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[**Tutorial Quest #17**]

**Gain the recognition of the Dragon Slayer.**

- **Difficulty:** S-
- **Reward:** 1 Coin
- **On Failure:** ■■

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*Dragon Slayer? And the difficulty is S-?*

In that moment, Theo felt an intense sense of anxiety that was hard to put into words.

Dragon Slayer.

That meant the killer of dragons.

In a clan that prides itself on being the descendants of dragons, there couldn’t be a more ominous title.

However.

Theo thought there was no title that suited Kyle better.

Still, the unfamiliar difficulty rating weighed on his mind.

*I’ve already gained recognition from my father through the one-on-one duel. I’ve even seen the Dragon Slash. So why would it be difficult to gain recognition now?*

Could there be some secret regarding this third flowering ceremony that he was unaware of?

*I didn’t reach the third stage in my past life, but from what I know, unlike the second stage, which hides many hidden pieces, there shouldn’t be any in the third stage, right?*

Having been involved with the Black Snow, he was certain of that.

The third flowering ceremony was originally created to provide an opportunity for the head of the family to select worthy individuals to recruit.

If he failed to be chosen by the head of the family here, it would mean others could select the examinees they wanted from different squads.

*Perhaps there’s some error in the message... Let’s just climb up and see.*

In that instant, the sharp glint in Theo’s eyes shifted.

Bright yellow sparks glimmered.

*[Activating Skill: Lesser Drake Pier] to overcome the curse of fear!]*

Thump, thump, thump—!

His heart began to race, and his magic began to spin rapidly.

The heart of the dragon and his dantian resonated, releasing the aura of the dragon killer into the outside world.

Bang, bang!

The dragon killer clashed with the dragon killer.

Although the gap wasn’t something that could be easily overcome, it was enough for Theo to secure a space where he could gain physical freedom.

“Whew...!”

Theo took a deep breath and quickly surveyed his surroundings.

Wellington and Erika were managing to hold on, but it was clear they were merely enduring.

Their struggle was evident.

However, there was someone who was having a much harder time than the two of them and Holcus.

Theo quietly moved to Ray’s side.

Her already pale complexion had turned even more ashen than usual.

She was exuding an uncontrolled chill from her body.

It looked like she was about to have another episode of the cold heart.

Her face was drenched in cold sweat.

“Close your eyes and concentrate on your magic circulation.”

Ray obediently closed her eyes as instructed by Theo.

He placed his palm on her back and infused her with magic.

He aimed to forcibly stimulate her nerves, which had stiffened from fear, using the thunderous energy.

The symptoms of her cold heart were all due to her poor control over her magic.

Crackle!

As the thunderous energy seeped in, Ray’s hunched back straightened.

Soon, color returned to her pale face.

Hah...!

The sound of Ray’s long exhale became noticeably easier.

Theo quietly withdrew his hand, ensuring she could gather her scattered magic.

There were things he wanted to ask separately.

“Why didn’t you tell me you got a technique?”

“...I wanted to surprise you.”

“Did you think I was deliberately hiding it?”

“I did.”

“What did you think?”

“I thought it was something you shouldn’t share with others.”

“So you thought that’s why I kept it hidden?”

Ray shook her head vigorously.

“Well?”

“At first, I thought that, but soon I changed my mind. Theo is a kind person.”

Theo gave a wry smile.

What would the dead Axion say if he heard this?

After regressing, he had only acted for his own benefit.

Yet it seemed that Ray still viewed him in such a positive light.

“So I thought you would just tell me when the time came.”

“......”

Unfathomable kindness and trust.

Theo felt at a loss about how to respond to that.

Such people were rare throughout both his past and present lives.

But,

Theo could now feel the distance that had lingered between him and Ray completely vanish.

*What if I had bad intentions?*

His temples throbbed.

“Hah...! So you were planning to keep the truth hidden to surprise me?”

Nod.

The way Ray nodded innocently made him feel a bit mischievous.

Thwack!

Unable to hold back, Theo flicked her forehead.

“Ouch! Theo... you hit me.”

“You deserved it for what you did.”

Theo said in a grumbling tone.

“Listen well. The Ice White Flow is already an exceptional technique in itself, possessing a wonderful attribute. Plus, you’ve overcome the cold heart, which means you have unmatched potential in ice attributes.”

Ray nodded.

She knew that well, which was why she had chosen the ice attribute among the many techniques.

“But too much of anything is not better than too little.”

“Are you saying the technique is dangerous for me?”

“Yeah. The Ice White Flow has the characteristic of condensing magic to alter the flow of the surrounding atmosphere. It may seem compatible with the Ice White Flow, which focuses magic solely on the sword, but they will inevitably repel each other.”

Theo sighed deeply as he continued.

“And from the start, it’s not advisable to train with two techniques of different origins together. What if the magic operations become entangled?”

“But Theo...!”

“I learned the basics of the Ice White Flow from you, didn’t I?”

Nod!

Ray nodded.

Not only the Ice White Flow.

The Plum Blossom Princess’s Plum Blossom Burst, and Julius’s swordsmanship.

Moreover, not long ago, she had even received part of the vision from the judge.

Despite that, Theo was growing without any apparent issues.

He smiled wryly.

His ability to handle various types of techniques and swordsmanship was, in fact, largely due to the power of the Dragon Heart... no, it was almost a divine authority.

But he couldn’t explain that.

So for now, he could only say this with a straight face.

“I’m fine.”

“Why?”

“...Just.”

“......”

“Just... it seems to work?”

“......”

Ray squinted her eyes slightly.

In that moment, her eyes took on an icy glint for the first time.

“Theo, you’re being too reckless.”

“......”

Thwack!

“You hit me again.”

Ray clutched her aching forehead, groaning, and then noticed Theo’s earlobes were somehow turning red.

“Yeah, Theo is kind.”

At that moment, Wellington approached with a playful grin.

“......What brings you here?”

“Just to tease you?”

Theo’s gaze sharpened.

“Oh dear, don’t glare at me so menacingly. More importantly, I think you should do something about your flushed face.”

Hah!

Theo let out a deep sigh as he looked at the grinning Wellington.

And he could still see Wellington, who had successfully overcome the Dragon Pier without any assistance.

*He has become significantly stronger compared to the time in my past life. It’s hard to believe that only a fortnight has passed since opening the aura hall. His growth seems explosive, blending the insights gained from his secluded training with the techniques he has learned.*

Wellington’s aura had already surpassed the level of an ordinary training swordsman and was reaching the title of ‘Practical Swordsman’ awarded to skilled swordsmen.

His growth rate was astonishing, hardly believable for someone who had opened the aura hall only two weeks ago.

Theo nodded; if he let his guard down, he would surely be caught.

A rival.

Theo recalled what Wellington had said.

*I must not let my guard down.*

“Theo Ragnar.”

“......?”

“Is there a way to reach there?” 

Wellington asked seriously while looking towards the lodge at the peak.

Although the three of them were currently overcoming the Dragon Pier, the pressure would only intensify as they approached the lodge.

He meant how they would overcome that.

“Didn’t you say we would move separately during the flowering ceremony since we are rivals?”

“In front of a major obstacle, even sworn enemies will join forces; what’s wrong with friends not being able to lend each other a hand?”

At Theo’s teasing words, Wellington stepped forward brazenly.

Theo couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“That’s true.”

“So, is there a way?”

Theo glanced at the judge and the examiners.

They were watching with keen interest how Theo and the others would navigate this obstacle.

*Whoever said the last trial would be over quickly?*

Even if it ended quickly, it seemed far more challenging than the second trial.

Just as Theo was about to say something...

Bam!

Theo drew the Drake’s weapon that was slung over his back and swung it in the opposite direction.

Clang!

Ray and Wellington instinctively turned their gazes in that direction,

“Hey, top scorer.”

Before they knew it, Erika and Holcus, who had successfully overcome the Dragon Pier, were glaring at them.

No, to be precise, it was Erika Lanke who was glaring.

Her blatant hostility.

She had a formidable presence, standing taller and more robust than her younger brother Holcus,

And with her lion-like, tangled hair giving her a fierce impression, her hostility felt like it could erupt into a bloody confrontation at any moment.

Swoosh!

Ray and Wellington quietly drew their swords.

But,

Erika's gaze remained firmly fixed on Theo.

The corner

 of her mouth curled up.

“You’re quite something, huh?”

“And?”

It seemed she was referring to how Theo had taken a supporting role in the results of the second trial.

It was no surprise she felt anger, as he had claimed the top position.

Even Theo was well aware of Erika’s notorious stubbornness.

He silently raised the Drake’s weapon.

If a fight was to happen, he had no intention of backing down.

Erika appeared to take delight in Theo’s resolute stance.

Her lips curled further, revealing her bear-like fangs.

Then,

“Then I guess you passed.”

“......?”

Suddenly, she uttered a completely unexpected remark.

What was that supposed to mean?

As Theo tilted his head in confusion, Erika's grin widened.

It seemed to hold a hint of playfulness.

“I’m going to have you as my knight.”

“......!?”

 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!

If you want to buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/kimsu