Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: All Schemes Exposed
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The duel between the imperial faction and Staron had caused quite a stir for a while.
Naturally, with the arena in the training grounds completely wrecked, word had reached the ears of the faculty.
But the professors didn't particularly scold the students.
Incidents like this were quite common at the Martial Academy, after all.
They just gave a light reprimand.
"Student Krash, I understand the circumstances, but it would be great if you could exercise a bit more restraint."
The one tasked with delivering that reprimand was none other than Vice Professor Kiran.
Pirate Empress Kiran.
She, who had been defeated by Krash during the entrance exam, looked at him with a weary expression mixed with fatigue.
And rightly so—she had been pushed by the other vice professors tasked with cleaning up the arena to come plead with Krash to hold back.
Since he hadn't seen her face since the entrance exam, Krash awkwardly scratched his head.
He knew well enough how much grief superiors' antics caused for those below them.
"Yes, I will."
Kiran gave him a surprised look when Krash meekly replied.
The Krash she had seen during the entrance exam exuded overwhelming dominance and even arrogant provocation toward a vice professor.
Of course, she later realized there was intent behind that arrogance to lower the opponent's guard.
Even accounting for that, he was Charlotte's younger brother, after all.
She had figured he wouldn't care much about others' hard work, just like his sister.
Yet here he was, showing consideration for others' efforts.
It was a mature demeanor unlike what you'd see in kids his age.
Boys around that age usually prioritized their self-esteem and pride, grumbling things like, "You know the full story, so why say that?"
Especially the nobles' sons—they were even more prone to it.
Not to mention, Krash had personally defeated Vice Professor Kiran.
She thought his pride must pierce the heavens, enough to look down on vice professors.
That was why the other vice professors had pushed Kiran into this—since she'd lost once, she should bear it.
But Krash was different from his peers; he was mature.
He could admit his faults and consider others' toil.
"Student Krash, did you perhaps lie about your age to enroll?"
Kiran asked offhandedly, and Krash blinked.
Then he stifled a short laugh and countered.
"How old do I look to you, then?"
For some reason, an image flashed of an older professor slyly asking a fresh vice professor about her age.
"It was just a joke because you seem so mature."
What an odd student.
"Anyway, thank you for understanding. Everyone knows you're diligent in class, so if you just watch that side of things, not only the vice professors but the professors themselves will think highly of you, Student Krash."
"That's a relief."
"Well then, I'll be going... Ah."
As Kiran turned to leave, she suddenly remembered one more thing to say.
Krash looked at her curiously, and she said cautiously,
"And also, please be careful about your promiscuous relationships with women. I know it's common at your age, but that kind of lifestyle can invite trouble."
Her next words were enough to leave Krash with a dumbfounded expression.
"...Pardon?"
"It's natural for a man to like women. But there's that saying about excess being as bad as deficiency."
Kiran was already convinced.
So Krash shook his head to clear his mind and hurriedly responded.
"...I don't know what misunderstanding you have, but I've never lived like that."
"Pardon? But the vice professors said you switch women every day... And that you even brought another student's maid into your room."
Krash felt a mild headache coming on.
His circle did lean toward women, making the first part inevitable, but the latter was clearly about Lilina.
Letting out a short sigh, Krash looked at Kiran with troubled eyes.
"There's really nothing like that, so it's fine. Besides, I have a fiancée."
Krash thought back to recent events and seriously considered marriage with Bianca.
She'd turn fifteen next year, so holding the ceremony then wouldn't be an issue.
'Above all, it depends on whether Bianca wants it.'
Asking her intentions without forcing it should be okay.
At that moment, Crimson Garden's mocking voice echoed in Krash's mind, having read his thoughts.
Krash's face hardened.
So marriage wouldn't solve it?
He had no idea why the conclusion always led there.
Krash let Crimson Garden's words go in one ear and out the other, then turned back to Kiran.
"Anyway, it's truly a misunderstanding. If those rumors are spreading, I'll be careful."
"Sorry for jumping to conclusions. Thank you for understanding."
After parting with Kiran, Krash started walking down the corridor.
Martial Academy class was starting soon, so he planned to head back.
As he walked, Krash's face was troubled in various ways.
Life had its ways of making you suffer from scandals.
'Maybe I should seriously reflect on my usual conduct.'
He hadn't exactly been a playboy reeling in women like the rumors said, so he had no clue how to fix his behavior.
'Would it be better if Bianca came?'
If Bianca stuck by his side all day, no one would complain.
For some reason, he missed his fiancée dearly.
Things like this hardly ever happened when he was with Bianca.
Crimson Garden hovering nearby was no help at all.
"More importantly, wouldn't it be nice if you finally told me who your seed is in Raheln Academy?"
Always so full of secrets.
"Ugh!"
Just then, Krash spotted people down the corridor who turned tail and fled the moment they saw him.
They were none other than the imperial faction guys who had picked a fight with him that day.
Krash eyed them indifferently.
Ever since that day, they'd spasm and run at the mere sight of him.
That day's memory was unforgettable for them too.
Thanks to it, Krash was etched in their minds as a demon who flipped everything upside down if provoked.
So they tucked tail and ran before earning his wrath.
On top of that, Krash had heard a rumor.
Pandra had holed up in his dorm room.
Not only had he been smashed by Krash, but he'd pissed himself in shame.
He couldn't show his face at Raheln Academy anymore.
They said he even convulsed at the mere mention of Krash's name.
'Serves him right.'
At the same time, the kids' gazes had shifted.
Before defeating Arsolder, some had felt competitive or annoyed with him.
But those looks were gone now.
It meant they tacitly acknowledged Krash as untouchable, just like Charlotte.
Defeating Arsolder carried that much weight.
They too had somewhat dismissed vice professors subconsciously.
But with Arsolder, they'd all experienced it firsthand.
Moreover, one guy had notably changed his attitude since that day.
"Krash, you're here. I saved you a seat."
As Krash entered the classroom for martial class, one guy jumped up and shot him sparkling eyes.
That guy was none other than Glenn Diana, Mary's cousin.
Krash stared at him blankly and rubbed the back of his neck.
Since that day, Glenn had shown this loyal puppy vibe whenever he saw Krash.
Not to Arsolder's extent, but he had a habit of revering the strong in martial arts.
Naturally, he admired the powerful.
That's why Glenn had once actively followed Mary, called the Divine Spear.
But Mary was no longer worthy of his respect.
Not only had she attempted to assassinate the Princess, but her once proud demeanor had vanished, leaving her a shriveled mess.
So Glenn disliked Mary now.
Then, in this recent bout, Krash had shown chivalry fighting for the weak and reached a realm of martial prowess.
Chivalry standing against injustice for his comrades.
The composure to encourage those around him and guide them toward solutions.
And the martial arts to prove his convictions.
Whatever the reality, that's how it looked in Glenn's eyes.
What Krash displayed, despite being the same age, was more than enough to become an object of admiration for Glenn.
I want to be like that.
I want to become someone like him.
The moment that desire took root, Glenn's admiration locked onto Krash.
As a result, Glenn now sparkled like that whenever he saw Krash.
Fifteen years old.
The kind of hero worship common in kids that age.
"Krash, not there—sit here."
And for some reason, there was someone burning with rivalry toward Glenn.
"...Haring Lagren, what are you saying? I said it first."
It was none other than Haring.
She'd been glancing at the door, waiting for Krash, and lit up when he entered.
But when Glenn beat her to it, her brows furrowed slightly.
"Krash is closer to me."
"That's just what you think."
"I went on a mission with Krash."
"That was—"
Glenn started to retort but bit his lip instead.
Haring straightened her back and puffed up a bit at the sight.
And Krash felt inexplicably tired.
What were these idiots doing?
At the same time, Kiran's advice came to mind.
Don't be promiscuous.
But this time, at least one was a guy, so maybe it didn't count?
Krash, unable to stomach more of these barely-adult squabbles, just plopped down in any empty seat.
No way he was sitting next to those two.
But unfortunately, he underestimated them.
The moment he sat, they both got up and flanked him on either side.
He was sandwiched between them in an instant.
"Haring Lagren, aren't you making Krash uncomfortable?"
"That's because you're next to him."
As their bickering began, Krash started feeling that mild headache creep in.
That's when he heard a commotion outside the classroom door.
He turned to look, and there stood a familiar face.
Their eyes met, and she flashed a bright smile, pressing a hand to her lips before blowing him a kiss.
"Yo, my boyfriend."
Darling Danphelion.
The kids immediately started whispering at her words.
Hearing them, Krash recalled the meaning behind Kiran's advice.
Most of those rumors were probably because of this girl's nicknames.
Krash stood and strode over to Darling, grabbing her lips firmly with his hand.
She looked up at him with wide eyes, and he met her gaze.
"Watch your words."
"Mmph, ow."
When she tried to mumble something, he let go, and she rubbed her lips.
"Stealing my first kiss like that. How am I supposed to get married now?"
Krash realized Darling couldn't be silenced.
So he decided to drag her away instead.
She rarely came to the Martial Hall herself.
Her showing up meant something important.
Class wasn't for a bit, so he quickly led her to a secluded spot.
Once there, he released her and turned.
Darling hugged her opposite arm with a coy, girlish expression.
Her fidgeting was oddly irritating.
"Taking me to a deserted place like this. What are you planning? I'll allow it since you're my boyfriend."
"So why'd you come find me yourself?"
Krash cut off her banter and got to the point.
She pouted boredly and said,
"Because the first version is complete."
His face lit up at her words.
The instant enhancement elixir blending curse and poison that he'd commissioned from her.
It was finally complete, at least the first iteration.
"Here."
Knowing his curiosity, Darling promptly untied her pouch and handed over a vial.
It contained about five small pills, like Haring's poison pellets.
"Plenty of room for improvement, but it's usable right now. Effects are as we discussed last time, and the penalties too."
To create something like this.
Krash gripped the vial tightly, looking at her with genuine admiration after so long.
"Darling, you really are a genius."
"Hehe, praise me more."
"Master of Alchemy, Darling Danphelion."
"Hohoho."
Darling covered her mouth in a beaming smile and nodded, satisfied.
"Coming all the way here to deliver it—you must really like how it turned out."
"Well, mixing in a curse was a first for me too, so I wanted to brag. And separately, there's something else I wanted to tell you."
Krash shook the vial and looked at her puzzled.
Something else besides this?
"One of the alchemy students was summoned by Sigrin Epania."
Krash's expression changed in an instant.
Darling vaguely knew Krash was entangled with Sigrin somehow.
She knew well the rift between Sigrin and Charlotte.
Krash was inevitably tied to Sigrin one way or another.
"I snuck a peek at what the guy brought back after."
Darling admitted brazenly to stealing a look.
"Poison?"
"No, something different from poison."
Darling smiled meaningfully and beckoned him closer to whisper.
No one around, but Krash played along.
She leaned in and whispered softly into his ear.
"It's an aphrodisiac. And she stole my recipe for it."
Krash made an incredulous face.
Aphrodisiac aside, why did she have a recipe?
"Interested?"
Her eyes curved slyly, offering it if he wanted.
"Pass."
No use for something like that anyway.
"It was just a toy I whipped up, no big effects, but the guy who stole it, Ballian, is pretty decent at alchemy."
Krash grimaced at the name Ballian.
Monster Alchemist Ballian.
Always overshadowed as the second to Darling, dubbed the Alchemycast Lord, he started churning out weird stuff, earning that moniker.
He'd ditched the royal road since he couldn't beat Darling anyway.
But his skills were legit.
Even Darling back then rated him highly.
'They collaborated on the "Elixir of Life," the pinnacle of alchemy.'
The ultimate substance called the Philosopher's Stone.
These two had created it.
"So he's tweaking it quite a bit. Even snagged some of my boyfriend's hair to ensure proper absorption."
"You left the hair as is?"
"Yeah, thinking I might use it myself once it's done."
Krash stared at her in disbelief, and she winked mischievously.
"Kidding. But stirring suspicion would make countermeasures harder. I just left it untouched."
Classic Darling move.
"...More importantly, what do they plan to use that junk for?"
"No idea."
Darling shrugged.
She'd only come to warn him; she didn't know beyond that.
"Krash, maybe to slip it to you so Sigrin Epania can seduce you?"
Krash covered his mouth.
He nearly retched on the spot.
"...That'll never happen."
Anything but that—if it did, Krash might actually lop off Sigrin's head.
"That's all I came to say."
Darling yawned long and wide.
From her face, she'd clearly pulled an all-nighter perfecting the instant enhancement elixir.
"Good work. I'll repay you later."
"How about setting me up with Charlotte then?"
"Think of a proper reward item."
He never gave ridiculous rewards.
Darling chuckled playfully, bid farewell, and walked off.
As Krash watched her go and turned back to the classroom.
Tat-tat-tat!
He heard footsteps receding down the hall and turned.
There, between short black bobbed hair, a glimpse of purple strands.
"...Haring?"
The professor was due soon, yet she'd bolted—Krash tilted his head.
Just then, Glenn came out and bumped into him.
"Krash."
"What? Something happen?"
Had they fought in that short time?
As Krash wondered, Glenn said with a pale face,
"They say the Poison King was gravely wounded by a World Erosion entity."
An utterly unexpected reply came.