TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 125
“Why do you get so worked up about feeding people whenever you see them?”
After finishing a meal with Haring, Crimson Garden’s scolding came once again, for some reason.
‘Maybe it’s because I’ve seen people die without food.’
Having witnessed deaths from starvation several times, Kraush placed significant importance on meals.
No matter what, eating comes first.
“So Austria healed you?”
“Yeah, I heard the Saintess stopped by.”
While eating and chatting intermittently with Haring, Kraush learned that Austria had healed her.
No wonder his body felt so refreshed.
It had been Austria’s doing.
He decided he should thank her the next time they met.
“What exactly are you trying to do with poison research?”
“Do you have a rough idea of what kind of power I use?”
When Kraush posed the question, Haring looked at him.
“Curses.”
It seemed that was how it appeared in Haring’s eyes as well.
Though the reality was even worse, Kraush didn’t bother to deny it.
“You’re right. I’m trying to create something using curses and poison. Remember how the Red Tiger Pill helped us last time?”
“…Why do I feel like you’re going to create something ridiculously dangerous?”
Haring looked at Kraush with worried eyes.
Since their mission, Haring had grown noticeably closer to Kraush.
Seeing her brother’s shadow in him, she no longer thought of Kraush as a stranger.
Haring now understood just how reckless Kraush’s actions often were.
And she also knew he had been fighting this way for a long time.
“Kraush, if you keep this up, your body will give out, and you’ll die.”
Haring was sincere.
At this rate, his body wouldn’t hold up.
“The human body doesn’t break down as easily as you’d think.”
Kraush laughed casually, as if speaking from experience.
“Besides, there are worlds where people die even without their bodies breaking down.”
Haring couldn’t grasp the meaning of those ominous words.
She only knew one thing—she couldn’t stop Kraush.
She understood too well that someone who threw himself into the fray like this wouldn’t heed advice or stop.
After all, she herself had once gripped a dagger with torn hands following her brother’s death.
The scar from that time still remained vividly on one side of Haring’s hand.
Even if scars can be hidden, they can’t be erased.
Knowing this, Haring looked at Kraush.
‘What on earth happened to you?’
Kraush’s casual laugh drew Haring’s gaze.
The distant past reflected in his laugh clearly bound him.
What was the goal of someone who craved endless strength, even resorting to curses?
Though she couldn’t fully understand, Haring reached out and grabbed Kraush’s collar.
Meeting Kraush’s eyes, she was startled by her own impulsive action but didn’t let go of his collar.
“Then at least let me help so you don’t break down as much.”
Hearing her words, Kraush blinked.
Kraush was well aware that since he had triggered her trauma, Haring had shown an odd fixation on him.
Even now, her hand gripping his collar trembled slightly, as if afraid he might vanish somewhere.
‘…As long as it doesn’t lead to something bad, it’s fine for now, I guess.’
But it was something he’d have to resolve someday.
Kraush didn’t want a Skyborne Generation that relied solely on him.
What he wanted was a Skyborne Generation that could soar after him.
“If you’re willing to do that, I see no reason to refuse.”
This wasn’t an issue that could be resolved immediately.
So Kraush decided inwardly to slowly address Haring’s issues as well.
[Womanizer.]
At this point, the recurring disgrace felt almost pointless to deny.
* * *
Afterward, Kraush visited the Special Arts Hall with Haring.
The person Kraush sought was none other than Darling Danphelion.
She was a specialist in alchemy, destined to become the future Alchemy Castle Lord.
“Hmm, trying to create something interesting, I see.”
When Kraush explained his rough concept, Darling showed interest.
Darling had always been researching various things related to curses.
Naturally, this piqued her interest as well.
“So it’s essentially an elixir that combines poison and curses?”
“Yeah, poisons were already included in some types of elixirs, right? I want to use the counteracting effects of poisons and curses to create an instant enhancement elixir.”
Listening to Kraush, Darling cleared off her desk, piled high with documents.
She then pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began jotting down various things.
Lacking knowledge of alchemy, Kraush couldn’t make sense of what she was writing.
However, Haring, likely due to her expertise in poisons, watched Darling’s notes with keen interest.
“If it’s an instant enhancement type, it can be made in countless ways. You could make it ridiculously powerful.”
Darling marked certain parts with an X, separating out the infeasible elements.
“But the drawbacks are just as clear. While it can provide temporary strength, the cost is enormous. Many of the instant enhancement elixirs passed down as secret techniques in families require staking one’s life.”
Darling said this as she turned to look at Haring.
“You’re from the Ragren Family, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
“The Ragren Family has deep expertise in poisons. They’re veterans in this kind of instant enhancement elixir. Haven’t you explained how dangerous it is to your boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend?”
Haring turned to Kraush.
Kraush, with a sour expression, replied.
“Don’t take her words at face value. And as for the Ragren Family’s instant enhancement elixirs, I’ve already taken one. The Red Tiger Pill.”
“The Red Tiger Pill, the one that makes your body boil uncontrollably and causes it to melt if you can’t endure it?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“I figured as much, but you’re tough.”
Darling didn’t seem particularly surprised.
Kraush had even survived the Nine Dragon Transformation Pill before.
By now, she assumed the Red Tiger Pill wouldn’t affect him much.
“Alright. Then I guess we can throw in just about anything. For what I can’t procure, can I ask the Ragren Family’s scion?”
“Since it’s to help Kraush, leave it to me.”
Haring answered confidently, and Darling slowly turned to her.
With a meaningful smile, Darling cupped her cheek dramatically.
“Another girl added to the mix? My boyfriend really is a playboy.”
Haring tilted her head.
“Kraush, are you a playboy?”
“Just ignore what she says. It’s bad for your mental health.”
Judging by Haring’s expression, it seemed she didn’t fully understand what “playboy” meant.
“Is Kraush in a normal state of mind, coming to ask for help from someone bad for his mental health?”
[He’s not.]
Kraush decided to stop paying attention to Darling’s words altogether.
“Hmm, so what are you going to do about the curses? I don’t have many stored up.”
It was Darling who had been writing a dissertation on Curse Neutralization.
So, although she possessed some curses of her own, they were nothing more than minor curses.
The higher-level curses, however, were not things that could be easily handled unless one was a Curse Master.
Darling herself was also categorized as a “Handle with Care” individual.
“I’ve got a rough idea. It shouldn’t be too hard to acquire.”
And the method to acquire it was none other than within Rahelrn Academy itself.
“In that case, I’ll just focus on delivering results.”
Despite already juggling more than just one or two research topics, Darling’s face lit up with a suspicious smile the moment her interest was piqued.
As if to say, who else would be a future Alchemy Castle Lord?
It was so like Darling to show interest the moment new research material came her way.
“I’ll have the list ready by tomorrow. Let the direct-line juniors from Ragren take a look and tell me what they think. I’m curious about Ragren’s opinion as well.”
“Got it.”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Ah, wait a second, my boyfriend.”
As Kraush tried to leave after saying that, Darling opened a drawer just in time.
Then, she flicked a bottle toward Kraush, who had been about to walk away.
Kraush easily caught the bottle, and Darling smiled bashfully.
“That thing you asked for last time.”
So, it’s already completed?
Truly, it was craftsmanship characteristic of Darling.
Kraush looked at the liquid inside, which swished gently, and carefully placed it in his pocket.
Before long, this too would be put to use.
‘Now, what’s left is.’
The first-year students of Rahelrn Academy.
One of the twelve disciples of Veltoa Lacroix, the world’s greatest Curse Master.
Dorma Lacroix, a Curse Master.
And currently, someone affiliated with Sigrid.
That individual needed to be persuaded.
* * *
On a sunny spring day.
While the student units were either still in the middle of their missions or had just completed them and were taking a break.
Regular classes were being held at Rahelrn Academy.
The second-year students are trained and educated for six months before being assigned to the student units.
Likewise, the first-year students, who had also completed six months, would either engage in training or attend classes if they weren’t on missions.
Although class attendance was voluntary, students couldn’t neglect these lessons.
That’s because there were midterm evaluations even during the classes.
The evaluations from these classes directly impacted a student’s standing within the student unit.
To achieve high scores in the midterm evaluations, students couldn’t afford to skip classes.
Therefore, unless they had a valid reason, such as sick leave.
Students participated in training and classes as soon as they completed their missions.
Today’s Special Arts class was none other than Curse Studies.
Curses are an essential field of study when it comes to World Erosion.
After all, it’s directly tied to one’s survival.
This is why a significant number of those who chose Special Arts as their sub-department had come to attend the Curse Studies class.
While the students were chatting among themselves before the lesson.
Creeeeak-
With the sound of the door opening, someone walked in.
Dark blue hair and fierce-looking eyes.
That hair color was unmistakable for anyone attending Rahelrn Academy.
‘It’s Kraush Balheim.’
‘Did he come to attend Curse Studies?’
The students turned their attention to Kraush with varying degrees of interest.
From the moment Kraush entered the academy, he had been nothing short of a storm.
Starting with his entrance as the top student in the Martial Arts Department after defeating Associate Professor Kairan.
He had also performed brilliantly during his very first mission.
The rumors spread that he had taken down a World Erosion Being and even defeated a 7th Rank Erosion Species in a single strike.
Such stories had already circulated widely among the students.
These rumors combined with those that had spread before Kraush even entered Rahelrn Academy.
As a result, he quickly became the most prominent figure at Rahelrn Academy.
Wherever Kraush went, the students’ attention followed him relentlessly.
Although the mixed emotions in their gazes might have been irritating.
Kraush remained unabashed under their scrutiny.
As if saying, “I couldn’t care less about your judgments.”
To some, he seemed serene; to others, he seemed arrogantly reminiscent of Charlotte.
“You’re quite the celebrity.”
A man with crimson hair hanging behind him leaned forward and spoke from behind Kraush.
That man was none other than Aslan.
Watching the stares gathering as Kraush entered the classroom, Aslan smirked faintly.
Kraush shot Aslan a disapproving look.
“You deliberately followed me just to make me go in first, didn’t you?”
“It’s a good thing when your friend becomes a source of pride.”
“Don’t use me as a shield just because you don’t want the attention on you.”
Aslan’s striking appearance naturally drew attention, but.
When Kraush was present, it was a different story, and Aslan often used Kraush as a shield like this.
It was because Aslan was still uncomfortable with the public’s gaze.
Kraush then scanned the interior of the classroom.
Since not all the student units had returned yet, many of the first-years were absent.
However, the person Kraush was looking for was easy to spot.
The one sitting in the front row of the Curse Studies class, staring at him before flinching and looking away when their eyes met.
Slouched shoulders, a frail impression.
Light-colored, fluffy hair that resembled an unkempt puppy.
A petite frame reminiscent of a child.
A face perpetually flushed with redness.
One of the twelve disciples of Veltoa Lacroix, the world’s greatest Curse Master.
A member of the Skyborne Generation who had introduced Kraush to Veltoa Lacroix.
Dorma Lacroix, a Curse Master.
She was the target Kraush had set his sights on this time.
He needed to extract a curse from her to create a new Instant Enhancement Elixir.
And that task might be easier than expected.
Kraush was well aware that her gaze had been lingering on him ever since the entrance ceremony.
‘Do you really think a Curse Master could ignore someone who seems to be drowning in curses?’
Just as a sparrow can’t pass by a millstone, a Curse Master obsessed with curses is no different.
And she was currently under the wing of that damned Sigrid.
Until Kraush took on the role of a Curse Bearer, the best Curse Master available was Dorma.
Kraush smirked subtly, hiding it from others.
Sorry, but stealing happens to be my specialty.
‘Sigrid, I’ll make sure there’s no one left to lift your curses.’
Go ahead and rot away in your curses.