anwhile, Kraush crossed his arms.
“And I have a fiancée.”
“A f-fiancée?”
Karandis, who had finally co to her senses, turned beet red with embarrassnt at the ntion of a fiancée.
“I-I didn’t an it that way….”
She trailed off, trying hard to maintain her smile.
Then, overcoming her embarrassnt, she boldly took a strong stance.
“Having a fiancée doesn’t necessarily an you’ll get married.”
Crazy woman.
Kraush glared at her, wondering if she even knew what she was saying, but she maintained a defiant expression.
Her trembling lips showed her embarrassnt, but her determination to marry him was clear.
This woman was no ordinary person.
Just as Kraush was about to bluntly tell her she wasn’t his type,
soone appeared on the stage.
The mont the students saw him, they all fell silent.
His face was that of an elderly man with a thick white beard, but his muscles were visible through his clothing, leaving everyone in awe.
Although he was well past his pri and had retired, he was once known as one of the strongest individuals under the heavens.
The forr Battle Emperor, Durandal.
A living legend who reached the pinnacle of martial prowess from the ground up with no family backing.
He was also the principal of Rahelrn Academy.
“Welco, new students. I am Durandal.”
The students held their breath.
eting a living legend was naturally overwhelming.
“Before we begin, I have one thing to say to the new students.”
Only Kraush looked as if he had heard it all before.
“I always respect the opinions of my students. So, if you have any suggestions, feel free to visit the principal’s office. However.”
At that mont, Durandal’s arms swelled.
With a ripping sound, his clothes tore off, revealing his massive arms covered in scars.
While the students were montarily stunned, he slamd his arm on the podium.
The podium made of sacred wood split in two.
“The world listens to strength, not weak opinions. In this world, might makes right. The opinions of the weak are not considered.”
Crazy old man.
He seed satisfied, though.
“Oh, Literature students can submit their suggestions in writing.”
He added, thinking he was being kind.
While everyone was still dazed,
another person appeared on the stage.
A man with a humble build and glasses looked even smaller next to the imposing Durandal.
“Hello, students. I am Eradin Judys, the vice-principal who will be responsible for you for the next few years.”
He smiled weakly, seeing that the students were not paying much attention to him.
“Before the entrance ceremony, we will call out the top students from each departnt and present awards. Please co forward when your na is called.”
At this, the students finally began to focus.
Rahelrn Academy was filled with the world’s most talented individuals.
Being the top student here ant being at the pinnacle of talent.
Naturally, the students paid close attention.
“First, from the Literature departnt, Sizelry Ephania.”
The mont that na was called, both Kraush and Mary froze.
‘Sizelry? She wasn’t supposed to join the academy.’
Kraush’s face showed surprise.
Mary, on the other hand, hung her head low.
While the two reacted, a girl with long blue hair tied in buns, symbolizing the empire, appeared on stage.
Her round, gold-tinged eyes sparkled.
She was a small girl due to her frail health.
The 4th Princess of Ephania, Sizelry Ephania.
The hall buzzed with whispers as she appeared.
“It’s the 4th Princess.”
“The empire’s greatest mind.”
“She’s so cute.”
Ignoring the chatter, Sizelry confidently climbed the stage.
She imdiately glanced toward Kraush.
When their eyes t, Kraush froze.
Sizelry was staring directly at him.
Kraush understood her look.
She knew he was Krad.
‘She figured it out already.’
Her observational skills were unparalleled.
“From the Theology departnt, Astria Stigma Freeman.”
Another na was called.
A woman with hair like sunlight stood up, drawing everyone’s attention.
Her natural beauty aside, her prominent chest caught many eyes.
She walked gracefully to the stage, seemingly accustod to the attention.
“As expected of the Saintess, she’s beautiful.”
“Cough, blasphemous thoughts.”
“May the light of Freeman shine.”
With the petite Sizelry beside her, Astria stood out even more.
Astria glanced toward Kraush and quickly averted her eyes when their gazes t.
She was still the sa.
“From the Magic Studies departnt, Aslan Igrit.”
The next na called was Aslan’s.
Unlike before, exclamations ca mainly from the female students.
Despite his improved health, his decadent appearance was perfect for stealing won’s hearts.
For so reason, his uniform seed to move slightly.
Aslan climbed the stage with a wry smile.
“From the Special Arts departnt, Violen Sedney.”
A male student over 2 ters tall with a gloomy face walked onto the stage.
Kraush quietly narrowed his eyes.
He knew who this person was.
“And finally.”
One last na was called.
“From the Martial Arts departnt, Kraush Balheim.”
As Kraush stood, all eyes turned to him.
The Martial Arts departnt was essentially the highlight of Rahelrn Academy.
Being the best in that departnt was akin to being the best at Rahelrn Academy.
Under the intense gaze of the students, Kraush walked onto the stage with a straight back.
No one dared to speak.
They simply watched the star of this entrance ceremony.
Kraush was the last to take the stage.
The five talents who would represent Rahelrn Academy stood before everyone.
***
The rest of the entrance ceremony was uneventful.
After the ceremony, the students had lunch.
Then, they headed to their respective departnts.
With so unexpected free ti during lunch,
Kraush found himself face-to-face with an annoying person.
“Master Kraush, let’s have lunch together!”
It was none other than the 9th Princess of Poseus, Karandis.
Despite feeling ashad from being pushed away earlier,
she seed to have regained her composure when Kraush drew everyone’s attention on stage.
Determined to make him her husband, she looked at Kraush with determination.
Kraush frowned.
Should he hit her?
Just as he was seriously considering it,
“Um, can I join you for lunch too?”
Mary shyly raised her hand behind Karandis.
Following the entrance ceremony, she had been trailing Kraush along with Karandis, waiting for a chance to speak.
Karandis shot her a sharp look.
“Who are you, and why do you keep following Master Kraush?”
As if she was any different.
While Kraush was dumbfounded, Mary flinched under Karandis’s piercing glare.
“…I’m Mary Diana.”
Mary replied in a barely audible voice.
Her ti in prison had made her lose much of her forr confidence.
But Karandis’s eyes grew even more hostile.
“Mary Diana, as in the traitor who tried to assassinate the imperial family?”
Mary’s head drooped even lower.
Her face was covered in cold sweat, and she didn’t know what to do.
“Sigh.”
Karandis sighed, watching her.
“What nerve you have, trying to stick to Master Kraush after attempting to assassinate the imperial family. Are you planning to use him to regain power in Starlon?”
“N-no! I’m loyal to the empire.”
Karandis’s accusations left Mary even more flustered.
Mary Diana, once a candidate for the Empire’s spear and backed by Sigrid, was now a criminal.
Karandis, the 9th princess of Poseus, could treat her however she wanted.
Mary had no standing anymore.
“Shaless. Master Kraush has a fiancée. Aren’t you ashad?”
Are you not ashad yourself?
Realizing her words applied to her as well, Karandis looked embarrassed and glanced at Kraush.
Then, as if it didn’t matter, she winked playfully.
She was out of her mind.
But her words had succeeded in disarming Mary further.
Mary looked like a mouse cornered by a cat.
“Get lost if you don’t want to disgrace Master Kraush’s na.”
Tears welled up in Mary’s eyes.
She couldn’t refute a single word Karandis said.
But Sigrid had ordered her to befriend Kraush.
She couldn’t give up.
Mary held back her tears and looked at Karandis.
Karandis, however, only glared at her more fiercely.
Kraush turned and walked away, leaving them to their argunt.
“Running away after creating this ss?”
Suddenly, a voice caught his attention.
A small girl in an ill-fitting uniform, its sleeves covering her hands, stood there.
Despite being taller than before, she grinned at Kraush.
“Long ti no see, Krad. Oh, I an Kraush.”
It was Sizelry Ephania.
“What’s Krad?”
Kraush pretended not to know.
But Sizelry, unbothered, walked up to him.
“Well…”
She tripped over her own feet.
Instinctively, Kraush caught her.
Sizelry grabbed Kraush’s shoulder.
Her yellow eyes t his up close.
A soft, unique scent from her reached his nose.
“You should know best.”
Her acting was so good that even Kraush was montarily fooled.
No, her slightly red ears indicated it was genuine.
Feigning nonchalance, Sizelry tapped Kraush’s arm.
“Your arm seems fine. You were quite lively during the entrance ceremony.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“If you want to hide it, I’ll play along. But you should behave properly. Won’t you treat as you did when we first t?”
She poked his arm discontentedly.
With a displeased expression, Kraush sighed.
“Fine, Sizelry.”
“Hmm, that’s better.”
Sizelry nodded proudly, arms crossed.
She looked like she deserved a flick on the forehead.
“I heard you forgave Mary.”
Since they were already talking, Kraush decided to ask.
Sizelry had forgiven Mary before her execution.
This earned her the reputation of a rciful princess.
It was unusual for soone who disliked being the center of attention.
“She seed useful to you. Couldn’t let her die.”
Kraush narrowed his eyes.
“She risked her life to save . So, I prepared sothing.”
Sizelry tapped her neck with her finger.
“Put a leash on her.”
Whatever her intuition was, it was sharp.
During the martial arts tournant, Sizelry had observed Kraush’s reaction to Mary.
With her innate intelligence, she deduced that Kraush needed Mary.
She pushed Mary to the brink of execution, then saved her by putting a leash on her, dragging her to the academy as a gift for Kraush.
Kraush looked at Sizelry anew.
Now he understood why Sigrid was so obsessed with her.
If she wanted, she could conquer the empire.
“Not satisfied? I put in a lot of effort. If you want more, I’m all you get. Embarrassing.”
“Stop pretending to be Karandis.”
It wouldn’t work anyway, given the difference in their chests.
“Heh, just checking.”
She grinned mischievously.
“I have much to discuss, but we’re drawing attention.”
Noticing the stares, she stepped back.
“They’re serving Serna Bakery’s strawberry tarts today. If you don’t like sweets, save it for . I love them.”
She knew about a special dessert that wasn’t even announced.
As always, her true nature remained a mystery.
Kraush rubbed his temples, feeling a mild headache.
A woman with hair like sunlight walked toward him.
She twirled her hair and glanced around nervously.
Then, as if deciding sothing, she cleared her throat and approached him.
“…If you don’t have anyone to eat lunch with, you could eat with .”
Hearing Astria’s suggestion, Kraush looked up at the sky with a weary expression.
“I’m skipping lunch.”
Better to just skip it.
End of Chapter
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