### Chapter: 176
After that, the mid-term evaluations for the second-year students at the Unnamed Academy came to an end.
Naturally, the faculty at Rahern Academy, along with the first-year students, kept a close eye on the results of this exam.
And the results were as follows:
1st Place: Kraush Balheim
2nd Place: Haring Lagrain
Joint 3rd Place: Glen Diana / Balak Hogma
5th Place: Karandis Poseus
6th Place: Arthur Gramalte
Upon hearing the results, some thought, “Well, is anyone surprised?”
It wasn’t a coincidence that the Special Class was established, after all.
Most of its members ended up in the top ranks.
Especially Kraush, whose reputation started buzzing among the first-year students.
Given his already remarkable trajectory, the news of him defeating a seventh-level erosion species in this mid-term evaluation caused quite a stir.
Of course, he had help, and since it was a magically created creature, it was a bit lacking compared to existing erosion species.
Still, taking everything into account, his skills were undeniably legit.
As Kraush’s name stirred up the waters of Rahern Academy once more, there was someone who couldn’t accept this outcome.
“Ugh, that idiot Mary just had to lose.”
A woman with sea-colored hair sighed in frustration.
Sigrid Ephania, the third princess of the Holy Royal Family.
Hearing the news made her irritation spike.
Honestly, she had hoped for a little more.
After all, Mary was the so-called prodigy.
Didn’t she think she could take down Kraush?
But lo and behold!
Mary was utterly demolished and didn’t even come close to meeting expectations.
The devastating results spoke volumes.
It was nothing less than Kraush’s overwhelming victory.
‘Still, it felt like she was sincere at the end.’
Sigrid’s expression turned serious as she processed the report.
Up until the entrance ceremony, she considered Kraush cursed.
And with Charlotte around, it was easy to chalk up his level of growth to her influence.
However, his recent developments had far surpassed any assumptions.
‘Something’s off.’
No matter how much Charlotte was involved, there was something distinctly abnormal about Kraush’s growth.
He was getting stronger, beyond any logic.
‘There’s no way he could become this powerful in such a short span.’
What did Charlotte do to him?
Sigrid had been suspecting this all along, yet couldn’t shake off the feeling it didn’t add up without some kind of miraculous intervention.
And then she remembered a recent incident that made her pull at her hair in frustration.
It was none other than the news about Pelray.
The hero of the common people, Pelray.
He had thwarted the evil plans by Professor Jenikalain.
This was the scandal involving the associate professor who had been bullied by noble students.
Pelray had sustained serious injuries while stopping Jenikalain and needed to be rushed to the infirmary.
Fortunately, his life was not in jeopardy.
Instead, even while injured, Pelray continued to defend Jenikalain.
He insisted that the crimes committed should be viewed as merely the results of unfortunate circumstances.
Moreover, the misdeeds committed by noble students came to light, making Pelray’s words more impactful.
Even professors, well-aware of the noble students’ follies, began to back him up.
As a result, the handling of the detained Professor Jenikalain was postponed.
Despite having crossed a line by becoming a servant of an erosion entity, former Commander Durandal intervened to take him away.
Rumor had it that even as a servant of an erosion entity, he knew a way to sever that bond.
Regardless, Pelray’s status skyrocketed as a result.
The common folk naturally cheered his name, while nobles began to denounce the offending noble students, elevating Pelray’s recognition even further.
They understood full well that without the support of commoners, there would be no nobility.
Thanks to this incident, Sigrid, who had wanted to increase her own notoriety, now found herself in a tricky situation.
She couldn’t fathom how Pelray was involved in such matters, feeling utterly vexed.
“First Mary, now Pelray causing problems.”
Sigrid clenched her fists, her irritation reaching a boiling point as she ground her teeth.
Not a single person in her circle was being of any help.
Additionally, Sigrid began to suspect Charlotte’s involvement with Pelray.
Pelray’s recent strange behavior began just after the Hardenhartz incident.
“Hah.”
“It seems things aren’t going well.”
At that moment, Sigrid turned her head at the sound of a voice coming from the door.
Standing there was someone with long blonde hair.
As soon as Sigrid spotted him, her eyebrows scrunched up slightly.
It was none other than the fake Arthur Gramalte.
“What brings you here unannounced?”
For a brief moment, she realized she hadn’t sensed his presence at all.
That fact irked her, but Sigrid held her tongue.
After all, he was the only key to connecting with Arthur.
“I just thought the recent developments were a bit concerning.”
The cold eyes of the fake Arthur focused on Sigrid.
With a strangely similar aura to the real Arthur, Sigrid found herself instinctively recoiling.
“Hah, what are you talking about? Everything is going just fine.”
“Are you referring to obtaining the Sword King’s legacy?”
His next words caught Sigrid completely off-guard.
“What gives you the right to interfere, you who’s been nothing but a bystander until now?”
A venomous look gleamed in Sigrid’s eyes.
Simultaneously, an unusual energy emanated from her, creating faint vibrations in the atmosphere.
The temperature in the room dropped as if a cold wind had swept through.
Sigrid glared at the fake Arthur with her piercing blue eyes.
“Just because you’re acting like Arthur doesn’t mean you think you’re actually Arthur. You’re just a messenger. Have you forgotten your role in connecting us?”
The fake Arthur fell silent at her sharp response.
Then, suddenly, he let out a laugh.
“True, I’m not the real Arthur.”
Sigrid, puzzled by the meaning of his laughter, was caught off guard when the fake Arthur’s expression sobered in an instant.
“Thus, it’s the command of the real Arthur: bring Kraush Balheim into the fold. If you fail to do so, you will never lay eyes on Arthur again.”
“What?! Wait, what do you mean by that?”
“Remember my words.”
With that, the fake Arthur left, closing the door behind him.
Sigrid, left alone with clenched fists, trembled with fury and bit down on her bottom lip.
That fake Arthur claimed to speak on behalf of the real Arthur.
Assuming he wasn’t just trying to provoke her, those words had to carry some truth.
‘Never seeing Arthur again?!’
Was that possibly a direct message from the real Arthur?
A sense of dread crept into Sigrid’s heart, which had been steadfast until now.
To her, Arthur was everything.
If Arthur abandoned her, how could she possibly endure?
Sigrid gritted her teeth.
She was well aware of who the true culprit behind all this was.
“Mary, you foolish girl.”
As Sigrid trembled with clenched fists, she walked over to her desk and opened a drawer.
Pulling out a box, she closed the drawer again and turned around.
A useless pup has its role to play.
Mary was about to fulfill hers.
With determined footsteps that echoed down the corridor, Sigrid made her way.
—
The same night the exam concluded.
Kraush was basking in well-deserved rest after using the powers of Annihilation Erosion and Erosion Breakdown.
On top of that, his back still throbbed where Astria had smacked him.
He’d taken a few hits before, but this one stung more than usual.
“Are you really going to act like this during the academy exam?! You’re just trying to annoy me!”
Recalling Astria’s scolding, Kraush couldn’t help but smirk wryly.
Honestly, he couldn’t say he didn’t worry about causing problems.
‘But I did achieve something, at least.’
Through this exam, Kraush realized he could deploy the Erosion Breakdown in practice.
If that was possible, he could surely find various applications moving forward.
‘And I can boost the output of Annihilation Erosion even more.’
Above all, defeating Mary was the biggest highlight.
‘Now there are only two locks left to open.’
Once he unlocked those two, he could acquire Mary’s Excel.
If he obtained that, he would certainly grow much stronger than before.
‘The possibilities for application would skyrocket.’
The path to preventing destruction was starting to become clear, albeit gradually.
With each surge of power, he felt the stakes rising.
This cycle, they just might stop the world’s demise.
Knock knock.
At that moment, Kraush heard a sound at his window.
His sixth sense finally kicked in, and as he slowly opened his eyes, recognizing who was outside.
Memories surged back of what Darling had told him not long ago.
Creek…
Rising from his bed, Kraush approached the window.
There stood a robed figure who flinched and shivered.
Even with the robe, the figure’s curves were apparent, and flowing black hair peeked through the draping fabric.
The shaded face inside the shadowy robe was unmistakable.
It was Mary Diana.
“What brings you to the boys’ dormitory at this hour?”
It was the middle of the night.
If caught by the dorm matron, she’d be facing serious questioning.
Under these conditions, what business could she have here? Mary looked away hesitantly, her eyes darting around.
“Uh, um, I wanted to talk to Kraush for a bit.”
Her response spelled nothing short of suspicion.
But the emotions reflected in her eyes showed nothing but desperation.
She looked even more pathetic than usual.
Her forced smile and cold sweat made it pretty clear that this was not the usual Mary.
Kraush gazed at Mary thoughtfully as her nervousness only escalated.
“Come in.”
After a moment, Kraush turned from the window and let Mary inside.
At last, Mary managed a faint smile and stepped in awkwardly.
—
Between the folds of her robe, her bare legs momentarily exposed before disappearing.
Seeing this made Kraush uncomfortably fidget in his seat as he plopped onto the bed.
“Sit.”
As he suggested to the jittery Mary, she finally managed to take a seat in a chair.
She quickly fixed her robe and took a deep breath.
“Uh, can I get some tea? I’m kinda thirsty.”
It was absurd for someone who intruded into another’s room to act like a guest.
Seeing through her scheme, Kraush clicked his tongue internally before rising.
“Fine, make yourself at home.”
Kraush opened the door and stepped out.
Just then, Alicia, who had been dozing off while knitting, snapped to attention as they locked eyes.
Trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes, she quickly smiled.
“Kraush! Is something going on?”
“A guest is here. Can you make two cups of tea and then head off to bed afterward?”
“Sure thing!”
With the clinking sound, Alicia rushed to prepare the tea.
Once Kraush received the tea, he opened the door again and re-entered.
“Oh, uh, I’ll take that.”
Mary hurriedly grabbed the cups from Kraush.
She quickly retreated inside, prompting Kraush to wrinkle his brow slightly.
Then he slammed the door shut behind him.
“So, what brings you here at this hour?”
He could see Mary hesitating to get to the point.
“I, um, I thought it was impressive back there when I lost today. I wanted to talk about it! Haha.”
With an awkward grin plastered on her face, Mary awkwardly replied.
She should focus on how haggard she looked instead of trying to keep up appearances.
“Sorry, that was too sudden.”
In response, Mary hesitated and sheepishly replied, glancing at Kraush.
After a brief silence, Kraush turned his head away.
“Is that really all?”
Mary’s shoulders jerked slightly.
Her big eyes darted around nervously as if she had just been caught off-guard.
“I didn’t think you’d come here for such a trivial reason.”
Kraush’s significant gaze only made Mary shrink further.
He had never before considered her a rival.
But after being so utterly crushed by him today, she now trembled at the thought of facing him again.
It scared her.
Being around him just made her feel utterly invalidated.
She wished she could flee, but Mary was unable to run.
It was due to Sigrid’s orders, after all.
With Sigrid barging in, making her kneel and say,
“Mary, this will be your last command.”
Back then, Sigrid’s eyes were truly frigid.
“Go and seduce that man and bear his child.”
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