Chapter 8

Chapter 8 (8/223)

Crash is Charlotte's younger brother, with a fierce gaze just like hers.

It was impossible not to draw attention.

"Ahaha! So, what do you want with me, a child of Balheim? Maybe you fell in love at first sight?"

Crash, who didn't even listen to her words, got straight to the point.

"Seems like you're quite curious about the recent World Eroder."

At that moment, Darling's shoulders twitched.

The smile that had been on her face began to change.

While others were puzzled, Crash wore a provocative smile.

"Isn't this enough to pique your interest?"

Darling soon smiled slowly.

"A provocative little brat."

She stepped up to Crash.

"You'll have to pay the price for catching my attention."

Don't worry.

'You won't find anyone more knowledgeable about the information you're curious about than me.'

Crash nodded and turned his body.

The Alchemy Lord, known as the greatest alchemist in the future world.

Alchemy Lord Darling Danphelion.

It was time to build a relationship with her.

＊ ＊ ＊

Afterward, Crash and Darling found a room alone.

As soon as they entered, Darling casually sat on the bed and smiled at Crash.

"Isn't it a bit too early for you to be in a room like this? Aren't you too mature?"

"Don't sexually harass a child."

"A child wouldn't understand what I just said."

That's true.

Crash pulled out a chair and sat down, and Darling rested her elbow on her knee and propped up her chin.

"How old are you?"

"If you knew my sister's age, you'd know mine."

"13, right? But you don't look it at all. Your face is like a baby's."

That was an unavoidable point.

Crash, at 13, was an adult who had even graduated from the academy.

"Does that matter to what we're talking about now?"

But there was no reason for Crash to cater to her.

It's winter now.

Only two years until he enters Rahelren Academy.

There was a mountain of things to do before then.

Even the time spent bantering with her was precious.

"That doesn't matter. Try it. From what I can see, you must have some interest in Balheim, given your questions about the World Eroder."

Darling wasn't particularly interested in Crash.

She thought he couldn't know much even if he tried.

"The method of canceling curses by using one curse against another."

But the moment Crash hit the core, Darling's smile froze.

"Especially the research on canceling the World Eroder's curse, which the healers haven't been able to solve, using another curse."

Now, Darling's eyes began to widen.

"Has there been any progress in that research recently?"

Crash asked.

"Hmm."

And Darling slowly ran her fingers through her hair.

Darling is a genius in alchemy, born with a natural talent.

At the young age of 15, she obtained a 2nd-class alchemist certification, which even adults find hard to achieve.

She had been researching the cancellation of curses at the Danphelion alchemy workshop recently.

It was an ambitious paper she started preparing to obtain a 1st-class alchemist certification, but she couldn't produce any results no matter how much she researched.

That was, of course, a natural outcome.

'There are no test subjects.'

No matter how much she studied the theory, there were no test subjects to experiment on.

Thus, her research was at a standstill.

And it would remain so in the future.

She would eventually give up, hurt her pride, and move on to other research to finally obtain her 1st-class certification.

But her research would be resumed later.

That was due to her meeting with Crash.

'I owe this kid a bit.'

He was the one who somewhat reversed the damage caused by the indiscriminate theft of curses.

"I'll help with your research."

As Crash said this, Darling's eyes instantly turned cold.

"Don't treat alchemy like water."

Was her pride as an alchemist touched?

She showed a sharp reaction, telling an outsider who knew nothing to not casually discuss her research.

Even the always light-hearted Darling showed a genuine reaction when it came to alchemy.

"Don't worry. I'll help with the test subjects you lack."

A question appeared in Darling's eyes.

Crash had come in with a completely unexpected story.

"Test subjects?"

"I can steal curses."

For the first time, a light other than mischief appeared in Darling's eyes.

It was the reaction of an alchemist who had discovered new materials.

"Little brat, are you serious?"

"I made a contract with a god. Isn't this enough to help your research?"

"It's not just enough; it's more than enough."

Darling brushed off the end of her sentence and smiled slowly again.

"I think you want something from me. What do you want to talk about? Maybe a girlfriend?"

Despite her fondness for women, Crash didn't care about her playful attitude.

"I will obtain several curses in the future. I want to ask you to make potions to reduce those curses."

Crash now knows he can steal skills.

But that alone is not enough.

Even the brilliant generation of the Sky didn't prevent their ultimate downfall.

So Crash plans to use every shortcut available.

He has already used curses in reverse to the point of exhaustion.

"..."

After hearing the story, Darling quietly looked at Crash.

Those eyes full of ambition.

A 13-year-old child shouldn't have such eyes.

What could have made this child like this?

Darling had heard about Crash.

A failure of Balheim.

Not chosen by the gods, showing no strength in any weapon.

And the youngest, most compared to Charlotte, the brightest star in Staron.

'In such a situation, most people would break.'

But some rise.

And this boy in front of her had risen.

A curve began to form in Darling's eyes.

'Hmm, I like it.'

Darling has two types of people she likes.

One is an overwhelming genius.

A genius standing at the top, where no one can catch up.

The second is a rogue.

Someone who, with no talent, uses any means, fair or foul, to reach the top.

'How can siblings be so different?'

How can they be so attractive?

Darling's eyes, which had swept over her lips, shone seductively.

"Little brat, can I ask you one more question?"

Crash looked at Darling as if it didn't matter.

To that Crash, Darling asked the question she had been holding back.

"Are you going to the newly established Rahelren Academy?"

Hearing the question, Crash blinked once and then showed a matter-of-fact expression.

There are so many skills to steal; why wouldn't he go?

"Alright. That's enough. I'll make any potion for you. I welcome anything related to curses."

Seeing Darling laugh, Crash felt relieved.

Fortunately, Darling's personality hasn't changed from the past to the present.

"By the way, can I ask one more favor? It's related to potion making."

At that moment, Crash decided to ask for a forgotten favor.

"You said you'd make all the potions, so what is it?"

"Melanosis, you know it."

It's a deadly disease where the skin turns a deep blue and gradually dies.

Though rare, it's a known disease to Darling, so she tilted her head, and Crash continued.

"Can you make a cure for it?"

Hearing the sudden request for a cure, Darling was momentarily stunned.

"...You know it's a deadly disease, right?"

"I know."

"Do you know why it's called a deadly disease?"

It's called that because it can't be cured.

"You can do it."

If Darling seriously researched it, it wouldn't be difficult.

She had cured hundreds of deadly diseases in the future.

Among them was definitely the cure for melanosis.

Crash remembered the reason why Alion had chosen death and his daughter's illness when he swallowed the poison soup and committed suicide.

When he heard that Darling had created a cure for melanosis, he felt a bit regretful.

"That's a pride-hurting statement."

She didn't know when she had seen him to trust her this much, but it didn't feel bad.

So, Darling lightly got up from the bed.

"Is that all?"

"Yeah, contact the Balheim Blue Pine Hall as soon as the cure is ready."

"Want to come yourself? That's a big deal. I'll have to clean the room."

"Do you want to say that to a 13-year-old child?"

"Children don't even understand what it means. It's hard to clean, so I'll come myself."

What a strange woman.

Just as Crash was about to leave the room after finishing his business, Darling, who had approached him, poked his side.

"My boyfriend spot is open. Let me know whenever you want."

Crash frowned as if he had heard something he shouldn't have.

"Don't you like my sister?"

"I love Charlotte a lot. But that doesn't mean I can't like others, right?"

That's a ridiculous statement.

"...But, don't you like women?"

Knowing her sexual preferences, Crash said this, and Darling blinked before gradually filling her face with a smile.

"I like men too."

"Huh?"

"That means I like both women and men."

Darling, looking at Crash, ran her tongue over her lips.

Seeing her eyes, like those of a wild predator spotting prey, Crash immediately kicked open the door.

"Where are you going! My future boyfriend!"

"Crazy woman."

Crash, who had discovered Darling's unwanted new preference, returned to the party in shock.

Fortunately, it seemed Darling was only joking, as she didn't chase him with full force.

'That kid definitely asked about the Rahelren Academy.'

It feels off.

Originally, Darling didn't plan to go to the Rahelren Academy, following Charlotte, but for some reason, it seemed she would enroll this time.

'Whatever.'

Still, the main purpose of the gathering was achieved.

Deciding not to worry about it anymore, Crash, while running his fingers through his hair, was on his way back to his seat.

Crash's eyes fell on Bianca.

Her wrist was being held by someone, and seeing this, the corners of Crash's eyes began to droop.

At the same time, Crash, who had kicked the floor, instantly reached Bianca.

"Lord Crash?"

The moment Bianca called out to Crash with wide eyes, Crash immediately kicked the man.

"Ouch?!"

With a scream, the man fell, and Crash quickly grabbed Bianca, who was being dragged by the man.

He then checked Bianca's wrist, which was slightly red from being forcibly pulled.

"Lord Crash."

Bianca called out to him again, and Crash sighed as he looked at her.

"Let's go get some medicine."

She might have a bruise.

"I'm fine. More importantly."

Bianca looked ahead.

Following her gaze, Crash turned his head to see a boy who had staggered up from his seat.

He glared at Crash and frowned.

"You, you dared to kick me!"

"You're the one who tried to forcibly take someone else's fiancée. What were you thinking?"

"What, forcibly?"

Estimating the boy's age to be around mid-teens, Crash scanned him from head to toe and soon began to show a contemptuous expression.

"Bianca is still young. She's only 12. Don't tell me you have that kind of taste? It's disgusting."

"I'm not young."

Bianca said something from the side, but Crash only looked at the boy in front of him as if he were trash.