Chapter: 191
After wrapping up his promise with Charlotte, Kraush parted ways with her and began to walk away.
Before long, he sensed an approaching presence nearby.
When Kraush turned his head, he saw a striking woman with ash-colored hair tied up, looking like a shark.
“Hey, little bro!”
Seeing her brush off what could have been a serious crisis earlier, Kraush let out a sigh.
“What are you acting so relaxed for when the moment Rona goes off the rails, the secret of Crimson Garden could be exposed?”
“Ha ha ha, I admit that was a bit nerve-wracking. But Rona’s a bit scatterbrained, though she never lies!”
Well, it seems she shares the scatterbrained trait herself, but that’s beside the point.
Anyway, she let out her hearty laugh and placed her hand on her hip.
“So, did you specifically call me for a reason?”
“Keep a close eye on Rona Imblize.”
Upon hearing that, her eyes sparkled for a moment.
“Rona didn’t point to anyone in particular, huh? You’re calculating that a servant of the Black Witch will show up beside her?”
Taria, proving her intelligence as a magic user, grasped the situation right away.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
“Yes, from the Black Witch’s perspective, she wouldn’t want her planted servant to be exposed.”
If Rona were to accidentally spill the beans about the servants of the World Erosion, it would be a significant blow on their side.
Naturally, the Black Witch would want to dispose of Rona before that could happen.
Taria, being a first-year student, had more freedom to keep an eye on Rona compared to second-year student Kraush.
“Of course, aside from that, it’s still good to keep monitoring her.”
After hearing Kraush’s words, Taria tilted her head curiously.
“Is there another reason?”
“Just keeping my options open.”
Taria crossed her arms, giving a thoughtful hum and a snort.
“Then if things get dangerous, just call through Crimson Garden. I’ll rush right over.”
Kraush casually pointed to the sky.
There was a crow leisurely soaring through the air above.
Taria glanced up at the sky and grinned.
“Do I look that weak? I could handle myself just fine even without you, little bro!”
As the head of the Magic Department’s first-year students, her pride was quite high.
Especially since she belonged to Crimson Garden; she must’ve picked up a lot of magic and skills.
But the world isn’t just about that.
“If I’m in trouble, I’ll ask for help.”
Taria had just turned 16.
She was undoubtedly a genius, likely to become one of the Ten Great Lords in the future.
However, that was all in the future.
Currently, according to the world standards, she couldn’t be considered that strong yet.
It seemed she hadn’t had much worldly experience and was still somewhat of a fledgling.
So even a genius like her could make a mistake at any moment.
“Especially with the servants of the World Erosion, even if you’re highly skilled, showing off doesn’t help.”
The servants of the World Erosion possess special powers not found in this world.
They create unexpected variables with their own unique training methods.
Kraush had seen countless people die due to such variables.
Naturally, Taria wouldn’t be exempt from those dangers.
“So just call out if anything happens. Two heads are better than one, right?”
“...Hmmm.”
Taria, who had been crossing her arms while listening, eventually released them and adjusted her glasses.
“You’re quite the little old man, aren’t you? Reminds me of the instructors at the Mage Tower.”
“Just call it maturity.”
“Well, I suppose 15 is the age when one likes to feel mature.”
She smiled knowingly, recalling her own similar phase.
Sorry, but I’ve lived at least ten years longer than you.
But Taria had no way of knowing that.
“Alright then. I’ll take your advice, little bro.”
With a wave, Taria turned and left.
Kraush felt a bit unsettled watching her leave.
It made sense, considering that Taria had made a similar mistake in the past due to her pride.
That incident had led her to stay holed up in the Mage Tower.
“Taria, there’s just one thing you should remember.”
Kraush called out to her back.
“The Black Witch can plant servants in others without their consent.”
“Of course.”
“No, what I’m asking goes deeper. Do you have a specific goal in getting stronger?”
Kraush blinked in surprise.
It was because of the serious look in Durandal’s eyes that made him take notice.
Goals.
Of course, I have one.
Back in his desperate days, Kraush lived a pointless life until he made a singular goal.
It was to prevent the world from destruction.
That was the only goal Kraush ever had in his life.
Driven by that singular urgency, he never rested, craving strength.
Had he sensed it?
Even without receiving an answer, Durandal slowly began to smile.
“Those who hold onto their goals become endlessly strong. I’ve seen many such individuals.”
In a time of upheaval, Durandal had witnessed many grow in their own ways or fail along the way.
And wishing for even one extra person not to falter, he built Rahern Academy.
“There was an ancient prophecy passed down from the previous Supreme Sefira.”
The Sefira family, known for astrology, had its prophecy etched in Durandal’s memory.
“I won’t mention the details as revealing the prophecy as that chains you to fate...”
Kraush caught Durandal’s keen gaze, reflecting the intensity of the moment.
“I believe, Kraush, that you are someone who aligns with that prophecy.”
Kraush wore a puzzled frown.
He couldn’t understand what Durandal was trying to imply by taking so long to get to the point.
“Do you know of the Forbidden Art, Dragon’s Fall?”
“D-Dragon’s Fall?”
It was a lethal spell said to summon a disaster dragon.
Durandal had used this to thwart countless servants of the World Erosion.
Because Dragon’s Fall was an anti-World Erosion technique like no other.
Through this art, Durandal had managed to redeploy the powers of the World Erosion against their own.
One notable example was Jenicalen, the associate professor of magic, caught during the noble kidnapping incident.
“I have never produced a successor for the Dragon’s Fall. I have no children, nor have I encountered a worthy master.”
At that moment, Kraush’s eyes opened wide.
It was because he finally understood what Durandal was trying to convey.
“Dragon’s Fall.”
A smile graced Durandal’s lips.
“Kraush, would you like to learn?”
Become the successor of Tuhwang Durandal.
He was essentially saying that.
Kraush froze in disbelief.
It was an utterly absurd stroke of luck.
Facing the servants of the World Erosion, Ikshion next, learning Dragon’s Fall would grant him immense power.
However, there was a problem to consider.
Namely, Kraush himself wielded the power of World Erosion.
Using Dragon’s Fall would mean crashing against the very forces he currently possessed.
It was a path opposite to the one Kraush was currently treading.
What the outcome would be, even he couldn’t predict.
But Kraush wasn’t stupid enough to pass up the opportunity in front of him.
Life was always filled with risks.
What’s most rewarding is how greatly one can overcome those risks—Kraush knew that better than anyone.
‘There has to be a way to wield Dragon’s Fall.’
Thoughts raced through Kraush’s mind.
‘Ah.’
In that instant, a lightning bolt of inspiration struck him.
Just one.
Just one.
If he were to acquire that curse, he could create absurd results.
By sheer coincidence, Kraush was planning to go meet Veltoa Lacroix to obtain the ultimate curse.
As if the puzzle pieces clicked into place, he took another step closer to thwarting the destruction of the world.
Kraush’s blue irises shone fiercely.
“I’ll learn.”
Those with a goal become strong.
That fitted Kraush perfectly.