### Chapter: 185
After giving Darling a good scolding, Kraush explained why he needed the transformation potion.
When Darling heard the explanation, she tilted her head and gently touched the bulge on her forehead.
“So you need the potion to sneak into the girls’ dormitory?”
“Don’t skip over the details.”
As Kraush showed signs of getting ready to scold her again, Darling quickly pulled out a potion from her pocket.
“Here, it’s a TS potion that lasts about a day.”
“About a day? So it could last more than that?”
Kraush received the potion with a queasy feeling.
He felt an impulse to smash it but managed to resist.
“Are you just planning to take the potion and walk right in?”
“Of course, that’s the plan.”
“But you’re wearing a male uniform.”
At the next question, Kraush blinked in surprise.
He looked down at his outfit.
If he entered wearing a male uniform, even in a female form, he’d definitely raise suspicion.
After all, there had been a commotion when Eri had transformed from male to female a while back.
“Should I lend you something?”
Darling offered nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal.
That wasn’t a bad idea for Kraush either.
“Sure, lend me something.”
“Got it. I’ll need your measurements, so drink the potion first.”
Then, Kraush realized why Darling was so eager to help.
She wanted to see him transform into a woman right in front of her.
He almost felt like giving her another punch, but Kraush patiently opened the potion bottle cap.
After all, he really did need that uniform.
Kraush downed the potion in one go.
‘It tastes like strawberry milk.’
How does a potion even have that flavor?
Just as Kraush was pondering this, his body made a loud noise.
Having transformed into Kradd before, he was somewhat prepared and patiently waited.
Then, he noticed his view getting lower.
He was shrinking!
Soon, he felt a tightness in his chest and the back of his pants pinching.
At the same time, his throat tickled; Kraush involuntarily coughed.
“Ahem, cough, cough.”
The voice that came out was in an incredibly high pitch.
As he raised his hand to the back of his neck, he felt his hair getting longer as well.
Kraush turned his head.
And there was Darling, staring blankly at him.
“Did it work?”
Hearing her usual tone coming out in a high pitch was quite a mismatch.
However, even as Kraush asked, Darling continued to look at him blankly.
Then, something dripped from her nose.
It was a nosebleed.
Feeling a strange discomfort due to that, Kraush wrapped his arms around himself and stepped back a couple of paces.
As disgust filled Kraush’s eyes, Darling belatedly covered her nose with her hand.
“Ah, sorry! I was up all night. Sometimes this happens.”
Of all times, why now?
Pinching her nose with a tissue, Darling quickly pulled out a hand mirror.
“Here, check this out.”
Receiving the mirror from her, Kraush looked at his reflection.
And immediately felt the urge to smash the mirror.
It was because he was staring at the younger version of his mother.
“Oh, hell.”
Kraush absolutely despised his mother.
Seeing someone who looked just like her was understandably repulsive.
But, despite that, he couldn’t deny that he looked quite attractive.
The sharpness he had as a male was softened by his feminine features, amplifying his appearance.
Moreover, perhaps due to the lunar body, his skin had turned particularly pale, giving him an icy impression.
“Why do I have to look like this? It’s so unpleasant.”
Kraush turned away, as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.
Meanwhile, Darling, who had gotten up from her seat, was intensely gazing at his body.
“Hey, girlfriend, care to take off your clothes?”
With the new title Darling had given him, Kraush’s eyes turned deadly.
Darling waved her hands in defense, as if sensing misunderstanding.
“I just thought your body shape might be different from mine. Women’s clothes can fit oddly, you know.”
Kraush clicked his tongue and shrugged out of his coat.
Then, Darling, approaching from behind, tugged at his shirt.
Glancing at the bulge forming in the front, Darling nodded to herself.
“Nice view I’ve got here.”
And then Kraush had to hit her in the head again.
＊ ＊ ＊
In front of the girls’ dormitory, a woman was standing there, seemingly uncomfortable as she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.
At a glance, she was quite a beauty, catching attention wherever she went.
[ Stop acting so nervous. Doesn’t that just make you more suspicious? ]
Kraush thought, seething as he watched Crimson Garden chuckle from the roof of the dormitory.
As if it were none of her business.
Kraush ground his teeth and let out a light breath.
Then he walked into the female dormitory, his black-dyed hair flowing behind him.
His natural hair color was too noticeable, so he had intentionally dyed it.
As he strode confidently into the females’ quarters, several girls brushed past him.
None were suspicious of his presence.
That was proof enough that Darling’s potion was working splendidly.
“Huh.”
After safely passing the entrance, Kraush exhaled a short sigh.
Perhaps because they were nobles who valued decorum, even in a space with only women, it was shockingly tidy.
No wonder it smelled strangely sweet compared to the male dormitory.
Must be because the dormitory ladies were using a lot of perfume.
‘Mary’s on the third floor.’
Having remembered Mary’s floor, Kraush headed towards the stairs.
“Really? Did she confess?”
“I’m telling you!”
Then, he heard giggles echoing from above the staircase.
Unlike outside, they were dressed more casually, chatting as they descended the steps.
As Kraush’s eyes met theirs, they all widened in surprise.
It was no wonder—a stunning beauty with cold features was gliding up with her black hair flowing around her.
“Wow.”
One of them involuntarily let out an admiring gasp.
But Kraush didn’t even glance their way as he continued up the stairs. The girls were left dumbstruck, staring at his back.
“Who is she? I’ve never seen anyone like that around here.”
“She’s pretty. That hair color… her eyes are like gems.”
Just like how men fawn over pretty girls, women did the same over beautiful beings, leaving Kraush with a sinking feeling.
Was he drawing unnecessary suspicion?
If he got caught here, all the image Kraush had built would come crashing down.
The direct descendant of the Balheim family, dressing up as a girl to sneak into the girls’ dormitory?
Just the thought of it was horrifying.
Finally, as Kraush stepped cautiously onto the third floor, he spotted a familiar figure.
Walking towards him was someone who looked quite carefree, yawning as she strolled.
Had she taken a nap after class? Her hair, a mix of black and purple, was a bit messy on one side.
She was dressed simply, wearing just a tank top and shorts, the look fitting the approaching summer.
The person was Haring Lagrain, a fellow student in Kraush’s year.
She usually appeared so tidied up. Who knew she could look this way in the dormitory?
Kraush subconsciously followed her with his gaze and quickly turned his head.
It would be awkward if they accidentally locked eyes.
Just as Kraush brushed past Haring, it happened.
Suddenly, Haring’s footsteps halted abruptly.
She turned her head, her expression that of confusion rather than the previous sleepiness.
“…Kraush?”
As soon as she spoke, Kraush felt his hair stand on end.
But he didn’t react, continuing to walk forward.
Haring, watching his retreating figure, tilted her head quizzically.
Due to her sensitivity to scents from dealing with poisons, she had clearly picked up on Kraush’s unique scent just now.
But the person gliding by didn’t seem to have any connection with Kraush. She was a stunning beauty with flowing black hair.
For a moment, Haring contemplated while she stood like a statue.
If it had really been Kraush, she might have embarrassed herself.
In relief that it wasn’t him, she quickly walked away.
‘That was close.’
Once Haring left without calling after him, Kraush finally managed to calm his racing heart.
He never expected his shameless acts would actually prove useful right now.
As Kraush eased his nerves, he stood before the door he intended to visit.
Room 311.
Mary’s room.
The space outside was eerily quiet.
Not a single student dared approach, as if they wanted to stay away from here.
Thanks to that, he drew less attention.
Taking a deep breath, Kraush knocked on the door.
“Mary.”
He knocked and then fell silent, as which no reply reached him.
‘There’s definitely someone inside.’
She must be deliberately ignoring him.
Maybe she was hiding under the covers.
Kraush clicked his tongue and knocked louder.
“Open the door, would you? Let’s talk.”
But still, silence reigned from within.
He had expected she would let him in if he showed up, but she seemed more stubborn than he thought.
‘Now that I think about it, my voice is different.’
Realizing this late, Kraush decided to reveal his identity.
“I’m Krah…”
“What are you doing in there?”
At that moment, a voice from the side startled Kraush, making him turn his head.
There stood a figure holding a lunchbox.
With healthy skin and reddish hair, the person was Karandis Poseus, the ninth princess of the Poseus Kingdom.
Karandis tilted her head as she looked at Kraush.
Though her exotic appearance was quite striking, she seemed unfamiliar to him.
Yet, strangely enough, she had an air of familiarity.
As Karandis gazed in confusion, Kraush straightened his posture.
“I was just here for a little something.”
“For Mary Diana?”
Karandis looked at him curiously.
Then, as if she had noticed something, her expression turned skeptical.
“Oh, so you’re here to criticize her again?”
Kraush blinked in surprise at this strange misunderstanding.
Taking a short sigh, Karandis continued.
“You’re one of Sigrid Ephania’s followers, right? The ruckus during the midterms wasn’t just Mary’s fault, so don’t be too harsh on her.”
Kraush looked at her with disbelief.
Was Karandis really defending Mary?
That was quite unexpected.
“Didn’t you have a bad relationship with Mary?”
As Kraush questioned her, Karandis scoffed lightly.
“Of course our relationship isn’t great. But we’re both in the Special Class, after all.”
Even though Mary had failed the midterms, she still remained in the Special Class.
Karandis added that they all knew about Mary’s abilities.
“You’ve got to take care of what needs to be taken care of. What’s the point of throwing away a good classmate?”
Was this who Karandis truly was?
Kraush had always viewed her as a seductress trying to change her life through men.
But there seemed to be unexpected depth in her character.
“Thus, if you’d be so kind, please leave. It would be best if there are no disturbances while Mary eats. She hasn’t been eating lately.”
As she spoke, she placed the lunchbox in front of the door with the bag still attached.
It seemed Karandis had been looking after Mary’s meals while she hid in her room.
“No, If that’s the case, I have to go in.”
Just as Kraush replied, Karandis tilted her head in confusion.
Kraush raised his hand and knocked loudly on the door.
“Mary, it’s Kraush. Let’s talk.”
As he spoke, Karandis’s eyes grew wide as her expression began showing recognition.
Realizing something familiar about Kraush’s appearance, she looked flustered.
“Kr, Kraush?”
“Shh.”
Kraush leaned closer, placing his finger on his lips just in front of Karandis’s face.
Immediately, her face turned beet red.
Seeing him up close, her heart raced; he was even more striking than she’d thought.
As Karandis fumbled with her words, a loud noise could be heard from inside.
It was evidence that someone was listening in.
Just after, the door creaked open slightly, and Kraush quickly accepted Karandis’s lunchbox while waving goodbye to her.
“Karandis, good to see you again.”
With those parting words, Kraush stepped into the room, leaving Karandis standing there in shock.
