The Ascendant Dragon.

He was the least known among the nine dragons that symbolize Ragnar.

This was mainly because he rarely engaged in external activities, spending most of the year in seclusion in Winterer.

However.

The Nine Dragons knew.

When the Ascendant Dragon emerged into the outside world, great upheaval would follow.

Including the sinister Black Dragon,

He was someone that the other nine dragons respected and feared the most.

That was the Ascendant Dragon.

“It’s about time he arrives.”

Julius and the Plum Blossom Princess were waiting for the appearance of the Ascendant Dragon.

In fact, they had been quite surprised when it was announced that he would be the judge for this flowering ceremony.

Despite the head of the family’s continued requests, he had remained withdrawn.

They could not understand what had prompted this change.

Yet everyone was well aware of the Ascendant Dragon's abilities and insights.

Moreover, being politically neutral, there was a belief that he would evaluate the examinees objectively.

“Just what are these Nine Dragons doing, being so frivolous over a mere exam for kids?”

At that moment, the Senate Chief Wolfgang clicked his tongue, crossing his arms in discontent.

Since Ed had left with the body of his deceased nephew in silence,

Wolfgang had repeatedly attempted to undermine the current batch of examinees.

Of course, everyone knew this was a way for him to vent his frustration since most of the examinees he had supported had been eliminated.

“He is coming.”

At that moment, the gaze of all the executives turned toward the door at the Plum Blossom Princess’s words.

Creeeak!

Tap, tap—

Through the wide-open door, the Ascendant Dragon walked in slowly with his hands behind his back.

As usual, his face bore an indifferent expression.

All the executives, except Wolfgang, stood up and bowed their heads in respect.

It was a sign of their admiration for the great senior.

The Ascendant Dragon acknowledged this with a silent nod and then asked, “What’s the situation?”

Julius casually posed the question.

In that moment, a faint smile appeared on the stern face of the Ascendant Dragon.

‘The Ascendant Dragon... smiling?’

Julius momentarily lost his composure.

Having known the Ascendant Dragon for over twenty years, he had never witnessed such a sight before.

‘Wait a minute. This situation seems oddly familiar...’

A warning light suddenly flickered in Julius's mind.

“I made a proposal to take on a disciple that I found quite appealing.”

“...!”

“Ascendant Dragon! That means...!”

As the anxiety transformed into reality, Julius gaped in disbelief, while the Plum Blossom Princess sprang to her feet in shock.

Both were utterly unprepared for the idea that the Ascendant Dragon might become a new rival.

Particularly for the Plum Blossom Princess, this was a chilling revelation.

She had received reports from Natasha about Felix's actions.

Since she hadn’t yet properly explained herself to Theo regarding this matter, it was only natural for her to feel anxious.

On the other hand, Wolfgang and the other executives were astonished for a different reason.

- The Ascendant Dragon, who had never taken on a disciple in his lifetime, has found a talent he desires!

That fact alone was enough to shake Winterer.

“I was rejected, it seems.”

However, with his following words, the executives gasped.

It was a place where many wished to catch even a glimpse of the Ascendant Dragon's sword.

What would they say if they heard this?

And.

It was clear who the talented individual was who had committed such an absurd act.

“Seems I’ve been too quiet for a while. A talent has emerged that I wish to possess but cannot.”

“...That’s quite unfortunate indeed.”

“Why don’t you hide that smirk of yours while you’re at it?”

Julius subtly covered his mouth with his hand.

The corner of his eyes was curving up significantly.

“Oh, what a blunder. Did you see that?”

“Anyway... that polite friend of ours has become nothing but a trickster.”

The Ascendant Dragon shook his head.

He also knew well that the tension between Julius and the Plum Blossom Princess over Theo was quite intense.

“Anyway, that’s how it turned out. You’ll find out the final results soon enough, but the score for this top position is 3,021 points. Keep that in mind.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...That score means...?”

The executives once again gaped in shock.

A score exceeding 3,000 points.

The implications of that were substantial.

The Ascendant Dragon nodded and stated, “This record has only been broken once in the past thousand years. And it has happened just fourteen years later.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Gulp—

Someone in the room nervously swallowed.

“Torkel, I’m curious about what expression that child will wear.”

The corner of the Ascendant Dragon's mouth lifted into a larger grin.

* * *

- Another has emerged who has surpassed the 3,000 of the Demon!

The rumors that began to spread through the judge, the Ascendant Dragon, shook Winterer.

The 3,000 of the Demon.

This term had been discussed for a very long time in Winterer.

No examinee had surpassed 3,000 points in the past second flowering ceremonies.

The recovery of the purple spirit,

The acquisition of hidden pieces,

High realization of attributes, etc.

The numerous tasks that needed to be accomplished to achieve 3,000 points had led to this result.

Because of this, examinees generally secured the top position by simply exceeding 1,000 points,

And with that alone, they could select any unit they wished to join, dubbed ‘talented’.

What if one surpassed 2,000 points?

They would be classified with the title of ‘Near Talent,’ destined to bear the future of Ragnar.

Thus, the barrier of 3,000 points had come to be seen as an unbreakable unknown realm.

Then, fourteen years ago, the 3,000 of the Demon had finally been broken.

A true ‘genius’ had emerged.

- Torkel Ragnar.

The youngest candidate among the five rated as the closest to the next head of the family.

As the captain of the Black Iron Guard, he had gained immense support from young swordsmen through his remarkable feats on countless battlefields.

So people thought.

After Torkel, no one would be able to break this barrier of the Demon.

Other examinees had been considered as having no chance.

However,

That assessment was shattered once again.

And then.

- The top spot again belongs to Theo Ragnar.

When the fact that the son of the Plum Blossom Princess was the subject of this rumor was added, everyone fell silent.

They were unsure how to accept this.

Or how to respond.

But that silence didn’t last long.

By that time, there was an announcement from the Black Iron Guard on behalf of Torkel.

- A friend I want to meet once.

No other words were necessary.

That alone was enough.

“I need to find out how the last third exam will unfold!”

“What about the head of the family? What does the head of the family think of that friend?”

“The Camellia Palace! Didn’t you say that Theo Ragnar’s mother is at Camellia Palace? Send someone there quickly!”

“They say Theo Ragnar carries a Zweihander; the one made at the Basque Workshop, right? Inquire if they can make another sword of that caliber, quickly!”

Everyone began to move busily.

And they focused their attention.

On the final third exam.

* * *

The third flowering ceremony commenced shortly after a brief break.

“The content of the third exam is very simple.”

All examinees fixed their gaze on the Ascendant Dragon, who had returned to his role as a judge.

They were currently moving to the next exam location.

Gulp!

Someone’s swallow echoed particularly loudly.

“Some seem to already have an idea.”

The judge chuckled slightly as he spoke.

“It will be a one-on-one duel with the head of the family.”

“...!”

“...!”

“Y-You mean we’ll get to meet the head of the family directly?”

For the training swordsmen of Ragnar, the head of the family was an immensely distant and high star.

To meet such a person in person?

It was only natural for them to feel nervous.

In fact, some had looks of admiration in their eyes.

“Yes. For now.”

However, the way the judge responded was strangely ambiguous.

While it was affirmative, there was an undertone of bitterness...

But only Theo noticed this subtle change.

‘The conflict between the Ascendant Dragon and the head of the family... was quite famous. Everyone’s whispering about it.’

As a wry smile spread across Theo’s face, the Ascendant Dragon continued his explanation.

“However, most of you will not even catch a glimpse of the head of the family. You must pierce through the murderous intent exuded by the head of the family and stand before him.”

Wellington and Erica swallowed hard, visibly tense.

But the majority of the other examinees tilted their heads in confusion.

Even if they were afraid of the murderous intent exuded by the head of the family, it was just a simple aura of intimidation; surely they could penetrate that, right?

“If you succeed in that, the head of the family will personally grant you the duel. What you learn from that will depend on your own capabilities. Depending on the insights gained, your scores will be adjusted accordingly.”

The examinees clenched their fists tightly.

If an evaluation of changes before and after the one-on-one duel was conducted, there was a sufficient possibility that they could also secure the top position this time.

‘So I get to see my father again?’

Theo remembered the last time he had faced the head of the family, Kyle, several months ago.

The exhilaration, excitement, and tension he felt at that moment.

And then,

- The joy he felt when he faced the light for the first time.

He had a strong desire to relive that moment again.

However.

At the same time, another thought crossed his mind.

- It’s Kyle.

When he had asked who had stolen the Dragon Heart from the Guardian Dragon, what was the answer he had received?

- Yet, despite all those burdens, he broke through and ascended to the position of the head of the family, possessing the capability to become a true monster.

- So, as a human, you should be proud of your father. Your father is... yes. He bears a human form, yet is not human. Yet, he is the most human-like of all, seeking the realm of the gods.

Lodbrok had high praise for Kyle.

He was, after all, a true monster who had shattered human limits in the body of a mortal.

‘If I face him again, what will I do?’

Of course, he had to keep the fact that he was the contractor of the Guardian Dragon hidden, so he wouldn’t reveal that.

Yet if it were someone like Kyle, he could undoubtedly see through the resolve of his opponent.

- Is the head of the family an enemy or an ally?

Since he couldn’t uncover the hidden secrets about Kyle,

Theo was still unable to firmly establish his mindset.

Then, suddenly,

“Now, the third exam begins.”

The judge abruptly shot forward, tossing that statement casually.

The examinees were focused on the building approaching them and couldn’t even ask what that meant.

Boom...!

A heavy pressure descended upon Theo and all the examinees.

It crushed their shoulders and squeezed their insides with an immense weight.

“Cough!”

“Gulp...!”

Most of the examinees collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

The only ones still standing were five: Theo, Wellington, Ray, Erica, and Hulcus.

“Whaaat?!” 

Holcus struggled, trying to shake off the pressure with sheer force.

But the harder he tried, the heavier the weight pressed down on his shoulders.

Thud!

Ultimately, one of his knees buckled and hit the ground.

‘It’s just like the Dragon Spear...’

Theo realized that this overwhelming pressure reminded him of what he had felt in the dungeon.

Of course, it had an intensity that could not be compared.

Understanding that principle gave him insight into why Kyle possessed such powers.

‘His father consumed the Dragon Heart from Lodbrok!’

The lodge at the peak of the mountain where Kyle resided,

Now, in Theo’s eyes, looked like a nest where a dragon coiled up.

Just then.

Ding!

[Quest has arrived.]

A new message appeared.