Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Calm Before the Storm

***

“Since I’ve only stayed in the palace, I’m quite curious whenever I hear stories about famous people. I can be a bit nosy.”

At that, the snake brothers behind Sigrid chimed in simultaneously.

“Miss Sigrid isn’t nosy; she’s kind.”

“Right. She’s the type to approach and speak to others first.”

The two of them then looked at Kraush and Dorma with slight disapproval.

Kraush, Charlotte’s brother, was Sigrid’s enemy.

Knowing this, Dorma approaching Kraush was naturally annoying to them.

Dorma flinched under their sharp gazes and shrank her shoulders.

She was particularly sensitive to intense looks.

Kraush stepped forward, blocking the two men’s gazes directed at Dorma.

“I asked for this, so please don’t blame Dorma too much.”

“M-Mr. Kraush.”

Dorma’s voice was flustered.

After all, she had been the one to initiate the conversation outside the classroom.

But Kraush, stopping her, looked at Sigrid.

Sigrid, after a moment of eye contact with Kraush, gave a short laugh.

“Of course. I’m actually grateful to Dorma for giving me the chance to talk with you, Mr. Kraush. I heard you defeated an Erosion Species almost at the 7-star level on your last mission. As a fellow student, I’m very proud.”

She naturally praised Kraush, displaying a haughty smile.

Unlike Karandis, who pushed with physical contact, Sigrid made people hers in a different way.

When someone with the royal background and beauty of Sigrid praised you.

Many people would be unconsciously captivated by her.

But there are always exceptions.

“No. It’s all thanks to my sister. I didn’t do much.”

Sigrid flinched.

“By sister, you mean Miss Charlotte?”

“Yes, I owe her a lot.”

Kraush understood what Sigrid suspected.

She suspected Charlotte was also a returnee.

So he reinforced her suspicions.

“It seems you have a good relationship with your sister.”

“It’s not bad.”

“I’m envious. I don’t have a good relationship with my family. It’s unfortunate. I haven’t even seen my sister who just entered the academy.”

That sister was none other than Sizelry Ephania.

“My sister almost died. And I, as her older sister, wasn’t there for her. It’s all my fault that our family is like this.”

How utterly hypocritical.

“Oh, I’ve taken too much of your time. I’m sorry. Miss Dorma, please be careful not to bother Mr. Kraush. I had a great time talking to you, Mr. Kraush.”

“I’m glad. It was also a pleasure to confirm that Miss Sigrid is a good person.”

[That was quite harsh.]

To those who didn’t know the truth, it seemed like an ordinary conversation.

But those who knew felt the underlying harshness.

“Yes, until next time.”

Sigrid decided to end the conversation.

But left a meaningful remark.

“Oh, by the way, the midterm evaluation is coming soon. It’s the first midterm at Rahelrn Academy, so I hope you do well, Mr. Kraush.”

Nonsense.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Kraush hid his true feelings and expressed gratitude.

Sigrid smiled once more before leaving.

As she exited the Special Arts classroom, she continued to draw attention.

At that moment, someone hurriedly opened the classroom door and ran in.

“Kraush.”

It was Haring.

Though her sub-major was Special Arts, her main major was Martial Arts.

So she had been training on the Martial Arts side.

She must have heard about Sigrid’s visit belatedly and glanced at the door as she approached Kraush.

“Are you okay?”

She seemed worried, wondering if something had happened.

“Do you think anything would happen? Just had a little talk.”

Kraush responded, indicating there was no problem, and Haring sighed softly.

“I thought you’d fight.”

“...Do you think I’m a brawler?”

Haring didn’t answer, just stared at Kraush.

“Oh my, Kraush, what are you doing bringing girls into my room so often?”

Appearing out of nowhere, Darling spoke with a grin.

She must have figured out the situation beforehand.

Her eyes rolled.

She vaguely recalled Kraush standing by Arthur.

In a crisis, someone’s help could make that person hers for sure.

Sigrid thought of Kraush’s interest in curses.

Maybe she could guide him.

“Hmm.”

With a short hum, her steps grew lighter.

She might be able to come up with a good plan.

***

Inside Kraush’s room.

Sitting on the floor with his eyes closed, Kraush focused on the power of Nox within him.

Based on his memories of using Heavenly Slaughter Star against Decarabia, he was practicing.

“Ugh!”

Kraush swallowed a groan and slowly opened his eyes.

Sweat drenched his body.

He barely managed to suppress the overwhelming killing intent of the Heavenly Slaughter Star through Doll’s Eye.

After taking a deep breath, he brushed his bangs aside.

‘It was almost a miracle.’

At the time, driven by desperation, he had used Heavenly Slaughter Star.

Trying again now, he realized how reckless it had been.

[You’re still not skilled enough. It’s too early to handle the Heavenly Slaughter Star.]

“Right. I need more training.”

It was fair to say he had been lucky to wield the full power of the Heavenly Slaughter Star against Decarabia.

‘If I had been truly lucky, I wouldn’t have faced such a situation in the first place.’

Handling the Heavenly Slaughter Star freely was still beyond him.

But he was gradually finding a way.

Thanks to Nox, he could easily use Lunar Body even during the day.

‘Time to have lunch and head to the Martial Arts training ground.’

Having spent the morning on personal training, Kraush decided to participate in Martial Arts training today.

“Have you finished your training, sir?”

As Kraush opened the door, Alicia, who had been waiting in a chair, came running.

She handed him a wet towel, and Kraush wiped his face with it.

“Why isn’t Miss Lirina here?”

“She’s cleaning Master Aslan’s room today.”

Although Lirina often talked with Alicia in this room, she hadn’t forgotten her duties as Aslan’s maid.

“Alicia, I plan to have lunch and then go to the training ground.”

“I’ll tidy up the room while you’re gone, sir.”

“Thanks.”

With Alicia seeing him off, Kraush headed straight to the dormitory cafeteria for lunch.

‘The enhancement elixir research seems to be going well.’

Lately, Darling and Dorma had practically been living in the alchemy room.

Naturally, Darling had been writing papers on curse neutralization, and Dorma, a curse expert, was a perfect match.

Thanks to their efforts, the enhancement elixir research was progressing smoothly.

They said the first test batch would be ready soon.

‘No immediate moves from Sigrid’s side.’

Though some time had passed since their meeting, Sigrid remained quiet.

She seemed to have plans but wasn’t acting on them yet.

‘Perhaps because Charlotte hasn’t returned yet.’

With many first-year students, including Charlotte, still on missions, the academy was generally quiet.

With the first-years absent, only the sounds of second-year students training echoed daily.

Kraush felt a sense of calm before the storm.

‘What happened around this time?’

Though the world had changed significantly, he thought he might deduce the general situation.

Deep in thought, he eventually reached the cafeteria.

As he entered, he saw many students ordering food.

It was peak lunchtime, so it was crowded.

“Hey, look. It’s Mr. Kraush Balheim.”

With so many people around, Kraush immediately felt their eyes on him.

If he had companions, it might have been different, but being alone made him more noticeable.

‘Should I just grab something and eat outside?’

Thinking of getting a sandwich, he moved forward.

He spotted a familiar hair color and slowly turned his head.

The person looked at him, flinched, and quickly averted their gaze.

“Astria?”

Called by Kraush, she finally looked back at him with a slightly annoyed expression.

“Seems you’re doing well.”

Astria Stigma Freeman.

The Saintess.