Chapter: 129
Today as always, she showcased her sunbeam-like hair and striking figure while holding a tray full of food.
As Kraush observed the large portion, she hesitated for a moment and subtly turned the tray away.
“…Today, I’m using a bit more strength than usual to eat.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Knowing how much she typically eats, Kraush didn’t pay it much mind.
After all, Astria wasn’t one to gain weight easily, even if she ate a lot.
‘More accurately, I think all the nutrients are somehow going somewhere else.’
Best not to mention that to her; she would get angry.
“If you’re eating in the dining hall, save me a seat.”
“Uh, okay?”
“Let’s sit together.”
At Kraush’s words, Astria widened her eyes slowly before unintentionally breaking into a bright smile.
Then, realizing she had smiled, she flinched and flushed a deep shade of red.
“D-do whatever you want.”
Acting all aloof, Astria walked toward the seats.
With every step, all eyes were glued to her, but her gaze was solely on Kraush.
Unlike before, Kraush now understood her true feelings, so he knew that look wasn’t meant negatively.
So, he ordered today’s set menu, which included some soup, bread, meat, and vegetables, and approached Astria.
For some reason, her vicinity was surprisingly empty.
‘Must be because there aren’t many first-year students around.’
Most of the second-year students had just recently reached adulthood.
It was probably intimidating for them to sit next to someone of Astria’s stature.
The first-year students, who had more experience, would have boldly taken this opportunity to strike up a conversation and showcase their confidence.
As Kraush took a seat in front of Astria, he noticed she was staring down at her tray, lost in thought.
‘She hasn’t always been this quiet.’
At this moment, it appeared that Astria was considerably shy.
“You healed me last time. Thank you.”
So, Kraush decided to break the silence first.
Only then did Astria flinch and raise her head.
“You keep overexerting yourself. If you continue like this, it’ll really backfire on you.”
Her first words were laced with worry.
Kraush had leaned on her several times already.
So she was aware of his condition.
“Is that so?”
“It’s not just ‘is that so.’ At this rate, you’ll be dead before you turn thirty.”
She was serious.
Kraush’s body was piling up strain, slowly chipping away at his lifespan.
Although he tried to fill it in with various things, there would come a time when even those wouldn’t suffice.
“I’m fine. I have something planned.”
“Not fine at all.”
Astria shot him a glare, furrowing her brows in frustration.
“Are you really worried about me?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be!”
She pouted like a child.
Seeing her like that made Kraush recall the past.
That girl had used to worry over him too.
“Please take care of yourself, she said.”
“I genuinely have something in mind, so don’t worry. Plus, there’s plenty of time until thirty.”
In any case, wouldn’t the world end before he turned thirty?
“You…”
Astria looked like she had a lot to say but quickly sighed.
“Well, at least promise me this.”
“Promise?”
“If you get hurt, you have to come to me no matter what. I’ll make sure to treat you, no matter what state you’re in.”
If he was going to push himself regardless, she preferred he at least recovers properly.
“Isn’t that just for your own benefit?”
If he could get treated, it would be a win-win for Kraush.
So when Kraush asked, Astria intensified her gaze on him.
“No, that’s not what I mean.”
Her sunbeam-like eyes met his.
Kraush momentarily paused as he understood the deeper meaning behind her words.
It meant that helping someone she has feelings for would also be a good outcome for her.
The reasoning was simple.
Helping someone you like just feels good.
As Astria openly expressed her feelings, her cheeks began to redden again.
“Th-then at least you have to promise.”
“I promise.”
A promise that would bring no loss to Kraush.
Once he agreed, she allowed herself a slight smile, only to quickly lower her head, unable to suppress her embarrassment.
Although her body had grown, her heart was still youthful in many ways.
*
After finishing lunch with Astria, Kraush headed straight to the training ground.
Having been cooped up in his room all day, he was ready to stretch his limbs.
Just as Kraush was about to enter the fundamental training hall, he spotted a familiar face coming out.
“Kraush.”
She recognized him and lit up.
But then her expression stiffened as she grabbed the collar of his shirt.
“Wait, don’t go in there.”
It was none other than Haring.
Seeing her suddenly preventing him from entering, Kraush tilted his head in confusion.
“Why? Is there something going on inside?”
“Well, um…”
Haring seemed hesitant to divulge the details.
Watching her, Kraush naturally focused his hearing.
Then, enhanced hearing picked up the muffled voices from inside.
“So this is our turf, so you guys need to get lost.”
“That’s so unfair! We’re students of Rahelrn Academy too! Why are you singling us out?”
“Do you really not know why I asked that?”
“Ugh.”
A scuffle-like vibe emerged.
Understanding the general situation, Kraush turned back to Haring.
“So the ones causing trouble right now are those Imperial faction members who viewed me negatively, right?”
“…Yeah.”
Haring replied reluctantly, looking up at him with slightly worried eyes.
Noticing her concern, Kraush casually placed his hand on her head before turning back toward the door.
“Then I should just respond to them directly. Why wait?”
Proving that Haring’s worries were unnecessary, Kraush forcefully flung the door open.
BANG!
As the training room door swung open, eyes turned toward him in an instant.
There stood the first-year Imperial faction kids, looming over several small second-year kids.
The training hall was used by both first and second-year students, so it was no surprise.
And Kraush immediately recognized which side the second-year kids belonged to.
‘Staroon.’
All the kiddos there were from the Staroon faction.
The first-year Imperial faction students were unnecessarily bullying the second-year ones from Staroon.
Looking around, none of the other kingdom’s students intervened.
They probably thought it was easier to just watch rather than getting tangled up with the Empire.
‘The Staroon first-years aren’t here.’
Had the Staroon first-years been present, they wouldn’t have let this go unchallenged.
However, all the first-year students from Staroon were currently absent.
Most of the first-year students from Staroon belonged to Anix or Charlotte’s group.
Anix had stepped away due to business with the pair, and Charlotte’s lion squad was still on a mission.
Naturally, there would be no Staroon first-years left.
Moreover, the professors were absent as well.
Today was one of those days where they offered individual training after the morning routine.
Thus, the professors were away.
‘They’ve been targeting this moment.’
Those guys were intentionally picking on the Staroon second-years now that the Staroon first-years were gone.
After all, the only person the Staroon second-years could rely on here at Rahelrn Academy was Kraush himself.
“Kraush Valheim.”
“Oh, look who’s here.”
“It’s going to get interesting.”
As expected, as soon as Kraush showed up, all eyes were on him.
The Imperial faction students, who had been harassing the Staroon second-years, broke into sinister smiles.
‘Good, it isn’t someone from the Sigryn faction.’
The Empire was enormous.
So within the Empire, there were numerous factions beyond just Sigryn.
‘This time, Sigryn focused on gathering the Family of the Sky.’
They had spent more time consolidating the Family of the Sky than uniting the entire Empire.
As a result, factions had broken off within the Empire.
Kraush cracked his neck, and the Staroon second-years turned their attention toward him.
They had all just entered Rahelrn Academy, eager to fulfill their dreams, only to be brutally trampled by the overwhelming might of the Imperial faction.
The pained expressions they wore were almost pitiful.
However, Kraush felt no sympathy.
Perhaps if they had shared his background as a commoner, they wouldn’t have even thought to insult him.
However, Kraush was no longer a commoner.
For better or worse, he represented Staroon and held the top position among the second-year fundamental students.
And if they dared to attack the second-year students, it meant they were equally disregarding the top student of fundamental studies, Kraush.
If they were going to bite, they needed to be ready to get bitten back.
Kraush had made up his mind to teach them that fact right now.
“Do you want to chase the Staroon out?”
Kraush spoke as if he had heard everything.
“Out? We’re…”
A kid with a slimy grin opened his mouth to respond, but at that moment, Kraush was already in front of him.
In an instant, the guy couldn’t keep up with Kraush’s speed, and when he raised his arm defensively, it was already too late.
CRACK!
The sound of a kick landing on his leg echoed throughout the room as the guy flew across the training hall, crashing into the wall.
THUD!
“Cough! Urgh.”
It must’ve been quite a shock; he doubled over, trying to catch his breath.
“What the hell was that?”
“The hell?”
Their faces contorted with rage as they witnessed Kraush’s brutal preemptive strike.
Even though they had intended to target Staroon, they never expected him to retaliate with such ferocity.
Kraush paid them no mind and seized another kid by the head.
The guy tried to react and put up a fight, but Kraush was faster.
As his leg struck the guy’s abdomen, a loud THUMP! erupted.
“Gah!”
The kid wailed in pain and doubled over, and Kraush kept his grip on his head while smashing it down onto the floor.
BAM!
With a resounding thud, blood began to pool around the boy’s head.
Kraush, looking coldly down at him, scanned the surrounding students.
Shudder!
His swift and merciless actions left everyone stunned momentarily.
Perhaps his aggression reminded them of someone else.
“Did you think it’d be fun to mess with Staroon?”
Charlotte Valheim.
The craziest lady of Rahelrn Academy, capable of smashing anyone who annoys her into submission regardless of their background.
Kraush was reminding them he was Charlotte’s little brother.
“Did you think you could get away with it just because there was no one from Staroon around?”
When he smirked, their gazes shifted.
And just as they were about to rush him, a voice rang out.
“Stop.”
At that command, the movement of the Imperial faction members froze for a second.
As Kraush turned his head, a man with gray and black hair, wearing glasses, stood before him.
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