Chapter 112 |
“If you don’t want to, just say so!”
After the sulky Astria left,
Kraush decided to skip lunch.
He had told Aslan he had other things to do and immediately began walking.
The place Kraush visited during lunch was none other than the Special Arts building.
As Kraush entered the Special Arts building, made of glass domes, he saw students busy moving around.
None of them gave Kraush a second glance.
True to its name, the Special Arts building offered a diverse range of classes.
As a result, the students were particularly focused on their own research and theses.
Passing through the familiar building, Kraush arrived at a room labeled “Alchemy Lab.”
Kraush nonchalantly opened the door, and the distinctive smell of alchemical substances wafted through the air.
The three-story room was filled with students of the Special Arts’ alchemy branch conducting their individual research.
Kraush calmly walked past them and arrived at a spot with an unusually large number of bottles.
[Are you avoiding women only to meet another woman?]
Ignoring Crimson Garden’s comment, Kraush looked deeper inside the room.
There, he saw someone using a pipette to add something to a bottle.
Blonde hair and wearing both pants and a skirt with the school uniform—a peculiar girl.
Known as the future master of alchemy.
“Darling Danphelion.”
Kraush called out to the girl with the unique name.
“Huh?”
The girl turned around belatedly.
With her distinctive eyes, she recognized Kraush and tilted her head.
“It’s my boyfriend. Why are you here?”
“Don’t say things that make people misunderstand. There are already too many headaches around.”
“Ahaha, who did you flirt with while I wasn’t looking? Your cute fiancée might get jealous.”
Seeing her for the first time in a year, she chuckled.
She then checked the date.
“Ah, it’s already the entrance ceremony day. Sorry, I didn’t know. I’ve lost track of time recently!”
“That’s nothing to brag about.”
“As an alchemist, it’s to be expected.”
Alchemy didn’t seem like a great profession.
“By the way, Kraush, I think you called me wrong earlier.”
“What?”
“You should have addressed me as senior. I’m a first-year student.”
Kraush ignored Darling’s remark.
Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“I need you to make a potion for me.”
The reason Kraush skipped lunch to find Darling was this.
Hearing his request, Darling smiled meaningfully and pulled out a vial.
“TS No. 2?”
When Kraush raised his fist, Darling quickly pulled the vial back.
“Just kidding. So, what potion do you need? The one that makes someone fall in love at first sight is still in development.”
“If you try to give my sister something weird, you’re dead.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll drink it myself.”
“Don’t drink it either.”
Kraush sighed, thinking he was never in his right mind when talking to Darling.
He then explained the potion he needed.
After listening to his explanation, Darling tilted her head.
“Hmm, someone sneaking in?”
“Something like that.”
Seeing Kraush’s meaningful smile, Darling nodded.
“Alright. It might take some time, but I’ll make it.”
“Okay. Let’s have lunch then.”
Kraush placed the sandwich he bought in front of Darling.
She exclaimed in delight.
“As expected, my boyfriend! Marry me!”
“No.”
That was lunch with Darling for Kraush.
***
After having lunch with Darling, Kraush headed to the Martial Arts building.
The series of headaches since the entrance ceremony had started seemed to have subsided.
He felt more at ease after taking a breather with a familiar face.
‘I wonder if Bianca has had lunch by now.’
She always made sure to have her meals regularly.
No need to worry.
[At this rate, you’ll be worse than the king of Poseus.]
“Don’t make me out to be a womanizer.”
[Isn’t it true? Look at how many women you’ve tangled with today.]
Kraush made a troubled face.
[Didn’t I tell you? Women will keep getting tangled with you. Cut it off before it’s too late.]
“Stop trying to cut things off.”
[Humph, a man who can reattach a Sword Demon’s arm can cut off anything.]
Is she still sulking because of that?
Kraush felt exasperated.
Having chit-chatted with Crimson Garden, Kraush entered the Martial Arts building.
He opened the door to the classroom assigned to the second-year Martial Arts students.
The noisy students turned their attention to him.
As soon as they recognized Kraush, they fell silent.
At this point, he felt like a professor.
He considered giving a lecture from the podium.
A kid waved vigorously.
“Kraush, over here!”
It was none other than Balak.
He was a consistent guy.
Feeling comfortable, Kraush sat next to Balak.
Balak chatted away beside Kraush.
The classroom atmosphere quickly returned to normal.
It was a time to get to know fellow students.
There were nearly a hundred second-year Martial Arts students.
Many of them were nobles, busy building connections.
Kraush quietly observed them.
His main reason for coming to Rahelrn Academy was to steal skills.
However, most of the real talents were in the first-year class.
The best and brightest had enrolled early.
‘The problem is, there are variables among the second-year students that I don’t know about.’
Kraush’s eyes landed on a tall, blond boy.
At first glance, he could be mistaken for a girl.
He was sitting quietly, reading a book.
The fake Arthur.
He had no plans to approach him yet.
The fake Arthur was a trap set up by Arthur to detect other returnees.
There was no need to approach recklessly.
“By the way, Aniks asked if he could see you soon!”
“Oh, right.”
Aniks Graiza, the Wooden Marauder.
Since their encounter at the Holy Land of Stars, Kraush hadn’t paid much attention to Aniks.
He had been too busy, assuming Aniks would come to the academy.
Therefore, Kraush didn’t know the current Aniks.
‘Honestly, I’d prefer him to be the same as before.’
He’d find out when they met.
“Master Kraush! You said we’d have lunch together. Where did you go?”
Suddenly, Karandis appeared by Kraush’s side.
She was persistent.
Mary was also nearby.
Drak—
At that moment, a man walked in.
With an ordinary appearance, he carried a white cat with a ribbon around its neck.
He placed the cat on the podium.
Stepping back, the white cat stretched and sat down.
The cat opened its mouth under everyone’s gaze.
“I am your second-year Martial Arts professor, Ganon Sarsha.”
The cat’s voice left the students bewildered.
No one expected a cat to be their professor.
Only Kraush knew the truth.
And who Ganon was.
“Due to personal reasons, I appear before you like this, but it shouldn’t matter.”
Ganon groomed himself by licking his paw.
“Most of you will never see my true form.”
That was true.
Ganon wandered the world to erase the World Erosion.
Ganon Sarsha was an expert in World Erosion, second only to the Sephira.
“Rahelrn Academy has twelve student captains who lead various groups.”
This was similar to a knight order.
Students voluntarily elected representatives to form groups.
Each group’s performance greatly influenced their grades.
Groups that failed to meet basic standards received three warnings before disbanding.
Disbanded group leaders couldn’t form new groups.
The academy’s support varied greatly based on performance.
Thus, the groups competed fiercely.
“After six months of training, you’ll join or form groups. That’s when it begins.”
Students entered groups before starting World Erosion practicals.
“The first-year students are already in practicals. In six months, you’ll compete with them. However.”
Ganon paused and looked at the vice-professor.
The vice-professor handed him a list.
“Those called now will skip the six-month training. They’ll join the special class.”
This changed the students’ expressions.
The third test results were not announced at the test site.
They were hearing it for the first time here.
“The special class will work with the first-year students. Though second-years, you’ll be in actual combat.”
Kraush showed a surprised reaction.
There was no special class before his return.
‘Whoever suggested this had a good idea.’
For some, real combat is more beneficial than training.
“I’ll call the names now.”
He placed his hand on the list.
“Kraush Balheim.”
The first name called, unsurprisingly, was Kraush.
“As expected, Master Kraush!”
Karandis looked at Kraush with even more admiration.
Everyone anticipated this.
If Kraush didn’t make it, no one would.
Kraush smirked.
None of them knew what he had done to get here.
“Mary Diana.”
Mary’s name was expected too.
“Balak Hogma.”
“Hehe, I made it too.”
Balak was one of Starlon’s three prodigies.
“Glen Diana.”
A man with a constant look of displeasure was called.
Glen Diana, a branch member of the Diana family.
His eyes were filled with irritation toward Mary.
He once worshipped Mary like a god.
“Karandis Poseus.”
Kraush’s eyebrows raised at the next name.
Karandis, with her chest puffed out, looked proud.
When she set a goal, she used every ounce of her strength to achieve it.
From the moment she saw Kraush’s skills, she decided to make him her husband.
So she pushed herself through the third test to join the special class.
Her determination was impressive.
Karandis winked at Kraush, who looked disgusted.
“Haring Lagrain.”
Hearing the next name, Kraush glanced over.
Black hair with a purple tint, short hair.
A purple violet hairpin.
‘Dokbong.’
The daughter of the Poison King, one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, and the one who killed Bianca, who became the White Ghost.
She stared coldly, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
“Lastly, Arthur Gramalte.”
The call for the fake Arthur ended the list.
“These are the special class students.”
As soon as Ganon finished speaking, the door creaked open.
Everyone gasped at the person who entered.
The woman with flowing dark blue hair and arrogant eyes that seemed devoid of human emotion.
She wore the Martial Arts uniform and walked in confidently.
A genius among geniuses, one of two with special titles among her peers.
The Sword Saint, Charlotte Balheim.
She stood in the classroom, arms crossed.
“Follow me, special class second-years.”
She gave no explanation, only orders.
The phrase “supreme self-confidence” suited her perfectly.
Kraush looked at Charlotte in disbelief.
When their eyes met, she smiled her characteristic smile.
Kraush realized.
The special class didn’t exist before.
It was created because someone suggested it.
Charlotte had fought the former Battle Emperor Durandal, the principal, and gained recognition for her skill.
She had insisted on creating the special class.
To put Kraush directly into real combat with the first-year students.
‘I underestimated Charlotte.’
Now he understood why Arthur suspected Charlotte was a returnee.
Only Charlotte Balheim could take such an extraordinary course of action.
End of Chapter
