Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: You Guys Have Gone Crazy
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Today, as always, her sun-like hair and standout figure were on full display as she held a tray laden with food.
The portion was quite generous. As he stared at it blankly, she flinched and subtly turned the tray around.
"......Today I'm eating more since I used up some energy."
"I didn't say anything."
Krash knew exactly how much she usually ate, so he didn't make a fuss.
Astraia wasn't the type to pack on weight no matter how much she shoveled in.
'To be precise, I figure all those nutrients are going somewhere else.'
But telling her that would just piss her off, so he kept it to himself.
"If you're eating in the cafeteria, save me a seat."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Let's sit together."
Astraia slowly widened her eyes at his words, then unconsciously flashed a brilliant smile.
Realizing she'd smiled, she flinched and her face flushed red.
"D-Do whatever you want."
Pretending to be aloof, she turned her head and headed to her seat.
Every step she took drew all eyes to her, but her gaze only flicked back toward Krash.
Unlike before, Krash knew her true feelings now, so he understood that look held no malice.
With that, he ordered today's set menu—a balanced mix of soup, bread, meat, and vegetables—and approached her table.
The area around her was inexplicably empty.
'Must be because there aren't many first-years around.'
Second-years were mostly fresh-faced adults just stepping into adulthood.
Her status probably made it too intimidating for them to sit next to her casually.
First-years had been through the wringer and might shamelessly seize the chance to chat her up more, but anyway.
As Krash sat down across from her, Astraia kept her eyes lowered, staring only at her own tray.
'She wasn't usually this quiet.'
At this point in time, Astraia seemed far more prone to embarrassment.
"You healed me last time. Thanks."
So Krash took the initiative to start the conversation.
Only then did Astraia flinch and finally raise her head.
"You always push your body way too hard. One of these days, it'll be too much for you."
The first words out of her mouth were pure concern.
She'd already bailed him out several times by now.
Of course she knew his condition.
"Is that so."
"No, it's not. At this rate, you'll drop dead before you hit thirty."
She meant every word.
Krash's body was accumulating strain that steadily shaved away at his lifespan.
He was patching it up with all sorts of things, but sooner or later even that wouldn't cut it.
"It's fine. I've got a plan."
"It's not fine at all."
Astraia furrowed her brows like she was angry.
"You're worried about me?"
"O-Of course I am!"
Astraia pouted sulkily.
Gazing at her steadily brought memories of the old her flooding back.
That girl had fretted over him the exact same way.
Please take better care of yourself, she'd say.
"I've really got something in mind, so don't worry. And I've got plenty of time till thirty."
Since the world was doomed to end before then anyway.
"You..."
Astraia looked like she had plenty more to say, but she let out a sigh instead.
"Then at least promise me this."
"Promise what?"
"If you get hurt, come straight to me no matter what. I can heal you from anything."
She was saying if he was going to overdo it anyway, he might as well heal up properly.
"Isn't that just benefiting me?"
If he could get healing, Krash was all for it.
As he asked, Astraia stared right at him.
"That's why I'm saying it."
Her sun-bright eyes met his.
Krash caught the true meaning behind her words from that gaze and paused.
It meant helping him was good for her too.
The reason was simple.
Helping someone you like just felt good.
Having bared her honest feelings, Astraia's face flushed red once more.
"S-So just promise me already."
"I promise."
It was a promise with zero downside for Krash.
As soon as he agreed, she gave a small, pleased smile—then couldn't fight the shyness and bowed her head.
Her body had fully matured, but her heart was still tender in so many ways.
After finishing his meal with Astraia, Krash headed straight for the training grounds.
He'd been cooped up in his room all day, so he planned to really stretch his limbs.
It was just as Krash stepped into the Martial Arts training hall.
A familiar face emerged from inside.
"Krash."
She spotted him and brightened—then her expression hardened as she grabbed his collar.
"Wait, don't go in."
It was none other than Haring.
Krash tilted his head at her suddenly blocking the way.
"Why? Trouble inside the training hall?"
"Well..."
Haring hesitated to explain.
Seeing that, Krash naturally channeled aura into his ears.
His enhanced hearing picked up voices from within.
"So we're using this place. You lot, get out."
"T-That's not fair! We're Raheln Academy students too. Why only us?"
"You really asking 'cause you don't know?"
"Ugh."
Sounds of an argument.
Krash grasped the situation and turned to Haring.
"So the ones starting shit are those Empire faction assholes who badmouthed me back then?"
"......Yeah."
Haring answered reluctantly.
She gazed up at him with faint worry in her eyes.
Krash casually plopped a hand on her head and turned away.
"Then I gotta clap back right now. Why wait?"
Proving her worry pointless, he yanked the door open with force.
Bang!
The training hall door flew open, and every eye snapped toward him in an instant.
At a glance, Empire faction first-years stood bullying young second-years.
The Martial Arts hall was shared by first- and second-years alike, so that was natural.
And Krash instantly pegged the second-years' affiliation.
'Staron.'
They were all Staron faction kids.
The Empire first-years were picking on Staron second-years for no good reason.
A quick scan showed kids from other kingdoms keeping clear.
Easier to watch than pick a fight with the Empire.
'No Staron first-years.'
If any were around, they'd never let this slide.
But every Staron first-year was absent right now.
Most Staron first-years belonged to Anix's Twin Children Unit or Charlotte's Lion Unit.
Anix was off handling business with his crew again.
Charlotte's Lion Unit was still out on assignment.
Naturally, no Staron first-years remained.
And the professors were gone too.
Today was individual training time after the morning group session.
So no supervision.
'They picked this moment on purpose.'
These punks targeted the Staron second-years when their first-years were away.
Because in all of Raheln Academy, the second-years had just one person they could rely on.
"It's Krash Valheim."
"He showed up."
"Shit just got real."
Sure enough, Krash's entrance drew all attention.
The Empire goons tormenting the Staron kids smirked.
'Not Sigrin's crew.'
The Empire was massive.
Even within it, factions splintered beyond just Sigrin.
'This round, Sigrin focused on rallying the Generation of the Sky.'
More time invested there than unifying the whole Empire faction.
Hence the internal splits.
Krash cracked his neck.
The Staron second-years' eyes turned to him.
Fresh adults who'd entered Raheln Academy chasing dreams.
Facing down the Empire faction juggernaut, their faces were on the verge of tears.
No pity stirred in him.
He had no fond memories of Staron either.
These same punks would've trashed him behind his back if he'd entered as a half-breed.
Situation was flipped now, so that wouldn't happen, but still.
But Krash wasn't a half-breed anymore.
Like it or not, he represented Staron—and topped the second-year Martial Arts rankings.
Staron aside, messing with second-years meant ignoring the number one, Krash.
Baring fangs at him? Better be ready to get bit.
Time to drill that lesson home.
"You wanna boot out Staron?"
Krash spoke as if he'd heard it all.
"Boot out..."
One guy started to smirk and retort—then Krash was suddenly in his face.
Unable to track the speed, he desperately raised his arms, but too late.
Krash had already thrust out his front kick.
Kwaaaang!
The guy took the hit square and flew to the far wall, tumbling across the floor.
"Cough, urk."
The impact was brutal; he groaned, curling into himself.
"What the hell was that?"
"This bastard."
The Empire faction's faces twisted in rage.
They'd poked Staron to drag Krash down, but his unprovoked first strike caught them off guard.
Undeterred, Krash seized the next guy's head outright.
The punk tried to react, but Krash was faster.
His raised leg smashed into the guy's gut.
"Gah!"
As the screaming body doubled over, Krash slammed the head straight down.
Bang!
Amid rising smoke, Krash lifted his foot and stomped the back of the guy's head without a second thought.
Bang!
Blood trickled from beneath his boot as the impact echoed.
Yet Krash gazed down coldly and swept his eyes over the rest.
They flinched—
Frozen by the excessive brutality and utter lack of hesitation.
His icy eyes called to mind someone in their heads.
Charlotte Valheim.
Empire, four kingdoms, small-time cities—didn't matter.
Raheln Academy's top psycho bitch who smashed anyone annoying her on sight, ensuring they'd never raise their heads again.
They sensed he was that woman's brother.
"What, figured you could take a shot since Charlotte beat your asses?"
Krash sneered, and their eyes shifted.
Just as they lunged—
"Stop."
A shout halted the Empire faction dead.
Krash turned to see a man with glasses and gray-black hair standing there.
And Krash knew exactly who he was.
'Right, it was this guy.'
The other core of this splintered Empire faction.
Pandra August.
One who'd annoyingly tangled with him even back in his half-breed days.