### Chapter: 332
The first graduation ceremony of Rahern Academy.
This event garnered quite a bit of attention globally.
Well, it’s no surprise given that this graduating class boasted an impressive lineup of individuals who were already making waves worldwide.
Perhaps that’s why people from various nations attempted to bribe their way into the academy.
They were trying to get a head start on students who would graduate with high honors.
However, their schemes didn’t stand a chance.
Durandal, the former Sanctuary of Stars and the current president, would never allow such things to happen.
Rahern Academy would offer career advice but would never strip students of their choices.
This was the ironclad rule imposed by Durandal.
Things might change once he steps down, but until then, this rule was here to stay.
“Of course, we won’t stop individual scouts from approaching students, though.”
Kraush chuckled as he watched the students celebrating their graduation.
Having made a name for themselves at Rahern Academy meant they were already noteworthy figures in the world.
Maybe that’s why they were receiving scouting offers from various organizations.
Some students were even betting on who got the most offers.
But this chatter was mainly among the lesser nobility and commoners.
For prominent noble families, this was just another day at the office.
They were more interested in enhancing their family’s reputation than going anywhere else.
“Can you believe I’m already a third-year student?”
With the previous class graduated, Kraush had suddenly become the highest grade at Rahern Academy.
It was a kind of generational shift.
Of course, Kraush had spent more time outside the academy than in it.
But it still felt like time was flying by.
“No matter how much time passes, it seems like I’m always busy.”
Having pulled the Aura from his core, it was now time for him to process and absorb it.
Kraush had spent time in the Special Class, discussing different topics.
This was partly due to Darling, a key figure in this field, also graduating.
She wouldn’t be around Rahern Academy much longer.
Even though she planned to return to Starlon, they’d keep in touch.
But since she wouldn’t be as easily reachable now, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.
“Darling will get busy once she goes back to her family.”
Darling was the sole direct descendant of the Danphelion family.
With her natural talent for alchemy, she would undoubtedly receive full support from them.
He couldn’t steal too much time from someone destined to become the future alchemy lord.
“Don’t be too sad if I’m not around. I’ll be sending love letters often.”
She pouted, making a cute kissy face with her lips, staying true to herself.
Ah, such consistency from her.
But she wasn’t the only graduate this year.
Finally, Aniks and Elfin, two members of the infamous Starlon trio that had once been adversaries to Kraush, were graduating alongside him.
Even Felray, hailed as the hero of commoners, was at the ceremony.
“I heard a rumor that he received quite a few offers.”
But Felray declined all offers politely.
Instead, he chose to join the newly formed knight order of the Empire’s Fourth Princess, Sizelry Ephania.
After the heroic death of the Third Princess, Sigrid Ephania, the royal family had heightened its security.
With tensions rising against Ixion, the safety of the royal family became paramount.
And in came Sizelry, swooping up Felray in an unknown conversation.
Kraush couldn’t help the wry smile on his face when he bumped into Sizelry.
“Don’t worry, I’ll give you the best treatment.”
Kraush could only nod awkwardly after a surprise kiss pecked him unexpectedly.
Another familiar face departed.
Just the day before graduation, Kraush recalled a woman who had suddenly come looking for him.
Her name was Mary Diana.
Once known as a prodigy, she had lost that shine.
Yet, the Mary before him now seemed a shadow of her former self.
She was desperately trying to hide her anxiety, but even now, she was clearly withdrawn.
Her face hinted at shadows, and her body seemed to be curling inward.
Despite that, she approached Kraush.
It had been ages since they’d last met after the incident with Sigrid.
“K-Kraush, sir!”
Mary stumbled over her words as she tried to call out to him, biting her tongue.
Though Kraush had lost interest in her long ago, he still tried to treat her kindly in the present.
After all, he’d heard from Aria that Mary could have catastrophic consequences if they crossed paths unwisely.
There was no reason to stir up any trouble with her.
“It’s been a while, Mary. Is there something you need?”
“Ah, um, well…”
“By the way, I heard you made quite the impact with your recent venture to the Empire.”
At the mention of his earlier work, Mary’s eyes widened in surprise.
She trembled joyfully, her face lighting up with delight.
“Oh, you noticed? I wanted to help you, so, um, I tried my best. Was it… helpful?”
Mary fidgeted in front of him like a nervous servant.
It was a stark contrast from the Mary he remembered.
“Of course, it was helpful. Thanks to you, we took down Sigrid.”
“Wait, Sigrid?”
Mary looked as if she had just seen a ghost.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It wasn’t widely known. I thought you two were close, so I figured you’d heard. Forget I said anything.”
“No, no! It’s okay! But, erm, did Sigrid do something to you?”
Confusion laced her eyes.
Sigrid, no matter how you looked at it, was a part of their shared past, making Mary likely anxious about her demise.
Kraush sighed softly.
“Well, since we’re old friends… I guess I can share a bit.”
“Sigrid colluded with Ixion and attempted treason. She tried to kill the Emperor.”
“Such a vile deed?”
Coming from someone who had also tried killing a princess once, it was an ironic twist.
“Yeah, and I stopped her, but her death was the royal family’s final decision.”
Mary’s face went blank.
To her, the news of Sigrid’s death might have seemed vague.
But hearing it directly from Kraush made things hit hard.
“Sorry, Mary, this might be shocking for you.”
Kraush’s attempt at comfort only shook her more.
How could she be a bother like this?
“I-I’m fine! That nasty woman deserved it! And trying to kill the Emperor? You did a great thing, Kraush!”
Mary scrambled to reverse any blame toward him.
Yet, her speech was mixed with obvious discomfort about her own existence.
“Because of Sigrid, I’m sure you’ve got some unfortunate memories. I’m so sorry for that.”
Wondering if she could do anything for him, Mary floundered as Kraush smiled warmly.
He instinctively reached out, running his fingers through her hair gently.
“Thanks for thinking of me. You’ve always been helpful, Mary. Just keep it up in the future.”
“Y-Yes, of course!”
As he tousled her hair, she stared blankly at him with wide eyes.
“But next time something comes up, please just ask me first? It could save you some hassle instead of working it out by yourself.”
“Y-Yes! From now on, I’ll definitely ask you first! Oh, I’ve decided to return to the Diana family! To start anew!”
Mary nodded vigorously, clearly trying to meet his expectations.
That just added another leash around her neck.
She wouldn’t just roam free anymore.
“That’s great! Good luck and take care, Mary.”
Even though she would return, the Diana family was now under Sizelry’s control.
Thus, he wouldn’t need to worry much about her future.
Feeling content, Kraush congratulated her on returning to her family.
“Kraush.”
At that moment, a voice calling his name made him glance down by the window.
There stood Charlotte, emerging from the graduation ceremony.
“Sis.”
Kraush effortlessly jumped down from the second floor.
She looked at him and couldn’t help but smile with her trademark smirk.
“Look at you, all grown up now.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
Remembering when they first met after his return, Kraush had been quite smaller than Charlotte.
Now, he towered over her, and they shared the same nickname—a remarkable achievement.
“I’m just glad my little brother can actually grow up.”
She seemed nostalgic, reflecting on the time when Kraush had been completely stagnant.
Charlotte took immense pride in him now.
But Kraush was aware of something else.
Charlotte had treated even the version of him that had been a complete idiot with the same affection.
“And I was the one pretending not to notice.”
There are many ways to express familial affection.
Sometimes, it’s hard to realize it’s even there until later.
“Thank you for everything, sis.”
Having finished with Rahern Academy, Charlotte would soon set off for Holy Royal Family.
She’d undoubtedly keep pushing her talents there.
Kraush would continue to hear of her fame in the years to come.
Smiling at him, Charlotte spread her arms wide.
“Come here!”
Understanding her cue, Kraush laughed and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her.
Charlotte patted his back affectionately.
“I’m leaving the Lion’s Order in your hands, so do as you wish.”
For the next year, leading the Lion’s Order would be Kraush’s responsibility.
After passing the baton along, Charlotte waved goodbye as she departed.
“My brother, until we meet again!”
Once all her words were said, she left.
Truly, she had remained consistent.
Looking at Charlotte’s disappearing figure, Kraush raised his head.
The sky was still blue, but everything beneath it had changed dramatically.
“Kraush!”
And Kraush’s life was continuously shifting.
Hearing the voice calling him, he turned.
There stood a woman with fiery red hair and a healthy complexion.
It was the Ninth Princess of the Poseus Kingdom, Karandis Poseus.
She was standing there, beaming at him.
“Did you hear? They nominated you as a candidate for the Ten Great Lords!”
“I knew it was being talked about.”
“It’s not just talk anymore! It’s officially announced!”
So it had come to pass.
Being named a candidate meant there were certainly those opposed to him becoming one of the Ten Great Lords.
This meant a condition would be placed on Kraush going forward.
To be inducted as one of the Ten Great Lords, he would need the agreement of more than half of the current Ten.
There were two ways to gain that agreement.
One was for the Ten Great Lords to accept him from the start.
That relied on friendships, impressions, and hard work.
The second was to:
“Show proof of strength worthy of receiving agreement from the Ten Great Lords.”
Kraush understood why Karandis had come to deliver this news personally.
“So the Sea King called for me first.”
“…That’s right.”
The protector of the Maritime Kingdom, Poseus.
The Sea King, Dino Bardon.
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