Chapter: 141
The former president, Durandal.
If we were to list his achievements, each one would be nothing short of astonishing.
He battled the Curse of World Erosion, landing an unerasable scar on it with his fist.
He single-handedly intruded into the Sky Sanctuary to seal off World Erosion looming over the skies.
He defeated a ten-star-ranked Erosion beast in the Kingdom of Jeblam.
It was all tales from beyond this world.
Yet, now he was retired, living a tranquil life as the president of Rahern Academy.
Though his demeanor was far from kind when it came to the students.
Today, he was enjoying a leisurely day in his office.
But today didn’t seem like one of those days where he could kick back and relax.
That was because he heard footsteps approaching the president’s office from the hallway.
Durandal had memorized every footstep and presence among the staff.
However, the footsteps were unfamiliar.
This hinted that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred in almost a year since the academy opened.
“Curious, who could it be?”
With an interesting expression, Durandal gazed at the door of his office.
Soon enough, he heard a knock followed by a prompt reply.
“Come in.”
As the door opened, a young boy stepped in.
A boy barely fifteen years old, his dark blue hair shimmering brightly.
Durandal recognized that hair color quite well.
It was none other than the symbol of the Holy Royal Family.
The young figure resembling the first generation student who had come forward to present his opinion—Charlotte Balheim—was none other than her brother, Kraush Balheim.
“Wow, they really are siblings.”
From the moment he entered Rahern Academy, causing a ruckus, to presenting opinions.
Durandal smirked while slowly rising from his seat.
His simple motion made the office tremble as if an earthquake had struck.
Despite growing older, his physique was vastly beyond that of a mere human.
Some would even call him a mountain.
“What opinion do you wish to submit concerning Rahern Academy?”
The reason students approached him was one and only.
For submitting opinions.
Durandal had no intention of listening to anything else.
He was definitely a frustrating character.
But Kraush thought it was fortunate.
This way, he could cut straight to the point.
“Please allow students to take on the tasks of World Erosion.”
“Sounds good. If you can demonstrate the power to back that opinion, then I’ll consider it.”
Durandal replied without a hint of hesitation.
He’d outright reject any opinion presented without the strength to prove it.
However, the moment one demonstrated that strength, any opinion would be accepted.
“But let me tell you one thing.”
Durandal removed a giant watch from his wrist.
Placing it on the desk caused a loud thud, making the desk creak ominously.
The watch itself possessed an absurd weight.
“The proof of strength will become progressively harder based on the weight of the opinion you’re presenting.”
As he spoke, Durandal trudged toward the door.
He looked down, towering over Kraush, who stood just before it.
He gripped the door with a mighty hand.
BAM!
With that, the door crumbled, sending splinters flying.
“If you wish to undertake the task of World Erosion, it will be quite perilous.”
It was a warning to turn back if he had come here haphazardly.
An ordinary student would have likely recoiled in fear.
However, Kraush stood there looking straight at Durandal, unfazed.
Durandal observed Kraush with a peculiar glint in his eyes.
The intensity of his pressure exceeded expectations.
In fact, Durandal was exhibiting a clear aura that could make Kraush reconsider retreating.
Despite all this, Kraush showed no signs of fear.
“Hmm, this attitude is characteristic of someone who’s rolled around the battlefield.”
How could such a demeanor come from a mere fifteen-year-old?
His interest was piqued.
Durandal always had a penchant for nurturing talent.
After all, he wouldn’t have established Rahern Academy if not for that.
The reason behind his unconventional approach to collecting opinions was simple.
He sought to discover more valuable gems, even within the illustrious Rahern Academy.
And he was willing to invest everything he had to nurture that gem.
“Let’s head to the training ground.”
Was this boy indeed a hidden gem?
Durandal stepped forward, hoping the boy would rise to the occasion.
＊ ＊ ＊
Today, after completing all scheduled training, the arena training ground lay empty.
Kraush and Durandal faced each other.
A few spectators sat in the audience section, watching them intently.
Those being none other than Charlotte, Sigrid, and Haring.
After discussing tactics with the three, Kraush had come to the training ground.
They all expected Kraush to arrive there.
“What do you think, Charlotte Balheim?”
Sigrid asked, looking at Kraush and Durandal.
Her brilliance certainly matched that of a genius; however, when it came to combat, she was virtually clueless.
With her frail physique, she had struggled to learn anything combat-related.
Thus, despite her intellect, her knowledge in these matters was quite shallow.
That’s why she directed her question to Charlotte—who excelled in martial prowess.
“Fifty-fifty.”
Charlotte offered a realistic response.
“Putting World Erosion tasks on the line essentially ranks among the highest level of opinions. This old man is serious about it.”
Charlotte casually tucked her hair aside.
“Even a fifty-fifty is generous.”
That typical Charlotte arrogance seeping through.
“Well, then it seems you’ll win.”
In response, Sigrid’s reply was unexpected.
Giggling playfully, her eyes sparkled as they locked with Charlotte’s.
“That guy is the strongest I know.”
Sigrid stated confidently while looking at Kraush.
“True.”
At that moment, they heard Haring’s voice.
When Sigrid and Charlotte turned towards her, Haring was gazing seriously at Kraush.
“Kraush is strong.”
Haring observed Kraush, who was unwavering in the face of challenging tasks.
His mental fortitude surpassed his natural abilities.
Haring fully believed in Kraush’s resolve.
With everyone’s expectations resting on him, Kraush silently stared at Durandal.
Durandal whistled, binding gauze around his hands.
“As one ages, the hands ache. If I didn’t prepare like this, even my bones would feel cold.”
Despite his hands resembling frying pans, it was clear he was fit as a fiddle.
Durandal continued.
“Tsk, the academy’s other students are flocking to the arena.”
Voices from the Crimson Garden reached them.
Apparently, word had spread, and students were starting to arrive.
“I’m sure Sigrid is on the move too.”
Along with the fake Arthur, of course.
Since this gathering had turned into something of a spectacle, Kraush decided he might as well go all out.
“Before we start, I want to mention something.”
“Hmm, go ahead.”
Durandal responded with hearty laughter, eager to hear what Kraush had to say.
Excited about unearthing yet another gem.
But little did he know, this gem was a crafty one.
“If I go down, please make sure to deliver me to the Holy Maiden.”
Just before the battle even began, Kraush declared he might fall, urging Durandal to tilt his head slightly.
Kraush quietly inhaled.
“Huuh.”
As he exhaled, smoke billowed from his mouth.
The World Erosion within him ignited as Annihilation Erosion activated.
At the sight of this, Durandal’s eyes widened beneath his thick white brows.
He had heard reports on the kind of tricks Kraush possessed.
Yet seeing it unfolded before him was beyond what he expected.
He had pushed his body to levels of near-destruction to strengthen himself.
“Hmmm, indeed, just as I expected.”
Now he understood why Kraush declared he’d faceplant.
To forcefully exert that much power left no room for mental endurance.
“Don’t worry. I’ll ensure you’re taken to the infirmary…”
“Not yet!”
Right then, Kraush interrupted Durandal’s words, inhaling sharply once again.
Now his gaze turned crimson as intensity surged.
Accelerating the Annihilation Erosion, he forced his Lunar Body to overload for a second round of Annihilation Erosion.
Black flames coursed out of Kraush’s body, rising violently.
Durandal’s expression contorted slightly.
“I’m starting to wonder if you’re pushing it.”
Now he was genuinely worried about Kraush’s reckless output.
The intensity was such that the air shifted around him.
Even at a distance, Durandal could feel a growing heat.
“Not yet, not finished!”
But upon hearing the next words, Durandal showed a hint of surprise.
Despite pushing beyond his limits, Kraush insisted it wasn’t over yet.
“What?”
When Durandal displayed confusion, it became clear Kraush had reached incredible depths.
Chaotic chains within him cracked at that moment.
Bursting forth around him were waves of crimson energy, flowing at will.
Tension hung perilously beneath.
The murderous intent of the Heavenly Murder and the madness of World Erosion collided explosively.
The smoke seeping from Kraush was now tinted red.
Simultaneously, the surrounding space began to distort.
The overwhelming power caused the air to yield.
It was the third level of Annihilation Erosion.
Annihilation Asura.
Kraush had achieved his strongest domain.
“Kraush!”
As Durandal cried out, realizing he had gone too far, the light around Kraush began to get sucked in.
As if a storm had hit, the winds spiraled wildly.
The heat felt intensely within the arena, even affecting the students drawn by the commotion.
Though it was spring, sweat rolled down their faces as if it were mid-summer.
“Uh-oh.”
Kraush uttered quietly amidst the flames.
His throat scorched, voice raspy from exertion.
Melting the very arena beneath him due to the intense heat.
Yet even amidst the blazing flames, Kraush clung on to his consciousness.
For he had to ensure Durandal accepted his opinion to prevent war between the Empire and Starlon.
Determined to achieve that goal, Kraush was ready to offer everything he had.
Deep within himself, he stirred the forces of the night.
The favor of the God of Night.
Nox.
As the night awakened, Kraush’s body filled with dark energy.
At that very moment, a crimson full moon rose within him.
The Lunar Body glowed brightly at its peak.
The rising heat clashed with the maximum dark energy of the Lunar Body, shattering the limits once again.
With a great flare, thick black flames surged upward, reaching towards the heavens.
As if these flames were casting a night over the sky, Kraush’s red eyes illuminated.
And at last, the moment had come.
Kraush crushed the instant-strengthening elixir he had been holding since entering the training ground.
CRUSH!
As the potion shattered, a curse seeped into his body, spreading throughout him like poison.
Kraush’s Annihilation Erosion absorbed the curse.
Thus, the instant-strengthening elixir—altered purely for Kraush—quickly revitalized him.
Crackle!
The curse burned inside him, radiating out to Kraush’s entire being.
Three top-tier curses were used in the elixir.
Hellfire, Lunar Rampage, and Isle’s Shade.
To chain them together, dozens of mid-tier curses had been infused.
All sorts of poisons blended within.
The elixir—a mass of malevolence brimming with dark energy—was malicious enough that no one else would dare consume it.
Nevertheless, Kraush swallowed it without hesitation.
This was the only way to push himself to the edge of his limits.
Thus, within the newly reached realm.
Kraush’s fiery red eyes sparkled brightly against the night.
Annihilation Hell Asura.
It was the fourth level, transcending Annihilation Asura.
Amidst the black flames of the arena.
Kraush unsheathed the Heavenly Sword of Rain Thunder.
Then he muttered one phrase.
“This is going to sting a bit.”
A challenge laid out for the former God of Heaven’s Sword.
