I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 12 A 13-Year-Old and World Erosion?

The incident at the Sanctuary of Stars.

Unlike Belorkin, who saw no need to join a childrens party and abstained from the event at the Sanctuary of Stars, Kraush chose to participate this time.

Belorkin wondered what kind of embarrassment that half-penny boy was seeking by engaging in such an act.

But the story that returned was entirely unexpected.

Kraush had managed a draw against Anicks.

Although Kraush was ultimately evacuated from the venue by Darling Danphelion, this was a significant feat, drawing against Anicks, the most troublesome person in Starlon next to Charlotte.

Belorkin naturally couldnt believe the news.

The Kraush he knew was a half-penny without the slightest hint of talent.

Wasnt he the same one who had accepted this and had been idly by at Green Pine Hall every day?

But a draw against Anicks?

That was impossible.

Thats why Belorkin had come to see with his own eyes.

To find out whether this preposterous rumor attached to that half-penny guy was true or false.

Despite feeling a hint of unease deep insde, he forced himself to ignore it.

Brother, you went out of your way to come looking for me, at a time when you must be so busy. Are you alright?

Kraushs voice prompted Belorkin to lift his head.

Busy? What was he talking about?

Responding to Belorkins silent query, Kraush offered a gracious smile.

With the recent establishment of Rahelrn Academy, isnt everyone in a state of uproar? They say admission is granted through entrance exams, regardless of status. You ought to prepare, too, Brother.

Those words were a barefaced taunt.

Balheim was on an entirely different plane compared to other noble houses.

Even the most powerful empire in the world feared Balheims wrath enough not to touch the Starlon Kingdom, for those who hailed from Balheim were uniformly natural-born geniuses.

Even though Belorkin had been pushed aside due to the monstrous emergence of Charlotte, he was still of the direct Balheim lineage.

Even if Anicks was heralded as the next genius after Charlotte, in terms of age and skill, he was still nothing but a youngster in Belorkins eyes.

Busy preparing for an academy entrance exam when the Rahelrn Academy should be supplicating themselves and praying to have him?

You sure say some amusing things.

Belorkins thick eyebrows began to twitch of their own accord.

Gradually, a somewhat softer smile crept onto his face.

Well, I suppose everything might look that way from your point of view. Oh dear, Brother was wrong. Its only natural for someone at the level of a mere criminal to see Rahelrn Academy in a grandiose light.

Belorkin did not hold Rahelrn Academy in high regard.

He believed that no matter how high Rahelrn Academy might climb, it would never reach the heights of Balheim.

To him, it was nothing more than a place to broaden ones horizons at best.

In truth, the real reason he contemplated truly going to Rahelrn Academy was because Charlotte showed no interest in it.

Should he attend the academy, he might manage to somewhat escape the constant comparisons to her.

But Belorkin would never let this reason slip past his lips.

Indeed.

And Kraush smoothly agreed with Belorkins words.

Although he was irritated by Kraushs too readily consenting demeanor, Belorkin spoke up.

The reason I came for you today is due to a directive from our family.

A directive?

The following words were rather unexpected for Kraush.

He had thought Belorkin had come for a vengeful visit because of the matter with Anicks that had been overlooked.

Surprisingly, however, there was a genuine reason.

Yes, in the Gerilak Mountains, a territory of Balheim, there has been an outbreak of world erosion. You are commanded to go and address it.

The words that ensued, however, made Kraush feel almost absurd given his situation.

Arent the familys commands supposed to apply from the age of fifteen?

Like other noble families, Balheim sends its members to purify world erosion when it occurs in Starlon.

Although this family duty is indeed a responsibility for the direct lineage, the obligation doesnt begin until the age of fifteen.

Kraush will be turning fourteen next year.

Thus, he was still of an age that was unrelated to the familys commands.

Dont worry. I have decided to take you there as your guardian.

Looking at Belorkin who spoke as though he was granting benevolence, Kraush snorted discreetly.

It was rather apparent that Belorkin had come to check on Kraushs skills and also possibly to keep his morale down.

My little brother, who even fought Anicks to a draw, surely wouldnt be too terrified, right?

Face creased with an insinuating smirk, Belorkin watched as Kraush blinked.

Is he attempting to provoke my pride now?

A laugh nearly escaped Kraush involuntarily, but he managed to hold it back.

How self-centered it was to assume there would be any pride left to provoke in a half-penny.

This was why Kraush did not hold a high opinion of Belorkin.

His worldview was always narrow and self-centered.

And it is that very nature, unwilling to acknowledge anything.

That eventually, Kraush mused, would be Belorkins downfall.

Whatever. Im fine with it.

To Kraush, world erosion was more familiar than this peaceful world.

If it was considered sufficiently safe for Belorkin, it likely wasnt very dangerous.

Even if Belorkin had a trap laid out, Kraush had his own ideas in mind.

Kraush.

At that moment, Kraush turned at the sound of the voice.

There stood Bianca, who had previously taken flight, emotionless as ever.

Where are you going?

Bianca, seemingly having caught some of the earlier conversation, inquired.

It had come to this, so Kraush saw no reason not to inform her.

Ill be going to deal with world erosion for a bit.

World erosion with Kraush? Why?

Bianca showed an inability to comprehend.

Kraush, although only thirteen, often displayed maturity far beyond his years, but still, he was only thirteen.

Conventional wisdom said it made no sense for a thirteen-year-old to go off to counteract world erosion.

Youre not planning on coming along, are you?

I wont follow.

Is that so?

Though Bianca was usually the type who would follow him anywhere, this time she answered decisively.

And then Bianca turned to face Belorkin.

It doesnt make sense for a child who isnt even fifteen to go handle world erosion, she stated matter-of-factly to Belorkin.

There must have been a sting in her words because Belorkin flinched before contorting his face into a scowl.

That child, Kraush, Belorkin starts to speak.

Hes my fiance, Bianca interjected

Belorkin exhaled a breath laced with derision.

Ah, so its the cursed Snow Maiden from the north

Since its coming from a child whos barely twelve, Im sure a generous brother like you wont nitpick the words of a child, Kraush countered, cutting off Belorkin and fixing him with a glare.

It signified he would not tolerate any further rambling.

Watching Kraush, Belorkin turned away, though with a sour taste, having achieved his objective.

After Belorkin left, Kraush turned back to Bianca.

You did well.

He lightly placed his hand on Biancas head in a gesture of praise.

I dont think I did anything praise-worthy.

That may be a matter of perspective between you and me, Kraush replied and lifted his hand from her head.

Ill be back.

Try not to collapse this time.

Ill bear that in mind, Kraush responded as he started walking away.

Bianca, watching his retreating figure, silently twiddled with the strands of her hair he had touched.

World Erosion.

As the term suggests, world erosion marks the incursion of different worlds, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Sometimes Erosion Creatures would appear.

Sometimes the nearby environment would transform.

Sometimes the place itself would be consumed by erosion, turning into a part of a different world.

The Gerilak Mountains, where Kraush, Belorkin, and several mid-level knights from the Balheim family had come, were undergoing such an erosion.

The mountain has turned into a marshland.

Where there once had been verdant meadows, trees, and mountains, there was now a swamp spreading its thick sludge.

Plants of various shapes reminiscent of prehistoric times sprouted haphazardly across the area.

Especially poignant was the acrid smell wafting from the swamp, which stung the nose and was inhospitable without the protection of aura.

But amid these dangers, there was something even more perilous.

For some reason, headless insects were fluttering all around the swamp.

While they took no notice of Kraush outside the world erosion, it was certain that should he step over, they would swarm in.

World erosion spared no mercy for intruders.

Wheres the Purification Squad?

In the meantime, Belorkin, who had entered world erosion several times before, inquired of the knights.

We have been in contact. They will start the purification process as soon as the host is dealt with, one knight replied.

This world erosion was different, as it wasnt just Erosion Creatures that emerged; the surrounding environment had changed as well, necessitating the calling of a Purification Squad to reverse the transformation.

So Belorkin, what ranking is this erosion?

Three stars.

Three stars meant that a team of expert mid-level knights could handle it without much difficulty.

Belorkin was of the higher expert level.

He seemed confident in dealing with the host effortlessly.

Its apparent why I was brought along.

Kraush was of the lower expert level.

Presumably, the intent was to demonstrate the gap between their prowess and to put him in his place.

Belorkin must be feeling frightened.

The notion that Kraush, who might be on an upward trajectory following Charlotte, could potentially surpass him.

Kraush, the reason youre brought here today is purely for the experience. Watch and learn.

Belorkin said this pompously as if he were schooling a junior and began to move forward.

Kraush shrugged lightly as he watched him.

It was unclear who was imparting experience to whom.

Of course, at this point, with no experience to his name, the knights of Balheim looked on at Kraush with concern.

But Kraush himself was keeping a grim smile hidden.

He had a singular reason for following Belorkin into the world erosion.

The Extreme Blood Poison.

Though he had yet to resolve the madness, it was time to test a tentative solution.

The Balheim Half-Penny.

Kraush Balheim.

Thats certainly what he was known as.

Belorkins dragging Kraush to world erosion today was indeed to put him in his place as Kraush had figured.

At fifteen,

Belorkin remembered well the pain of his first world erosion.

It was the place where his high and mighty attitude had first been humbled.

Even more so now with Kraush at thirteen, younger and on a lower plane of mastery than he had been then.

Just having reached the lower expert level, he probably felt like he owned the world.

Belorkin was determined to shatter that misconception.

Besides, Kraush had already been put in his place once before.

The moment he recognized his reality, he would undoubtedly tumble down immediately.

Belorkin was exhilarated by the notion of embedding the difference so that Kraush would never be able to look upwards again.

However, what soon appeared on Belorkins face was an expression of confusion.

The swampy nature of the land, heavy and sapping strength from the body, coupled with the damp environment continuously mounting stress, wears down both mind and body.

And with monstrous Erosion Creatures continually emerging, there was no respite for breath.

Such conditions would naturally exhaust any person, yet Kraush traversed the area with ease as if he was merely out on a leisurely walk.

These Erosion Creatures may lack heads, but they do possess teeth. If bitten, the affected area will swell greatly, with discharge and itching likely to follow. Make sure you encase yourself tightly with aura.

Kraush advised the mid-level knights as he examined an Erosion Creature that approached him.

His demeanor suggested a deep familiarity with world erosion, and his intermittent advice proved to be highly beneficial.

Sir Kraush, do you perhaps already have experience with world erosions?

A knight who had learned how to deal with the swamp from Kraush asked.

On hearing the question, Kraushs expression conveyed sheer incredulity.

Im only thirteen years old. Does it make any sense for me to have experience with world erosion already?