Chapter: 163
An Unexpected Inheritance of the Bloodline Theory.
Kraush dove headfirst into serious training with the newly acquired Bloodline Theory.
Why? Because Ebelasque needed time to resurrect the Luminary with a corpse, and in the meantime, the mid-evaluations were fast approaching.
“I’ll take down Mary here.”
He had to defeat Mary decisively to gain her skill: Excel.
However, the opponent was none other than the formidable Mary Diana.
In terms of combat abilities, Mary was naturally gifted.
So despite all his confidence, Kraush couldn’t easily guarantee victory.
“And then there’s Sigrid’s suspicious behavior.”
Recalling the stories shared through Darling, Kraush intensified his training regimen.
Having faced the World Erosion, he realized that he still had quite a mountain to climb.
If he wanted to be ready for his fight against Ixion, he needed to up his game, and fast.
Moreover, the Poison King, Hauran’s gift of the Bloodline Theory was proving to be quite impactful.
“The poison in the Bloodline Theory isn’t that different from the method of Annihilation Erosion.”
The Bloodline Theory focused on maximizing physical abilities using various poisons.
It was about strengthening oneself by using lethal poisons against the opponent.
And this concept closely mirrored the philosophy of Extreme Blood Poison, which also maximized physical capabilities using Erosion.
Unfortunately, Kraush sometimes struggled to connect the dots due to his limited natural intellect.
So for a while, he found himself scratching his head with the Bloodline Theory in hand every day.
After lots of contemplation, Kraush finally got a hint.
“The instant strengthening potion was made using a mix of curses and poison.”
That was thanks to Darling crafting the elixir for him.
“I used to either seal curses or burn them away like a puppet. I’ve never tried using curses directly like the powers of World Erosion.”
The poisons described in the Bloodline Theory were all in a realm of new techniques.
They employed the characteristics of poisons in expanded ways.
As a result, those from the Lagrain family who mastered the Bloodline Theory could engage effectively using various poison traits.
On the other hand, Kraush merely bore the burdens of curses, utilizing their traits minimally, or incinerating incoming curses to dissolve them into World Erosion.
However, if he could do it like the Bloodline Theory, he could reduce the costs of using curses while solely harnessing their unique characteristics.
Kraush’s eyes gleamed with clarity.
He had witnessed the most potent curses up close.
“The Curse Cancellation Theory inherently weakens the curse itself due to the cancellation.”
But if he could draw out the power of the curse without any cost…
He’d genuinely be stepping into a new realm.
“I can do this.”
The goal of the Bloodline Theory was to reach a state of immunity to all poisons by harboring numerous toxins within oneself.
Achieving that would allow him to handle poisons at will without succumbing to poisoning.
This was the expertise aimed at in the Bloodline Theory.
Kraush reimagined the Bloodline Theory as a curse.
A domain where he could manipulate curses at will without suffering the costs of those curses, which he dubbed Curse Immunity.
With the knowledge from the Bloodline Theory and Annihilation Erosion, it felt entirely possible to reach that domain.
And if he combined it with the Amplifying Curse of Heavenly Death, he could genuinely reach a new level.
Kraush felt a surge of power surge through him.
He had resolved to do whatever it took to prevent destruction.
So when he saw the new path illuminated before him, he wasn’t going to hesitate for a second.
“I’ll obtain the highest-level curses.”
From skills to the peak curses, he was determined to grab it all.
And at that moment, Kraush realized something.
He understood why the Luminary had stolen the Bloodline Theory.
“Could it be that there’s someone thinking along the same lines as me?”
Kraush’s expression darkened slightly.
The potential backers behind the Luminary, suspected to be Ixion and the palace, loomed ominously in his mind.
If the Luminary met their demise, he would learn what information had been gathered.
Still, it left him uneasy.
Even as a reincarnator, Kraush didn’t know everything about this world.
He lacked the intel to grasp how the factions intertwined completely.
After all, the future they were destined for was one where they would self-destruct.
Kraush, who was caught up on the front lines rather than in political maneuvers, ran into limitations with his speculations.
“Damn this wretched world.”
Every time he plugged one hole, another gaped open, endlessly letting destruction seep back in.
And he was still worried about Arthur, who had yet to show himself, along with the sorceress Abella, who had reincarnated alongside him.
“What the heck are they up to?”
Kraush clicked his tongue while combing his hair back.
First things first: the mid-evaluations.
For now, it was crucial to get a bit stronger by then.
“Just checking, but you haven’t forgotten to avoid the Black Witch’s eyes, right?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
She was the same Black Witch who had attempted to kidnap him in Balheim.
Of course, she wouldn’t idly stand by just because he was at Rahern Academy.
Given the current lack of movement from her side, it seemed like she was just keeping tabs.
But it was clear that she’d likely make a move sooner rather than later.
With that in mind, Kraush opened the door.
After being cooped up researching the Bloodline Theory, it was nice to finally get some fresh air.
“Oh, Kraush?”
Alisha greeted him warmly with a smile.
She was the one who cleaned and prepared meals for him during his seclusion.
“Thanks for everything you’ve done recently.”
Kraush offered a brief thank-you as he turned his gaze a bit.
Because there, once again, was Lirina.
“I’m not saying I was waiting for you or anything, okay? I just happened to show up at the right moment.”
Lirina casually sipped the tea Alisha had poured and added, “So don’t get the wrong idea; I didn’t come here just to see you or anything.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“And how do you feel? Am I still a delightful sight to see after such a long absence?”
She seemed quite comfortable now.
Recently, Lirina had been showing her old self more and more.
Cunning yet responsible—like a clever little fox.
Perhaps that was why Kraush couldn’t help but smile.
“Yeah, it’s nice to see you.”
Kraush said this honestly, and Lirina stared at him for a moment before pouting like a spoiled child.
“Don’t start being honest all of a sudden.”
What’s the expected response here?
Even though they hadn’t known each other for long, Kraush thought he still didn’t quite understand her feelings.
“By the way, while you were holed up in your room, your lovely fiancée sent another letter.”
Just like déjà vu, Lirina pulled out the letter.
During his recent stay focused on the Bloodline Theory, there had clearly been another correspondence.
Kraush received the letter adorned with the Balheim insignia.
As he slowly inspected the contents, he began to tilt his head in confusion.
Bianca’s letter was pretty standard.
She asked about his well-being, indicating she was working hard and getting along fine.
But it was the last line that snagged his attention.
“Do you like rings?”
Rings.
Kraush blinked at that.
Bianca wasn’t really one to wear accessories.
The most she had was the snowflake hairpin that her mother had prepared for her before she was born.
She wore it constantly, but that was just because it was a memento.
Besides, she never searched for accessories to wear.
So when rings came up, Kraush found it baffling.
[Well, it was written by Jenica Hardenhartz, after all.]
When he heard this, Kraush turned to the brooch.
[Of course, that kid must have written about how you’ve been living rather recklessly lately.]
Kraush’s face turned to one of disbelief.
Where on earth did “reckless” even come from?
[You must consider her perspective. With so many women around you, how distressed do you think she feels being tied to you by just a flimsy engagement?]
Crimson Garden scolded him.
[So naturally, she probably wants a ring or something to signify her claim on you.]
So that’s what it was.
That thought made Kraush feel a pang of guilt.
He really didn’t want to make Bianca uneasy, intentionally or not.
“A ring, huh?”
Kraush pondered for a moment.
After the mid-evaluations, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to get a ring or two.
“Actually, it might reduce the odds of causing problems in the future.”
With that intention, Kraush neatly tucked the letter away.
Regardless, he intended to marry Bianca.
So having at least an engagement ring ready seemed perfectly reasonable.
“What’s in the letter that makes your expression change so frequently?”
“It’s nothing special.”
“How could you say it’s nothing after I went to the trouble of bringing it to you?”
“I know you brought me the letter.”
Lirina snorted.
She was clearly trying to act all haughty.
Seems she was getting rather comfortable.
After wrapping up the conversation with Lirina, Kraush stepped forward.
The place he was headed to was none other than the Special Class Hall.
There, he had someone he absolutely needed to meet.
Entering the Special Class Hall, Kraush checked his waist.
He had a vial that he’d requested from Darling a while back.
Confirming it, Kraush strode forward confidently.
“Oh, Kraush!”
At that moment, he heard a voice recognizing him.
Turning around, he saw Dorma Lacroix.
She was the youngest disciple of the Grandmaster Belorkin Lacroix.
Still small and petite, she was precariously balancing a stack of books while moving along.
She looked pretty anxious since she was struggling to see over the heap in her arms.
Even Kraush couldn’t just walk past her.
“I’ll help you out.”
“Oh, th-thank you!”
Kraush took most of Dorma’s books, and she shrank back like a small animal in gratitude.
Perfect.
With Dorma by his side, he wouldn’t draw unwanted glances while passing through the Special Class Hall.
“So, it’s been a while? How have you been?”
“Uh, I’ve been researching curses with Darling.”
As soon as curses came up, Dorma became animated and began detailing what she had learned.
Listening to her lively chatter, Kraush gazed ahead.
“I’m planning to visit your master soon.”
At that, Dorma jolted in surprise.
She stared at him with wide eyes.
“R-really?!”
“Yeah, thanks to the instant strengthening potion that Darling made, it worked out great. If I go, I’ll let you know.”
Dorma’s face lit up with a bright smile.
Kraush intended to find Belorkin for the highest-class curse, but for her, it was about reconnecting with a parental figure.
She showered him with endless expressions of gratitude.
Just then, Kraush spotted someone.
A tall figure that seemed more suited for the Unnamed Academy than the Special Class Hall, a man with long black hair that obscured his face and an undefined pressure exuding from him.
It was the top student of the Special Class: Biancan Sedny.
But the reality was very different.
Kraush knew his true identity.
He hailed from one of the four kingdoms, the magical nation of Jeblam.
And he was a man who wielded both magic and royal authority.
The Magician King of the Sanctuary of Stars, Terasius Jeblam.
He was the offspring born of the World Erosion.
Biancan Jeblam.
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