“Again.”
“Aghhhhhhhhh!”
As usual, Vioren let out an exaggerated groan of frustration, turned on her heel, and stomped off with heavy steps.
Watching her retreating figure, Kraush thought to himself.
‘She’s found her footing.’
Kraush had always been more perceptive than most.
As the goal of completing the barrier steadily approached, Kraush had already noticed Vioren beginning to sink into a void of emptiness.
Vioren was destined to beco a vital force even among the Skyborne Generation.
Kraush, therefore, carefully considered how he could help her find her own goals and move forward independently.
The solution he arrived at was the clue about her mother, the Barrier Master.
Kraush had long been aware that, deep down, Vioren wanted to et her mother.
‘If it’s her, she’ll handle this herself and keep moving forward.’
Since he had provided her with her next objective, the emptiness he once saw in her face had largely disappeared.
This had the added effect of driving her to improve the barrier more rapidly.
With a clear next goal in sight, she no longer hesitated, producing results without fear.
Kraush casually stretched the back of his neck.
With this, Vioren would no longer need as much of his attention.
[ Do you really think things will go so smoothly? ]
At that mont, Crimson Garden interjected, seemingly unable to let it go.
“What now?”
[ You’ve given her not one, but two life goals. And both tis, she was teetering on the edge of burnout, nearly falling into a pit of emptiness. ]
Crimson Garden clicked her tongue, telling him to assess the situation more clearly.
[ And naturally, there will be a third and a fourth after this. It’s almost certain she’ll co to rely on you more and more. ]
She spoke as though she could see the future unfolding before her eyes.
[ Soon, she’ll depend on you entirely. What do you plan to do then? ]
Kraush pondered her words for a mont, then tilted his head slightly.
“Well, if that happens, I’ll just help her again.”
[ Sotis, your sheer idiocy is truly revolting. ]
Her words were harsh, to say the least.
For so reason, even the dead rat in Kraush’s pocket seed to nod in agreent.
“Lord Kraush! Great work on today’s training!”
Just then, soone suddenly popped their head out from beside him, greeting him enthusiastically.
The woman before him had dark red hair and healthy, tanned skin.
She was Karandis Poseus, the 9th Princess of the Kingdom of Poseus.
As soon as she darted toward him energetically, Kraush instinctively stepped back to avoid her.
Karandis waved her hand in the air, looking disappointed as she gazed at him.
“I was only trying to wipe your sweat! Why are you avoiding ?”
True to her words, there was indeed a towel in her hand.
However, Kraush responded coldly, his tone icy.
“I can take care of my own sweat.”
“Oh my, so shy, aren’t you?”
She was a brazen woman in many ways.
While this was happening, Kraush’s gaze shifted.
At that mont, Haring erged from the training hall, walking outside.
When their eyes t, she flinched and quickly looked away before practically fleeing the training grounds.
Ever since the incident with the Poison King, Haring had been behaving this way—constantly avoiding Kraush.
Because of that, they hadn’t exchanged a single word since.
There wasn’t much Kraush could do if she kept avoiding him.
“Lord Kraush, did sothing happen between you and Lady Haring?”
Karandis asked casually, slipping the question in.
She had a knack for poking into Kraush’s affairs whenever she saw him. Naturally, she was aware of the general circumstances around him.
“It’s nothing.”
Kraush briefly rubbed the back of his neck.
The Poison King had tried to force an engagent, attempting to place the responsibility entirely on Kraush.
Knowing Haring’s nature—how she despised causing trouble for others—it was obvious that she was preoccupied with the incident.
‘I should have a word with her.’
“Hmm, is that so? Oh, speaking of which, I submitted my application to join the Lion Order, but for so reason, it hasn’t been processed yet. Could you ntion it to Lady Charlotte for ?”
“Submit a report.”
Kraush’s response was curt, his tone indifferent.
Unfazed by his cold reaction, Karandis’s unwavering enthusiasm remained undiminished.
“By the way, the midterm exam is coming up soon. Do you think you’ll take first place again, Lord Kraush?”
Midterm exam.
Hearing that, Kraush thought of Mary.
‘She hasn’t shown herself much lately.’
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Mary would undoubtedly make a bold move in the upcoming midterm exam.
She was cornered, after all.
For her, the midterm exam was her final battleground.
‘And then there’s the fake Arthur.’
Kraush had been keeping a steady eye on the movents of the fake Arthur.
However, their actions were lukewarm at best.
They seed to be nothing more than a passive observer.
‘What are they thinking?’
Still, Kraush had his own plans. After this midterm exam, he intended to force the current Arthur into the open.
But before that, there was sothing else that needed to be addressed.
‘It’s almost ti.’
One unavoidable incident was set to occur during this midterm exam—a seemingly fated catastrophe.
‘That incident will inevitably involve Sigrid.’
It was the major event of the first-year students’ midterm evaluation.
A horrifying string of murders committed by a commoner assistant professor who had been ignored by noble students.
This incident would shake Rahern Academy to its core, eventually dragging it into the murky waters of political scheming.
At the ti, it was Arthur who apprehended the serial killer, but only after four victims had already fallen.
That was the mont when Arthur began to garner respect from his peers, becoming a symbol of admiration among the other students.
And Sigrid would undoubtedly use this incident to her advantage—it was the perfect opportunity to cent her place at the center of the Skyborne Generation.
‘Sorry, but…’
Kraush quietly stretched his neck, letting out a soft crack.
‘I won’t let that happen.’
He also knew that this wasn’t his battle to fight.
If a noble like him stepped in to stop a commoner professor, it would only deepen the divide between commoners and nobles, inflaming the conflict further.
Instead, there was soone more suitable for the task.
“Felray.”
Kraush called out to the perfect candidate, who happened to be walking down the hallway.
Felray’s eyes widened when he saw Kraush, and his face broke into a wide, bright smile.
“Krad—ah, Lord Kraush!”
Ignoring Karandis for the mont, Kraush gave Felray a firm tap on the chest.
“You were in shambles back then. You doing alright now?”
“Thanks to you, I’m doing great.”
At Hadenhartz, Felray had been utterly wrecked.
But here he was, looking fit and ready—just the kind of person Kraush needed.
Thanks to that incident, Felray had been bedridden for quite so ti.
In truth, it was Kraush’s abnormally fast recovery rate that was unusual.
For most people, that kind of rest period was completely normal, even necessary.
That’s why today was the first ti Kraush had seen Felray since Hadenhartz.
“Lord Kraush, is this person by any chance…?”
Karandis, feigning ignorance despite clearly knowing, asked the question as if eting Felray for the first ti.
Judging by the sparkle in her eyes, she too understood Felray’s value.
After all, this world had far more commoners than nobles.
As soone hailed as the “Hero of the Commoners,” Felray stood at the center of that vast majority.
Having him by one’s side ant inheriting the unwavering support of countless commoners.
While the less astute dismissed Felray’s worth, calling him overrated, the more cunning individuals had long recognized his significance.
Sigrid, for instance, had kept Felray close for exactly that reason.
“Princess Karandis Poseus, I presu? I am Felray. It’s an honor to et you.”
Felray bowed formally, his once-rustic deanor now polished with courtly etiquette.
It seed his ti at Rahern Academy had truly put him through the wringer.
“Oh my, it’s delightful that you know ! You’re called the Hero of the Commoners, aren’t you? I also heard you made significant contributions on the mission with Lord Kraush.”
“Not at all. That’s far too generous a title.”
Felray replied modestly, flashing a sheepish smile.
At the ntion of the “Hero of the Commoners,” Felray snuck a quick, awkward glance at Kraush, who responded by turning his gaze to Karandis.
Catching Kraush’s look, Karandis tactfully cleared her throat twice and took a step back.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. You two have your conversation.”
With that, Karandis quickly exited, leaving Kraush to turn his attention back to Felray.
Felray, sensing Kraush’s gaze, stood silently, waiting for him to speak.
“You seem like you have a lot of questions.”
Kraush said, breaking the silence.
Felray flinched at the comnt.
After all, discovering that the mysterious mber of the Night Ravens who had participated in the Imperial Martial Tournant was a direct descendant of Valheim—it would naturally stir countless questions.
But Felray shook his head.
“You already answered the most important question when you told I’d find you at the academy. That’s enough for .”
Kraush studied Felray quietly.
Yeah, that’s just the kind of person he’s always been.
For so reason, Kraush let out a slight laugh.
“Relax and speak casually.”
“Ah, but…”
“Do I need to show up as Krad for you to feel comfortable?”
Kraush stretched his fingers out, pulling the corners of his eyes down dramatically. Felray, who had been standing there dumbfounded, slowly began to laugh.
“Alright, I’ll do that.”
“Good. Felray, now that we’re speaking casually as friends, I have a favor to ask.”
“W-what?”
Felray was slightly taken aback, not expecting a request to co so quickly.
However, believing Kraush wouldn’t make a frivolous request, Felray adjusted his expression and straightened up.
“What do you need?”
Smart guy.
“There’s an assistant professor in the Magic Academy nad Jenikalen.”
Felray tilted his head slightly, seemingly unfamiliar with the na—likely because he had no particular knowledge of the Magic Academy.
“There are students who’ve been relentlessly exploiting, harassing, and even assaulting him just because he’s a commoner.”
The next words made Felray’s expression harden.
“I want you to step in and stop those bastards for him.”
“…Kraush, the reason you’re not intervening directly is because of your status, isn’t it?”
Kraush t Felray’s gaze in silence.
“Felray, does the title ‘Hero of the Commoners’ weigh on you?”
Felray had always struggled with that title.
And yet, he constantly tried to et the expectations placed upon him.
In the end, he had crumbled while chasing after hope, hoping to be a beacon of light for others. Kraush knew that better than anyone.
“Of course, it must be exhausting. People around you keep piling expectations onto you, and the commoners are all looking up to you—it’s enough to drive anyone crazy.”
Felray pressed his lips together tightly and turned his gaze away.
For a boy of 16, barely a year into adulthood, it was an unbearably heavy burden to carry.
That was why he hesitated with this request.
Though his sincere desire to help the assistant professor stirred his heart, he feared that clashing with the noble students would bring harm to the other commoners.
“If it’s that hard, then don’t try to et their expectations.”
Felray raised his head, his face a mix of confusion and curiosity.
“What do you an?”
“Just do what you can.”
“What I can do?”
“You’re good at sticking your nose into other people’s business, aren’t you? You even tried to pull out of the Night Ravens back then.”
“T-that’s because.”
Felray’s face turned beet red as he pressed his hands against his cheeks, trying to hide his embarrassnt.
Felray’s earlier remark had been an unwitting blunder, made without knowing Kraush’s true identity.
“Back then, that’s just the kind of person you were. And honestly, I don’t think you’ve changed much since then.”
There was no need for Felray to act as a representative of commoners or worry about the opinions of others.
“Just be yourself.”
Felray shone brightest when he acted true to himself.
When Kraush said this, Felray’s clenched fists tightened with resolve.
For so long, he had hesitated and held back because of the weight of being seen as the “Hero of the Commoners.”
Kraush’s words struck straight at Felray’s heart, clearing the fog that had clouded his mind.
“That’s when you look your best.”
Kraush gave Felray a light pat on the shoulder.
“Just do your best at what you can do. I’ll do my best at what I can do too.”
The idea was simple: both would focus on their strengths and leave the rest to the other.
“What you can’t do, I’ll handle. And what I can’t do, you’ll take care of. Isn’t that how it works?”
That statent made it clear—Kraush saw Felray as an equal.
It was a stark contrast to Sigrid, who treated Felray as a subordinate.
“Co on, I saved your life once. You can handle this one little favor, can’t you?”
Kraush added playfully, making his request seem almost trivial.
Felray couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
For so reason, it felt like a part of the heavy weight on his chest had been lifted.
“Alright. I’ll do it my way.”
It was the best response Kraush could have hoped for.
As Felray spoke, Kraush gave him a casual wave and walked past him.
The Hero of the Commoners, Felray.
Kraush left with the expectation that Felray would shine brighter than anyone under that title.
Translators note:
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