The Greed of Kronos

The Student

Forty-five: The Student

Shortly after that, Skia then shifted his gaze towards Kronos before bowing once again and responded. "I shall do as you say, master."

When Kronos merely nodded slightly as he had another spoonful of cheesecake, the shadow king turned its back and called for raven before disappearing out of thin air. "Let's go."

Seeing that Skia disappeared and left him behind, Raven protested but then followed right away. "Wait!"

With their presence dissipating along with the air, Kronos continued to enjoy his cheesecake while listening to the other's laughter and cheerfulness. It was a surprise that no one pestered them and that they managed to enjoy their cheesecakes peacefully.

Come to think of it, it has been a long time since he had a taste of something familiar. Kronos still could not believe that it was already thirteen years since he was given another chance to live. At first, he thought that he was an average child. But then who would have expected that the grudge of the souls that he killed would hunt him in his next life and, eventually, a greed was formed inside him? He promised not to kill people yet he could not do so since letting the greed have control over his body would be troublesome.

When he was in the middle of reminiscing about what had happened to him by far, some unclear murmurs brought him back to reality. Together with that, the Exi heard of the reason why no one dared to go near them.

After a short moment, the shadow king and the black dragon got back with a nervous expressions on their faces.

Of course that piqued Kronos' curiosity. Which was why he stopped eating and looked at Skia with a look that was telling the shadow king to tell him everything.

Seeing this, Skia bowed and replied with uneasiness. "Master. We were able to acquire the heart with the help of His highness, crown prince Eros."

Since the crown prince knew about his greed, it would be weird if he was not aware of Skia's existence. Which was why he used to help from time to time in the past. Regardless of that, the presence of the crown prince alone would be not enough to justify their weird expression. Most especially Raven, who was not related to the crown prince in any matter.

Raven was at first hesitant to talk. But then it closed its eyes and then uttered. "However.."

Even before Raven could finish what it was about to say, the students from the other table near them gossiped loudly as if they wanted the Exi to hear the rumor. "Have you guys heard? A student committed suicide!"

"Oh my, why is that?" Another student gasped.

The Exi, on the other hand, started to get curious as well. Except for Asisi, Astian, and Kronos, who had a hunch on how the conversation would go downhill.

Of course, they would not be raising their voice enough for the lowest class to hear if they do not have ill intentions. It was obviously a play where if they could not go near the Exi, then might as well give everything by being loud when spreading a rumor that would damage their reputation even more.

"Do you remember the student who bullied a student in Exi class a while ago? That was her." A student started to talk with the same volume of voice that was loud enough for the next table to hear. That next table, anyway, was the Exi’s table.

And they were right. After hearing those, Kronos and the others started to mind their own business again as if they heard enough. Everyone was aware of what would happen next. That was why they acted as if they could hear nothing.

But it did not stop at that moment. The students were eager to convey their hatred towards the Exi class that another student replied. "Did she get hurt because one student told her that she was an illegitimate child?"

"What? But that's true… And if it's like that…"

"... Then would it be also true that the Exi class were the ones who pushed her to commit suicide?"

Even if they were not able to see who was gossiping, everyone knew that when they uttered those words, their judging gazes did not leave the table of the lowest class.

Inoa seemed to have a hard time digesting her food with the rumors spreading. Which was why she stood up with and looked at the table where some students were gossiping with her usual scowling expression. "I'm suddenly full. Let's go."

With that being said, one of the students looked at Inoa and chuckled. "Oh my, that's the Exi class. I was not aware."

"Be careful not to touch them. You might suddenly act rashly and go suicide without even knowing." The other student laughed as he crossed his arms.

Inoa was about to give them a good beating when Aeria held her hand and dragged her out of the canteen together with the others.

Had they known that something like that would happen, they should have joined Kallen at the dormitory. They did not see what happened because they were at the summoning hall by the time that Kronos and Astian were being harassed. But hearing those, it felt like they actually witnessed it right in front of their eyes. The others wanted to hear Kronos, Astian, Kallen, and Asisi’s side. However, the most important thing at that moment was to get out of the canteen and discuss it at the dormitory as soon as possible. That was why they were all walking at in fast pace.

When they got outside of the canteen, when everyone was going left, Kronos turned right.

And with that, Astian tilted his head and asked. "Kronos? Where are you going?"

Hearing this, Kronos looked at Astian and replied simply. "Eros."

Since Skia mentioned the crown prince, he felt like he should meet up with him. And about the crown prince's whereabouts? As the student council president, it was pretty obvious that he was currently cleaning the area where the student died.

Astian, on the other hand, jogged towards Kronos' direction and smiled warmly. "Should I accompany you?"

Of course, he would not miss any chance of being apart from Kronos. Because Kronos attracts interesting events, how could he miss any?

Hearing this, Kronos pondered for a moment. It appears that there was no harm in bringing Astian. Which was why he nodded and replied. "Sure."

With that being said, Astian shifted his gaze towards their classmates who were waiting for them and smiled. "We will get to the dorm, later guys!"

"Alright don't be late again." Aeria laughed. It seems like they wanted to confirm things on their own. And if it’s like that, how could they intervene? Besides, Asisi was in their party, so he could explain on their behalf.

The latter's comment was like a trigger to remember what happened that Astian felt flustered as he nodded repeatedly in panic. "We promise!"

Being late for the first time in forever, of course, Astian would never forget the experience. What's worse was that it was partly his fault because he was the one who convinced Kronos to stay at the ocean for a while.

That was why Astian could not help but to act like a maiden beside Kronos and merely followed him quietly without even asking where they were going.

But it was obvious where. The place where the student was mercilessly killed. Sometimes, Astian could not help but to feel amazed by himself. Even though Kronos always wore a blank expression, he could easily tell what the latter was thinking. And every time Astian would try to guess what’s on his mind, it would always appear to be correct. It’s probably one of the perks of being Kronos’ soulmate. If that was the case, then he’s fortunate~

"Kronos, Astian, hello~" The crown prince smiled at them warmly as soon as he saw them walking towards the crime scene.

When they arrived at the place, it was full of imperial knights. Astian was expecting that they would be stopped by the knights. However, as if expecting for their arrival, they let Astian and Kronos pass and even led them to where Eros was.

Kronos guessed that Eros was anticipating for his arrival. But of course, the very person who knew him the best was Eros.

Hence, if Eros expected that Kronos would show up at the crime scene, then Eros should also be aware of the reason why Kronos appeared.

That was why after Eros greeted them, while Astian greeted back, Kronos got straight to the point. "It's not a f*****g suicide for f**k's sake."

The student, who was in despair after being bullied by the higher class, came to the Exi to bully them too. However, she was slapped, called a b***h in front of many students, and reminded her that she was an illegitimate child. That alone would be enough to convince the public that it was a suicide and point their fingers towards the Exi for doing those to her. It may look like a suicide because of what happened earlier. But Kronos was certain that it was not.

Even the crown prince thought so too. "Of course I know~ You can look at this."

Because it was common for the people to make stories out of what they witnessed before the crime. They do not tend to look for evidence if it's plain suicide or a murder. The important thing was that they have a hot topic for rumors. People don't care about the truth. If it's interesting to them, then digging the truth is out of their concerns.