I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills - Chapter 137

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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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Episode 137. The Schemes All Came to Light

The recent match between the Imperial Faction and Staron had caused quite a stir for some time.

Naturally, when the arena in the Training Ground was destroyed, word reached the faculty’s ears.

But the faculty members didn’t particularly reproach the students for it.

Such incidents happened fairly often in Martial Arts after all.

Still, they did receive a mild scolding.

“Krash, I understand how things unfolded, but I’d appreciate it if you could exercise a bit more restraint.”

The one tasked with delivering this rebuke was none other than Associate Professor Kairun.

The Pirate Empress Kairun.

She, who had been defeated by Krash during the entrance exam, looked at him with a weary expression.

This was because the other associate professors, who had to clean up the arena, had pushed her to come ask Krash for restraint.

Since Krash hadn’t seen her face once since the entrance exam, he scratched his head awkwardly.

He knew well enough how much trouble superiors’ indiscretions caused those beneath them.

“Of course, I will.”

When Krash answered readily, Kairun’s eyes widened with surprise.

The Krash she’d seen in the entrance exam had displayed a tyrannical momentum and an arrogance that even provoked the associate professor.

Of course, she’d later noticed that beneath that arrogance lay an intention to catch his opponent off-guard.

Even accounting for all that, he was none other than Charlotte’s younger brother.

She’d expected him not to particularly concern himself with others’ efforts, just as she did.

But he clearly showed an awareness of others’ hardship.

It was an uncommon maturity for someone his age.

Children this age typically prioritized their own pride and dignity, so they’d grumble about being asked to hear such things with full knowledge of the circumstances.

Especially those of noble birth did so even more.

And here was Krash, who had personally bested Associate Professor Kairun.

His pride should have been sky-high, disregarding the professors entirely.

The reason the other associate professors had gone so far as to push Kairun was only because she’d lost once, so they asked her to accept the consequences.

But Krash, unlike his peers, was mature.

He knew how to acknowledge his own wrongdoing and showed consideration for others’ labor.

“Krash, did you perhaps lie about your age when you enrolled?”

When Kairun asked the question casually, Krash blinked.

Then he stifled a brief laugh before responding.

“And how old do I appear to you, then?”

For some reason, the image came to mind of an older professor slyly asking a freshly appointed assistant professor about his age.

“You seemed mature, so I was merely making a joke.”

In any case, this was a strange student.

“At all events, thank you for understanding. Everyone knows that Krash applies himself conscientiously to his studies, so if you simply exercise caution in those respects, both I and the other professors will hold you in very high regard.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Then I shall take my leave… Oh.”

Kairun, who had been about to depart, suddenly remembered there was something else to say.

As Krash looked at her questioningly, she spoke with some delicacy.

“And furthermore, do be careful about your conduct with women—it’s far too loose. While such behavior is common at that age, it invites misfortune.”

And her next words were enough to leave Krash looking utterly befuddled.

“…I beg your pardon?”
“It’s natural for a man to be fond of women, of course. But there is a saying—excess brings its own ruin.”

Kairun was already resolute.

And so Krash shook his head to clear it and spoke hastily.

“…I’m not certain what misunderstanding you’ve labored under, but I’ve never conducted myself in any such manner.”
“Is that so? Yet the other assistant professors say that different women visit you every day… and that you’ve even taken another student’s attendant into your quarters.”

Krash felt a faint throb of pain in his head.

His circle did include many women, so the first accusation was unavoidable in that sense, but the second was unmistakably about Lilina.

Krash exhaled shortly and regarded Kairun with troubled eyes.

“There’s truly nothing like that to concern yourself with. Besides, I already have a betrothed.”

Krash recalled recent events and contemplated his marriage to Bianca in earnest.

By next year she would be fifteen, and there would be nothing improper about holding the ceremony then.

‘Though Bianca would have to be willing, of course.’

It should be acceptable to sound out her wishes without coercion.

—How amusing that you think marriage will solve this.

At that moment, Krash heard the Crimson Garden’s mocking voice echo in his thoughts.

—Even if you marry, with women flocking around you, everyone will mark you as a lecher who seduces them even after wedding vows. Your infamy will only deepen, not fade. Do you truly believe it will weaken?

Krash’s expression hardened.

If that were the case, then marriage wouldn’t solve anything at all.

—That’s why I keep telling you: cut ties with her already.

I don’t know why your conclusions always land in the same place.

—If you’d just stop flirting your way through every corner, this wouldn’t happen. A man with a pretty face and connections getting used to women? Tsk.

Krash let Crimson Garden’s words go in one ear and out the other, then turned to face Kairun.

“In any case, it was truly a misunderstanding. If there are many such rumors, I’ll be more careful.”
“My apologies for the misunderstanding. Thank you for your understanding.”

After parting ways with Kairun, Krash began walking down the Corridor.

He was planning to return soon, as Martial Arts class would be starting shortly.

As he walked, Krash’s face was clouded with conflicting emotions.

It seemed life had a way of burdening you with woman troubles whether you asked for them or not.

‘Should I really take a hard look at my usual conduct?’

If only he actually lived up to the rumors—charming women left and right like some rake.

Krash had no idea how to fix his behavior.

‘I wonder if things would be better if Bianca were here.’

With Bianca around, no one would dare say a word even if he spent all day at her side.

For some reason, he found himself missing his fiancée.

When he was with Bianca, such incidents were almost nonexistent.

—Your fiancée would beat you to death if she saw how you carry on at this Academy.

Crimson Garden beside you is no help whatsoever.

“More importantly, I wish you’d tell me who you planted at Rahelern Academy.”
—That’s a secret. Figure it out yourself.

So many secrets, this one.

“Hm?”

In that instant, Krash saw figures far down the Corridor spin around and flee the moment they caught sight of him.

They were none other than those Imperial Faction thugs who had picked a fight with him that day.

Krash regarded them with indifference.

Because ever since that day, they’d run away screaming the moment they saw him.

That day’s encounter was a memory neither of them could forget.

As a result, in their minds, Krash had been branded as a demon who would overturn everything if provoked.

So rather than risk unnecessary trouble, they’d tucked tail and bolted.

Along with this, Krash heard a rumor.

It seemed Pandra had locked himself away in his dormitory room.

Not only had he been beaten soundly by Krash, but he’d wet himself in the process—a humiliation he couldn’t escape.

He simply couldn’t bear to walk the halls of Rahelern Academy with his head held high anymore.

Even now, they said that merely hearing Krash’s name sent him into fits.

‘Serves him right.’

And alongside that, the other students’ regard began to shift as well.

Until Krash had defeated Arsolde, some of them had harbored a certain jealousy and resentment.

But that look was gone now.

What it meant was that they had come to silently recognize Krash as someone untouchable—someone in the same league as Charlotte herself.

The fact that Arsolde had fallen carried immense weight.

True, they had never particularly respected the assistant professor.

But in Arsolde’s case, they’d all experienced his strength firsthand.

And there was one student whose attitude had noticeably shifted since that day.

“Krash, you’re here. I saved you a seat.”

The moment Krash entered the classroom for the Martial Arts lesson, a boy sprang up and fixed him with bright, eager eyes.

It was Glen Diana—Mary’s cousin.

Krash regarded him coolly and rubbed the back of his neck.

Ever since that day, Glen had shown this devoted demeanor whenever Krash appeared.

Not quite to Arsolde’s degree, but Glen carried a habit of reverence for strength all the same.

When you witnessed true power, it was only natural to admire it.

That was why Glen had once followed Mary so eagerly—she who had been called the Divine Spear.

But Mary was no longer worthy of his respect.

She had attempted to assassinate the princess, and all her former confidence had evaporated, leaving only a hollow, timid shell.

So Glen despised her now.

And in this recent battle, Krash had demonstrated both the Chivalry and the mastery of martial prowess of one who fights for the weak.

A Chivalry that stands against injustice for those who stand beside him.

The composure to encourage those around him and guide them toward their own answers.

And the martial skill to prove his convictions.

Whatever the reality, that was how it appeared to Glen.

Despite being the same age, what Krash had shown was something else entirely.

He was more than enough to be Glen’s object of admiration.

To become like that.

I want to become a person like that too.

The moment Glen harbored that desire, his admiration for Krash struck deep and took root.

As a result, Glen’s eyes had taken on that bright, eager gleam whenever he looked at Krash now.

Fifteen years old.

It was the sort of admiration children harbored at that age.

“Krash, not there—sit here instead.”

And for some reason, there was someone who burned with competitive spirit against Glen.

“…What are you talking about, Haring? I spoke first.”

That person was none other than Haring.

She had been glancing at the door, waiting for Krash to arrive, and the moment he appeared, her expression brightened.

Then, when Glen beat her to it, her eyebrows knitted slightly.

“I’m closer to Krash than you are.”
“That’s just what you think.”
“I’ve even gone on missions with Krash.”
“That—”

Glen started to object, then bit his lip instead.

Watching him, Haring straightened her posture and preened just slightly.

And Krash, for his part, felt unexpectedly tired.

What in the world were these two doing?

At the same time, Kairun’s advice came to mind.

Hadn’t he warned him not to be reckless?

Though on second thought, one of them was male, so surely this time it didn’t matter, did it?

—You reap what you sow.

“That’s because you’re sitting there.”

Perhaps it was during their clash of wills that Krash began to feel a dull ache creeping in.

From outside the classroom door, Krash heard the sound of commotion.

He turned his head toward the noise, and there stood a familiar face.

The moment their eyes met, she flashed a radiant smile, pressed her fingers to her lips, and blew him a kiss.

“Hey, my boyfriend.”

Darling Danpelion.

The instant she spoke, the other students began to murmur among themselves.

Listening to their whispers, Krash found himself reflecting on Kairun’s earlier advice.

He suspected most of the rumors stemmed from the way she addressed him.

Rising from his seat, Krash strode forward and reached Darling, then gently pressed his hand against her lips.

When Darling looked up at him with wide eyes, Krash met her gaze steadily.

“Address me properly.”
“Mgh, ngh.”

When he released her lips so she could speak, she touched them gently and said:

“How could you steal my first kiss like that, by force? How am I supposed to get married now?”

Krash realized that silencing Darling was an impossible task.

So he decided to drag her elsewhere instead.

She rarely ventured to the Martial Arts Building on her own.

The fact that she’d come meant she had something important to tell him.

With some time left before the next class, Krash hurried her to a secluded spot.

Once there, he released her and turned to face her.

Darling stood with her arms wrapped around herself, her expression sweet and innocent.

The way she twisted her body back and forth was oddly irritating.

“A place this secluded? What exactly are you planning to do to me? Though I suppose I’ll allow it, since you’re my boyfriend.”
“So what brings you here?”

Krash cut short her rambling and asked her purpose directly.

Her expression sobered as she looked at him and spoke.

“Because I’ve finished the first stage.”

The moment those words reached Krash’s ears, color flooded back into his face.

The Instant Enhancement Elixir she had made by blending the Curse and poison he’d requested—

It had finally been completed, at least for the first stage.

“Here.”

Knowing full well that Krash was curious, Darling promptly reached into her pocket and handed him a vial.

Inside the vial were roughly five small pills, much like the ones Haring had made.

“There’s plenty of room for improvement, but it’s usable as is. The effects are what I described last time, and the penalties are the same.”

That she’d actually made this.

Krash gripped the vial tightly, his face brightening in a way it hadn’t in some time.

“Darling, you really are a genius.”
“Mmm, praise me more.”
“Master of Alchemy, Darling Danfelion.”
“Hehe.”

Darling, covering her mouth with a radiant smile, nodded in satisfaction.

“Coming all the way here to hand it over yourself — you must be quite pleased with how complete it turned out.”
“Well, mixing in curses to make something like this was my first time. I wanted to show it off. And beyond that, there was something else I wanted to tell you.”

Krash, swirling the contents of the vial, turned to Darling with a puzzled look.

Something other than this?

“One of my fellow alchemists was summoned by Sigrin Epania.”

Upon hearing this, Krash’s expression shifted in an instant.

Darling had a vague sense that Krash and Sigrin were somehow entangled with each other.

She knew well enough the relationship between Sigrin and Charlotte.

One way or another, Krash was bound to be caught up with Sigrin.

“The one who came back after being summoned — I happened to catch a glimpse of what they were making.”

Darling stated brazenly that she’d stolen a look.

“A poison?”
“No, it’s something rather different from poison.”

Darling smiled meaningfully, then leaned closer and told Krash to lend her his ear.

There was no one around, but Krash played along anyway.

Darling then leaned in close and whispered softly into his ear.

“A Love Potion. And they’d copied my formula.”

Hearing her words, Krash’s face went blank.

Never mind the Love Potion itself — why had she bothered to develop a formula for it in the first place?

“Interested?”

Her eyes gleamed with the offer to give it to him if he wanted.

“Done.”

There’s no point in something like that anyway—nowhere to use it.

“Mine was just made as a joke, so it won’t have much effect, but this friend Valian who stole it is quite skilled when it comes to Alchemy.”

The moment Krash heard the name Valian, his expression twisted.

The Mad Alchemist Valian.

He was a man who had always been pushed into second place because of Darling, who was called the Silver Garden Lord, and from some point onward had earned that infamous epithet by creating nothing but strange things.

Since he’d inevitably lose to Darling no matter how hard he tried, he’d ended up falling into heresy—a natural consequence.

But his skill was undeniable.

Back then, Darling herself had held his abilities in high regard, just as she did now.

‘The Alixir—the pinnacle of Alchemy, the Philosopher’s Stone—had been a joint creation of Darling and Valian.’

The ultimate substance, commonly called the Philosopher’s Stone.

These two had been the ones who created it.

“So it seems he’s been refining it quite a bit. He even went so far as to get my boyfriend’s hair so it would be properly absorbed into the body when ingested.”
“Did you leave the hair as is?”
“Yeah, I was thinking I’d use it once it’s made.”

When Krash looked at Darling with a bewildered expression, she curved her eyes into crescents.

“Just joking. Still, unnecessary suspicion only makes it harder to respond. I left it alone.”

A response perfectly in character for Darling.

“……But more importantly, what’s he planning to use something like that for?”
“I have no idea.”

Darling shrugged.

She’d only come to inform Krash; she didn’t know anything beyond that.

“Krash, isn’t this about feeding it to you so Sigrin Epania can seduce you?”

Krash covered his mouth.

Nausea had suddenly surged up.

“……That will absolutely never happen.”

Regardless of anything else, if something like that actually occurred, Krash might very well slit Sigrin’s throat.

“That’s all I came here to tell you.”

Darling spoke those words and let out a long yawn.

Judging by her expression, she’d spent the night making the Instant Enhancement Elixir.

“You’ve done well. I’ll repay you later.”
“Then will you set things right between Charlotte and Haring?”
“Think of a different form of repayment.”

One doesn’t return a gift that makes no sense.

Darling, laughing playfully, exchanged farewells with Krash and walked away.

It was when Krash, watching her go, returned to the classroom.

Tap-tap-tap!

Krash heard footsteps echoing down the corridor and turned his head.

There, between the short black bob, a flash of violet hair caught his eye.

“……Haring?”

The professor would arrive any moment now, yet she’d bolted from class. Krash tilted his head in puzzlement.

At that same instant, Glen Diana emerged from outside and collided with Krash.

“Krash.”
“What? What’s happened?”

Had they fought while he wasn’t looking?

As that thought crossed Krash’s mind, Glen Diana spoke, his face gone pale.

“The Poison King has sustained serious wounds from a World Erosion user.”

And the answer that came was utterly unexpected.

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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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