I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Astria’s suggestion for rest worked remarkably well.

Kraush could definitely feel his body was much more refreshed than before.

‘Effective, huh.’

If fatigue ever reached its limits, maybe he should visit there occasionally.

It was quite a decent idea.

It was during the time Kraush was moving along when this happened.

By chance, he locked eyes with someone approaching from the hallway.

And that person was someone Kraush knew to some extent.

Glen Diana, the younger cousin of the Divine Spear Mary Diana and a fellow peer of Kraush.

As soon as Glen saw Kraush, his face immediately lit up.

Ever since that one fight against the Imperial faction, Glen had become very favorable toward Kraush.

Perhaps because of that, Glen, who had been wearing a bright expression, soon darkened his face.

“What’s wrong?”

Though curt, Glen had always been one to keep a cheery demeanor.

Kraush, puzzled, asked with a curious expression, and Glen pressed the back of his neck with his hand.

“Kraush, do you know that Noona has gone into secluded training?”

Of course, there was no way he wouldn’t know.

“Noona’s condition deteriorated rapidly after she got involved in the incident of assassinating the princess. She spent her days almost half out of her mind. The brilliance she once had completely disappeared.”

To be honest, Kraush didn’t think she had much brilliance to begin with.

Still, he didn’t voice this thought and let Glen continue.

“And it’s still the same even now. She’s living as if she’s being chased by something.”

Even if he resented her for what Mary did, Glen didn’t seem to hate Mary herself.

Well, Mary was someone he once admired and followed so proudly.

For Glen, it probably wasn’t possible to simply hate her entirely.

It was the perfect example of “Hate the sin, not the sinner.”

“And yesterday, I happened to run into Noona.”

Upon hearing that, Kraush narrowed his eyes.

Thanks to Astria’s favor, Kraush had gotten a good day’s rest, but even so, this conversation stirred a certain uneasiness within him.

In the meantime, it seemed Mary had emerged from her secluded training.

“Noona’s eyes now carried a venomous glare, unlike before. And it didn’t seem to be in a positive direction at all.”

Kraush realized why Glen’s expression was so dark.

It was hard for him to accept the drastic change in the cousin he had once admired.

‘Venomous glare.’

It was a word that felt completely unfitting for someone like Mary.

“But the aura emanating from her was real.”

Glen clenched his fists tightly.

Just thinking of Mary made cold sweat bead on his face.

That night.

Even in the briefest moment as Mary passed by, the aura she exuded left Glen gasping for breath.

Mary was far stronger now than she had been as a candidate for the Empire’s Spear.

Even if he thrust his spear ten thousand times, not a single strike would reach her.

Her secluded training had lasted just a few weeks.

Yet, in that short time, she had changed so much.

“This upcoming midterm exam won’t be easy.”

Glen warned Kraush, emphasizing not to underestimate Mary Diana.

Hearing those words, Kraush slowly smiled.

“Don’t worry. I’ve never underestimated her, not even once.”

The Divine Spear, Mary Diana.

No one remembered her strength better than Kraush, who had witnessed the power of her Heavenly Martial Body.

Though she was a damned woman who brought along a string of wretched curses, the martial prowess she had displayed had reached the pinnacle.

Other than Arthur, she was the only one capable of standing against the most terrifying foes alone.

That was Mary Diana.

So Kraush had never underestimated her, not even for a moment, from beginning to end.

Even if she had fallen, she was no opponent to be taken lightly.

And Kraush had to completely defeat such a Mary.

“Thanks for the advice.”

Kraush gave Glen’s shoulder a light pat and continued walking.

Tomorrow.

It would be the day the first midterm exam of Rahern Academy began.

＊ ＊ ＊

The midterm exam of Rahern Academy.

For the second-generation students, it was originally an assessment to mark the completion of their six-month training period.

However, this time, Rahern Academy introduced something unique.

It was none other than the Special Division.

A division designed for immediate deployment into real combat without the need for any further training.

As part of the midterm evaluation, additional members for this Special Division were to be selected.

Because of this, the second-generation students trained with fierce determination, their eyes blazing with resolve.

Yet, they vaguely understood.

The focus of this midterm exam wasn’t solely on them.

“Mary, it’s been a while.”

And just before the midterm exam, a figure knelt on one knee in front of the Third Imperial Princess, Sigrid Ephania.

Her name was Mary Diana.

Once known as the Divine Spear before the regression.

“Yes, Lady Sigrid, I have returned after completing my secluded training. It has been a long time since I last greeted you.”

Her face looked haggard, a stark contrast to before.

Of course, even such exhaustion couldn’t mar her inherent beauty.

Instead, the sickly air that replaced her usual fiery aura gave her a new, distinct impression.

However, in Sigrid’s eyes, as she looked down at the bowing Mary, there was only contempt.

Like staring at a discarded card from a long-forgotten game, she pressed her chin with her hand, contemplating whether this abandoned piece might still be of any use. ȒÂƝȮ₿Ěȿ

Even so, there were obligations to fulfill.

“Mary, you’re aware of how important this midterm evaluation is, aren’t you?”

Kraush’s reputation grew with each passing day.

Along with him, Charlotte, who had taken him under her wing, was rising just as rapidly.

The Hadenhartz incident, in particular, had been a significant factor in this.

After all, they had defeated a World Eroder and closed an 8-star World Erosion, an astounding achievement.

As the flagship heroes of the rear support units, their fame was unparalleled.

What especially drew attention was the fact that they were siblings from Valheim,

making their renown reach its peak.

Grit—

Sigrid Ephania gritted her teeth as Charlotte’s face surfaced in her mind.

She hadn’t been idle during this time either.

She was reaching out in many ways to proceed with the grand plan she had laid out.

However, when it came to the Hadenhartz matter, she truly couldn’t make a single move.

‘I barely managed to find the Sword Emperor’s legacy, but in the meantime, the central point of the Academy shifted.’

The former Sword Emperor, one of the Four Above the Heavens, who had long ago been crushed while resisting the World Erosion.

While she was searching for his legacy, the power dynamics of Rahern Academy had drastically changed.

‘That cursed one entered, and everything started going awry.’

Suppressing the annoyance that threatened to surge, she turned to Mary.

Perhaps this really would be the last opportunity to bring down Kraush.

Now, when his name had reached its peak.

If Mary could defeat him and claim the top spot, public opinion could be overturned in an instant.

“I trust you to exceed my expectations.”

“Yes, I will surely live up to them.”

Mary answered Sigrid firmly, her voice filled with determination.

Her upturned gaze burned with intense emotion, showing just how earnest she was about this matter.

But Sigrid didn’t notice the anxiety that lay beyond it.

Though Sigrid performed her act naturally, Mary was inherently perceptive.

Thus, Mary also sensed, albeit faintly, that this was their last chance.

“Do your best, Mary.”

At Sigrid’s encouragement, Mary bowed her head and left.

Watching her departing figure for a moment, Sigrid pulled open a drawer with a creak.

Inside lay a single vial of medicine.

She stared blankly at the liquid glowing with a transparent light, her eyes gradually narrowing.

“Well, of course, she has to do her best. Otherwise, she’ll have to take on the role of a mere sow.”

The grin stretched across her face made it clear that she had long abandoned Mary.

To Sigrid, Mary was no longer the comrade who had once fought alongside Arthur.

After all, broken spears must be discarded.

She would simply find a new spear to replace it.

* * *

The day of the long-awaited midterm exam had arrived.

Kraush adjusted his tie as he glanced up at the particularly radiant sky.

Thanks to Astria, his recovered condition was at its absolute peak.

Everything felt just right.

It was the perfect day to seize Excel.

[ Judging by that smug expression, it almost makes me wish you’d fail. ]

“Don’t say stuff like failing to someone about to take an exam.”

Muttering complaints to Crimson Garden as usual, Kraush extended his hand to the desk.

A dead rat on the desk scurried up his arm and slipped into his pocket.

According to Ebelasque, the corpse transformation of the Mad Sword Emperor was imminent.

Once the midterm exams were over, he could move straight into Ixion’s meeting.

‘So before that, I’ll take Excel.’

Resolutely firm in his determination, Kraush began to move.

Just then, Aslan appeared.

“Hey, Kraush, how’s your condition?”

Aslan asked with a relaxed expression.

“How about you?”

“I’m always the same. Compared to the days of the Lunar Body, I always feel in good condition now.”

His Lunar Body now resided in Kraush.

So, Kraush couldn’t entirely disagree with the sentiment.

“Well, good luck on the exam. Let’s meet again as first place contenders.”

Aslan, being a Magic Arts student, headed toward the Magic Arts hall.

After parting ways with a brief farewell, Kraush continued walking and spotted a familiar figure.

It made sense; since most were headed toward the Martial Arts hall, familiar faces were bound to appear.

Kraush quietly suppressed his presence and walked slowly.

As he neared her, he noticed she was deeply engrossed in thought.

Sliding beside her, he broke her concentration.

“Haring.”

“Eek!”

Startled as if a cat had been jolted out of its reverie, Haring let out a loud scream, her eyes wide like a frightened kitten.

It was the first time Kraush had heard her scream so loudly, and he blinked in surprise, showing a baffled reaction.

“Why are you so startled?”

“K-Kraush.”

Trying to calm her pounding heart, Haring looked at Kraush before quickly averting her eyes.

And once again, she subtly began to retreat.

It was a behavior Kraush had been noticing more frequently lately.

But this time, he had no intention of letting her slip away.

With a firm grasp, Kraush caught Haring’s wrist with his outstretched hand.

Haring’s hair bristled, her eyes widening in surprise.

Before long, her ears had turned bright red.

“You’ve been avoiding me a lot lately.”

“T-that’s…”

Haring’s expression was visibly flustered.

Her eyes spun like a whirlwind, darting here and there.

Ever since she had come to terms with her feelings for Kraush, Haring had been avoiding him, just as he said.

After all, Kraush had a fiancée, and she believed that the feelings she harbored were inappropriate.

Of course, she intended to repay her debt to him, no matter what.

But at the very least, she needed time to sort out her emotions.

Recently, however, Kraush’s condition seemed to worsen day by day.

It had been weighing on her mind, and today, she resolved not to avoid him and to ask about it.

But before she could act, Kraush had spoken to her first, throwing her into complete disarray.

All her resolve vanished the moment she stood before him, and her mind went completely blank.

She was even nervous that the sound of her racing heartbeat might reach Kraush through the wrist he held.

“You’ve been thinking about what the Poison King said the other day, haven’t you?”

Haring flinched.

He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Kraush let go of her wrist.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility for everything. I’ll make sure the Empire causes no issues for you.”

There he went again.

Speaking as if he would take on all the responsibility without hesitation, Kraush once more tried to shoulder it all himself.

Haring bit her lip tightly.

She had spent enough time with Kraush to know.

He had a tendency to throw himself into situations without hesitation when he saw something he needed to act on.

Perhaps that’s why it felt like Kraush didn’t always know how to protect himself.

That truth tugged painfully at Haring’s heart.

Now that she realized she liked him, she couldn’t bear to watch him choose difficult paths.

“Or, did you hear about that?”

But Kraush, perhaps misinterpreting Haring’s gaze, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

A hint of puzzlement lingered in Haring’s eyes.

Kraush gave a bitter smile in response.

“Don’t worry about that either. There won’t be any situations like taking on more wives. Don’t dwell on what the Poison King said. I’ll take care of it so you don’t have to worry.”

At that moment, Haring’s shoulders flinched.

‘What exactly did Father say…?’

Haring knew that Kraush and her father had gone off to have a private conversation back then.

She hadn’t had the chance to eavesdrop, as she was too flustered after realizing her feelings for Kraush.

But from what he had just said, she could guess.

Her father must have noticed her feelings and told Kraush to consider taking her as an additional wife.

Kraush, of course, had no intention of giving up his fiancée.

A small corner of Haring’s heart wavered at the realization.

What if… what if it really were possible?

That thought began to grow inside her heart.

“Anyway, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Kraush said those words as if to reassure her and began to walk away.

But he didn’t get far.

Because Haring’s outstretched hand had grabbed the hem of his coat.

“Haring?”

Kraush turned to look at her as if asking if she had more to say.

It was only then that Haring realized she was holding onto his coat.

Startled, she quickly let go and clasped her own hands together nervously.

“T-that’s… just, um, good luck on your exam.”

Kraush let out a faintly amused laugh at her words.

“You’re taking the same exam. Is that something you should be saying to your competitor?”

With that, Kraush turned back around and resumed walking, suggesting they head in together.

Haring stared blankly at his retreating figure before glancing down at her own hand.

The hand that had impulsively reached out to him moments ago.

The hand that betrayed her selfish desire.

Haring pressed her trembling chest firmly with her other hand.

A greed she had never felt before in her life.

Just this once, she wanted to indulge it.

“So this is the kind of person I am…”

Acknowledging it made her feel slightly lighter, for some reason.

With that clarity, Haring’s long legs stretched forward beneath her skirt.

She had come to accept that there was no way left to detoxify this feeling.

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