I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 125

Hand Over All Your Curses

***

[Why are you so obsessed with feeding people?]

After eating with Haring, Kraush heard Crimson Garden’s usual nagging.

‘Is it because I’ve seen people die of starvation?’

Having witnessed several deaths by hunger, Kraush valued meals greatly.

No matter what, food was essential.

“So, Astria treated me?”

“Yes, I heard the Saintess visited.”

During their meal, Kraush learned from Haring that Astria had treated him.

No wonder he felt so refreshed.

It was Astria’s doing.

He should thank her when they next meet.

“What do you plan to do with the poison research?”

“Do you roughly know what kind of power I use?”

When Kraush asked, Haring looked at him.

“A curse.”

As expected, that’s how it appeared to Haring.

In reality, it was worse, but Kraush didn’t deny it.

“Yes, I want to use poison and curses to create something. The Red Tiger Packet from last time was useful, right?”

“…Seems like you’re planning something extreme.”

Haring looked at Kraush with worry.

Since the mission, she had grown closer to him.

Seeing her brother in him, she no longer saw Kraush as a stranger.

She now understood how reckless his actions were.

And that he had been fighting like this for a long time.

“Kraush, you’re going to destroy your body at this rate.”

Haring was sincere.

If this continued, his body wouldn’t last.

“The human body is tougher than you think.”

Kraush smiled casually, as if speaking from experience.

“And there are worse worlds where your body doesn’t even matter.”

Haring couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those words.

But she knew she couldn’t stop Kraush.

Someone who threw himself into his actions this much wouldn’t stop because of advice.

She knew this well, having clutched a dagger even when her hand was torn after her brother’s death.

The scar still remained on her hand.

Though it could be covered, it couldn’t be erased.

Knowing this, Haring looked at Kraush.

‘What on earth happened to you?’

Kraush’s casual smile captured her attention.

His smile hid a distant past that bound him.

What was his goal, driven to become endlessly stronger through even curses?

Though she couldn’t fully understand, Haring reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

Surprised by her own impulsive action, she didn’t let go when their eyes met.

“Then at least let me help so you get hurt less.”

Hearing her, Kraush blinked.

He understood that after triggering her trauma, Haring had developed an attachment to him.

Her hand holding his sleeve trembled slightly, fearing he might leave.

‘…As long as it doesn’t lead to anything bad, it should be fine for now.’

This was a matter he’d have to resolve eventually.

Kraush didn’t want a Skyborne Generation that relied solely on him.

He wanted a generation that could soar high on their own, following him.

“If you’re willing to help, I have no objections.”

It wasn’t something he could solve immediately.

So Kraush decided to slowly address Haring’s issue.

[Hero and his women.]

At this point, denying it felt pointless.

***

Kraush and Haring then headed to the Special Arts building.

The person Kraush sought was Darling Danphelion.

A future master of alchemy, specializing in curses.

“Hmm, you’re trying to create something interesting.”

After Kraush shared his rough plan, Darling showed interest.

Already researching curses, Darling naturally found it intriguing.

“Basically, it’s an elixir combining poison and curses?”

“Yes. Poisons are already used in elixirs. I want to create a momentary enhancement elixir by offsetting poison and curse effects.”

Listening to Kraush, Darling cleared a cluttered desk and took out a new sheet of paper, jotting down notes.

Of course, Kraush, with no knowledge of alchemy, couldn’t understand the notes.

But Haring, knowledgeable in poisons, watched Darling’s writing closely.

“If it’s a momentary enhancement, I can make it as strong as you want. It can be incredibly powerful.”

Darling marked certain parts with an X, separating the impossible ones.

“But the drawbacks are clear. You can gain momentary strength, but the cost is immense. The secret enhancement elixirs in my family often require risking one’s life.”

Darling then looked at Haring.

“You’re from the Lagrain family, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

“The Lagrain family is known for their expertise in poisons. You’re veterans in enhancement elixirs. Didn’t you warn your boyfriend about the risks?”

“Boyfriend?”

Haring looked at Kraush.

Kraush, with a disgusted expression, said, “Don’t take her words literally. And I’ve already used one of the Lagrain family’s enhancement elixirs. The Red Tiger Packet.”

“The one that burns you from the inside out if you can’t withstand it?”

“Yes, that one.”

“You’re tough, but not invincible.”

Darling wasn’t too surprised.

Kraush had survived even the Deadly Dragon Fire Elixir before.

So she didn’t think the Red Tiger Packet would be much of a problem for him now.

“Alright. Then there’s no issue with using strong ingredients. Can I ask the Lagrain family’s successor for things I can’t get?”

“Since it’s to help Kraush, leave it to me.”

Darling slowly turned to Haring, who answered confidently.

With a meaningful smile, she cupped her cheeks with her hands.

“You’ve picked up another girl? My boyfriend is such a playboy.”

Haring tilted her head.

“Kraush, are you a playboy?”

“Just ignore her. It’s bad for your mental health.”

Haring seemed unsure what ‘playboy’ meant exactly.

“Is Kraush in a normal mental state to ask for help from a mentally harmful woman?”

[He’s not normal.]

Kraush decided to ignore Darling’s words.

“So, what about the curses? I don’t have many on hand.”

Darling had a few curses from her research on curse neutralization.

But those were low-level curses.

Higher-level curses couldn’t be handled easily without a curse master.

Darling also handled them cautiously.

“I have an idea. It won’t be too difficult to acquire.”

And the way to acquire them was within Rahelrn Academy.

“Then I just need to produce results.”

Already researching multiple topics, Darling grinned mischievously, showing her curiosity.

As expected of a future master alchemist.

She showed interest in new research materials right away.

“I’ll prepare a list by tomorrow. Let the Lagrain successor review it. I’m curious about their opinion.”

“Got it.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Oh, my boyfriend, wait a moment.”

As Kraush was about to leave, Darling opened a drawer.

She tossed a vial to Kraush as he was leaving.

Kraush caught it effortlessly, and Darling smiled.

“The one you requested before.”

It was already complete.

As expected of Darling’s skill.

Kraush looked at the liquid inside the vial and put it safely in his pocket.

He would need to use it soon.

‘Now, the remaining task is…’

A first-year student at Rahelrn Academy.

One of the twelve disciples of the world’s top curse master Veltoa Lacroix.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Curse Master Dorma Lacroix.

Currently part of Sigrid’s faction.

He needed to draw her out.

***

On a sunny spring day.

While student units were still on missions or resting after completing them.

Regular classes continued at Rahelrn Academy.

Second-year students would undergo six months of training and classes before being assigned to units.

Similarly, first-year students who completed their six months would either train or attend classes when not on missions.

Class attendance was voluntary, but students couldn’t neglect these classes.

There were mid-term evaluations in the classes.

Class evaluations directly impacted their standing in the student units.

To score well in the evaluations, they couldn’t skip classes.

So unless they had valid reasons like medical leave.

Students participated in training and classes after missions.

Today’s Special Arts class was on curses.

Curses were a crucial subject in combating World Erosion.

Directly linked to one’s survival.

Thus, many students who chose Special Arts as their sub-major attended the curse class.

While students chatted before class.

Creak—

The door opened, and someone walked in.

With dark blue hair and fierce eyes.

A hair color known to anyone attending Rahelrn Academy.

‘Kraush Balheim.’

‘Is he here for the curse class?’

The students watched Kraush with interest.

Since joining the academy, Kraush had been like a storm.

Starting with defeating Associate Professor Kairan and becoming the top student in the Martial Arts class.

He made a significant impact on his first mission.

Defeating a World Erosion being and even taking down a 7-star Erosion Species with a single strike.

The rumors spread among the students.

Combined with previous rumors before he joined the academy.

He became the most prominent figure at Rahelrn Academy.

Everywhere he went, he drew the students’ attention.

Despite the mixed emotions in those gazes.

Kraush remained confident.

As if he didn’t care about their evaluations.

He appeared indifferent, yet also arrogantly confident like Charlotte.

“Quite popular.”

A red-haired man peeked over Kraush’s shoulder.

It was Aslan.

Seeing the attention on Kraush as he entered the classroom, Aslan smiled softly.

Kraush glared at Aslan disapprovingly.

“You followed me in on purpose.”

“It’s good when a friend becomes a point of pride.”

“Don’t use me as a shield to avoid attention.”

Aslan’s striking appearance naturally drew attention.

But with Kraush around, it was different, so Aslan often used him as a shield.

Aslan still felt uncomfortable with public attention.

Kraush scanned the classroom.

Many first-year students were absent as not all units had returned.

But the person he sought was easy to spot.

Sitting at the front of the curse class, staring at him until their eyes met and then quickly looking away.

With slumped shoulders, a fragile impression.

Fluffy, unkempt light-colored hair like an unmanaged puppy.

A small frame reminiscent of a child.

A perpetually blushing face.

One of the twelve disciples of the world’s top curse master Veltoa Lacroix.

A member of the Skyborne Generation who introduced Kraush to Veltoa Lacroix.

Curse Master Dorma Lacroix.

She was the target Kraush aimed for this time.

He needed to get curses from her to create the new enhancement elixir.

And it might be easier than expected.

Kraush knew her gaze had lingered on him since the entrance ceremony.

‘Can a curse master ignore someone who seems cursed?’

Just as a bird can’t ignore a mill.

A curse-obsessed master wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity.

She was currently under Sigrid’s influence.

Before Kraush became a curse bearer, Dorma was the most useful curse master.

With an eerie smile, Kraush thought.

Sorry, but stealing is what I do best.

‘Sigrid, I’ll leave you without any curse masters.’

Let’s see how you fare in a world of curses.