"That's the boy, isn't it, Kyle? The one you mentioned."

Only one person in the world could address the head of Ragnar, Kyle, so casually.

Kyle turned to the petite, youthful-looking grandmother beside him. She had been yawning out of boredom just moments earlier, but now her eyes had narrowed in intrigue, like a cat spotting a playful stalk of grass.

"It seems he has caught your interest," Kyle observed.

"How could he not? If he's someone you've taken notice of, my curiosity is inevitable."

Kyle was known to be both deeply interested and utterly indifferent toward his children. If someone captured his attention, he kept an eye on them; if not, he wouldn’t even acknowledge them as his children. Currently, only five of Kyle's children held his attention, all deemed likely heirs of the Ragnar legacy and prodigies recognized by even Hilda.

But recently, a new name had caught Kyle’s interest. Though Hilda had retired from her duties, having led Ragnar to its glory in the North, she felt compelled to see this child for herself.

That child was Theo.

"Well, let's see just what our young descendant is capable of," she mused, resting her chin on one hand as she gazed down at Theo. Her lazy, feline eyes sharpened, glinting with intensity.

* * *

"Haa…!" 

Theo took a deep breath as he stepped onto the platform.

Yet, his heart pounded uncontrollably.

*Thump, thump, thump.*

His chest hammered, excitement rising.

*It’s only natural,* he told himself.

Since his return, this would be the first time he made an impression on the world, and his actions here could shape his future. So, rather than quell his nerves, Theo embraced them, focusing on avoiding any mistakes.

*Ting!*

[A quest has arrived.]

---

**[Tutorial Quest #14]**

Complete the first Awakening Ceremony and make your name known.

· Difficulty: C

· Reward: 1 Coin

· On Failure: ■■

---

Another quest had arrived. But the reward left him puzzled.

*Coin?* 

Money, maybe? It was his first time seeing this reward, so he pushed it aside. These messages were always cryptic, but they would make sense eventually.

"The candidate may select any sword from the platform," the Judge announced.

Theo nodded, knowing this rule was to prevent any candidates from exploiting advantages by using their personal weapons.

"Now, consume the Soma."

*Click.*

Opening the vial, Theo was hit with a refreshing scent, clearing his mind as he placed the pill in his mouth. It melted instantly, slipping down his throat, and—

*Boom!*

His heart thudded as though struck by a hammer, his body instinctively readying to absorb the Soma’s energy.

But Theo restrained his Draconic Heart, locking it down tight.

This time, he was only here to unlock his Aura Hole. If the Draconic Heart absorbed the Soma, it could be disastrous.

"Stay focused. From here on, follow my guidance, breathe steadily, and channel your energy," the Judge’s voice echoed in his mind.

Swallowing the elixir alone wouldn’t open an Aura Hole; the process had just begun. The dantian was like a field, and Soma was the seed. Only with proper guidance, akin to watering and nourishing a seed, would it properly grow.

The breathing technique was designed for this purpose. But Ragnar’s breathing technique differed greatly from typical methods.

*The Dragon’s Breath.*

This method, tailored to harness the Ragnar’s powerful physique, didn’t gradually accumulate energy. Instead, it forcefully imprinted it into the body, explosively. While dangerous—it could harm the dantian and blood vessels—it embodied Ragnar’s fierce spirit: if one couldn't handle this, how could they become a true warrior?

*I remember this,* Theo thought. 

In his past life, he had failed to open his Aura Hole, damaging his dantian and eventually abandoning the sword. That failure had led him to seek out Newitz for the Draconic Heart procedure.

*But this time, things are different.*

A cold gleam appeared in Theo’s eyes.

"Channel the energy from the esophagus to the right shoulder, then move it to the spine, left chest, and solar plexus…" 

The Judge was guiding him, but then his eyes widened in shock.

The Soma’s energy flowed through Theo’s body at an astounding speed, beyond anything he had explained. 

*What is happening?*

The energy was surging through Theo without the slightest dissipation.

The Judge's face twisted in disbelief, assuming Theo was recklessly channeling the energy without proper guidance.

But his shock turned to astonishment as the Soma's energy coursed through Theo’s body at an accelerating pace, circulating rapidly around him.

*Thud, thud, thud, thud—*

Even the Judge’s platform trembled under the force of Theo's heartbeat.

“...!”

It was an extraordinary phenomenon.

The Judge’s eyes narrowed as Theo’s skin flushed red with heat, a faint steam rising from his body.

*Snap!*

Theo opened his eyes and moved toward the swords.

In that instant, his dantian burst open with a pop below his navel as his Aura Hole fully unlocked. Simultaneously, his Draconic Heart surged, pumping mana furiously, as the two sources of energy merged, creating an explosive power.

Theo reached out and grasped the hilt of his familiar zweihander.

*Mana Resonance!*

*BOOM!*

A shockwave rocked the platform, shaking the ground as Theo’s immense mana burst outward.

*Slash!*

The tremendous energy slashed through the air, gouging deep into the iron wall across the field, leaving a jagged line, like a dragon claw tearing through the earth.

The sheer heat from the friction created a thick, rough gash along the wall, different from any ordinary sword mark.

The onlookers, including the Northern Four Pillars, stared in awe.

Ray gave a quiet nod, Hulcus gaped, and Aksion, for the first time, scowled.

Amidst the silence, a low voice broke through.

"The Dragon’s Claw."

Everyone, from the Judge to the audience and candidates, turned toward the source.

Kyle, smiling, was looking at Theo.

"We’ll call it that."

It wasn’t a suggestion; it was a command.

To receive such an honor, a name for a sword technique, was a recognition of its worth—a mark of pride for any swordsman of Ragnar.

“Haa… haa…”

Theo, breathing heavily, lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Kyle crossed his arms, nodding in satisfaction.

“Theo Ragnar, you pass!”

The Judge’s voice declared Theo’s success as the hall filled with the heat of his accomplishment.

* * *

[Congratulations! You have successfully completed the first Awakening Ceremony and passed Tutorial Quest #14.]

[Evaluation: A+]

[You have earned 1 Coin as a reward.]

[Due to your high evaluation, your Luck stat has slightly increased.]

[Luck: 0]

[The Curse of Misfortune that has been affecting you has now ended. Your reputation will gradually spread among others.]

*Finally… I’m on equal ground with everyone.*

Theo clenched his fist, feeling the relief of having his Luck stat restored.

*Thump, thump, thump…*

Strength returned to his body as his tightly held tension released.

Descending the platform, Theo noticed Aksion glaring at him, his expression now void of the mischievous malice he’d shown before. His eyes were icy.

But Theo simply smirked.

"…!"

Aksion’s scowl deepened.

*There’s no longer a need to hesitate. I’m ahead.*

With both his Aura Hole and Draconic Heart fully opened, Theo’s perception of the world had changed completely.

He was certain now. From this vantage, Aksion was nowhere in sight.

Even if Aksion unlocked his Aura Hole, it wouldn’t be enough—Theo was sure of it.

Deciding to ignore Aksion entirely, Theo descended the platform, unfazed by Aksion's furious expression.

Whispers filled the hall.

*Is that truly the mark of someone unlocking mana for the first time? There couldn’t have been any trickery, right?*

*Trickery? With all these masters watching? Not a chance.*

*But… it's almost unbelievable.*

The candidates remained in stunned silence, and even as the other candidates continued their trials, none could match Theo’s Dragon’s Claw.

Ray had managed to leave an icy scar with her Ice Spirit Sword, Holcus had barely dented the wall, and Aksion left a long but shallow scratch.

Theo’s Dragon’s Claw remained the most powerful, casting a shadow over the others.

As he returned to the waiting area, Aksion’s face was contorted with humiliation. Theo hadn’t even glanced his way, as if he didn’t matter.

*How dare he! This worthless trash…* 

Aksion’s face flushed with rage when a voice echoed in his ear.

*Calm your expression.*

It was Hangryong Ed’s voice.

*Didn’t I tell you to maintain composure? This lack of control over your emotions—what are you doing?*

“…”

Aksion forced his expression back to normal, though Ed’s reprimand continued.

*You’ll have the chance to repay this humiliation in the second Awakening Ceremony. Until then, maintain your restraint. Understood?*

Aksion said nothing, watching Theo’s back with a simmering intensity.

*…Fool.*

Ed clicked his tongue from the spectator's area, watching his nephew’s jealousy with disdain. Living his entire life on his own merits, Aksion had now encountered someone superior, sparking this absurd envy.

Now was the time to assess Theo’s capabilities, but his nephew lacked the patience.

*Marong… just what did you create? How did you make such a monster?*

Unable to contain his curiosity, Ed glanced at Julius, who was wearing a faint smile.

He assumed that Theo was some secret weapon Julius had been nurturing, a theory that might explain Theo’s extraordinary growth.

“That’s the boy who faced the head’s sword back then?”

“That’s correct. My subordinate had quite a time dealing with him,” Julius replied.

The Plum Blossom Lady, sitting nearby, observed Theo with interest.

“Did someone guide him in his swordsmanship?”

“Yes. You’ve met him once before—the friend who trained Aksion in Dongbaek Palace.”

“Ah, the same one?”

Her eyes sparkled with recognition.

“As I recall, he had laid down his sword after a certain… incident?”

“He picked it up again, wanting to help refine Theo’s talent. And the result speaks for itself. Haha!”

Julius was clearly pleased with the outcome.

“Is that so?”

The Plum Blossom Lady smiled, looking once more at Theo.

“I must say, I am quite impressed.”

Her eyes gleamed.

“If possible, I’d like to take him on as a disciple.”

“…”

Those who overheard—Ed, Wolfgang, and the Nine Dragons—were speechless.

The Plum Blossom Lady, renowned as the greatest sword in the North, was far more than Kyle’s first wife. She was said to be a swordsman so skilled that even Kyle conceded to her superiority in pure swordsmanship.

While she couldn’t bear children and thus refrained from playing the role of a matron, she could shake the very foundations of Ragnar if she chose.

Being her disciple would mean learning from the best and being accepted as the heir of her legacy. Theo would no longer be a mere bastard but a rightful heir.

*This cannot happen!* 

Ed’s mind reeled in panic; he had intended to have Theo assassinated during this ceremony.

But before he could interject—

“That won’t be possible.”

Julius, for the first time, had dropped his smile and shook his head firmly.

The Plum Blossom Lady tilted her head, curious.

“Why not? I understand that Theo Ragnar has had a sword instructor but no formal master.”

“Even so, it’s impossible. I claimed him first.”

“...!?”

Julius’s face was entirely serious.

*Sizzle.*

A tense energy sparked between them.

 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!

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