Chapter: 111
In the meantime, Kraush crossed his arms.
“And I have a fiancé.”
“W-Wait, a fiancé?”
Karandis’s face turned bright red, caught off guard by the mention of a fiancé.
“I-I didn’t mean it like that…”
She stammered as she tried to maintain a smile, but then, overcoming her embarrassment, she decided to push back instead.
“Just because I have a fiancé doesn’t mean we have to marry right away, you know.”
What a crazy lady.
Kraush shot her a glare, wondering if she really thought that was an appropriate thing to say, and she struck a rather defiant pose despite the trembling in her lips. It looked like she was determined to woo him into marriage.
This woman was no ordinary character.
Just as he was contemplating whether to flat-out tell her that he wasn’t interested, a figure appeared before the podium.
The moment students laid eyes on him, they all fell silent.
His face resembled that of a bearded old man, but the muscles peeking through his clothing left onlookers in shock.
Though he had aged, losing the physique of his prime and retiring to the back stage, in the past, he was a name well-known in the arena.
The former Duke of Battle, Durandal.
He was a human legend who had risen from nothing to the pinnacle of power without any family backing.
He was here now.
The hall quickly fell silent.
Durandal wore a smile. He was none other than the chancellor of Rahelrn Academy.
“Welcome, new students. I am Durandal.”
The students gulped.
It was only natural for them to react this way upon seeing a living legend.
“Well then, let me tell you something before you get too cozy, my dear students.”
Kraush alone wore the expression of “Oh no, here we go again.”
“I always respect my students’ opinions. Therefore, any student who wishes to voice an opinion should feel free to visit my office. However—”
In that instant, Durandal’s arms bulged ominously.
With a whoosh, his clothes burst open, revealing arms covered with scars that were of tremendous size.
As the students momentarily lost their minds, he slammed his palm onto the podium.
And just like that, the podium shattered.
The dais made of sacred tree branches couldn’t withstand even two years of pressure.
“Opinions are expressed not through words but through strength! In this world, power is law. I do not listen to the feeble opinions of the weak.”
What a madman!
One could hardly believe this was the sort of advice meant for budding youths, but he turned away, seemingly satisfied.
“Oh, literature students can just write down their opinions and submit them.”
He included a statement suggesting a dash of kindness.
While everyone was left in stupefaction, another figure appeared at the podium.
A scraggly man with glasses, seemingly shrinking more under Durandal’s immense shadow, stood awkwardly before the crowd.
“Hello. I am your vice-chancellor, Eraodin Judith, and I will be responsible for you over the next few years.”
He looked at the inattentive students and forced a pained smile.
“Before the ceremony begins, I’ll be calling out the students with the top scores in each department to award them. Would the students being called please come forward?”
As he continued, the students finally started to regain their senses.
This was Rahelrn Academy, a gathering of the world’s gifted.
Here, being first meant standing at the apex of talent.
Naturally, the students couldn’t help but focus intently.
“The first student from the Literature Department is Sizelry Epania.”
The moment that name was called, both Kraush and Mary flinched.
‘Sizelry? That brat really came? She wasn’t supposed to enroll!’
Surprise washed over Kraush’s face for a brief moment.
Meanwhile, Mary dropped her head further.
Ignoring their reactions, a boisterous girl pranced onto the stage.
With long, blue hair styled in dumpling shapes representing the Empire, she sparkled like someone who had been dipped in gold.
The fourth princess of the Epania family, Sizelry Epania.
As she appeared, the hall buzzed with chatter.
“It’s the Fourth Princess!”
“The Empire’s greatest mind!”
“She’s so small and cute!”
Sizelry approached the stage, clearly pleased by all the praise.
Then, out of the blue, she shot a glance in their direction.
The moment their eyes met, Kraush froze.
Because Sizelry was clearly staring directly at him.
He quickly caught on to her gaze’s intention—she definitely knew he was Krad.
‘Has she figured it out in the meantime?’
There seemed to be no way to escape that level of observation.
“Next up, from the Theology Department, is Astria Stigma Freeman.”
While they were amidst all the commotion, one more name called out was that of a woman who caught everyone’s attention.
With hair that swayed like sunlight, she drew every eye.
Her striking looks were undeniable, but her notably well-endowed figure garnered even more attention.
However, she walked gracefully onto the stage, as if she was used to such gazes.
“Truly, she is beautiful, our saintess.”
“Cough, blasphemous thoughts.”
“May there be light in Freeman!”
Perhaps due to the presence of the petite Sizelry, Astria stood out even more.
As she discreetly glanced downstage and made eye contact with Kraush, she quickly averted her gaze.
She was still the same.
“Next is Aslan Igret from the Magical Studies Department.”
Immediately following that was Aslan.
Unlike earlier, cheers erupted primarily from the female students.
He had grown healthier, but his semi-decadent appearance was too enticing for any woman to resist.
For some reason, it looked like the front of his uniform was slightly disheveled.
Aslan managed to swallow a bitter smile as he stepped onto the stage.
“Now, from the Special Studies Department, Bioren Sedny.”
As the next name was called, the students involuntarily jolted; a towering male student was standing there, having eclipsed the sunlight.
With his head bowed slightly, he trudged up to the stage.
Kraush’s eyes flickered with recognition.
He knew that figure all too well.
“And finally,”
One last name was called.
“From the Undeclared Department, Kraush Valheim.”
At that moment, Kraush stood up from his seat.
All students’ attention turned toward him in unison.
The Undeclared Department was essentially the flower of Rahelrn Academy.
Being at the top there meant standing at the pinnacle of the academy.
Among the waves of admiring gazes far superior to the previous four, Kraush casually walked onto the stage, maintaining an upright posture.
Students remained silent, all too aware of who the star of this enrollment ceremony was.
Kraush stepped onto the stage for the last time.
Recognized as one of the five prodigies representing Rahelrn Academy.
The moment he occupied one of those five spots.
＊ ＊ ＊
After that, the enrollment ceremony was uneventful.
Having wrapped up the ceremony and eaten lunch, it was time for each student to head to their respective departments.
As it turned out, a bit of free time had emerged during lunchtime.
Kraush was watching someone troubling.
“Kraush, let’s have lunch together!”
It was none other than Karandis, the ninth princess of Poseus.
Having felt humiliated after his rebuff earlier, she seemed to have changed her tune the moment he commanded the stage once more, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Observing her determination to make him her husband, Kraush frowned.
Should I hit her?
He pondered seriously for a moment.
“Um, can I join you for lunch as well?”
At that moment, Mary timidly raised her hand behind Karandis.
Since the ceremony ended, she had been following Kraush and Karandis like a lost puppy.
Having hesitated on when to jump into the conversation, she shyly tried to squeeze in.
Karandis shot a sharp glare at Mary.
“Who are you? Why do you keep tagging along with Kraush?”
Herself being just as guilty of clinginess, Kraush was left baffled.
Mary flinched at Karandis’s piercing gaze.
“…I’m Mary Diana.”
Mary replied in a voice barely above a whisper.
Perhaps the harsh treatment she had endured was why she now appeared so subdued, her previous boldness all but vanished.
But regardless, Karandis’s gaze grew even more hostile.
“Mary Diana, weren’t you the one who tried to assassinate the royal family?”
The moment those words left Karandis’s lips, Mary’s head sank even lower.
Covered in cold sweat, she was at a loss for what to do.
“Ha.”
Karandis sighed while looking at her as though she found the situation utterly ridiculous.
“What nerve does a traitor who attempted to murder the royal family have to get close to Kraush? You must think that since you are no longer able to scheme in the Empire, you can latch onto Kraush to concoct something anew. Is that it?”
“N-No, that’s not true. I’m only here for the Empire.”
Mary’s flustered response made her appear even more pitiful.
She was a once-proud candidate for the crown prince but was backed by Sigryn, and now she was considered a mangy tiger with nowhere to go.
She was no longer able to be treated arrogantly by Karandis, the ninth princess of Poseus.
Having been disregarded by the noble family Diana, the imperial family had thrown her a bone, but it was evident her position was almost non-existent.
Thus, the dynamic between Karandis and Diana was like heaven and earth.
“Have you no shame? Kraush already has a fiancé. Are you not embarrassed?”
Is she not embarrassed herself?
As she blurted out something rather bold, Karandis seemed to realize her oversight and turned to Kraush with a flustered look.
Then, as if resigning to her fate, she winked playfully at him.
What a deranged woman.
Her words, however, did succeed in further flustering Mary, who shrank back to the point of nearly vanishing.
“I-I suggest you leave at once if you don’t want to bring humiliation upon Kraush.”
Tears had begun to well up in Mary’s eyes, unable to retaliate against Karandis’s taunts.
However, she couldn’t back down, knowing Sigryn summoned her to befriend Kraush.
Mary bit her lip, holding back her tears as she stared at Karandis.
Regardless, Karandis only glared back even more fiercely.
And with that, Kraush turned his back and began to walk away.
Figuring they could work it out amongst themselves.
“Puhuh, so you set the stage and then run?”
At that moment, a voice called out, drawing his gaze.
There stood a petite girl, wearing an oversized, yellow-trimmed uniform.
It was a little too long, with the sleeves covering her hands.
Nevertheless, she looked taller than before and offered a cheeky grin upon spotting Kraush.
“It’s been a long time, Krad. Oh, I mean Kraush.”
With a mischievous smile, she appeared.
Sizelry Epania.
“Did you just call me Krad?”
Seeing her, Kraush opted for complete ignorance.
But Sizelry paid no attention and pranced right up to him.
“What about…?”
At that moment, her leg got tangled up, causing her to stumble forward.
As Kraush reflexively caught her, Sizelry suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
Her bright yellow eyes sparkled right in front of him.
A sweet scent from her wafted past his nose.
“You know best, don’t you?”
Kraush was momentarily disoriented by her clumsy fall.
No, wait a second.
Seeing her reddened ears, it looked like she really did stumble.
Then, she pretended to shake it off and playfully tapped Kraush’s arm.
“Your arm seems to be doing alright now, considering how vigorously you were moving during the enrollment ceremony.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“If you’re trying to hide it, I’ll play along. However, your attitude better reflect how you once did. Are you no longer the same as before?”
With a semblance of disappointment, she poked Kraush’s arm repeatedly.
Kraush grimaced and finally sighed.
“Fine, Sizelry.”
“Well, well! That’s the right attitude.”
Sizelry did a little dance with her arms crossed, looking as if she were about to receive a head pat.
“By the way, I heard you forgave Mary?”
Might as well ask whatever was on his mind.
Sizelry had forgiven Mary before her execution.
Thus, she gained a reputation as a generous princess willing to forgive even those who sought her life.
Given her nature, this was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
“Honestly, Mary seemed necessary for you. I thought it would be quite troublesome if she were to die.”
Kraush’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Though she had a way of putting it, Mary had thrown herself in front of danger for him until the very end. Therefore, Sizelry likely had picked up on the deeper connection too.
“She’s someone who cast herself out to save me at a price. So I thought I should prepare something for you.”
Sizelry tapped her neck with her index finger.
“Just like this, I’ve formed a leash.”
Regardless of how this turned out, her instincts in assessing situations were keen.
Sizelry had witnessed Kraush’s reactions to Mary during the Martial Arts Tournament.
With her innate intellect, she sensed that he would need Mary and effectively crafted a way to keep her close.
Kraush now understood why Sigryn was so unsettled about her growing influence.
If she set her mind to it, she might just end up taking over the Empire herself.
“Hmph, so this is all you’re good for? It seems I have to prepare for the inevitable with just you.”
“Isn’t that my intention? I did put in my utmost effort. C’mon, I can’t be the only one filling you up. What a shame.”
“Quit putting on a show just to replicate what Karandis did earlier.”
Not that having a different approach would have worked in the first place.
“Hehe, well now you get it.”
She wore a mischievous grin as her laughter spread across her face.
“I have a lot of things I want to say, but it seems like I’m attracting a lot of attention.”
Then, as if noticing the glares directed her way, she raised her palms and took a step back.
“By the way, I heard a special dish is being served today—the strawberry tart from Serna, renowned for their bakery. If you dislike sweets, save it for me. I like sweet things.”
Where did she get that information?
As she left almost as casually as a breeze, Kraush was left with a slight headache.
In his line of sight, he spotted a woman with sunny hair approaching him.
Noticing Kraush, she tentatively twisted a strand of hair as she surveyed the surroundings.
Then it seemed she had decided, as she cleared her throat and stepped closer to Kraush.
“…If you have no one to eat lunch with, you could join me?”
Upon hearing Astria’s words, Kraush looked up at the sky with a weary expression.
“I’m not having lunch.”
Let’s just skip it.
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