The onlookers could not comprehend what had just transpired.

Theo’s sword had shattered.

That clearly demonstrated a difference in skill and power.

So why had Wellington declared his own defeat?

Maybe, after seeing Theo’s fatigue from the previous duels, he was graciously conceding—

“That’s not it, you idiots.”

The watchers’ train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a voice behind them.

They all spun around hastily.

*Step. Step.*

“Iblin… the overseer?”

Those who recognized her gasped in shock.

She looked entirely different from the person they knew.

Dressed in a white uniform that highlighted her figure, with epaulets gleaming and golden buttons bearing the symbol of a dragon, she seemed as though she might burst into flames at any moment.

With every step she took, the rapier at her side clinked rhythmically.

Her empty left sleeve swung slightly, but it only added an air of elegance and dignity to her presence.

It was the white uniform only granted to the elite of the White Guards.

The onlookers felt entirely overpowered by her presence.

After all, she was an idol to all Ragnar swordsmen.

“If he’d been able to add mana? Or had layered aura over it? What do you think would have happened?”

Her gaze remained fixed on the training ground, even as she spoke to the onlookers.

“If you still don’t understand, then you might as well throw out whatever’s resting on your shoulders.”

Passing by them, Iblin approached Theo and Wellington.

Finally, they understood her words and fell silent.

Theo and Wellington’s clash had indeed happened at the same instant.

But there was a crucial difference in their swords.

Theo’s zweihander had been much longer.

And Wellington had already entered its range.

Consider the weight difference as well.

*Drip!*

Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads.

‘He wielded a zweihander with that speed?’

‘And that fast, against the famous swift blade of Narciso?’

‘With mana, just how fast would he have been?’

The onlookers began to see Theo as something monstrous.

- The rumors were not exaggerated. In fact, they hadn’t covered the half of it.

These thoughts crossed their minds simultaneously.

Then—

“With respect, my sword broke. This was my loss. It was an honor to duel you.”

Theo inclined his head in a sword salute.

The arrogant air he had once held was now replaced with the dignity and poise of a true swordsman.

*Thump, thump!*

Their hearts beat faster, stirred by raw, primal feelings.

The fire of rivalry between Theo and Wellington,

Their respectful acknowledgment of each other’s skills,

Their intense gazes,

Made the onlookers feel as if they, too, wished to join this world.

It was a glimpse of the ideal chivalry every swordsman dreamed of.

* * *

“Wasn’t your sword already battered from multiple matches, Theo? And you were clearly exhausted. In this duel, I am the one who lost.”

“Who cares about circumstances on a battlefield? A swordless fighter is defeated.”

Amid their odd back-and-forth over who had lost,

Theo was reviewing the results of his ten duels.

He had gained a total of 10 points in [Luck].

Other stats had improved slightly as well, reflecting his enhanced skills.

‘Still, I have a long way to go.’

But now, a new worry gnawed at him.

After exchanging blows with Wellington, he had clearly realized his own weaknesses.

‘I’ve memorized the forms of the secret techniques. I’m familiar with the sequences and applications. But I haven’t moved beyond that.’

Secret sword techniques typically consist of two parts.

The form (形), which includes basic movements and maneuvers.

And the essence (意).

The form is straightforward. Anyone with a bit of intelligence can memorize it.

Once it’s ingrained in the body, modifying its structure becomes possible.

That’s where application comes in.

But the essence is different.

It’s like an egg with its hard shell protecting the nutrient-rich yolk inside.

The essence encapsulates all the subtleties and intricacies of a technique.

Without understanding it, you’re merely scratching the surface.

The techniques Theo had borrowed from the library were impressive enough to astonish even the elders.

The problem was, he still lacked the insight to see their true depths.

To unlock them, he needed something more.

‘A teacher.’

Theo swallowed dryly.

‘I need a mentor to guide me along the right path.’

But would anyone agree to teach him?

Unlikely.

The image of “Theo Ragnar” he had built up until now was unfavorable.

Even if his reputation improved from this day, the current onlookers were all those who had been cast aside by Ragnar.

Overcoming them alone wouldn’t suddenly improve his standing.

It would take time.

And even if someone suitable existed, they would likely be committed to other disciples due to the upcoming Blooming Ceremony.

‘I’d love to visit Master Newitz… but leaving the Winterfort before the Blooming Ceremony is impossible. Besides, he’s more of an academician than a practical fighter.’

Moreover, he wouldn’t emerge on the scene for another five years.

When he considered all the factors, only one name remained.

‘Julius…’

But Theo shook his head.

Even though Julius saw him in a positive light, asking him again seemed improper.

To make such a request, he’d have to truly consider joining the White Guard.

‘Maybe I just need to figure this out myself.’

There were still five months left until the Blooming Ceremony. If he practiced enough during that time, perhaps he could grasp the essence on his own.

“You’re mistaken. The problem isn’t the essence.”

The words felt as if they had peered directly into his mind.

Theo turned around in shock.

There stood Iblin in her formal attire.

Before he could ask why she was dressed that way, another question spilled out first.

“How did you know what I was worried about?”

“Well, at this stage, everyone with your concerns tends to worry about the same thing.”

“….”

Was that praise? Or was it criticism?

Iblin chuckled softly at his puzzled expression.

“Forgive me if I spoke out of turn.”

“No, no… please, tell me. What did I get wrong?”

“What do you think essence is?”

“It’s the profound meaning within swordsmanship, isn’t it?”

“Then what do you think this meaning is?”

“It’s… what the technique aims to achieve?”

“And what’s this aim?”

“The creator’s objective?”

“And that objective is?”

“….”

Every answer led to a deeper question.

Theo’s words dried up, leaving him speechless.

“Essence is the core of swordsmanship.”

“The core…”

“However, if you analyze it closely, it’s not as grand as it seems. People describe it poetically—drawing inspiration from the vastness of the sky or the power of the ocean—but in the end, it’s nothing more than swinging, thrusting, parrying, cleaving, and slashing… a combination of basic movements.”

Theo finally understood Iblin’s point.

-Basics.

He lacked a solid grasp of the fundamentals, the foundational movements of swordsmanship.

“You’re an unusual case, Theo. Your basics are far from perfect, yet somehow, you appear to know more secret techniques than I’ve ever seen.”

“…”

“Not that I’m questioning where you learned them. I’m only saying that your approach is backward.”

Her gaze was calm.

“Would a child who can’t even walk properly learn how to run? Would a hatchling, unable to even stand on its own, know how to spread its wings?”

“But…”

“I understand. You want to say, ‘But I’ve managed so far.’”

He nodded.

“But that’s only natural, coming from ‘Ragnar.’”

“…!”

“Ragnar’s body allows those who can’t walk to fly, and lets a child who can’t even stand rip the throats out of predators. You, Theo, have an extraordinary talent to soar with them.”

He had been relying on his talent.

Or, more accurately, on the power of the Dragon’s Heart.

“So you must build a strong foundation before you rely on your talent. When you ascend to greater heights, you’ll have no fear of falling.”

Theo fidgeted with his fingers.

Something felt tantalizingly close, just out of reach.

How could he grasp it?

There was only one answer.

‘I need someone by my side to guide me, to correct my path.’

A mentor.

A true mentor, not a fraud like Randon.

Someone like…

The person standing before him—

“Iblin.”

“Yes?”

“Would you… be my swordsmanship mentor?”

A gasp sounded from the nearby crowd. The watchers.

Even though she had retired, receiving swordsmanship instruction from a White Guard veteran was a rare honor.

Even Wellington, who had kept his distance, now observed with a curious look.

But—

“Do you see what I’m wearing?”

Iblin asked an unexpected question.

“Huh? Oh, yes… Are you rejoining the White Guard?”

“Yes. I’ll be returning temporarily.”

In both his past and present lives, Theo had known Iblin for some time.

But she had never once spoken of her past.

Now, not only was she bringing it up, but she was even returning to the corps.

Was this some sort of butterfly effect?

He hadn’t done anything significant to change her past.

“But temporarily?”

“As I said. The commander attached a condition to my return.”

“A condition?”

“Yes. He requested that I become your swordsmanship mentor.”

“….”

“He said it was something you would need the most right now.”

“…!”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

-What…?

-A member of the

 White Guard as his swordsmanship mentor?

-And not just any member! Iblin! The commander’s right hand herself!

-So, this is practically a second recruitment.

-This is incredible. Is this really happening? A man they’ve offered a White Guard invitation *twice*?

-But doesn’t it make sense?

-If he’s on par with Wellington… yes.

The crowd now looked at Theo with open admiration.

Their eyes sparkled.

‘Julius… did he foresee all of this from our brief encounter? I suppose a true genius is a genius after all.’

“If this is a condition, then—”

“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that. The commander insisted that it’s simply a ‘favor.’”

“A favor?”

“Yes. He called it an investment. For the future.”

“…”

Theo scratched his head.

Julius’s intentions were a mystery.

Still, there was no reason to refuse.

He’d wanted Iblin as his mentor all along.

“Thank you. Then, I accept, humbly.”

“Good. Now, draw your sword.”

“…Huh?”

“The commander is the commander. But I still need to test if you’re worthy of being my disciple, don’t I?”

Theo lifted his zweihander, somewhat flustered, only to remember his sword was broken.

“Let me change weapons—”

“Didn’t you just say that in real combat, circumstances don’t matter?”

“…!”

“Now, defend yourself.”

*Whoosh!*

‘She’s fast!’

Was she really the same person who had retired? Her movements were unbelievably swift and sharp.

Theo channeled all the strength from his Dragon’s Heart, determined to keep up with her speed.

Just as he was about to shift his sword to intercept—

*Clang!*

A blade slipped between him and Iblin, intercepting her strike.

*Clang!*

“Your sword is only half there, so I’ll fill the gap with mine. Together, the length should be just right.”

Wellington grinned at Theo.

Theo matched his grin, moving alongside him.

With Theo on the left and Wellington on the right,

*Whoosh!*

*Whoosh!*

They moved in perfect harmony, their steps precise and sharp.

“You two made a wise decision.”

Iblin didn’t mind the unexpected addition and continued with her counterattacks.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

In a heartbeat, the three swords clashed, filling the air with a symphony of metallic clangs.

“Woooaaah!”

The onlookers—they had started as mere observers, then turned into admirers, and now had become fully devoted, enchanted by the fervor Theo exuded.

Their cheers reverberated throughout the training ground.

And as they cheered,

*Thump, thump, thump, thump!*

The hearts of everyone present beat in unison, thundering in their chests.

---

[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Tutorial Quest #8…]