The front gate of the central hall was packed with a crowd.

"Get your lucky charms here! Only 10 gold for a guaranteed pass!"

"Son, you can do it! Just like we practiced, all right?"

Vendors with their carts, parents wishing luck to their children, boys and girls gripping their swords tightly as they entered, pickpockets blending into the crowd, and even law enforcement officers stationed for safety—all gathered here for one reason.

The Awakening Ceremony.

The prestigious families from Ragnar and other Northern regions had sent their fifteen-year-old children to take part in this grand rite of passage. Naturally, it drew considerable attention.

This year’s ceremony was rumored to include some of the greatest talents in history, raising excitement. Onlookers watched the candidates passing through the main gate, speculating on who would secure the top rank.

“Who do you think will claim the top spot this year?”

“It’s hard to say—there are so many strong contenders.”

“The bigger, stronger candidates have an advantage since they haven’t unlocked their mana yet.”

“So, what about Hulcus of the Ranke family?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Hulcus lost to Ray a couple of years ago. It’s obviously going to be our Lady Ray who takes the top spot!”

"But then, there’s Lady Erica, Hulcus’s twin sister. She’s got quite a reputation, even though we don’t know much about her abilities yet."

"What about Wellington from House Narciso? They say he's already like a lion."

"Fools! When has Ragnar ever lost the top rank in the Awakening Ceremony? Obviously, Lord Aksion is going to take it!"

As people debated the candidates, someone suddenly shouted.

"Hulcus! It's Hulcus Ranke!"

Everyone stopped talking and turned to look.

*Thud, thud…*

Cutting through the crowd, Hulcus Ranke approached.

He was so much taller and broader than the average person that he stood out even from a distance.

"Whoa, look at those arms! They’re thicker than my thighs!"

"I heard he was big, but seeing him in person… is he really fifteen? How much bigger is he going to get when he’s fully grown?"

The nickname "Bear" seemed quite fitting.

*Heh… this is why I trained in swordsmanship,* Hulcus thought to himself, basking in the attention.

He loved being the center of attention. It was the reason he took up swordsmanship in the first place. The more impressive his feats, the louder the applause. He intended to bask in that praise today, just as he always had.

But just as he confidently passed through the gate, he overheard a conversation.

"Hey, don’t forget Somho as a top candidate."

"Right! Just a few days ago, he took down Black Bear…"

"Shh! Watch what you’re saying!"

The two men discussing Somho quickly clammed up as Hulcus’s fierce gaze landed on them. He glared at them, his mood soured.

Then another shout rang out.

"It’s the carriage from Suseong Palace! Lady Ray Ragnar is here!"

People turned to look as the beautifully decorated carriage arrived. When Ray emerged, the crowd was entranced by her cool, elegant presence. Hulcus's face twisted in frustration as attention shifted away from him.

But it didn’t end there.

*Creak*

“It’s Lord Aksion!”

“He moved his residence to Rose Palace, but he’s still using the Dongbaek Palace carriage.”

Axion stepped out of the carriage and, spotting Ray, offered her a slight smile.

Ray met his gaze with a piercing look but quickly turned toward the main gate. Aksion simply shrugged and followed her.

Hulcus fumed silently as he watched Ray and Aksion exchange glances. He wished he could have that kind of rivalry with her, not Aksion.

Just then, another carriage arrived, drawing everyone’s attention once more.

“That carriage is beautiful. Was there something like that in Winterer?”

Drawn by two white horses reminiscent of the Northern winter, the carriage was intricately adorned with patterns that captivated even the most discerning nobles.

But it was the person stepping out of the open door who garnered the most attention.

"Wow…"

Everyone stared, captivated by his appearance.

He had a lean but athletic frame, dressed in a pristine white uniform that highlighted his broad shoulders. His crimson eyes gleamed like rubies, contrasting sharply with his long, dark hair that flowed like the night sky.

He moved with grace, like a figure from a fairy tale or a masterpiece sculpture brought to life.

Hulcus, Ray, Aksion, and the rest of the candidates all stopped in their tracks, staring at him.

"It’s Somho! That’s the one who defeated the Northern Four Pillars!"

"Was he always that good-looking?"

"He’s grown taller, and his features have become sharper."

"He’s inherited his mother’s beauty—she was one of the North’s renowned beauties. He’ll break hearts when he’s older."

It was Theo.

* * *

"Is Wellington still not here?"

Theo looked around, puzzled. Wellington had been avoiding him lately. Over the past five days, he hadn’t seen him even once, and Wellington had refused his offer to travel together to the central hall.

Perhaps he was trying to clear his mind before the ceremony, but his absence felt strange. Wellington was always punctual.

*Oh well, I’ll see him after the ceremony starts.*

As he started moving forward, Theo became aware of the countless eyes fixed on him—both candidates and spectators alike.

It wasn’t hard to figure out why. He himself had wondered if he’d overdone it with his appearance.

But how could he refuse?

He couldn’t say no when Cecilia insisted her son should shine the brightest. He’d have to get used to this, as similar events were bound to happen in the future.

With that thought, he felt a bit more at ease.

He felt the keen gazes from a few people.

Ray, who had been watching him from a distance for days.

Hulcus, who was scowling for some reason.

And…

*Aksion.*

Aksion, the mischievous one, was smirking with a hint of menace in his eyes.

*Same as always.*

Oddly, Aksion’s look didn’t faze Theo at all. Perhaps it was because he had already clashed with Hangryong and sparred with his father.

In his previous life, Aksion had felt like an insurmountable wall. Now, Theo felt a surge of curiosity instead.

Who was stronger now—him or Aksion?

Aksion had always been the most skilled of the Northern Four Pillars in his past life. With his recent growth, Theo wondered how he’d measure up.

So, he simply smiled at Aksion as he passed through the gate.

Aksion’s face twitched slightly in response, but Theo ignored it.

"Hey."

"…."

"Hey!"

A voice called out from behind.

Theo assumed it wasn’t directed at him since it wasn’t Aksion’s voice.

Then someone abruptly grabbed his shoulder.

When he turned, he saw Hulcus looking down at him with a peculiar expression.

*How could he have such strength?*

Hulcus was taken aback. He’d reached out to stop Theo, annoyed that Theo had ignored him just as Ray had.

But Theo’s shoulder felt like solid rock.

"What?"

"Uh, um… th-that’s…!"

"Are you here for payback?"

Hulcus frowned deeply, snapping out of his daze.

"Payback? I’m not that petty! I accept the results of our spar, and I know how to acknowledge a loss. If I wanted payback, I’d just prove myself at the Awakening Ceremony!"

Theo looked at him, surprised.

Until now, he’d seen Hulcus as someone who hated losing more than anyone.

"Then, what is it?"

"…Teach me."

"What?"

"…Teach me."

"…?"

It was strange to see someone so large mumbling shyly.

"Speak up."

"It’s…!"

"If you’re not going to say it, I’ll leave."

Hulcus’s face flushed bright red.

"T-teach me! H-how to look handsome…!"

"…."

"Is that a no?"

Hulcus felt humiliated to his core, but he persevered, thinking that if he learned Theo’s secret, he’d gain everyone’s attention and admiration.

Theo let out a short laugh. He’d expected Hulcus to ask for a rematch or about his training methods—anything but this.

"Fine, if you don’t want to teach—"

"I don’t know."

"…What?"

"I said, I don’t know."

"…."

"This is just how I was born. There’s no secret."

*Lucky bastard.*

Hulcus barely swallowed the insult that nearly escaped. It sounded like Theo was saying, *Your looks are your problem; there’s no way to change that.*

"Five minutes until the gates close. All candidates, please proceed to the main hall!"

The announcement echoed through the hall.

Checking the clock, Theo turned away.

"If you don’t have any more questions, I’ll be on my way."

Theo joined the other candidates, exchanging farewells with their families before heading to the main gate.

"Argh, this isn’t what I wanted… Fine, I’ll figure it out later!"

Hulcus grumbled, trailing behind him.

*Boom!*

The main gate closed, and the law enforcement officers began their patrols, ensuring security.

Theo and the candidates found themselves in a vast, open square in front of the hall.

The square was unique.

At the center, a platform held hundreds of swords haphazardly thrust into it, and stands were set up on both sides for spectators to observe the candidates.

Sitting in the audience were high-ranking swordsmen, some emitting powerful auras.

Most of the Nine Dragons were present, along with leaders and veterans from various divisions, and even retired elders and dignitaries.

In the very center sat a middle-aged man, casually observing the candidates.

The candidates grew tense as they realized they were under the watchful gaze of Kyle, the head of the Ragnar family.

When he spotted Theo, he even gave a slight wave, causing a ripple of surprise among the candidates and high-ranking observers.

Theo nodded in acknowledgment, though his attention was fixed on a particular figure seated next to Kyle.

A woman lounged carelessly, yawning with a disinterested expression.

She looked to be in her thirties at most, with long black hair, the hallmark of Ragnar. Unlike the other warriors, she exuded no intimidating presence, her aura almost nonexistent.

Yet Theo’s gaze held deep focus.

*She’s here, just like in my past life.*

There was a reason Theo had to claim the top rank in this Awakening Ceremony.

Gaining the attention of Kyle and the other warriors was one thing, but catching the eye of that woman held the greatest importance.

She possessed strength comparable to the head of the family.

Hilda Ragnar, the former head of Ragnar, renowned as one of the top three strongest leaders in the family’s history—a demigod.

At over 150 years old, she was a living legend.

"Let the Awakening Ceremony begin!"

*Boom! Boom!*

The resounding sound marked the start, like a call to battle.

Theo turned his gaze back to the central platform.

*It was surprising enough that the legendary Judge presided over this ceremony after years of seclusion. Is it because Hilda is here?*

The Judge was another legendary figure, one of the elders who had maintained a prestigious reputation.

"The first test is to choose one of the steel swords on the platform and make a mark on the iron wall in the distance."

Someone raised a hand.

The Judge nodded.

"Speak."

"Thank you. I’m Reton of the Hanabi family. That iron wall appears to contain a mixture of mithril, while the swords on the platform seem to be ordinary steel. It doesn’t seem possible to even scratch it. How should we make a mark…?"

"Good question. You’re correct. Which is why we’ll be distributing a special elixir to unlock your mana. Instructors, please distribute them now."

The waiting instructors began handing out small glass vials to the candidates.

Inside each transparent vial was a small, round pill about the size of a fingernail.

*Soma.*

Just one pill could unlock ten years’ worth of mana.

For the fifteen-year-old candidates, who hadn’t unlocked their mana until now, this was a dream come true.

"Consume the Soma, open the aura hole in your dantian, and make as deep a cut in the mithril wall as you can. That will be the focus of this test."

This was the first test of the Awakening Ceremony, where one’s talent for mana, understanding of the sword, and control over aura all came into play.

Failing here would mean losing any chance of claiming the top rank.

"Candidates, please step forward as your names are called."

The Judge looked toward one side of the square.

"The first candidate, Theo Ragnar from Dongbaek Palace! Step forward!"

All eyes turned toward Theo.

*Step, step.*

With confidence, Theo walked up to the platform, the air around him thick with tension.