Theo paused for a brief moment to consider.

The number of hidden pieces he had obtained was eight.

This was the same amount as Wellington.

He had gained one more hidden piece by capturing the Sword Beast at the end.

So, he could reclaim the top spot with these additional points.

However, his real concern was not about reclaiming first place, but something entirely different.

- Is there no way to ‘complete’ the Lightning Spirit Summoning Technique, which is one piece short?

If the second exam ended like this, he would lose the opportunity to complete the last remaining hidden piece forever.

He would either need to find a master who had learned the Lightning Spirit Summoning Technique and seek their guidance or perform outstanding deeds to earn hidden pieces as rewards.

But how much time would that take?

Once the flowering ceremony was over, he would have to engage in the fierce competition for the throne, making that a painful weakness.

Above all, Theo needed overwhelming results.

In this batch full of geniuses, he required an overwhelming performance.

‘The five candidates for the next throne have already solidified their positions too firmly. If I want to squeeze my way in... I must be outstanding in every aspect.’

Thus, an overwhelming score, along with a ‘completed’ spirit summoning technique, would undoubtedly bring him great fame.

Yet, the challenge lay in achieving that completion.

Even if he was only one piece short, the depth of the spirit summoning technique was such that it was incredibly difficult for a novice to grasp.

Fortunately, Theo had a means to fill that gap.

[Recalling the memories seen through the ‘Skill: Hatching Synchronization’.]

Theo concentrated his mind.

The memories of the Lightning Spirit Summoning Technique that he had glimpsed began to surface one by one.

The swordsman who engraved the hidden pieces in the form of fragments to create a one-time artifact.

The master waiting for the thunder and lightning while looking at a sky full of dark clouds.

The training monk who repeatedly struck down with a wooden sword tens of thousands of times in the forest.

The dragon knight, elated as he witnessed the lightning breath pouring down.

...

The fragmented memories, each containing different content, crossed paths, and the desires of the individuals within them were conveyed to Theo.

Although Theo lacked the realization to fully comprehend them, he was gradually gaining clues to infer the missing links between the hidden pieces.

- Those were the memories he had seen in various artifacts, like ‘Thunder Calling.’

‘The components of lightning are light and heat. Both of these inherently possess the characteristic of expansion, making them impossible to control. Lightning itself also applies to this idea...!’

In an instant, Theo felt as if he was possessed and unfastened the Drake's weapon hanging from his back, grasping it in his hand.

“Hmm?”

The judge tilted his head in confusion as Theo exhibited unusual behavior without answering his question.

Then he realized that Theo’s gaze was directed elsewhere.

Somewhere much higher and steeper...

‘Oh no!’

「Examiners, surround all the examinees and establish a perimeter! We must not disturb Theo Ragnar’s concentration!」

What had provoked Theo, he could not tell.

But it was impossible not to understand that this was the most crucial moment for a swordsman.

Following the judge's orders, the examiners quickly surrounded the examinees, and the judge stood next to Theo, thickening the barrier around them.

In the soundproof space where all outside noise was blocked,

Theo hurriedly began his work to fill the missing hidden piece.

‘If I can’t complete the perfect hidden piece, I’ll fill the void with something similar. If I can create a stepping stone that can elevate it to something more complete...’

Zap, zap!

As the magical wind swirled around Theo, bright yellow sparks began to leap up.

And then.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—

His heart began to race wildly.

The neurotransmitters that stimulate and excite nerve cells are comprised of electrical signals.

This naturally led to the creation of a Thunder Energy.

The more the thunder attribute was imbued into his magical power, the more his physical functions would be enhanced.

- Enhancement of physical functions.

Here, Theo could recall the heart of a dragon.

Originally, the heart of a dragon infused its magical power into the bloodstream, enhancing the physical body to maintain control.

What if he could connect the two with similar characteristics?

‘Not only can I enhance my body, but I can also achieve control over the outward manifestation of the Thunder Energy at the same time.’

The missing piece of the thunder attribute would be filled by the heart of the dragon, while the external realm, where the dragon’s heart originally could not reach, would be filled by the thunder attribute.

Inside and out.

The dragon’s heart and the thunder attribute.

When the two combined, an entirely new <Lightning Spirit Summoning Technique> could be born.

‘They say Eastern dragons command the winds and rains, summoning thunderbolts.’

Theo decided to give the newly improved spirit summoning technique a different name.

- Lightning Dragon Spirit Summoning Technique.

This conceptual inspiration soon manifested in his body.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

The sound of his heartbeat grew loud enough for the judge and examiners to hear.

The ground trembled slightly beneath him.

And simultaneously,

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!

Like a drum being pounded fiercely, a sound resonated, creating gentle ripples beneath Theo's feet.

A spectacle of ripples infused with bright yellow thunder energy.

Those ripples soon transformed into waves, rising like a tsunami as they spread out in all directions.

Crackle, crackle!

The thunder energy that had risen into the air intensified, unleashing bolts of lightning that shot up and down relentlessly.

“Ugh…!”

The judge could not help but gasp at the sight.

Just the magical wind radiating from Theo was already on a level that could not be compared to other examinees.

A perfect score.

If he were to open his eyes now, he could certainly grant that much of a score.

It wasn’t about how many hidden pieces he had collected.

What mattered was how well he understood them.

But...

It seemed that Theo still fell short.

At that moment, Theo opened his eyes.

Snap!

The intense lightning light that gleamed at his eyelids made even the judge flinch.

And then.

Swish—

A magnetic field emanated from the center, causing something to float into the air.

Four Death-bits.

As telekinesis combined with magnetism, the control had further evolved.

‘To manipulate the thunder attribute this skillfully is impressive, but when did he learn telekinesis? What on earth is he planning to do?’

The judge realized that he was eagerly anticipating what kind of display Theo would show.

A mischievous smile spread across Theo’s face for an instant.

Boom!

The four Death-bits, each aimed in different directions, shot through the air.

Three of them targeted the three individuals who had just demonstrated their spirit summoning techniques.

Erika, Rey, Wellington.

“Is that brat trying to...?”

“Huh!”

“Ugh...!”

Each of the three responded in different ways.

Erika, thinking that Theo was testing her, raised an eyebrow and fiercely swung her sword downward.

A fierce strike imbued with the flame attribute.

Boom!

The sound of the dagger clashing with the sword was not metallic but explosive.

The thunder energy contained in the Death-bit rebounded against the flames and shot upwards.

Crackle—

At that moment, the bright yellow thunder energy seemed to coalesce, taking on a new form.

A dragon.

The illusionary beast created from the amassed thunder energy lunged at Erika's head with its claws.

Dragon’s claws.

“...!”

Erika's eyes widened in shock, unable to anticipate the new attack that utilized the thunder energy.

Boom!

A massive cloud of dust erupted, burying Erika within it.

“Lightning Dragon!”

The judge could not suppress his exclamation of admiration.

The new form of attack utilizing attributes required tremendous control.

It was the stage of expansion.

From this alone, it could be said that Theo's technique was far superior to Wellington's.

Rey and Wellington faced similar fates.

The snowstorm created by Rey was shredded by the claws of the Lightning Dragon, while the water streams spread by Wellington merely provided a path for the Lightning Dragon to surge forward.

All three of the highest-scoring individuals from the second flowering ceremony were simultaneously pushed back.

An unimaginable disparity in skill.

With this single move, Theo intended to demonstrate.

- Who the master of this place was.

Both the examinees and the examiners were left in shock, rendered speechless.

‘Wait, what about the last one?’

Then the judge recalled that there were a total of four daggers that Theo had levitated in the air.

Boom—

He soon discovered the last dagger, which was now right in front of him, with immense power and precision.

“Are you challenging me? This old man wonders if he is truly worthy to pass judgment on you all! Very well!”

Although it could be seen as a disregard for the judge’s authority,

In truth, the judge burst into a hearty laugh.

Just as Wellington’s skill had excited him, this time, he was eager to engage with the young challenger.

The challenge from an audacious junior was always exhilarating.

Crackle—

Smash!

The judge forcefully flicked his hand.

With an overwhelming difference in magical power, the Death-bit lost its strength before it could even form the Lightning Dragon and shot up into the air.

Boom—

Taking advantage of the brief obscured view caused by the steam, Theo appeared, swinging the Drake's weapon.

Having already sensed Theo’s presence, the judge was

 able to respond effortlessly.

<Water Flow Spirit Summoning Technique – Water Pressure Cross Section>

Boom!

As the judge's hand collided with the blade of the Drake’s weapon, the thunder energy scattered in all directions.

Theo pulled that energy back towards him, tracing a line with his sword.

“The thunder attribute is the most powerful among the six attributes, but it consumes a ridiculous amount of magical energy.”

The concentrated bright yellow thunder energy shot up into the sky, creating a pillar of light.

Boom—

And following that, a series of three strikes.

The three flashes added to the air, pressing against the judge.

They were the three claws of a dragon.

Or should it be called the three claws of the Lightning Dragon now?

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The judge calmly faced Theo’s fierce assault.

He deflected the first attack with his hand, causing a sharp pain to throb in his fingers, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

‘Not bad.’

Just before the second assault connected,

The judge smiled with satisfaction and reached out toward the sky.

At that moment, the Death-bits that had been spinning above his head were drawn into his grasp.

“Y-You’re holding a sword, Judge...?”

“T-The Dragon of Ascendance is wielding a sword!”

Among the examinees, the examiners were the ones who reacted in shock.

The judge swung the Death-bit downwards.

Boom!

Theo's assault was blocked for the first time.

Gulp!

Blood trickled down his mouth, but he forced it down.

And using [Great Strength], he did not get pushed back but instead surged forward fiercely.

This was to swing the last third claw.

Crackle—

“Responding to the enthusiasm of a junior who wishes to give it his all is the proper attitude of a senior swordsman.”

The judge chuckled as he drew a shape with the Death-bit he held.

In that instant, Theo instinctively realized what was happening.

Just as the Plum Blossom Princess had done.

The judge... one of the Nine Dragons, the Ascendant Dragon, intended to show a glimpse of the lifetime of mastery he had built.

「Like the other nine dragons, I too have a painting created by chasing after the head of the family’s sword. I call this <Waterfall Watercolor>.」

In the slow passage of time,

Theo could see the blurred world like a watercolor painting.

A landscape with thickly drawn trees and mountains.

In the center of it, a massive waterfall poured down, creating a void in Theo's heart.

Whoosh!

「The head of the family, the Plum Blossom Princess, and the Captain of the White Cap Dragon Guard all tried to show you this. I wonder what you will take from me.」

With that small laugh,

The waterfall poured over the head of the Lightning Dragon enveloping Theo.

And then the world returned to normal.

As Theo remained entranced by the judge’s lingering presence,

The judge crossed his arms behind his back and called out to the assembly.

“Theo Ragnar, pass! With a perfect score, and since you have a complete understanding of the spirit summoning technique, I will award you an additional 500 points!”

“......!”

“......!”

“......!”

Both the examiners and examinees widened their eyes in shock,

As the scoreboard was adjusted one last time.

<Final Rankings>

1st: Theo Ragnar (3,021 points)

2nd: Wellington Narcisse (1,689 points)

3rd: Erika Lanke (1,326 points)

4th: Rey Ragnar (1,102 points)

...

Three thousand points!

It was a moment when an unbelievable score was recorded.

And,

「Do you have any thoughts about becoming my disciple?」

Along with that short proposal.