I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Kraush learned about Vioren thanks to Arthur.

Head of the Special Studies Department of Barrier Arts.

Vioren Sedney.

The barrier arts he practiced differed significantly from conventional barriers.

For that reason, he was always in charge of ensuring that the stronghold of the Generation of the Sky was not attacked unexpectedly.

It was, of course, a natural role.

His hidden mother was none other than a world eroder Barrier Master.

A new barrier art created by blending the magic of the Magic Emperor with the barrier arts of a Barrier Master.

That was precisely Vioren Sedney.

However, Vioren had one problem.

Unlike other World Eroders, he could not freely control world erosion.

To be precise, the power of world erosion he possessed continued to consume his body.

The human body treats world erosion as poison.

Half of his body was human.

Thus, that half could not accept world erosion and constantly tried to destroy his body.

For this reason, Vioren chose a unique solution.

He cast barrier arts on himself.

Having created a new realm of barrier arts by blending magic and barrier techniques, he layered barriers one after another.

In the end, Vioren’s appearance was shaped into a remarkably massive form.

A shell created by the fusion of barriers and magic.

Inside it resided a being who harbored the secret that his mother was a World Eroder, something that could never be revealed to the world.

“Is this the right place to put it?”

“Oh, yes, thank you!”

After placing Dorma’s book in the Curses Studies classroom, Kraush received her thanks.

“It’s nothing. Ah, by the way, I’d like to get a few high-level curses. Would it be possible to receive them when you have time?”

“High-level curses, you say? Are you making an elixir again?”

“No, not this time. There’s something I want to try.”

“I see. Then I’ll prepare what you’ve requested!”

Dorma clenched her small fists tightly, showing determination.

Since Kraush had promised to help her find her master, she seemed ready to assist with anything in return.

The scene was unmistakably like that of a small, determined puppy.

Thus, Kraush mentioned a few curses to her.

Dorma, who quickly noted down the curses, nodded right away.

“I have most of these. I think I can get them for you soon.”

“You’re reliable. Thank you.”

“Heh, hehe, reliable, you say? Don’t mention it.”

Although she was a year older in terms of age, Dorma, who looked much younger due to her appearance, beamed at the praise.

After exchanging greetings with her, Kraush left the curse studies classroom.

As he walked, Kraush checked the date to confirm what day it was.

‘It’s about time.’

Kraush lifted his head.

At that moment, Vioren, heading somewhere, came into view.

With his large build, he stood out no matter where he went.

‘I feel a bit sorry, but…’

Kraush bore no ill will toward Vioren.

If anything, there was a slight sense of pity.

After all, Vioren’s end was unforgettable in many ways.

「Fuck it. Whether I’m a World Eroder or not, no matter how much you all point fingers at me, your kind will live indebted to me for life. Half-human and half-World Eroder type like me, you owe your survival to me.」

Kraush recalled Vioren’s words as he cast his final barrier technique against the onslaught of a monstrous foe.

Indeed, Vioren had a filthy mouth.

But the man wasn’t as vile as his words made him seem.

In this life, it might be nice if he lived a little more honestly.

Kraush pulled out a vial he had received from Darlene some time ago, tucked into his belt.

‘But to do that, I’ll need to play the villain a little.’

Well, this was his area of expertise.

* * *

Vioren’s body required a periodic reinspection of the barrier techniques sustaining it every month.

This was because the power of the World Erosion constantly gnawed away at his insides.

“Huff, huff…”

Vioren, hiding in a corner of an empty building, exhaled heavily.

The barrier sustaining his body was weakening, allowing the World Erosion inside him to erode the barrier at an alarming rate.

At this rate, the barrier would completely disappear.

And he would be consumed and vanish because of the World Erosion.

‘Fuck, I can’t even handle this anymore! Seriously.’

The rate at which the barrier was deteriorating grew faster with each passing day.

That’s why, once again today, he had to abruptly abandon his barrier technique research and leave the special art department.

‘I was checking it a day earlier than usual lately.’

To think the barrier would deteriorate even faster than that.

It was proof that, as he aged, the power of the World Erosion within him grew stronger while his barrier techniques failed to keep up.

He hated it.

If only he were an ordinary person, he could have lived without such worries.

Letting out a long sigh, as if to mock himself for the repetitive concerns he always dwelled on, he took off his upper garment.

Revealed across his chest and abdomen was a massive barrier diagram etched into his skin.

Hurriedly, he fumbled at his waist, intending to use the reagent he frequently relied on for his barrier techniques.

But then, he realized too late that his waist was empty.

“What?”

Vioren’s expression turned flustered as he patted around his waist.

It was gone.

The reagent for his barrier technique was missing.

He had checked it before leaving, but it seemed he had lost it in his haste.

His face showed a mixture of panic and dismay.

As he began to lean forward, intending to rush out in search of it, it happened.

“Ugh!”

Swallowing an involuntary cry, Vioren felt the sensation of his barrier breaking apart.

He stifled a groan, his body trembling with the unbearable feeling.

Immediate restoration of the barrier technique was urgent.

The situation was too dire to go searching for the reagent.

“Damn it, damn it…”

He had to move with the effects of the World Erosion in mind.

As he judged his options with a pale, ashen face, he stepped out of the alley.

At that moment, a boy happened to be walking toward him.

The boy was tossing a long vial into the air and catching it repeatedly.

Noticing Vioren, the boy tilted his head.

“Vioren?”

As the boy tilted his head, Vioren’s gaze fixed on the vial in his hand.

It was unmistakably his barrier reagent.

The boy was none other than Kraush Valheim, the top student of the Martial Arts Department.

Why was Kraush holding it?

“Ugh!”

“What’s wrong with you?”

But Vioren, overwhelmed by the loss of mana, didn’t have the mental capacity to address the matter.

“T-That…”

Reaching out his hand, Vioren urgently motioned for the vial, desperate to get it back.

Seeing this, Kraush looked puzzled for a moment before glancing at the vial in his hand and letting out an “Ah.”

“It was lying on the ground. It’s yours, huh?”

Without hesitation, Kraush handed the vial over.

As soon as Vioren received it, he didn’t care if Kraush was watching or not. He hastily poured the reagent onto his hands.

The crimson liquid ran down his fingers, spreading rapidly.

It seemed thinner than usual, but Vioren couldn’t afford to dwell on it.

He pressed his reagent-covered hand against his chest and inhaled deeply as he activated the barrier technique.

A radiant red light burst from Vioren’s body.

Bathed in the light, he worked quickly, adjusting and realigning the barrier technique.

“Hah, huff…”

Moments later, he let out a deep sigh, his body trembling.

Fortunately, the barrier technique was properly restored.

He could feel that the World Erosion was no longer seeping into his body.

Cold sweat dripped down from him, pooling at his feet.

As it trickled down, Vioren lifted his head.

But in that instant, a question rose in his mind as he stared ahead, his eyes narrowing in doubt.

It was because Vioren found himself looking up at Kraush instead of down.

“Huh.”

As he muttered in confusion, Kraush tilted his head casually, unfazed.

“Why’d you get smaller?”

At Kraush’s question, Vioren belatedly checked his own state.

His once enormous hands, previously the size of pot lids, now appeared no different from those of an average person. The clothes he was wearing were on the verge of sliding off entirely.

Caught in this bewildering situation, Vioren awkwardly grabbed at his pants to keep them from falling.

The massive figure of Vioren was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there stood a girl with silver hair cascading down her back and an unmistakably feminine face.

Quickly grabbing her discarded clothes from the ground, she hastily wrapped them around herself.

“F-fuck it all!”

With a high-pitched curse, she bolted away at breakneck speed.

Her face was ashen, as though her identity had been exposed.

Kraush, watching her retreating figure, calmly rested his hand on his waist.

Hanging from his belt was a single empty vial, the one he’d received from Darlene.

[ At this rate, shouldn’t you just become a professional con artist? ]

“I just went along with the flow.”

Kraush muttered, twirling the empty vial in his hand.

[ Then why’d you mix that potion into the barrier reagent? ]

Not long ago, Kraush had stealthily swapped Vioren’s reagent with one he’d tampered with using Darlene’s potion.

The reason for this would become apparent soon enough.

“To create a fortuitous coincidence.”

Kraush said cryptically, words that even Crimson Garden couldn’t quite grasp.

Turning on his heel, Kraush walked away.

The bait had been set.

All that was left was to wait for the fish to bite, which wouldn’t take long.

* * *

And Kraush’s prediction hit the mark sooner than expected.

It happened as Kraush was on his way to grab lunch.

Ahead of him in the hallway, someone with short legs was walking toward him.

Silver hair tied up like a ponytail.

Eyes glimmering like embedded sapphires.

The person, with sleeves pulled up as far as possible, strode straight in his direction.

“Oh, wow, so cute.”

“Who’s that?”

“A kid?”

Passing students reacted differently, each stopping to gawk at her.

Their reactions made sense—the person looked far too young to be at the academy.

At most, she seemed barely in her early teens.

Her oversized clothes made it almost impossible to tell whether she was a girl or a boy.

But one thing was certain: she would grow up to be stunningly beautiful in the future.

“She’s heading toward you, Kraush.”

Aslan, brushing back his crimson hair, looked at Kraush while speaking.

It made sense—she had been staring directly at Kraush the entire time, her steps unwavering.

In response, Kraush casually raised a hand in greeting.

“Vior—”

“Don’t call my name!”

Before he could finish, Vioren sprinted up to him, her face pale with alarm, and grabbed his collar tightly.

Her large eyes were burning fiercely with frustration.

“Y-you, listen to me for a second.”

She huffed, glaring and breathing heavily as she addressed Kraush.

Kraush simply shrugged and turned to glance at Aslan.

Aslan slowly stroked his chin in thought.

“Well, I guess even Kraush wouldn’t mess with a kid like that.”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

Kraush asked, raising an eyebrow.

“My friend.”

With a charming smile, Aslan waved and walked off, leaving the two behind.

It was impressive how effortlessly he could say something like that.

As Aslan walked away, Kraush turned his attention to Vioren.

Seeing her still fuming and short of breath, he nodded his head.

“Let’s go.”

With that, Kraush began walking leisurely.

Seeing him move so nonchalantly, Vioren managed to suppress her anger and reluctantly followed him.

After a short while, the two arrived at a relatively secluded spot, devoid of people.

Kraush stopped and turned to face her, prompting Vioren to speak immediately.

“What did you do to my reagent?”

So she had noticed.

Thinking back carefully, it seemed Vioren had sensed something amiss.

Well, she wasn’t the top student in the Special Studies Department for nothing.

“So, what are you trying to say?”

Kraush asked, fixing his gaze on her.

Vioren took a deep breath and spoke again.

“I don’t know if you’re shameless or if it was a coincidence, but—”

“It’s shamelessness.”

“Yeah, shameless—”

Vioren reflexively repeated his words before freezing with a stunned expression.

She hadn’t expected him to admit it so blatantly.

“But shouldn’t you be thanking me instead?”

Kraush smirked at her astonishment.

“After all, even in your original form, your barrier is holding up, isn’t it?”

Vioren’s lips opened and closed silently.

Her outward appearance had always been a kind of shell, a protective layer created by her barrier technique.

However, after Kraush tampered with her reagent by mixing in Darlene’s potion, something had changed.

For some reason, the World Erosion no longer seeped into her, and the barrier maintained itself stably even in her original form.

It meant she no longer needed to wear that cumbersome shell.

“Vioren.”

When Kraush called her name, she flinched and looked up, her expression wary.

Her diminutive form matched her real age now, making her seem even smaller.

“Let’s make a deal.”

The scammer in Kraush was at it again, offering a proposition.

“You make a barrier for me, one that I request. In return, I’ll teach you how to maintain that form of yours.”

Vioren’s face twisted into a scowl.

“What could you possibly know—”

“I know.”

At that moment, Kraush raised his hand.

Whoosh!

Black flames surged and flickered around his outstretched palm.

Vioren’s gaze, which had been half-lidded and unfocused, slowly began to change as she stared at the black flames flickering in Kraush’s hand.

Anyone who carried the power of World Erosion within their body would recognize it.

This wasn’t a curse. It was pure World Erosion.

Vioren had never paid attention to others before.

Her entire focus had always been on advancing her barrier techniques, a desperate measure to stave off being consumed by the World Erosion.

She had isolated herself, dedicating her life solely to researching barrier techniques.

The only reason she had come to Rahern Academy was to solve her barrier problem.

Barrier techniques were a rare field, and Rahern Academy had a professor who specialized in them.

Her mother, a master of barrier techniques, had abandoned her after giving birth, leaving Vioren to fend for herself.

Because of this, she had never seen someone like Kraush, wielding black flames so effortlessly.

“You… you’re a World Eroder?”

“No.”

Kraush extinguished the flames and declared firmly.

He wasn’t a World Eroder.

But his eerie, shadowy smile radiated an air of mystery.

“Still, I know how to stabilize the rampaging World Erosion inside you.”

It was a smile akin to that of a devil making a deal.

Vioren’s eyes quivered violently.

World Erosion was a constant, life-threatening condition for her.

Yet somehow, Kraush had managed to stabilize his own connection to it.

Naturally, she found the proposition tempting.

But deep within, warning bells were ringing.

There was an inexplicable unease about him that she couldn’t ignore.

“…Who are you, really?”

Kraush’s demeanor suggested he already knew she was the child of a World Eroder.

That was a secret that could never be revealed.

World Eroders were enemies of the world, and naturally, so were their descendants.

That was why she had concealed even her family name upon enrolling at Rahern Academy, hiding the fact that she was the child of the Magic Emperor.

Tightly wound with tension, Vioren questioned him again.

Her small fists trembled faintly, a sight that evoked a subtle pity.

Her body hadn’t developed properly due to the strain of sustaining it with barrier techniques, leaving her trapped in an underdeveloped form.

“You won’t get an answer that fits within what you’re imagining.”

Kraush replied cryptically.

Vioren bit her lip hard.

It was as if she were being offered a poisoned apple that might also be the antidote.

Would she swallow it and take her chances, or let herself succumb to the poison already within her?

The decision didn’t take long.

“…What do I need to make?”

Caught.

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