It must be a spacious place since Charlotte has to be there too, right?”
“Darling.”
When Kraush called her name seriously, she jolted a bit.
In a typical scenario, she would tease him incessantly.
But something about his demeanor struck her differently this time.
Kraush’s expression was utterly serious.
Slowly, confusion dawned on Darling’s face.
Her ears started to redden in embarrassment.
“W-wait, are you serious?”
She stuttered, glancing around as if unsure how to process it.
Though she usually maintained her composure, she was thrown off by Kraush’s serious tone.
“No, no! I-I should’ve prepared myself mentally!”
As Darling fumbled, Kraush took a long, deep breath.
“One woman transformation potion, please.”
At that moment, Darling’s flushed face began returning to its original color.
Then she slowly wrapped her fingers around Kraush’s wrist.
“Kraush, you meant it! Let’s book the venue today!”
In her eyes, a genuine vision of the ceremony was taking shape.
There was a certain transcendence in her emotion.
You may also like Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy
