Chapter: 125
Why are you so eager to feed only the kids?
After having a meal with Haring, Kraush couldn’t shake off a feeling that a familiar reprimand from the Crimson Garden was echoing in his mind.
‘Is it because I’ve seen people die without food before?’
Having witnessed a few deaths from starvation, Kraush placed considerable importance on meals. One thing’s for sure, he had to eat rice, at the very least.
“So, Astria treated you, huh?”
“Yeah, I heard the Saint stopped by.”
While he munched on his food, Kraush chatted with Haring and learned that Astria had been the one to tend to him. No wonder he felt so refreshed!
He thought, perhaps he should express his gratitude the next time they met.
“What’s this research on poison all about?”
“Do you have a rough idea of the power I’m using?”
When Kraush asked the question, Haring looked at him.
“Curses.”
It seemed she perceived him that way, too. In reality, it was even more complex than that, but Kraush didn’t bother denying it.
“Yeah, I’m trying to make something with that curse and poison. Last time, the Jeokhodan saved me, after all.”
“…I have a feeling you’re going to create something incredibly reckless.”
Haring looked at Kraush with a worried expression. The bond between them had grown significantly since their mission together.
Having seen him in a brotherly light, she couldn’t help but feel he was no longer just Kraush to her. She understood how dangerous his actions were, and she also knew he had been engaging in such fights for quite a long time.
“Kraush, you’re going to end up breaking your body if you keep this up.”
Haring spoke with genuine concern. At this rate, his body wouldn’t last.
“People’s bodies don’t break that easily.”
Kraush chuckled as if he knew from personal experience.
“And even if my body doesn’t break, there are worlds where you could die anyway.”
He spoke ominously, though Haring couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those words. She simply understood she couldn’t dissuade Kraush.
Someone who throws themselves into danger like this wouldn’t halt just because others advised them against it. She remembered her own times—holding onto a dagger even when her hands were torn after her brother’s death.
That scar still vividly remained on one side of her hand. While she could hide it, it could never be erased.
Knowing that fact, Haring gazed at Kraush.
‘What on earth happened to you?’
Kraush’s relaxed smile drew her attention. The distant past embedded in his smile clearly bound him.
What could possibly be the goal of his relentless desire to become stronger, even reaching for curses?
Although she couldn’t fully understand, Haring reached out and grabbed the collar of his clothing.
Upon meeting his gaze, she surprised herself with her own impulsive act, yet she didn’t let go.
“Well then, at least I’ll help you be less reckless.”
Kraush blinked in surprise at her words. He had noticed that ever since she had touched upon her own trauma, Haring displayed a peculiar attachment to him.
Even now, the hand gripping his collar trembled slightly, fearing he might drift away somewhere.
‘…As long as it doesn’t lead to anything bad, I guess it’s not an issue for now.’
Surely, this was something he needed to address at some point. Kraush didn’t want a generation of heavens that leaned solely on him. He desired one that could soar alongside him.
“If that’s the case, I won’t complain.”
This wasn’t something that could be rectified immediately. So, Kraush resolved to take his time addressing Haring’s issues as well.
Heroic depravation.
At this point, the label stuck to him felt utterly pointless to deny.
—
Kraush and Haring then went to the Special Studies Building. The individual Kraush was seeking was none other than Darling Danphelion—the specialist in alchemy who would become the future Lord of the Alchemists.
“Hmmm, trying to create something fun, huh?”
As Kraush shared his rough idea, Darling showed interest.
She had already been researching curses, so it was only natural she’d be drawn to it.
“So, essentially, it’s like creating a potion that combines poison and curses, right?”
“Exactly. There was poison even in the potions previously. I want to create a temporary boost potion by using it to counteract the poison’s effects.”
Darling cleared papers piled up on her desk as she listened to Kraush.
She then pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began scribbling notes.
Naturally, Kraush, who wasn’t well-versed in alchemy, couldn’t understand much of what she wrote.
However, Haring, having some knowledge of poison, watched Darling’s notes with keen interest.
“If it’s a temporary boost, honestly, I could create as many as you want. I can really blow things up with power.”
Darling crossed out a few sections with an ‘X’, categorizing what wouldn’t work.
“But the downsides are pretty clear. You can gain temporary strength, but the costs can be monstrous. The potions passed down in my family often require risking one’s life.”
As she spoke, Darling glanced at Haring.
“You said you were the child of the Lagren family, right?”
“Ah, yeah.”
“The Lagren family has a deep understanding of poisons, so they’re experts when it comes to such temporary boost potions. Why haven’t you told your boyfriend how dangerous they are?”
“My boyfriend?”
Haring turned to look at Kraush, who grimaced at the mention.
“Don’t take that guy’s words literally. Also, I’ve already consumed a temporary boost potion from the Lagren family. Thanks to the Jeokhodan.”
“That one where your insides boil and if you can’t handle it, you die from your flesh melting away?”
“Exactly.”
“I already knew some of that, but that’s pretty hardcore.”
Darling didn’t seem too shocked.
After all, Kraush had endured even worse challenges, such as the GuGok Yonghwa Dan. So, he doubted he’d come undone just from the Jeokhodan.
“All right. Then I can throw in just about anything. Can I ask the Lagren descendants to procure what I can’t get?”
“Of course, since it’s to help Kraush. Just leave it to me.”
Haring confidently answered, causing Darling to turn to her slowly, her face breaking into a sly smile as she playfully cupped her cheeks.
“Have you added another girl to your list? My boyfriend’s quite the charmer.”
Haring tilted her head.
“Kraush, were you really a charmer?”
“Just ignore whatever that guy’s rambling about. It’s not good for your mind.”
Seeing Haring’s expression, it appeared she didn’t quite grasp the essence of being a charmer.
“Coming to ask for help from a hazardous woman like Darling means your mental state is not normal?”
Definitely abnormal.
Kraush decided to stop paying attention to Darling’s words.
“Hmmm, so what are we doing about curses? I don’t have many stored up.”
Darling, who had been composing a thesis on curse cancellation, did indeed have a few curses but they were all lower-level curses.
The higher you go, the more complicated they become, and the average layperson wouldn’t be able to handle them without a skilled healer.
Darling also came with rules governing the items she could handle.
“I’ve got a rough idea for it. It shouldn’t be too hard to get.”
And this method happened to lie within the realm of Rahelrn Academy.
“Then, I can just focus on churning out results.”
Darling, who was working on numerous topics already, wore an intrigued smile as she immediately became invested.
It was just so her that she’d show enthusiasm at the prospect of fresh materials coming in.
“I’ll draft a list by tomorrow. You can check with the Lagren descendant and let me know how it goes. I’m curious what they think about this too.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks in advance.”
“Ah, wait a second, my boyfriend.”
Just as Kraush was about to leave, Darling opened her drawer.
Then she tossed a vial to Kraush, who caught it effortlessly, and Darling burst into a grin.
“That’s what I asked for last time.”
Was it already complete?
Darling’s skills were impressive.
Kraush observed the liquid inside the vial, which resembled water, and securely put it into his pocket. He would surely be putting it to use soon.
‘Now what’s left…’
The first batch of graduates from Rahelrn Academy.
One of the twelve disciples of the world’s greatest healer, Beltua Lacroix.
The healer, Dorma Lacroix.
And now she was affiliated with the Sigryn faction.
He needed to lure her in.
—
On a bright spring day, with the sun shining brightly…
While the student groups were either actively engaged in missions or resting after their assignments, regular classes were in session at Rahelrn Academy.
The second batch of students would be deployed to the groups after six months of training and classes.
The first batch, having completed the same six months, would either train or attend classes unless they went on a mission.
Although classes were voluntary, students couldn’t afford to neglect them.
That’s because there were mid-term evaluations held during these classes.
The evaluations significantly impacted their standing within their student groups.
With high scores on mid-terms, there was no way they could miss attending the classes.
Thus, unless they had valid reasons like illness, everyone participated in training and classes once their missions ended.
Today’s special class happened to be in curses.
In worlds experiencing erosion, curses were vital subjects that couldn’t be overlooked.
After all, it directly relates to preserving one’s life.
Thus, among those who chose special studies, a substantial number attended the curse study class.
While the students were chatting before class began, drururuk—
An individual walked in through the open door.
With dark blue hair and fierce-looking eyes.
That hair color was undeniably recognizable to anyone attending Rahelrn Academy.
‘It’s Kraush Valheim.’
‘Did he come to attend the curse studies today?’
The students cast curious glances toward Kraush as he stepped into the room.
Once inside, Kraush was a storm in the hearts and minds of the students.
He had brought down the assistant professor, Kairan, and intruded into Rahelrn Academy as the top student in the martial arts department.
And the very first mission he undertook was a success, gaining widespread notoriety.
He defeated the classes of the Erosion Beings, and rumor has it, he took down a 7-star entity with a single strike.
Such gossip spread quickly among the students.
As a result, Kraush became the most attention-grabbing figure in Rahelrn Academy.
Consequently, he became the center of attention wherever he went.
Although the myriad feelings coursing through their glances could have been bothersome, Kraush remained even prouder.
As if to say he didn’t care what evaluations they passed on him.
He appeared almost dispassionate, yet at the same time, he had begun to resemble Charlotte in an arrogant way.
“Star of the show, aren’t you?”
At that moment, a male with red hair peered in from behind Kraush.
It was none other than Aslan.
As Kraush entered the classroom, Aslan wore a light smile at the sight of the gazes converging upon him.
Kraush looked back at him with a displeased expression.
“You purposely followed me in, didn’t you?”
“It’s great that my friend has become someone to show off.”
“Don’t use me as a shield just because you don’t want attention on yourself.”
Aslan’s standout appearance attracted attention naturally, but with Kraush around, the dynamic changed, so he often used him as a shield.
After all, Aslan was still uncomfortable facing the public’s gaze.
Kraush scanned the classroom, finding many first-year students were notably absent as not all of them had returned from their missions.
However, the person he sought was easy to spot without worry.
She sat at the front of the curse study class, staring intently at him until their eyes met, at which point she flinched and looked away.
With her hunched shoulders, delicate features, and unkempt hair that looked wildly soft, she resembled an unkempt puppy.
Her build was small enough to evoke memories of childhood.
And the perpetual blush on her face only made her seem more innocent.
She was none other than Dorma Lacroix.
A disciple of the world’s foremost healer, Beltua Lacroix, and one of the pioneers who introduced Kraush to Beltua.
Kraush’s plan involved obtaining curses from her to create temporary boost potions.
Fortunately, this process might end up being easier than he presumed.
He knew that since the start of the admission period, Dorma’s gaze had often been fixed on him.
‘Do you think a healer carrying curses around will simply overlook someone like me?’
Just like how a sparrow cannot resist a granary, a curse-obsessed healer would find it impossible to ignore.
Dorma, unfortunately, was caught up in a situation where she had been entangled with that detestable Sigryn.
Before he stepped in to serve as Dorma’s curse-removing agent, she was undoubtedly the most competent healer available.
Kraush couldn’t help but let out a clandestine grin.
Apologies, but stealing is my specialty.
Sigryn, I promise there won’t be a soul left to unlock your curses.
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