### Chapter: 269
Bell Vandeskeman, the top student of the Magic Department’s second year.
He stood quietly before Kraush, feeling the absurdity of his situation but daring not open his lips to voice that absurdity.
The pressure emanating from Kraush was tightening around him like a noose.
“You know, the founder of Rahern Academy, Chancellor Durandal, often says something.”
Kraush loosened his collar in front of Bell, ready for a fight at any moment.
“If you want to share your opinion, prove it with strength.”
Power is law.
In this world, if you wanted to voice your opinion, you’d better have the strength to back it up.
“Are you going to prove it?”
As he relaxed his pressure, Kraush asked Bell, questioning whether he had the power to overturn this absurdity.
Bell’s face flushed red.
His pride had taken a hit.
Yet, despite that damaged pride, he lacked the courage to challenge a fight he was sure to lose.
Bell dropped his head low.
Seeing this, Kraush glanced around and found everyone avoiding his gaze, flinching at the atmosphere.
No one wanted to get caught in the crossfire.
“Haha, such spirit! That’s our Kraush!”
Dolphron, who had approached, let out a hearty laugh.
Looks like no matter what, this guy views everything positively.
Then, an uproar started.
At that moment, voices could be heard from outside the auditorium.
Kraush turned his head to see first-year students coming in.
Among them was someone who met his eyes instantly.
As soon as their gazes locked, a bright smile blossomed on none other than Bianca.
It’s not easy for someone to smile like that every time they see him.
Kraush found himself unable to think of anything but Bianca’s smiling face.
At the same time, another figure appeared behind her.
A silver-haired boy.
The true Mage King, Terasius Jeblam, who enrolled at Rahern Academy as the son of the Mage King.
With an indifferent look, he surveyed his surroundings slowly.
Then suddenly, his gaze landed on Kraush.
Upon locking eyes, he tilted his head slightly, softly exclaiming, “Ah.”
In that moment, the corners of his mouth lifted softly before vanishing.
For anyone else, it would have been too fleeting to notice.
But for Kraush, who already knew the Mage King’s identity and had experienced it firsthand, an unsettling chill ran down his spine.
‘That guy.’
Kraush had no idea what Terasius’s intentions were, but he was certain of one thing.
Kraush himself was included in whatever Terasius was interested in.
‘I’ve drawn every bit of attention that could poke him.’
Well, it only made sense; it wouldn’t be strange for him to take interest earlier.
‘But it seems there’s a separate purpose for him.’
What that purpose was, he’d have to find out in due time.
‘Regardless, if they’re interested, I’ll just use it to my advantage.’
Let the mind games begin.
*
After Kraush declared he would take the top student of the Magic Department with him, none of the student representatives dared to move rashly.
Even the first years couldn’t do anything against Kraush.
Among the second years, there were practically no rivals to Kraush.
Thus, he could smoothly take the Mage King’s son.
“Temarin Jeblam, Bianca Hardenhartz.”
The name used at Rahern Academy is Temarin Jeblam.
And after declaring he would take the top student from the Magic Department, the rest of the students ceased their attention on the Unnamed Academy’s top student, Bianca.
This allowed Kraush to bring both of them along without any objections.
Since he had acquired the two brilliant students, he willingly handed the rest over to other groups.
Right now was not the time to be greedy for talent.
‘Most importantly.’
Kraush looked at the students watching him with starry eyes.
The Lion’s Order had only taken the top two students.
That meant they were showing that only the competent would be taken.
This sparked a desire for ambition in the first-years.
As if they were looking to enter the final trial of the Lion’s Order.
After all, they were all stirred into a commitment to grow strong and join the Lion’s Order.
“Well, that’s quite a political maneuver.”
Indeed, this was not a move that the inexperienced peers could attempt carelessly.
“Let’s go, both of you.”
Kraush glanced at the two, and they followed behind him.
First, they needed to register temporarily as members of the Lion’s Order since they had just been selected.
Of course, throughout the walk, all of Kraush’s attention was on the Mage King.
Terasius appeared expressionless, staring blankly at the hallway windows, but Kraush sensed something lurking in his gaze.
‘What is he searching for?’
With a sense of unease, Kraush reached the entrance to the Lion’s Order.
Noticing the presence gathered by the door, he sighed.
Finally, as he swung the door open, everyone who had been huddled at the entrance hurried back to their seats.
All eyes quickly turned towards Bianca when Kraush sidestepped a bit.
Receiving a mix of emotions from everyone, Bianca blinked for a moment.
Then, before he knew it, she pulled his arm and naturally snuggled up to him.
Kraush, caught off guard by Bianca’s unexpected action, widened his eyes.
She held herself tall, proudly asserting her presence.
“I am Bianca Hardenhartz, fiancée of Kraush.”
Everyone looked at Bianca with stiff expressions as she introduced herself.
That simple introduction was enough to raise eyebrows all around.
“Haha, haha!”
Only Sigrid struggled to suppress her laughter, covering her mouth.
That level of nonchalance must rank her the most carefree of them all.
“Long time no see, Bianca.”
At that moment, Aslan shifted the mood and greeted Bianca.
He didn’t know her well, but he had seen her before.
Upon receiving his greeting, Bianca respectfully inclined her head.
“Yes, long time no see, Aslan.”
“You’ve become really pretty. Kraush will be thrilled.”
Aslan complimented Bianca.
“…I haven’t seen you in a long time either, Bianca.”
Astoria chimed in as well.
She stared intently at the arm that Bianca was clinging to.
“Me too.”
Bianca merely tightened her grip around Kraush’s arm in response to Astoria’s gaze.
In turn, Astoria raised an eyebrow before standing up and pushing her chair back.
“Shouldn’t this be a class time? Maybe personal affection isn’t the best idea right now?”
Jealousy dripped heavily from Astoria’s eyes.
“This isn’t a display of affection.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s just daily life.”
“…Does that mean you act like this every day?”
“Yes, because we’re engaged.”
On the flip side, an icy chill emanated from Bianca’s gaze.
“One is the sun, and the other the moon.”
Sigrid watched the interaction, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Wow, wow, doesn’t it feel like the classroom just got steamy? Should we ventilate a bit?”
Karandis, sensing danger if she got involved, fanned herself and tried to change the subject.
“…”
Haring, next to them, gazed at Kraush like a child yearning for candy.
Aslan quietly glanced over at Kraush.
He thought something was bound to explode soon as he quietly drew back his chair.
“That’s enough.”
And just as expected, Kraush’s low voice echoed throughout the classroom.
“What…?”
In that moment, Astoria shot a glance at Kraush, halting her tracks.
Up till now, Kraush had somewhat tolerated their antics.
He never wanted to annoy them and rather figured it would be good to get closer for the future.
If them teasing him meant they grew closer, Kraush had no qualms in joining in.
But the situation started to cross the line.
The chill between Bianca and Astoria, combined with the tension from everyone else, clearly made it a moment that couldn’t be brushed aside.
So perhaps it was no surprise that his irritation had now manifested into clear fury.
Astoria, noticing Kraush’s anger, blinked innocently.
She had grown accustomed to his patience, never considering how it might affect him.
Kraush had come to introduce his fiancée, Bianca, to everyone.
In this situation, it was unacceptable to cause discord instead of welcoming her.
So it was only reasonable for him to be upset.
“Bianca, everyone here will be your comrades and friends from now on. Don’t act like this.”
Kraush’s first reprimand was directed at Bianca.
Although he understood her feelings, she had taken the provocative stance first.
As Kraush scolded her, she flinched and lowered her head.
“…Yes.”
She’s someone who always listens well, after all.
There’s no way she wouldn’t change her actions moving forward.
“Astoria.”
“Ah, y-yes!”
Kraush called out to Astoria, causing her to jump and stiffen up.
Her flustered expression was typical of someone her age.
“I know you’re not normally the type to behave this way. You’re one of the most open-minded among everyone I know. You’re not the type to pick on someone younger than you.”
Upon hearing this, Astoria’s gaze fell, looking remorseful.
She had acted rashly, letting her emotions lead over her rational thoughts.
“…I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’m sorry too, Bianca.”
Astoria’s sincere apology brought a slight relaxation to Kraush’s face.
“And Haring.”
At Kraush’s call, Haring perked up like a cat.
“You’ve been too stiff around me lately. While I appreciate your consideration, you shouldn’t make yourself uncomfortable. Just be yourself.”
Haring’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was unexpected for her to hear Kraush care about her feelings.
Just as Kraush said, she had been suppressing her emotions, unable to approach Kraush as she usually would.
If she even stepped close, her feelings would bubble up uncontrollably.
So she’d been deliberately maintaining a distance.
Because of that, things had become awkward between them.
But at Kraush’s mention of it, she slowly smiled in response.
“…Okay.”
Kraush turned and gazed at Karandis.
Eagerly, she seemed to anticipate him saying something.
But to her, he didn’t have any words of advice.
“W-Wait, why isn’t there anything for me?”
Karandis pouted, throwing a tantrum, but received no answer.
“Sigrid, you too. Don’t go overboard.”
“Okay, okay.”
Sigrid raised her hands in mock surrender, signaling she’d tone it down.
Kraush’s gaze finally fell upon Lirina.
The moment their eyes met, she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
It was her way of assuring he was understood.
Having wrapped up the urgent matters, Kraush sighed with relief.
This was perhaps something that needed sorting out at some point.
He was fortunate it had happened now.
“Squeak.”
A mouse from his pocket squeaked, but Kraush ignored it, turning his head aside.
There was Terasius watching the situation with great interest.
“…And here we have Temarin Jeblam, the top student of the Magic Department.”
What kind of first impression did he have of this situation?
Kraush felt a reluctance to imagine, giving one last introduction.
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