I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills - Chapter 124

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 124. Bianca’s Letter

Upon leaving the Ruins, Krash sought treatment first, with Haring at his side.

Though the others bore their wounds, Krash and Haring had suffered the most grievously.

Krash’s condition hardly needed mention.

As for Haring, standing beside Krash had cost her dearly—full-body burns and the toll of channeling White Jade throughout the battle.

Her body, struck by Decarabia, was nothing short of devastated.

That both of them managed to cling to consciousness and stumble out of the Ruins was nothing short of miraculous.

So it was the Ssangadan students trained in Magic and Theology, waiting outside, who tended to them first.

After hasty treatment was complete,

Krash returned safely to Debram with the rest of them.

Upon their return, Debram received all members of Ssangadan with generous hospitality.

It was their way of showing gratitude for handling a task that had proven troublesome for them.

Yet Krash declined their goodwill and chose instead to return to the Academy.

“Understood. I’ll have preparations made for your departure right away.”

Anyx raised no objection to Krash’s decision.

Krash was not a formal member of Ssangadan, and with the task complete, there was no reason to press him to stay.

“Oh, before you go—one small favor, if you would.”

Before departing, Krash asked Anyx to send one of Debram’s famous desserts to an address.

When Anyx’s expression turned questioning—the address being Cheong Song Manor—Elfin offered a hint.

“Ah, looking after your fiancée.”

And soon Anyx smiled faintly.

“Right, you do cherish her. Very well. I’ll see it sent.”

Krash nodded.

“I’ll go with you.”

And so Haring, too, decided to return with Krash.

She had no reason to remain in Ssangadan, centered as it was in Staron.

“Then I’m off. We’ll discuss the research matter later.”
“All right.”

Krash sent off Haring, who insisted on escorting him to his room, and returned to his own.

His eyelids had grown so heavy that he could bear it no longer.

The moment his head touched the pillow, he collapsed into sleep.

There was no other way to recover from the toll of using the Flame Destruction Asura.

As Krash lay sprawled in sleep, a few voices drifted past his ears.

“Good grief, you again in this state, and thank heavens I heard and came to check on you. This isn’t something natural rest can heal. Why didn’t you go for treatment instead of just sleeping it off in the dormitory?”

It must have been Astria’s voice.

Though he’d heard it only half-awake, the way his body felt lighter suggested she had indeed come to see him.

But the pull of sleep was too strong, and Krash drifted back under without managing a single word.

Time passed, and three days had slipped away.

At last, Krash’s eyes snapped open.

…….

From sleeping so long, his eyes felt dim and heavy as he surveyed the room around him with a slight frown.

His dormitory room.

So even half-delirious from the cost of using the Flame Destruction Asura, his instinct to return home had carried him here.

—–.
—That’s right.

At that moment, he heard voices conversing beyond the door.

Krash pushed himself up, aware of a dull ache settling in his head.

When he moved his body lightly, testing it, everything responded without issue.

He’d thought he’d heard Astria’s voice in his dreams, and it seemed she had indeed treated him.

‘I should thank her properly next time we meet.’

When Krash rose from the bed and opened the door, he found two people drinking tea there.

One was Alisha, his maidservant, whose brown hair stood out noticeably.

And the other was Lirena, Aslan’s personal maidservant.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

Lirena turned to see him and called out with a bright smile.

Krash stared at her blankly for a moment, then blinked.

She had once transferred to become his personal maidservant after Aslan’s death.

Seeing her the moment he opened his eyes brought those old memories flooding back.

Without meaning to, nostalgia stirred something bittersweet in his chest.

“Master Krash, I trust you slept well.”

In the meantime, Alisha handed Krash a wet cloth and asked him politely.

Krash wiped his face with the wet cloth she’d given him.

The warmth of it helped him gather his senses.

“Why is Lirena here?”
“Well, everyone’s in class right now. We attendants have our break time.”

Right, that was it.

Krash handed the wet cloth back to Alisha.

After wiping his face, he thought he really ought to take a proper bath.

“They’re saying you pushed yourself too hard again. Why do I always feel like you’re the one collapsing?”
“It’s unavoidable.”

It wasn’t as though he wanted to collapse.

Still, this time he’d managed to keep his wits about him on the way back before he gave out, so it could’ve been worse.

“Please think of the people around you a little more. So many care about you—Aslan does, and of course I do too.”

But Lirena had a point, so he nodded.

In that moment, Lirena fumbled about and produced a letter.

“And while you were sleeping, a letter arrived for you.”
“A letter?”
“I wonder who it’s from? The recipient’s name is right here.”

Seeing her teasing smile, Krash took the letter.

He recognized the sender at once.

‘Bianca.’

Krash opened the letter.

The page was filled from edge to edge with handwriting.

Bianca’s hand.

She had beautiful penmanship.

Perhaps from always having her nose in a book since childhood.

Her letters looked as though they’d been lifted straight from a page.

Krash read through Bianca’s letter slowly.

[Dear Krash of Balheim,

Thank you so much for the Fig Cookie. It was wonderfully sweet and delicious.

Spring seems to be ending before I know it.

There’s still so long until spring comes again next year, but I find myself wishing it would arrive sooner.

These days I sometimes sleep in Krash’s room.

It feels peaceful because his warmth still seems to linger there.

But being by his side is always better.

Master Zena has become stricter with me lately.

She says I have considerable talent.

That’s why I’ve been learning the Secret Blade Technique recently.

She says it doesn’t suit me well since my hands are rather small.

But Krash’s hands are big.

I’m training hard so I can soon attend Rahelern Academy with Krash.

I worry that he might be pushing himself too hard when I’m not around.

During the day it’s fine, but every night when I sleep, I think of him.

That’s why I ration the fig confections he gave me, eating just a little each night.

When I eat them, it feels like a gift from him, and it makes me happy.

Speaking of which, I heard that Eli, who’s been my attendant, is getting married.

Will I marry Krash someday like that?

Eli looked so beautiful at the ceremony, but I’m told I’ll be far more beautiful later.

Does Krash like pretty things?

I want to see him soon.

Bianca of House Haden Hartz.]

By the time Krash finished reading the letter, he was smiling.

Only then did Krash notice the corners of his mouth had lifted, and as he touched his lips, his eyes met Lirena’s.

“Are you that pleased?”
“…One can hardly maintain a gloomy expression while reading a letter.”
“Even accounting for that, affection is practically pouring from your face.”

Krash let out a small cough.

The letter had conveyed Bianca’s feelings so directly that he’d smiled without thinking.

Krash carefully folded the letter and placed it back in its envelope.

Hearing that she was rationing the fig confections, he thought he should send her more things.

“Ah, I was curious too.”
“You shouldn’t be reading someone else’s letter.”
“Well, that may be true…”

Lirena cast a sideways glance at Krash with a slightly petulant air.

“You’re more sentimental than I’d have guessed, Krash. You’ve only been at Rahelern Academy a short time, and here you are treasuring a single letter like that.”
“Isn’t that normal?”
“It’s not. I wish I had someone like that. I’m envious.”

With that, Lirena rose from her seat.

“I wonder if I’ll ever find a good man. It’s lonely being alone.”

Krash watched her walk out through the door.

Seeing her departing figure, various thoughts crossed his mind—but he pushed them aside.

After all, these were feelings he’d harbored for his first love before the regression.

“You’ll meet a good person, Lirena.”

As Krash spoke, Lirena turned her head slightly to look back at him.

“There’s no way to meet the best person out there.”

With that loaded remark, Lirena opened the door and left.

Watching her go, Krash absently touched his neck.

-Awake now?

In that moment, Crimson Garden’s voice reached him.

Hearing her voice brought his focus back.

-Up and already chasing after women, tsk tsk.
“I should’ve been looking for you instead.”
-Idiot. I’m female too.

Well, that’s true enough.

“Crimson Garden, how are things on Wolmyo’s end?”
-Nothing unusual. That fool Irma was probably just a seed the Jade Hare woman threw down as a test. She wouldn’t have cared about him from the start.

That was fortunate news, at least.

If Wolmyo came looking for him over the death of her servant, it would be nothing but a headache.

Krash tidied up Bianca’s letter, stepped into his room, and carefully placed it in a drawer.

Then he checked the time.

Classes would be wrapping up soon.

“Have all the other squads returned from their missions?”
-Some have, some haven’t yet.
“Then I’ll have classes starting tomorrow.”

Normally, after receiving a mission and returning, squads receive a recharge period of about a week to a month, depending on the squad, for rest and training.

So Krash, who didn’t yet belong to any squad, would have to wait until all the squads returned.

In the meantime, like his classmates, he’d be attending classes and training.

By the time the other squads returned and began accepting formal missions in earnest, he’d find himself venturing beyond the Academy walls once more.

But Krash had things to do before those squads came back.

‘I should go find Haring.’

The research into poisons and curses he’d discussed with Haring.

There were a few experiments he wanted to run in that direction.

So Krash bathed and timed his departure to coincide with when the Martial Arts class would be ending.

Perhaps it was because classes were still in session.

The path toward the Martial Arts Hall was quite quiet.

True to its newness, the walkway resembled a comfortable park path at first glance.

Doubtless it had been deliberately designed that way for students forced to fight fiercely every day.

Krash arrived at the Martial Arts Hall while gazing up at the Divine Wood still shedding its petals without restraint.

From the direction of the training grounds came a sudden burst of chatter and noise.

The class had apparently just ended.

Martial Arts classes at the Hall were conducted together—first year and second year students alike.

For that reason, even at a glance, the number of students was considerable.

‘Good timing.’

Krash leaned against the wall near the entrance to the training grounds with a satisfied air, waiting.

Soon students began filing out one by one.

Some of them recognized Krash.

“Oh, it’s Krash of Balheim. I heard he was bedridden. He’s recovered?”
“Looks like he’s waiting for someone.”
“Did you hear what the Ssangadan members were saying? They said he obliterated a 7-Star Grade Invasive Species in a single strike.”
“Very Balheim of him. Is he as much of a monster as Charlotte?”

Murmurs reached his ears from several directions.

Most of those who spoke openly, knowing full well that Krash could hear them, were first-year students.

Those confident in their own abilities and status.

Such students no longer feared the name Balheim alone.

Krash understood well that these were the very ones who would eventually lead the Starry Generation.

And among them were those who harbored no goodwill toward him.

“What’s so special about Balheim anyway? Is there going to be another one like Charlotte?”
“Hah, how amusing.”

The name Balheim could just as easily kindle competitive spirit in certain types.

‘I can roughly tell which unit didn’t come back.’

Krash scanned the gathered personnel and made an educated guess about which squad was missing.

“See? I told you I was stronger.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. You got lucky with one hit.”
“But I sent them flying just now!”

Just then, Krash spotted the second-year students who had been placed in the advanced class alongside him.

One was Balak, one of the Three Wonders of Staron like Anyx.

The other was Glen, Mary’s younger cousin.

‘If those two are here…’

Krash shifted his gaze toward the back.

Sure enough, another figure was walking out from inside.

It was none other than the fake Arthur.

Subtly different from the real Arthur, his face had an irritating quality to it.

He made eye contact with Krash as he stepped outside.

Krash didn’t particularly avoid his gaze.

Looking away now would only raise more suspicion.

‘I need to dig into that bastard’s true nature.’

He was the only one who could possibly connect him to Arthur, who remained utterly mysterious.

And recently, Krash had thought of a way to draw him out.

Though it would require meeting with Charlotte first.

The Leo Squad still hadn’t returned from their mission, it seemed.

In the meantime, the fake Arthur casually turned his head and walked away as if uninterested.

“Ah, Krash!”

Just as Krash was turning his attention from Arthur, Balak spotted him and cheerfully waved his hand.

Still short for a man, his bouncing in place looked far too young for an adult.

“Stop bouncing around like that.”

Glen, standing beside him, offered a gentle rebuke.

Having gone out on missions as part of the same unit, these two had apparently grown quite close.

It was likely thanks to Balak’s excellent social skills.

“Anyx mentioned you had a rough time, but you look fine now!”
“Yeah, but I don’t see Haring. Where is she?”

As the others emerged but Haring still hadn’t appeared, Krash asked—and Balak pointed inside.

“She’s probably still training. She does that every day.”

So it seemed she wasn’t coming out.

I’d have to go in and check.

“Krash Balheim.”

The moment I stepped forward, Glen called out to me.

When Krash glanced at him, Glen stood with his spear lowered, speaking quietly.

“May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”

Once Krash gave his permission, Glen—who had been silent until then—opened his mouth.

“…How do you see Mary Diana as she is now?”

Once, Glen had revered Mary like a god.

But by now, Mary had become all but broken.

Glen seemed to dislike this version of Mary intensely.

‘No, it’s not quite that simple.’

Krash, quick to read people’s hearts, sensed what emotion Glen harbored toward Mary.

And it was not something he should touch on just now.

“I don’t know. I haven’t fought her yet, so how would I?”

Instead, a thought crossed his mind.

Could Glen perhaps possess the very move to bring Mary crashing down once and for all?

“…I see.”

Glen heard Krash’s words and soon thanked him for answering before he left.

A dull fellow.

Krash received Balak’s greeting as well, then stepped into the training hall.

Inside, he saw Haring gripping a Secret Blade, facing off against an Invasive Species conjured by magic.

The instructor in charge of the training was nowhere to be seen.

Knowing who taught the Martial Arts class, Krash figured he’d already left for the day.

“Haring.”

Sorry to interrupt her focus, but if he didn’t, she’d train all day like that—so Krash called out her name.

Only then did Haring turn to look his way.

Her hair, a dark shade mixed with violet, widened in her eyes the moment they met Krash’s.

“Krash!”

She looked like a cat meowing at her butler for taking so long to come home, as if to say, “Why are you only just getting here?”

Haring quickly set down her Secret Blade and made to come toward him.

But then she noticed the state she was in from training, hesitated, and tugged at her sleeve while sniffing at it.

Apparently she was worried about the smell of sweat.

Krash, watching her quietly, let out a light laugh.

“Aren’t you hungry.”

Let’s grab something to eat and talk for a bit.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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