“How is the new swordsmanship disciple? Are you satisfied with him?”

Evelyn glared at Julius, her former—no, now current—superior, who came to her quarters every week to indulge in expensive wine.

Pop!

Once again, an expensive bottle of wine met its fate.

How did he manage to find it when I had clearly switched the labels in advance?

“...Aren’t you going on any business trips? You used to hardly spend any time in Winterer when I was around.”

“Why do you keep bothering me?”

“...”

“Is it my joy in tormenting you lately?”

“...”

“Fine. Fine. If you keep glaring at me like that, I might end up with a hole in my face.”

Julius savored the aroma of the freshly opened wine before returning to the main topic.

“So, what’s your answer?”

“It was different from what I expected.”

“Was it less impressive than you thought?”

“No, it exceeded my expectations.”

Julius smiled as if he had anticipated this.

Evelyn continued with a solemn expression.

“Embarrassingly, you’ll remember that I’ve taught quite a few people their swordsmanship over the years.”

“You were always the instructor for the newcomers at Baekgabyongdae. Your swordplay has always been both orthodox and sharp. ‘The Dark Infamous’ also trained under you, right?”

Evelyn nodded.

Most people were unaware, but Aksion had begun to shine only after being trained by Evelyn.

So when Evelyn lost one arm and retired, she received the most calls for help from Camellia Palace.

“If we’re talking about potential and aptitude… I would place Lord Theo among the top five I’ve taught. Thanks to him, I feel like I’m awakening every day.”

“Just as I thought. My eyes don’t deceive me.”

That was enough.

Julius nodded.

He wanted to guide the promising talent, Theo, onto the right path.

And he wanted to instill a renewed sense of purpose in his unfortunate former subordinate, Evelyn.

This was precisely the image Julius had hoped for.

In truth, Evelyn was changing day by day in Julius’s eyes.

Not long ago, she had trembled with her hands stained by alcohol.

Now, she could express sharpness in her gaze.

Every time she pondered what to teach next, it reminded him of the fierce days spent as a member of Baekgabyongdae.

He assumed her swordsmanship had become considerably sharper.

She could easily take out average training knights.

“However, there’s something a bit strange.”

“Hmm? What do you mean strange?”

“Yes. Lord Theo’s swordsmanship is incredibly desperate. It’s as if he feels he would die if he missed this opportunity.”

“Perhaps it’s because the coming-of-age ceremony is approaching?”

“I thought so too, but…”

Evelyn swallowed her words halfway.

In fact, Theo was a model student who had nothing to worry about.

He studied hard, reviewed diligently, and practiced earnestly.

Yet.

Ironically, it was precisely because of this that Evelyn sensed something ominous in him.

- It felt as if she were watching someone who was self-immolating.

Theo threw everything he had into each moment.

She feared he might burn out completely if things continued as they were.

Was that why?

Theo kept a certain distance not only from Evelyn but also from Wellington and the other members of the Fourth Training Grounds, whom he saw every day.

On the surface, there seemed to be no significant issues.

They ate together and engaged in various conversations.

But that was all.

It was impossible to enter any area associated with Theo.

He seemed too preoccupied with focusing solely on himself, showing no interest in anything else.

‘That’s why I thought of sending him to the banquet to clear his mind.’

Even if Aksion was mischievous, she thought he might take good care of Theo.

‘But if he remains true to his essence even there…’

Evelyn let out a light sigh as she considered this.

Was this how a mother felt when she released her child into the water?

It was only natural that she felt a bit worried.

“Why do you look like you’ve realized something big but don’t have any toilet paper?”

“...Can you only express things that way?”

But Julius wore a peculiar smile, as if he understood her feelings.

Sigh!

Evelyn let out a deep sigh, resigned to her fate, and began to slowly voice her concerns about Theo.

---

Theo was completely unfazed by the Kyoryong members calling him a bastard.

He had heard that line far too often since his previous life.

Would he let himself be shaken by something so trivial?

Instead, he was currently focused on how he could find a way to the second floor.

However.

- Well, if you think about it, Wellington was also...

The moment the Kyoryong members mentioned Wellington, all thoughts vanished from his mind.

Theo knew the ‘real’ reason why Wellington had eventually parted ways with the Kyoryong Meeting and came to oppose Ragnar.

A secret history completely unknown to the outside world.

Or perhaps a shameful history that Narshio desperately wished to hide.

And so, without realizing it, Theo hurled the glass he had been holding at the culprits.

Shut up already.

‘It was an emotional reaction, but… well, it doesn’t matter.’

Theo felt no regret over what he had done.

After all, if he endured, the atmosphere wouldn’t change; they would continue to look down on both him and Wellington.

- If you’ve decided to take a ruthless stance, then be ruthless until the end.

He recalled the warning that Julius had given him long ago.

If that was the case.

It would be better to leave a strong impression of himself.

‘Still… I didn’t expect to get so worked up about Wellington’s situation.’

He thought he had kept a sufficient distance until now.

But he simply couldn’t stand it.

Watching Wellington be looked down upon.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

The heart of a dragon raced madly.

Blood coursed through his veins rapidly, and magical energy permeated every muscle and nerve cell, forcibly activating them.

And a killing intent bloomed around him.

‘What kind of spirit…!’

‘He’s still a mere initiation knight who hasn’t even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, right?’

‘Aura...? No, it can’t be aura. But how?’

‘It’s hard to breathe…!’

The four guard knights turned pale, overwhelmed by the killing intent radiating from Theo.

Although they were technically superior in terms of strength, having mastered their aura, they felt an unfathomable dread toward Theo.

In that moment, they realized what grave mistake they had made.

- They had threatened a descendant of the dragon bloodline with death.

Ragnar was the king of the North. Moreover, they were the overlords above the six families.

No matter how much of a bastard Theo might be, he was undeniably a direct descendant of the head of the family.

That meant he possessed a ‘right of succession’ to the throne.

To threaten such a person with death?

That was a capital offense that could wipe out an entire family without a second thought.

‘They need to apologize quickly…!’

But before they could utter a single word.

“Kill him.”

Theo coldly spat the words.

Slash!

Fwooosh!

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed, and the four heads floated away into the air.

Below them.

Evelyn, with a cold gaze, was wiping the blood off her sword.

Flap!

Under the cloak that Evelyn wore, a pure white uniform was revealed.

And on her right shoulder, there was a blue insignia.

- **Dragoon.**

‘Dragoon’ referred to the elite unit known as Baekgabyongdae that Ragnar prided itself on, and the blue insignia symbolized a senior knight.

Just her presence alone made the air of Camellia Palace feel drenched in the smell of blood.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

“...Evelyn, how did you...?”

Aksion’s expression deepened, reflecting disbelief that such an event could occur.

---

「How did you know I was here?」

With a step forward, Evelyn positioned herself protectively in front of Theo and spoke softly, only for his ears.

It was a technique called ‘Telepathy,’ which concentrated magical energy to transmit voice to a desired target.

- Wouldn’t it be better to confirm with your own eyes rather than just think it over?

Although her steps had followed Julius’s advice, she felt a bit embarrassed to have been found out like this.

However, one of the responsibilities of a swordsmanship master was to protect their disciple.

She couldn’t help but step forward.

She had witnessed just how reckless the members of the Kyoryong Meeting could be.

‘Their actions mirrored those of the Senate. These kids…!’

Gritting her teeth, Evelyn felt sick to her stomach, realizing the stench emanating from the very depths of Ragnar.

And then, there was Aksion, who looked at her.

He too was infuriated to see that the child he remembered was now acting just like those around him.

So when he asked why she was siding with Theo, he didn’t answer.

The master had already disavowed her former disciple in her heart.

And.

Theo, observing the fierce determination in Evelyn’s demeanor, smiled faintly.

‘I wonder how he would react if I said I knew from the moment I got in the carriage.’

The heart of the dragon didn’t just create a second aura hole.

As he activated his nerve

 cells, all his senses became incredibly sharp.

Because of this, his ‘Qi perception,’ known as the sixth sense, had also blossomed.

If someone were to claim that Theo’s level of Qi perception exceeded that of ordinary training knights, they wouldn’t be surprised.

But thanks to this, he could now consider Evelyn his ‘sword.’

Step, step!

Evelyn took another step forward.

With each step, pools of blood flowed from the fallen corpses, making splashing sounds.

“Wait, wait, wait, Theo!”

“We never meant it like that…!”

“Please, listen to us!”

The ones who had called him a bastard turned pale, their faces drained of color.

“Evelyn.”

“Yes, Lord Theo.”

「Are you really not going to tell me?」

“They all disgraced the rightful heir. The punishment for that is?”

「...That seems oddly reminiscent of you, Julius. Do you happen to receive separate lessons from him besides me?」

Evelyn suppressed a sigh and spoke solemnly.

The glint in her eyes sharpened.

“According to family regulations, execution is also permissible.”

“Since they are all just children who haven’t undergone their coming-of-age ceremony, let’s just take one arm each.”

“Understood.”

Swoosh—

Evelyn moved like a white wind again.

“Byron family’s second son.”

“Wait! Cough!”

“Fourth daughter of the Ceres trade family.”

“Ahhh!”

“First of the Red-White Mercenaries.”

“T-This can’t be… Cough!”

The wind turned into a blade, swiftly slicing through the interior.

“Shion! Please save me! Please!”

Some even clutched at Aksion’s pant leg, begging for mercy.

“Why should I?”

“W-What…?”

“This is just a greeting. A welcoming gesture.”

“What on earth are you talking about… Ahhh!”

Aksion kicked those begging for mercy away.

In truth, there was no room for him to intervene here.

The ones being punished were all criminals who had dared to insult the ‘rightful heir.’

To show mercy to them would only smear the face of another rightful heir.

‘He’s clearly pinpointing those who mentioned bloodlines. If he accidentally mentions anyone else, he’ll immediately intervene.’

Aksion noticed that Theo was punishing them in rage, but within that, he could sense the calm judgment and calculation at work.

It was precisely because he was like that.

‘Theo Ragnar. The bastard from the Rose Palace has changed.’

What could have possibly brought about this change in him?

And.

How had he managed to entice Evelyn, who had struggled so much in Camellia Palace?

‘That’s why… it’s so interesting.’

His initial impression of Theo becoming an interesting fellow was no lie.

Swoosh!

“I’ve severed the right arms of all fourteen people you mentioned.”

Evelyn quietly sheathed her sword and bowed her head before Theo.

The floor was stained with the blood of those who had lost an arm and were screaming in agony.

“What about treatment?”

“If they rush to the priest with their severed arms, they might be able to reattach them.”

They might be able to reattach them, but it was uncertain if they could continue as knights.

Evelyn omitted that part.

Unbeknownst to her, she was already mimicking the tone of both Theo and Julius.

“Did you hear? Take them away.”

Only after Theo gestured did the knights from Camellia Palace and the injured knights and ladies start to move in a hurry.

To treat them, they needed to act quickly before the cells began to necrotize.

“...This matter will never end easily. Even if you mention family regulations, your degree of severity was excessive.”

As those who had been spared the mention of bloodlines hastily fled Camellia Palace,

Only one person glared at Theo.

Orient Ragnar.

He shared the Ragnar name like Theo and Aksion but belonged to the collateral line, meaning he had no right to succession.

‘He was Aksion’s right-hand man in my previous life.’

“I will handle this matter myself.”

“Do you think this will just end easily...? Hmph. Fine. It’s your burden to bear. But I doubt the Rose Palace can withstand this storm. Be careful not to have your roots pulled out.”

You’ve now turned a considerable number of houses against you, not to mention you’ve fallen out with Troyban.

Orient warned him.

Yet, Theo remained indifferent.

It was almost as if Evelyn was asking him if he would do the same thing.

Eventually, Orient couldn’t continue and fled Camellia Palace in a hurry.

“We should leave too.”

As Theo passed by Aksion, he lightly thumped his shoulder twice.

Thump, thump—

Just like Aksion had done to him at the start.

“It seems the prepared welcoming gestures have run out. Thanks to you, I had a fun time.”

He didn’t wait for a response.

Theo stepped forward.

Evelyn and Wellington followed in succession past Aksion.

“…”

“…”

There was no conversation among them.

It was a clear break.