Chapter: 168
Astrea’s suggestion of rest worked wonders.
Kraush definitely felt much better than before.
‘The effect is undeniable.’
Whenever fatigue overwhelmed him, he might just pay a visit.
That was a pretty solid thought.
As Kraush was making his way, he suddenly caught someone’s eye coming from the hallway.
And that someone was someone he knew quite well.
It was Glen Diana, the younger brother of Mary Diana, and a fellow student like Kraush.
Upon spotting Kraush, Glen immediately lit up with a smile.
Ever since their clash with the Imperial faction, he had become quite fond of Kraush.
So, it wasn’t surprising when his face brightened, only for it to cloud over just as quickly.
“What’s up?”
Glen typically had a bright demeanor, but his face dulled.
Kraush raised an eyebrow at Glen’s unusual expression, prompting him to rub the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Kraush, do you know that my sister has entered seclusion for training?”
How could he not know?
“After being involved in the attempted assassination of the princess, her condition rapidly deteriorated. It’s like she’s been half out of her mind. The cleverness she once had is completely gone.”
Sorry, but he hadn’t exactly thought she was all that clever to begin with.
However, Kraush kept his mouth shut and let Glen continue.
“And she’s still like that. As if she’s been chased by something.”
Glen hated what Mary had done, but he didn’t seem to harbor any resentment towards her as a person.
After all, she had once been someone he admired greatly.
It wasn’t easy to completely hate Mary.
“I can hate the crime but not the criminal,” he thought.
“And yesterday, I happened to run into her.”
Kraush’s eyes widened at that.
After getting a good night’s rest thanks to Astrea, he was surprised to hear that Mary had come out of her training.
“In her eyes, there was a poison that wasn’t there before. And it was obvious that it wasn’t for the better.”
Kraush finally understood why Glen’s expression had darkened so much.
It must have been difficult for him to accept the changed persona of his once admired cousin.
‘Poison, huh.’
That was a word that didn’t suit Mary at all.
“But the aura she radiated was very real.”
Glen clenched his fists tightly.
Just thinking about Mary made him break into a cold sweat.
That night, the energy that had emanated from Mary had choked him.
She was far stronger now than when she had been a candidate for a spear in the empire.
Even if he were to thrust a thousand spears, not a single one would touch her.
She had only entered seclusion for a few weeks, yet she had changed so dramatically.
“This midterm exam is going to be tough.”
Glen warned Kraush.
He cautioned him not to underestimate Mary Diana.
Hearing that, Kraush smiled slowly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve never underestimated her even once.”
Mary Diana, the one born with the Ten Thousand Bodies, was stronger than anyone could remember.
Sure, she was a terrible woman with a bunch of curses attached to her, but her prowess had reached a peak.
Aside from Arthur, she was the only one who could contend with the worst.
Kraush had never taken her lightly from the get-go.
Even if she had fallen, she was not someone to be trifled with.
And Kraush had to completely overpower her.
“Thanks for the advice.”
Kraush casually patted Glen on the shoulder before moving on.
Tomorrow would be the day of the first midterm exam at Rahern Academy.
—
The much-anticipated midterm exam day had arrived.
Today, Kraush tied his tie while gazing at the unusually bright sky.
Thanks to Astrea, his recovered condition was at its peak.
Feeling good indeed.
Perfect for snatching Excel away.
[That lazy expression you have makes me want to smack you down!]
“Don’t jinx it by falling during the exam.”
With that, Kraush let out a grumble while resting his arms on the desk.
Just then, a corpse mouse scurried up his arm and hopped into his pocket.
They said Ebelasque’s words about the decomposition of the Luminary were just around the corner.
Once the midterm was over, he could head into a meeting with Ixion.
‘So I need to snag Excel before that happens.’
With a firm resolution, Kraush began to stride forward.
At that moment, Aslan appeared.
“Hey, Kraush, how’s the condition?”
Aslan asked with a rather laid-back expression.
“How about you?”
“I’m always the same. Compared to when I had the Lunar Body, I feel way more energized now.”
Aslan’s Lunar Body was now with Kraush, so he could understand.
“Good luck on the exam. Let’s meet again at the top.”
As a magician, Aslan had to head to the Mage Hall.
They exchanged farewells, but as Kraush walked away, he spotted a familiar back.
After all, everyone was headed to the Unnamed Academy, so it wasn’t unusual to run into familiar faces.
Kraush quietly approached, lost in thought, and leaned next to her.
“Hey, Haring.”
“Yeek!”
Haring let out a shriek, eyes wide, as if she had seen a startled cat.
Was this the first time she had screamed so loud?
Kraush blinked in astonishment at her over-the-top reaction.
“What’s with the shock?”
“Kr-Kraush.”
Calming her racing heart, Haring looked up to meet Kraush’s gaze but quickly glanced away again.
And then, she started to back off again.
This had become an all-too-common occurrence lately.
But this time, he wasn’t going to let her slip away.
Kraush grabbed Haring by the wrist.
In an instant, her hair bristled, and her eyes went wide.
Her ears had turned bright red.
“Recently, you keep dodging me.”
“Uh, um…”
A flustered expression washed over Haring’s face.
Her eyes spun in circles like a whirlwind.
Ever since realizing her feelings for Kraush, she had been avoiding him, thinking that he had a fiancée and that her feelings were wrong.
Of course, she still intended to repay the debt she owed him eventually.
But she needed some time to sort out her feelings first.
Yet, lately, Kraush had been looking more unwell each day.
That’s why she had intended to confront him today instead of avoiding him.
But then Kraush had suddenly spoken up, freaking her out majorly.
When faced with him, her mind went completely blank.
She anxiously hoped he wouldn’t hear her heartbeat through the wrist he was holding.
“You’ve been thinking about what the Poison King said, haven’t you?”
Haring flinched.
That aspect had crossed her mind.
Kraush let go of her wrist.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything regarding you. The empire won’t have any issues on my watch.”
He was saying it again.
Without hesitation, he took it upon himself to be responsible.
Haring bit her lip.
She had spent enough time with Kraush to know that he often threw himself into danger without regard for his own safety.
Maybe that was why Kraush seemed to struggle with the concept of taking care of himself.
It crushed Haring to see him like this.
Now that she had realized her feelings, the last thing she wanted was to see him suffer.
“Or have you heard the rumor.”
But misinterpreting her gaze, Kraush rubbed the back of his neck.
Haring looked puzzled.
Kraush then forced a bitter smile.
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t be bringing on any more wives. Don’t take the Poison King’s words too seriously; I’ll resolve this without any issues.”
At that moment, Haring’s shoulders tensed.
‘What on earth did my father say?’
She knew that Kraush had talked with her father not too long ago.
Caught off guard by her feelings, she hadn’t had time to eavesdrop on their conversation, but based on what Kraush just said, she had figured it out.
Her father must have noticed her feelings and told Kraush he would take on more wives.
It was clear that he had no intentions of ever letting go of his fiancée.
In that instant, a part of Haring’s heart jolted.
What if? Just what if?
What if it was really like that?
The thought began to swell within her.
“Anyway, don’t worry about it.”
Kraush said, urging her not to concern herself, before continuing along his path.
But he hardly got far.
After all, Haring had grabbed his collar.
“Haring?”
Kraush turned, puzzled, wondering if she had more to say.
Realizing she’d been holding onto his collar, Haring quickly pulled back her hand, surprised.
“Th-That’s just… I wish you luck on the exam.”
Hearing that, Kraush laughed bewilderedly.
“You’re also taking the exam, right? Is that something you say to a rival?”
He teased, and as he resumed walking, Haring stared blankly at him.
She lowered her gaze down to her hand.
Just a moment ago, she had unconsciously reached out her hand towards him.
This hand bore her hidden desires.
Haring pressed her racing heart deep down.
A longing she had never dared to express before.
“Looks like I’m really one of those people.”
Coming to terms with it somehow made her feel lighter.
With that thought, Haring continued to walk, her long legs stretching out beneath her skirt.
Realizing she had lost trust in herself by acknowledging her feelings for Kraush, she understood it wouldn’t be easy to break free from this addiction.
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