Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Power Up!
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After stopping by Valheim Manor on the way back, Krash returned to Green Pine Pavilion feeling like he was finally home after a long absence.
Even though not that much time had passed, the fact that he felt this way meant the Agares incident had hit him harder than he'd realized.
"Master Krash, welcome home. You've been through a lot."
As Krash arrived, the butler Aliod bowed his head in greeting.
Since Lilish had covered for him with the Agares story, Aliod must have been quite worried hearing that Krash had gone to the Holy Kingdom due to injuries.
So he could finally relax now that Krash had returned safe and sound.
"By the way, a letter arrived from the royal family."
"I can guess what it's about."
Krash read the letter Aliod handed him.
The sender was none other than First Prince Hillneider Staron.
The contents were simple.
There was a limit to controlling information, so it was basically a request to tone it down.
Krash gave a wry smile, imagining how baffled Hillneider must have been upon hearing the news.
This incident had blown up despite Krash's efforts to keep his identity hidden.
He had nothing to say in his defense.
'At least I won't be leaving Green Pine Pavilion for a while, so it should be fine.'
Krash burned the letter with Ignis.
"Aliod, we should have a guest coming soon."
"Shall I prepare a room?"
"Yeah, and make it a cool one if possible. She's even weaker to heat than Bianca."
This was about Bianca's master, who would soon arrive at Green Pine Pavilion.
At that moment, Crimson Garden—who had refrained from even appearing as a crow during their time in the Holy Kingdom—perched on Krash's shoulder.
She had prepared for that side too.
Crimson Garden was nothing if not thorough.
"It seems one more person besides the one I mentioned earlier will be coming. Aliod, can you prepare another room?"
"Of course, I'll get that ready as well."
True to his reputation as a top-tier butler, Aliod handled it without missing a beat.
With preparations complete, Krash headed straight to the training grounds.
As always, Bianca trailed after him and settled into a chair with a book.
Krash glanced at her briefly before facing forward again.
A crow had perched in front of him.
"Feeling killing intent toward everything boosts physical abilities in equal measure."
Along with a stronger curse, but Krash chose not to mention that.
Crimson Garden seemed to know a great deal about the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
Only when one can wield all seven stars can they control and temper the killing intent.
That's why those bearing the Heavenly Slaughter Star inevitably succumb to madness.
No wonder even Blavi, with the star, needed the astrologer clan Sephira to stay sane.
Krash had devoured others' talents to reach this point.
His innate gifts were still half-baked at best.
Fortunately, the doll's curse allowed Krash to suppress the Heavenly Slaughter Star's killing intent.
Three out of seven would suffice.
"That means I can push the limit of Flame Erosion Annihilation even further."
Crimson Garden didn't like it, knowing the state Krash returned in after each Flame Erosion Annihilation.
But she couldn't just leave him be, so she decided to teach him the Heavenly Profound Star.
It was the star Krash needed most.
To compete with geniuses brimming with talent, he had to cram some in somehow.
With her explanation of the three stars complete, Crimson Garden spread her wings and ascended.
Master them, and in the academy, those who could match Krash would be few and far between.
Summer was already waning.
Less than half a year remained.
Krash had to master three stars of the Heavenly Slaughter Star in that time.
"Looks like I'll be pulling all-nighters."
And indeed, it was Krash's one true forte.
He drew Thunderclap, and a golden blade surged forth.
Black Flame and lightning erupted simultaneously.
"Let's do this."
Grinding it out relentlessly was the only thing he excelled at.
Even as early autumn approached, the late summer heat lingered.
Bianca was reading by Krash's side as usual.
Her reading had increased lately, learning about the world through books.
Recently, most were about World Erosion or combat manuals.
There was only one reason.
To help Krash, who threw himself into danger daily.
'Master Krash will come back injured again anyway.'
Instead of just worrying, she'd rather grow strong enough to assist him.
Bianca was the type to act on her thoughts immediately.
But she knew books alone wouldn't make her stronger.
She'd even tried forming aura as described, but ended up confused.
Born the overlooked youngest daughter of House Hardenharts, she was a novice in such matters.
'When will the master Master Krash mentioned arrive?'
Bianca gazed at Krash, wrapped in Black Flame, sweat dripping as he trained to wield the Heavenly Profound Star daily.
Krash would enter the academy next year.
Thinking of it furrowed her brows.
She desperately wanted to follow him, but her age barred her from Raheln Academy.
'If only I'd been born a year earlier.'
Regretting her late birth, her legs swung unconsciously under the chair.
They could've attended together if same age.
Instead, she was stuck a year behind.
And lately, another worry nagged her.
Women kept appearing around Krash, grating on her nerves.
She didn't know why it bothered her.
But it did.
Her chest stung thinking about it.
"...I want to be the only one by Master Krash's side."
Bianca clapped a hand over her mouth, startled by her slip.
Not much time had passed since reclaiming her suppressed emotions.
Her feelings had surged unexpectedly.
'...Am I that greedy?'
Wanting him all to herself.
Even she was shocked by her own words.
Imagining Krash scolding her, she calmed her racing heart.
It beat as fast as when she craved to touch his hand lately.
"Hweeng, it's so stuffy and hot here. Hate it."
At that voice, Bianca whipped her head around.
There stood a woman with blue hair drenched in sweat, looking utterly exhausted.
She'd sweated so much her clothes clung transparently.
Spotting Bianca, she managed a weary smile.
"Hi, cute little miss. Bianca Hardenharts, right?"
At the suspicious newcomer, Bianca leaped up and assumed a fist stance from her manual.
The woman giggled behind her hand, calling it cute—like a tiny white chick puffing up in alarm.
"No need to be so guarded. I'm the one here to be your master."
"Really?"
Hearing that, Bianca relaxed and rushed forward.
"I need to get stronger. Can you teach me right now?"
"Huh? Right this second?"
Seeing Bianca's fervor, she fanned herself with sweat dripping.
With skin as pale as Bianca's, she hailed from the Arctic north, where ice dominated even upper regions.
Thus, battling the heat here had worn her out; she wanted rest first.
"Please, Master."
"Master, huh. Ahem."
Having lived alone in icy wastes, the title flustered her—she was weak to it.
She glanced at Bianca's sparkling eyes.
'Hmm, Crimson Garden called her stoic.'
She seemed anything but.
She eyed the blazing Black Flame.
A boy there had sensed her arrival instantly.
Caw!
A crow cried from the sky right then—one of Crimson Garden's familiars.
He must be the Krash she constantly cursed.
'Wonder what kind of kid makes Crimson Garden curse like that.'
Seemed she cared more than expected.
And this girl before her was the one Crimson Garden personally requested she teach.
Their eyes met, and Bianca's gleam intensified.
Sighing, she relented.
"...Fine. First, I should explain what I do. I handle these."
A pure white wolf materialized behind her, radiating intense cold.
A matching white snake emerged from her neck.
Even flicking its tongue released wintry chill—clearly no ordinary beast, despite the summer heat.
"A wolf and a snake."
Bianca, who adored all animals like crows, couldn't tear her eyes away.
"They're formed by shaping aura into ice. Yours will start as mere mist, of course. Want to learn?"
Bianca nodded vigorously.
"Yes, please!"
The master Krash summoned—no doubts needed.
"Heh, what a cute disciple. I'm Jenna Edalsia. Nice to meet you."
Jenna Edalsia, northern familiar sorceress.
Guardian of one of the forbidden zones, the Eternal Glacier—and Bianca's new master.
As Bianca and Jenna became master and disciple...
Krash secretly watched from within the Black Flame.
Crimson Garden's jab came as he trained on the tricky Heavenly Profound Star—his focus shattered.
"I'd love to, but I can't."
"...Crim, you're dying to devour me, aren't you?"
Flapping her wings, she landed before him.
"What...?"
As Krash voiced confusion, the crow's form twisted.
Hearing the voice continue, Krash drew Thunderclap.
Everything around him warped in his vision.
This was a curse.
Clap!
Unreasonable, reckless training method as always.