Chapter 49 Why Do They Keep Gathering?


    Sweat trickled down Kraushs forehead  cold beads of effort indicative of his struggle.


    After consuming the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill, Kraush could certainly bear it.


    However, enduring pain was one thing, but being pain-free was another.


    His body soared in temperature due to the heat of the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill, and faint wisps of smoke exhaled from Kraushs lips.


    Within that, Kraush closed his eyes, focusing on absorbing the full power of the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill into his body.


    Normally, such levels of concentration wouldnt be possible because of the pain, but Kraush could do it.


    [ This is practically an act of madness. ]


    Crimson Garden shook her head as she looked at Kraush.


    Considering it, the Annihtion Erosion technique Kraush developed was initially apanied by immense pain.


    It involved igniting a fire within the body to the point where the innards felt as if they would char  a maddening feat.


    She should have realized it when he nonchntly performed such feats, but because he used it so casually each time, her realization camete.


    If he can endure reattaching severed nerves, what could he possibly not endure?


    Crimson Garden spoke curtly, yet she feltpassion deep inside.


    Returnees undoubtedly wear down with each cycle they experience.


    But among those returnees, Kraush seemed particrly worn.


    Despite everything, his ability to maintain a sane mind was perhaps a talent in itself.


    Or maybe, its merely the single-minded tenacity to achieve his goal.


    Crimson Garden gazed intently at Kraush, who was absorbed in assimting the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill.


    What kind of life had Kraush led before he returned?


    As she was not of his world, she could not know.


    Only that the Kraush here seemed to be walking a particrly fine line.


    Such a pity.


    It was tiresome that he had caught her eye.


    With this ire and dissatisfaction, Crimson Garden positioned herself in front of him.


    [ Even if you crumble, I will forcefully set you right again. ]


    Her voice would not reach Kraush at the moment.


    His concentration was at its peak as he absorbed the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill; there was no room for distraction.


    [ So dont think of copsing, no matter what happens. ]


    Nevertheless, Crimson Garden continued speaking.


    [ My promises will unequivocally be kept. ]


    Thus, until then, she nned to keep a firm hold on Kraush to the very end.


    Ssshh


    Shortly after, Kraushs eyes slowly began to open.


    Reflected in his blue eyes, now radiant, was Crimson Garden.


    Crimson, did you say something?


    The aura exuding from him was different from before.


    He had fully absorbed the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill.


    One more step in Kraushs growth was unmistakable.


    Feeling this growth conclusively, Crimson Garden perched on Kraushs shoulder.


    [ Nothing at all. ]


    She simply harbored expectations that one day Kraush would take on her immortality.


    The Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill.


    Having experienced its effects firsthand, Kraush realized the true power of this elixir.


    It forces the body to ovee nine crises.


    The body is imbued with a nature to be stronger with every crisis ovee.


    This quality is alsomon to aura.


    Thats why the world says strengthes with experience.


    Ive had many experiences, but my body has not.


    The experiences of his return had indeed greatly affected Kraush.


    However, tranting those experiences into physical transformation was another matter.


    But the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill was different.


    It made the body and aura undergo nine trials they had not faced before.


    In the throes of pain, the body and aura incessantly shattered only to be healed by the pills power.


    Repeat this nine times, and what is the result?


    The answer was straightforward.


    My realm has ascended.


    Kraushs fists clenched tightly.


    The vitality he felt in his body was naturally much improved.


    Among these, what stood out the most was his aura  it had grown significantly.


    From teetering on the edge of expert mid-level, Kraushs aura had shot up to just shy of expert high-level in an instant.


    A little more effort, and it seemed the peak of expert level wasnt far off.


    And if I add World Erosion to this.


    He could even stand before the wall that was a master.


    But that wasnt all.


    As he absorbed the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill, Kraush realized a fundamental change in the nature of his aura.


    Aura is oftenpared to water.


    The reason lies in the divisibility of aura into two characteristics.


    First is quality.


    Second is quantity.


    The first, quality, depends on the purity of the initial water.


    Just as water is ssified into first-grade, second-grade, and so on, aura is differentiated by such quality grades.


    Kraush excelled in this qualitative aspect.


    The techniques in the Balheim family library all emphasized the quality of aura.


    Thus, Kraush naturally honed the quality of his aura.


    However, total quantity was beyond the resolution of such techniques.


    Ordinary peoples auras are contained in very small puddles.


    These puddles are so meager that using aura dries them out quickly.


    Therefore, those who use aura forcibly expand their reserves through painstaking effort and time  a risky endeavor that could lead to self-destruction.


    On the other hand, unlike ordinary people, there are those with an amount of aura as vast as ake.


    These individuals utilize their broad aura effortlessly and endlessly without depletion.


    The world calls them geniuses.


    Ironically, these geniuses also broaden their total amount of aura at a much quicker pace.


    The strength to expand the auraes from the aura itself.


    That is why even with great effort, ordinary people cannot catch up to geniuses.


    That was just the way of the world.


    Kraushs total quantity also fell into the ordinary category.


    He had managed to expand it somehow over the past year, but it was still a mere puddle.


    There seemed no way to catch up with the geniuses who possessedke-like reserves except for the fact that he had superior quality.


    But the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill resolved this issue.


    Ake.


    Kraushs eyes widened.


    He felt the aura within his body springing forth endlessly.


    My aura has be ake.


    The total amount of aura naturally held by geniuses.


    No matter the effort, this was the one aspect that seemed insurmountable.


    Now, though, it was different.


    Atst, he hadid the foundation to stand on equal footing with those geniuses.


    This fact reached Kraush with inexpressible joy.


    If it werent for resolving the quantity, he would never have surpassed the wall of a master.


    Now, he didnt have to worry about that.


    At least he had the basis to move on to the next level.


    [ Are you pleased? ]


    Crimson Gardens voice reached him.


    Kraush slowly let his smiling lips rx.


    No, Im far from happy about this.


    He had merely reached the same starting line as the geniuses.


    They had held such talents from the beginning, honing and growing them.


    And Kraush knew of even more exceptional stars than these geniuses.


    The ocean.


    Those who possessed the aura so vast that evenkes paled inparison.


    And those individuals were set to be the foremost monsters of their celestial generation.


    And I will devour all of them.


    Todays growth was nothing but a foundation for that eventual conquest.


    So it was still much too early to rejoice.


    Kraush felt the waste produced by the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill dislodged from his body.


    Under normal circumstances, it would have expunged through his skin with a terrible odor, but Kraush didnt let it expel.


    Instead, he activated his Ignis.


    The waste was instantly devoured by the Ignis,busted into oblivion.


    [ As always, you are so very resilient. ]


    Yet, it seemed that Crimson Garden actually enjoyed his resilience.


    Hows it? Are you alright? Those ingredients looked quite dangerous.


    During this time, Darling, having realized that Kraush had absorbed the Nine-Weeps Transformation Pill, cast her question.


    Within her eyesy a subtle concern.


    Having prepared the elixir, she was aware of the ordeal Kraush would face.


    Observing this, Kraush shrugged casually.


    Im perfectly fine. The quality is undoubtedly the best.


    To Darling, Kraush seemed a genius reborn.


    Phew, thats a relief.


    Relieved, Darlings expression reflected a burden eased.


    She hadnt wanted to witness the elixir causing any harm.


    Hows Bianca?


    During this exchange, Kraush realized that Bianca was quiet.


    Turning his head in curiosity, he saw Bianca, covered with a nket provided by Darling, blissfully asleep.


    She must have tired out while waiting.


    I was about to take her to a room where she could sleep properly. She insisted on staying, though.


    She wouldve gotten up ande back anyway.


    Because shes Bianca.


    Kraush pivoted and approached Bianca, tenderly stroking her hair.


    Biancas features softened slightly under his touch, giving Kraush an oddlyforting feeling.


    Observing from behind, Darling soon chuckled to herself.


    You both cherish each other so. Is this what being engaged is like?


    Our engagement is certain.


    That fact remained unchanged.


    Envy fills me. Hmm, an engagement. Wonder if I can get engaged to Charlotte too.


    If you say that in front of Sister, your head will fly off.


    Well, it cant be helped then. Maybe Ill be Mistress Kraushs concubine instead?


    Darlingsughter rang out, but Kraush chose to ignore her.


    Witnessing this, Darlings eyes gleamed with amusement.


    Kraush was always entertaining to tease.


    Kraush, youre entering Rahelrn Academy next year, right?


    Her question prompted Kraush to nod as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Good. Then Ill go ahead and be there.


    Hearing her words, Kraushs eyes widened in surprise.


    His reaction as if to say, Why would you? was understandable since Darling had never apanied Charlotte to Rahelrn Academy before.


    Youre going next year, arent you? I want to hear senior from Kraush, my junior.


    To think she would go to Rahelrn Academy for something like that.


    Kraushs expression was one of disbelief.


    Rahelrn Academy isnt a typical academic year structure.


    Heh, I know how it just divides by ss. And that one can only advance to the next lesson by passing an exam.


    From the looks of it, Darling had already been preparing for Rahelrn Academy.


    And I want to be ssmates with Charlotte.


    But what followed was different.


    Kraushs expression turned sour.


    Why would Sister attend the academy? Its only conceivable if the World Erosion was being explored directly by her.


    I think I know why. Charlotte intends to attend Rahelrn Academy this year.


    Darling spoke, peering intently at Kraush with a knowing smile.


    Though Kraush appeared puzzled, Darling was confident.


    Surely, Charlotte would attend the academy  the same one Kraush intended to enter.


    Ill be waiting in a year. Donte toote. Itd be lonesome, you know.


    Darlings tone sounded like a wife sending off her husband, eliciting a tongue click from Kraush.


    Do as you wish.


    Regardless of whether Darling entered the academy or not, Kraushs decision to attend was unaltered.


    Thus, on March 1st, the day Rahelrn Academy first opened its gates.


    The academy boasted the enrollment of extraordinary prodigies.


    And it wasnt long before Kraush verified that Charlotte, among those geniuses, had joined the academy.