*“That was close. If I’d had to fight Ray too, it would’ve been tough.”*

Despite the fierce expression on his face, Theo sighed with relief internally.

From the dungeon to the training ground, he’d been engaged in back-to-back battles, and his stamina and mana were running on empty.

After clearing the dungeon and finally getting outside—

- “Y-young master! We were all looking for you! Where have you been?”

- “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

- “There’s a huge fight breaking out at the Fourth Training Ground...!”

Theo had dashed over immediately upon hearing the commotion, barely catching his breath.

And then there was the bonus he had received for completing the dungeon.

[Congratulations! You successfully hunted a Lesser Drake and completed Tutorial Quest #12.]

[Rating: A+]

[You’ve received the ‘Lesser Drake’s Tooth’ as a reward.]

[You’ve received the ‘Lesser Drake’s Claw’ as a reward.]

[As a bonus reward for your rating, you’ve also received a <Skill> slot.]

The rewards were well worth the two-month wait.

First, there were the items:

+ **Lesser Drake’s Tooth**

- Type: Material
- Effect: A strengthening material for weapon crafting. Increases durability.
- Usage requirement: Level 10

+ **Lesser Drake’s Claw**

- Type: Material
- Effect: A sharpening material for weapon crafting. Increases sharpness.
- Usage requirement: Level 10

The creatures found in the Magic Sea rarely retained their full forms after being captured, so finding materials intact was considered a “jackpot.” These materials were invaluable for forging weapons and armor.

The high-grade Lesser Drake had dulled Theo’s ceremonial sword and even posed a real threat to him, proving just how useful these materials could be for making new gear beyond the beginner series.

But it wasn’t the items that had Theo’s eyes gleaming.

It was the newly acquired *Skill*.

+ **Skill List (▼)**

- Lesser Drake Fear
- [Not assigned]
- [Not assigned]

+ **Lesser Drake Fear**

- Grade: D+
- Mastery: 1%
- Effect: Unleashes a Lesser Drake’s killing intent, overwhelming surrounding targets. Induces fear in those weaker than the user.

The intense aura, sharp enough to tingle his skin, plunged those around him into confusion and terror. In the chaos of battle, this would be a deadly weapon. It was what allowed draconic creatures to dominate as apex predators.

The skill allowed him to artificially project this fearsome aura, even if it was only that of a Lesser Drake.

Despite its lower rank, possessing this skill gave Theo an immense advantage.

Simply activating it had allowed him to control the atmosphere at the Fourth Training Ground.

It was what enabled him to crush Hulcus despite his depleted stamina—he’d overwhelmed his opponent with sheer presence.

*“Two more skill slots... The possibilities are incredible.”*

Even as he marveled at the skill’s effects, Theo remained wary of Ray.

And then—

“It’s fierce. Chaotic. We can’t even have a conversation. Let’s just meet at the Blooming Ceremony.”

With a swift movement, Ray disappeared, just as she had appeared, leaving Theo and the others wondering.

*“A conversation? What did she mean?”*

He couldn’t figure out what she’d come for.

Ray had always been difficult to understand, both in this life and his past.

Meanwhile, Jenkins’s crew, who had hoped to leave quietly alongside Ray and Hulcus, began to slink away.

*Swoosh!*

But Wellington blocked their path with a swipe of his sword, sending a gust of wind their way.

“You’re not leaving without leaving an arm behind, are you?”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Jenkins and his men went pale with fear.

---

Evelyn’s temple throbbed with a sharp, pulsing ache.

The chaos had unfolded while she’d briefly stepped away.

“So, let me get this straight... They started talking behind Young Master Theo’s back, and you all couldn’t hold back and started a fight?”

“Yes... that’s right.”

“And this is the result?”

Nod, nod...

Theo’s followers, unable to meet her gaze, stared at the ground.

Every time Evelyn’s teeth ground together, their heads drooped lower.

They’d learned from experience just how terrifying she could be.

In the Ironclad Corps, she hadn’t been nicknamed the “Tiger Instructor” for nothing.

“I told you over and over not to get into fights, didn’t I? And you ignored me, leading to this mess? Unbelievable.”

Word of the incident at the Fourth Training Ground had already spread throughout Winterer.

- “The cripple of the Rose Palace has been undergoing secluded training for the past two months, instructed by the clan leader, and has grown immensely powerful.”

- “The Northern Four Dragons challenged Theo to a match.”

- “Theo defeated all four Dragons with a single strike.”

- “The Black Bear was seriously injured and taken to the emergency room, the Ice Blade fled, and the Sword Lion knelt.”

- “The cripple of the Rose Palace announced that there’s no one here who can match him and invited anyone who wanted to prove themselves to the Fourth Training Ground.”

Some rumors were accurate, while others were absurdly exaggerated.

But one thing was certain:

Theo’s name had been seared into the minds of everyone in Winterer.

*Flash Tiger.*

A title that had only circulated among a few now spread like wildfire.

*“Moderate fame is beneficial, but too much fame can lead to trouble.”*

Evelyn wasn’t thrilled about the situation.

While fame had its advantages, excessive fame could invite jealousy and scrutiny.

Especially with the Blooming Ceremony around the corner, which required both individual skill and teamwork.

Multiple rivals could gang up on Theo during the ceremony, attempting to hinder his progress.

Whether Theo understood Evelyn’s concerns or not, he was sparring with Wellington, testing each other’s skills.

*Clang, clang!*

*“His strikes are sharper. More relentless.”*

With every flash of Theo’s blade, Wellington found himself forced back a step.

The gap in their abilities was now unmistakably clear.

Though Wellington’s technical swordsmanship remained superior, Theo’s blade was honed to exploit his weaknesses with ruthless precision.

This looked less like a spar and more like a fierce duel—a fight, rather than mere swordplay.

*“Has he seen real combat somewhere?”*

Wellington couldn’t help but feel that way, despite knowing Theo had been confined to the Camellia Palace.

The way Theo wielded his sword gave off the unmistakable aura of a seasoned warrior.

Men like him were rarely called “swordsmen.”

They were known as “warriors.”

Theo had become closer to what Ragnar was meant to be.

*“His growth rate is unbelievable.”*

Evelyn clicked her tongue to herself.

As a mentor, she was thrilled by her student’s progress, but it also put pressure on her.

Of course, she had no intention of giving up on this fascinating challenge.

*“For the next five days, I’ll focus on refining his rough techniques.”*

Evelyn decided to set aside her worries.

If there was no avoiding the scrutiny, then—

The only solution was to make Theo so overwhelmingly strong that no amount of pressure could stop him.

Evelyn was already planning to make him the star of the Blooming Ceremony.

If Julius found out, he’d probably throw a fit, complaining about the sudden influx of rivals.

But, what could be done?

*“You reap what you sow.”*

After all the trouble he’d put her through, it was only fair for the captain to suffer a little.

Evelyn chuckled to herself, imagining Julius pulling his hair in frustration.

*Hehehe!*

“...”

“...”

“...”

Sybil and the others quickly turned away, pretending not to notice Evelyn’s unsettling laughter.

---

On his way home after training, Wellington was filled with an inexplicable emotion.

*“I can’t beat him, even in terms of skill.”*

He recalled Theo’s overwhelming presence when he faced Ray and Hulcus, laughing to himself.

Just two months ago, before Theo had fully committed to training, Wellington never thought he would lose in a serious fight.

Yet somehow, Theo seemed like a completely different person now.

His aura, skill, and battle sense had become razor-sharp.

*“I never thought he’d be able to take down Hulcus in a single strike.”*

He doubted he could manage the same feat.

The Four Dragons of the North had always been roughly equal in skill.

*“I thought I had become stronger too. I worked hard for it.”*

Wellington absentmindedly touched the hilt of the sword at his waist.

*“Is this what people mean by the difference in talent?”*

While he was genuinely happy that his friend had grown stronger and was finally breaking free of the contempt from his family, he couldn’t shake a bitter feeling.

*Talent.*

The word brought back something his father had once said to him.

- “Is it because half your blood is low-born? Such a shame about your talent. It’s only a pity that Heaven allowed me only one heir, and it’s you.”

For the past decade, he had tirelessly trained, hoping to win his father’s favor.

How much harder would he have to push himself?

*Grip.*

His grip on the sword tightened.

*Swoosh!*

“...Who’s there?”

Wellington stopped in his tracks, drawing his sword and aiming it behind him.

His sharp gaze scanned the empty alley.

And then—

“If you don’t show yourself, I’ll take that as a hostile move and strike...!”

“As expected, your senses

 are impeccable, young master.”

*Step, step.*

A familiar face emerged from the previously empty alley.

Wellington’s eyes widened slightly.

It was someone he hadn’t expected.

“Ralph?”

It was Ralph Giggs, the head butler of the Narcio family, who had watched over Wellington since he was a child.

“Have you been well, young master?”

“More or less. But why are you here?”

“Of course, with the Blooming Ceremony coming up, I came to see you.”

“Me? The family has little interest in me, don’t they?”

Normally, Wellington would have responded with polite words, but there was an edge of sarcasm in his voice this time.

Ralph gave a bitter smile.

“How could you say that? You’re the one responsible for the future of our family... However, I must ask for your understanding in advance.”

“Understanding?”

“Yes. Originally, I intended to come with only the retinue, but I was compelled to bring one other guest.”

*Step, step.*

Behind Ralph, another figure appeared, walking quietly toward them.

Wellington’s face hardened the moment he saw who it was.

---

*Swoosh!*

*Rustle.*

*Ray Ragnar?*

On his way back to the Camellia Palace, Theo stopped, noticing a faint presence tailing him.

She might think she was moving quietly, but her stealth wasn’t enough to slip past Theo’s sharp senses.

*She hasn’t left the training ground all day. Why is she following me? Does she want a real fight?*

But it didn’t seem like that.

*If that were the case, she would’ve challenged me openly.*

Ray had been a handful for the intelligence department in his past life, with her quiet demeanor and unpredictable behavior.

- “Don’t try to understand Ray Ragnar. You’ll only waste time. Just accept that’s how she is.”

If she had a reason for following him, she’d probably find a way to confront him sooner or later.

Theo decided to ignore it for now.

*“Theo Ragnar, you’ve come a long way. Not only are you on the radar of the Four Dragons, but you’re also considered their equal.”*

It was a situation he couldn’t have imagined in his past life.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with those he’d once admired was undeniably gratifying.

It meant he was being recognized as a swordsman.

Yet, he didn’t feel as exhilarated as he’d expected. Instead, he felt strangely calm.

*Perhaps my standards have become too high?*

Theo suspected it might be because he had witnessed the technique of Julius and Kyle.

The longing for the end of the sword had left a deep impression, reshaping his ambitions and focus.

---

Theo reached up toward the night sky, where the moon shone brightly.

He clenched his hand, but the moonlight slipped between his fingers.

It was like trying to grasp the elusive perfection of their swordsmanship.

*“I practiced endlessly to catch up… but am I even on the right path?”*

Julius’s warning echoed in his mind.

Climbing to a high place was an arduous journey.

In the process, he lost sight of the scenery and those who climbed with him.

The Four Dragons of the North seemed just like that.

Maybe it was because of this realization that a subtle yet profound change was unfolding within him.

*The desire to see the end of the sword.*

His desire to gain recognition shifted into something deeper.

While he still sought to become a clan leader and avenge the wrongs of his past life, another, more elevated aspiration had emerged.

He’d spent his days surviving, bitter about his circumstances, with no thought of changing them.

But now, he wanted to break free.

He would rise to reach those heights.

That was Theo’s vow.

*Snap…*

At that moment, an invisible chain that had bound his heart finally shattered.

---

“...What’s this?”

Feeling unburdened, Theo was about to step into the Camellia Palace when he suddenly halted.

The palace and its surroundings were too quiet—unnaturally so.

It felt deliberate.

*An intruder.*