I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Family Matters

***

As always, she smiled slightly, only lifting the corners of her lips.

“Are you scared to sleep alone in a foreign place?”

“Not really, since I’ve traveled to many places.”

Charlotte glanced at Haring, who had followed behind Kraush.

“If this is a lovers’ escape, I can’t approve.”

Charlotte always had a way of saying whatever she wanted.

“There’s something I need to handle personally. I plan to take care of it before the sun sets today.”

“You’re asking me to keep the professor occupied, aren’t you?”

Charlotte raised the corners of her lips without any further comment.

“But little brother, if you’re going to ask for such a secretive favor, don’t you think you should give something in return to your sister?”

That Charlotte would demand something in return was unexpected.

As Kraush tried to figure out what she wanted, her response was utterly absurd.

“A kiss on the cheek, perhaps?”

Kraush stared blankly at Charlotte as she tapped her cheek with her index finger.

Then, with the same finger, Charlotte playfully poked Kraush’s cheek.

“I was just joking.”

It was impossible to distinguish when Charlotte was joking.

“There’s a gathering of princesses and princes soon, isn’t there? That would be the perfect time to act, when even the professor will find it hard to keep an eye on you. I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Charlotte closed the door.

She had said everything she needed to, signaling that their conversation was over.

“You two seem close.”

“Does it look that way?”

Kraush felt that their relationship was far from what could be called close.

But Haring seemed to think differently.

“Well, your sister always grants your requests.”

Kraush blinked at her words.

Then, he turned back to look at Charlotte’s closed door.

‘That’s true.’

Charlotte’s whims often led her to drag Kraush here and there, but she always prioritized his opinions.

Even during the Skyborne Generation, Charlotte had once suggested that Kraush leave the group.

She had said she couldn’t stand to see him in such a place.

But when Kraush insisted that it was where he belonged, Charlotte didn’t say another word about it.

At the time, he had thought she was sulking because he had rejected her suggestion.

But looking back now, it seemed she had been more accommodating than he realized.

‘Have I ever really faced Charlotte properly?’

Kraush pondered the question before turning away.

It wasn’t something that could be resolved in a single day, like the matter with Lilish.

But at the very least, once this was all over, he owed Charlotte a debt.

That debt could be repaid by ensuring she didn’t die at the hands of the Sword Lord and helping her to fully blossom her talents.

With that thought in mind, Kraush waited patiently for everyone to gather in Hardenhartz.

Only then would it be time to act.

‘This is all the more reason I must stop this.’

As Kraush was deep in thought, a commotion began to echo from the hallway.

He slowly turned his head toward the noise, and his body instinctively froze.

A tall man was approaching.

Leading the way was Meliocan Hardenhartz, the eldest son of Hardenhartz, who was diligently guiding him.

The short, dark blue hair swayed gently as he walked.

And beneath that swaying hair, his deep blue eyes made his already handsome features even more striking.

A face that bore some resemblance to his own.

And the man most likely to become the head of the Balheim family.

One of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, known by the moniker Sword King.

Rai Balheim.

He had arrived.

As he walked, guided by Meliocan, his gaze turned toward Kraush.

Judging by the direction, he was probably heading to meet Charlotte.

But before meeting her, he encountered none other than the youngest of the Balheim family.

“Kraush Balheim.”

When Rai mentioned Kraush’s full name, Kraush straightened his posture.

“It’s been a while, brother.”

In truth, it was hardly accurate to say it had been a while.

Kraush could count on one hand the number of times he had encountered Rai in his life.

He had even seen his sister Lilish more often than Rai.

This was the first time he had met Rai in this timeline.

Perhaps that’s why he stood there, slightly tense, as Rai glanced sideways at Haring, who was standing beside Kraush.

Startled by eye contact, Haring’s hair stood on end like a frightened cat.

That was because Rai’s gaze had a way of piercing through a person’s very soul.

In that brief moment, Haring realized one thing.

He’s strong.

Just standing before him, the aura Rai exuded was so overwhelming that it took her breath away.

At the same time, Kraush also keenly felt Rai’s strength.

‘I’m still far behind.’

Kraush had grown immensely through countless experiences.

But the moment he saw Rai, he understood how lacking he still was.

He was still far from reaching the level of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens.

“…Keep at it.”

Rai, who had been silently staring at Kraush, didn’t say much.

He wasn’t someone who was particularly eloquent like Lilish.

To be precise, he didn’t seem to have much interest in Kraush.

He was someone who, even in the past, had been far less attached to family than Lilish.

He was merely part of the Balheim family by name.

Without another word, Rai walked past Kraush.

‘He’s probably here to see Charlotte because she’s the student leader of the Lion Order.’

Even with her, their conversation wouldn’t be long.

Kraush silently watched Rai’s retreating figure before turning away.

If Kraush continued to grow stronger, a day might come when they would clash in some way.

Rai’s goal was singular.

To become the head of the Balheim family.

If Kraush became strong enough, the matter of leadership in the Balheim family would inevitably arise.

When that time came, Rai wouldn’t just stand idly by.

‘When that day comes, I’m curious to see.’

To see if that always expressionless face would ever reveal any emotions.

Kraush swallowed a brief chuckle and continued walking.

He thought to himself that it was difficult to get close to family.

***

When unexpectedly numerous visitors crowded Hardenhartz.

They organized an appropriately sized party.

their plans.

Of course, it was more of a relaxation spot for the regular students and knights.

The student leaders and other important figures who needed to discuss the search operation were all gathered in the conference room.

In front of that conference room.

A woman with a displeased expression stepped out.

She approached the terrace, lit a cigarette, and clicked her tongue.

‘This really isn’t my scene.’

Sena Myer, an academy professor and a high-ranking noble.

She had felt a headache coming on during the strategy meeting she had just attended.

The room had been filled with the Empire’s 4th Princess, known for her brilliant mind, and the 1st Prince of Starlon.

Not to mention the deputy head of the Balheim family and Charlotte, who was hailed as a genius even within the Balheim.

With such an assembly, even voicing an opinion made the atmosphere heavy.

She was only here to oversee the operation as a professor.

It was the students’ job to carry out the mission.

So, rather than enduring the heavy atmosphere, she had quickly stepped out.

Although she was a noble herself, this kind of setting didn’t suit her.

And to top it off, she found the deputy head of the Balheim family, Rai, particularly uncomfortable.

“I might as well head to the party.”

There was still some time before the search teams were finalized.

So, she decided to rest at the party for a while.

As she entered the party hall.

She quickly scanned the students, intending to take attendance.

A frown crept onto her face.

Since the search teams would begin moving as soon as the meeting ended, all the students should have been present.

But there was a noticeable gap in the numbers.

She adjusted her black glasses and counted the students again.

But the numbers still didn’t add up.

And it was not just any student missing; someone who absolutely shouldn’t be absent was missing.

“Sigh, that cheeky boy.”

Sena sighed, feeling the urge to light another cigarette.

Charlotte had been unusually talkative earlier, so it was clear that the two had already exchanged words.

She gazed out the window.

It seemed she would have to chase after the runaway troublemaker.

***

While Sena exited the conference room.

The heated search operation meeting finally came to an end, followed by a brief break.

Sizelry, seated in the conference room, lightly swung her legs back and forth.

She had remained relaxed throughout the intense meeting, showing the sharp mind expected of the Empire’s brain.

At that moment, her escort, the Light Sword, Sera Benapoch, approached.

“Miss Sizelry, it seems Mr. Kraush has moved on his own.”

“It’s fine. I already knew.”

Sizelry had noticed from the moment Kraush entered Hardenhartz that his demeanor had changed.

It was only natural to expect that he would take independent action.

‘He must have gone to meet the former leader of the Night Ravens.’

Judging by his reaction, something unexpected must have happened.

He had likely gone to confirm it.

But there was no need to worry.

Sena Myer, the professor and high-ranking noble, had also followed Kraush.

Kraush probably anticipated that Sena would end up following him.

He likely considered her as a certain level of safety net.

“Kraush has made his move.”

At that moment, a man who had been sipping tea spoke up.

Sizelry turned her gaze toward him and saw a man with pearl-like eyes.

It was Hilnider Starlon, the 1st Prince of Starlon.

Despite being a student, he had gone out of his way to attend the search meeting because an Imperial Princess had visited his kingdom.

He hadn’t participated in the meeting out of necessity; he had used this as an opportunity to observe the people involved.

He saw this visit to Hardenhartz as a chance to study those who would lead the future.

‘Quite impressive. Starlon will grow stronger in the future.’

Sizelry also held him in high regard.

This piqued her curiosity.

Kraush had been building a bridge with the 1st Prince.

Judging by the recent flow of information, she could tell they had made some sort of deal.

‘Most likely, Kraush would display his strength within the academy, and the 1st Prince would help him become the center of a faction.’

The rumors circulating about Kraush had probably been a ruse.

It was likely meant to make the forces within the academy desperate to connect with him.

With just a few lines of information and conversation, Sizelry had pieced everything together.

However, there was someone she couldn’t fully decipher, someone who constantly surprised her with new moves.

That person was none other than Kraush.

A boy of the same age who endlessly brought variables that intrigued her.

Whenever she thought of him, a playful smile would unconsciously appear on Sizelry’s lips.

The mischievous girl within her constantly wanted to prod him.

That’s why she was so curious about Kraush.

“Prince Hilnider, how do you evaluate Mr. Kraush?”

She was curious.

Did the 1st Prince know something about Kraush that she didn’t?

“A sword Balheim has hidden and nurtured.”

Hilnider answered Sizelry without hesitation.

“That’s what I believe.”

The reason he answered so candidly was simple.

He wanted to use Sizelry’s intelligence to confirm his own thoughts.

His intention partially succeeded.

Sizelry blinked her eyes before covering her mouth and letting out a soft laugh.

“Not entirely wrong.”

But it wasn’t entirely right either.

Hilnider narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had sensed there was something more to Kraush.

‘Sizelry Ephania is the Empire’s genius. If she says that, it must mean Kraush has even more potential.’

Hilnider, who had already valued Kraush highly, quickly processed this information.

Watching him, Sizelry glanced out the window.

‘It seems like the 1st Prince has developed some interesting misconceptions.’

She decided to let that misconception grow a bit further this time.

With a cheerful smile, she leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her wrist.

Once again, Kraush had acted independently.

She was filled with anticipation, wondering just what interesting findings he would bring back this time.

Meanwhile, the Light Sword, Sera, who had been silently observing the two geniuses sparring with their minds, thought to herself that watching them was exhausting.

End of Chapter

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