I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

***

[Isn’t it true though?]

Kraush felt dizzy for a moment.

At the same time, he recalled the stares from the students when he brought Dorma today.

He had thought those looks were mere curiosity about what was happening.

But if those stares were combined with the rumors…

Kraush’s head spun.

He imagined people saying he had gained another girl when they saw him walking with Dorma.

‘I align with people who have outstanding abilities, that’s all.’

The problem was that a significant number of the men had joined Sigrid’s faction.

‘Sigrid doesn’t get along well with other girls.’

Knowing Sigrid’s personality, Kraush was aware she didn’t have good relationships with other females.

Sigrid had a selfish personality and a strong sense of possessiveness.

This trait showed in her interactions with both men and women.

‘A crazy woman who wants everyone in the world to love only her.’

Naturally, women weren’t fond of Sigrid.

Sigrid wanted to control every man around her.

Perhaps Sigrid was so drawn to Arthur because he didn’t fully give his heart to her.

She constantly craved Arthur’s love.

‘I had no intention of fitting in with Sigrid’s faction, so I mingled with other people.’

He hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.

“…Dorma, I have a fiancée. She’ll attend Rahelrn Academy next year.”

With a fiancée, it was absurd to think he was gathering women.

He just got involved with them, leading to this situation.

“The rumors are misunderstandings. Why would I do such a thing when I have a fiancée?”

“R-Right!”

Dorma nodded vigorously, denying the rumors.

“And as you said, I’m not particularly kind.”

Kraush decided to correct her perception of him as well.

“I’m willing to help you because I have a favor to ask in return.”

“A favor?”

Dorma tilted her head.

As if wondering how she could help Kraush.

But Kraush knew Dorma’s true value well.

There was a reason she was a specialist in the curse field.

There were generally two methods for removing curses.

One was eradication.

The other was sealing.

And the latter was why curse masters could carry curses.

Among Veltoa’s twelve disciples, Dorma was the only one who could seal even the highest-level curses.

Kraush looked at Dorma with a sense of regret.

If she hadn’t died, he wouldn’t have struggled so much.

Of course, even Dorma concluded that Kraush’s curses were beyond her ability.

But if she had been alive to help with the curse neutralization research, it would have made things much easier.

“Is there something I can help with?”

“Yes, I’ve been researching something with some known people recently.”

Kraush rummaged through the alchemy room.

He retrieved the list Darling had prepared.

“We’re thinking of synthesizing curses and poisons to create a momentary enhancement elixir. Using the curse neutralization theory I mentioned earlier. So we need some high-level curses.”

“Huh?”

Dorma took the list from Kraush with wide eyes.

As she read through it, her eyes widened further.

It detailed the curse neutralization theory, originally just an idea by Veltoa.

She looked at Kraush in surprise.

“Mr. Kraush, who wrote this?”

“A girl named Darling, the owner of this alchemy room. We wrote it together.”

Dorma looked at Kraush.

At the same time, she sensed the power of the curses within him.

“Mr. Kraush, could it be…”

The main reason curse neutralization theory couldn’t be proven was its danger to humans.

But seeing the curses within Kraush and the samples on the list.

She wondered if Kraush had actually realized the curse neutralization theory himself.

Which made her hesitant to ask more.

What was he trying to achieve, going to such lengths?

“Do you have something to say?”

“Ah, it’s just that this is my first time seeing such a thing, so I have a lot of questions. If it’s not too much trouble, is it okay?”

So she chose not to ask further and redirected the conversation.

Besides, she was genuinely curious about this too.

Kraush smiled politely.

“As much as you want.”

[You always manage to fake a smile well.]

Whenever Dorma asked about curse neutralization, Kraush answered kindly.

Initially a diversion, it became clear that Dorma was genuinely interested.

The more they talked, the more excited Dorma became.

It had been a while since she had such an extensive conversation at Rahelrn Academy.

She was smiling broadly, reminiscing about her talks with her senior brothers and sisters.

Kraush’s knowledge of curses was astounding.

Even Dorma learned new things from his answers.

“Mr. Kraush, you really know a lot about curses! Do you like them?”

Like curses?

Hearing this, Kraush could only muster a bitter smile.

Dorma couldn’t possibly know the painful journey that led to his extensive knowledge.

“A bit.”

So he answered in a way that wouldn’t make her worry.

“Oh, right. I’m sorry. I haven’t answered if I can help yet.”

She realized she had been too excited by the conversation and covered her flushed face with her hands.

Then quickly responded to Kraush.

“…I think I can help!”

Since Kraush had agreed to help find Veltoa, it was only right for her to assist him.

Clenching her fists, she declared her willingness to help.

“By the way, Dorma, you’re part of the third princess’s group. Is it okay for you to help me?”

The relationship between the Balheim and Ephania families wasn’t good.

Especially with Charlotte, Sigrid’s rival, being from Balheim, the animosity was even stronger.

Dorma belonged to Sigrid’s faction.

So Kraush asked if it was okay for her to help.

“Ah, I think I need to ask first. But Sigrid is generous. I’m sure it’ll be okay!”

Sure, it would be.

Sigrid would want to establish connections in any way possible.

“That’s good to hear.”

And she’d waste her time building a bridge that would never be completed.

Kraush smiled inwardly at Dorma’s naivety.

“Well, I should get going now!”

With the conversation over, Dorma stood up to leave.

Tap, tap, tap—

Just then, the sound of high heels echoed from outside.

Kraush recognized the familiar footsteps.

He stood up.

At that moment, there was a knock on the alchemy room door.

“Hello. I heard Dorma is here, so I came to visit.”

A familiar, kind voice called out.

Kraush scowled upon hearing it.

Luckily, the door hadn’t opened yet.

If it had, she would have realized he had also returned upon seeing his face.

“Who is it?”

Kraush pretended not to know the voice’s owner.

“Gasp, Mr. Kraush, it’s Lady Sigrid!”

Dorma exclaimed in a panicked voice.

The voice belonged to Sigrid Ephania, the third princess.

A person Kraush despised the most in the world.

There was a soft laugh from outside.

“Yes, it’s Sigrid Ephania. Is this Mr. Kraush Balheim?”

“What do we do?”

Dorma looked like she had been caught stealing, her face pale.

She seemed aware that Sigrid disliked Charlotte.

Kraush was Charlotte’s younger brother.

“I’ll go see.”

Kraush reassured her and opened the door.

Sigrid stood a step back from the door.

Unlike Sizelry, who was born weak with light-colored hair, Sigrid had striking blue-silver hair.

Her beauty was exceptional, and she smiled brightly upon seeing Kraush.

“It is you, Mr. Kraush Balheim. Nice to meet you.”

She acted as if they were meeting for the first time.

And she made sure to address him politely, with “Mr.”

Someone like me, addressing you politely.

That was Sigrid’s true intent.

Kraush felt nauseated.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Sigrid.”

But he was equally shameless.

Kraush pretended it was their first encounter.

Behind her stood two men.

One with short white hair, who would later be known as the White Snake.

The other with long black hair, who would be called the Black Snake.

Twin brothers with different hair colors, they were prominent figures in the Skyborne Generation.

They had been recruited by Sigrid and were now her bodyguards instead of Mary.

Special Arts students whispered among themselves, noticing Sigrid had personally come.

While Kraush had visited the Special Arts classroom several times, it was Sigrid’s first time there.

“Dorma mentioned she was looking for you, Mr. Kraush. I came to see if it might be a bother.”

“Is that so.”

Clearly, Sigrid had figured out the situation.

‘She must have quite a few ears in the academy.’

No wonder she was so influential here.

“I had some things to discuss with Dorma regarding curses.”

“Curses?”

Sigrid widened her eyes in apparent surprise.

Had it not been Kraush, he might have been fooled by her act.

“Yes, Dorma is quite knowledgeable about curses.”

“Well, not that much…”

Dorma scratched the back of her head shyly.

“So I was asking for her help with recent research. I was going to inform you, Lady Sigrid, so this is perfect.”

Kraush explained smoothly.

Sigrid, thinking it over, smiled and looked at Dorma.

“Dorma, are you helping Mr. Kraush?”

“Yes, yes, Mr. Kraush said he’d help find Master!”

At the mention of her master, Sigrid’s eyes briefly sharpened.

Though fleeting, Kraush caught the look.

An expression of suspicion.

“Is the power Mr. Kraush wields a technique learned from Veltoa Lacroix?”

Hearing this, Kraush smiled slowly without answering.

As she understood the smile’s meaning, Sigrid’s expression hardened, then relaxed.

“Oh, I apologize for prying too much.”

She smiled, but Kraush sensed her hurt pride.

The person she had always treated as a curse bearer was now setting boundaries.

Naturally, she was offended.

Kraush was grateful for her consistency.

It fueled his resolve to see her brought down.

End of Chapter

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