The Ragnar family, along with other northern clans, are typically likened to animals.

The Ragnar is a dragon,

Narsio is a lion,

Hanabi is an eagle,

Gardner is a wolf,

And,

Lanke is a bear.

Despite the image of bears as being simple-minded, their strong muscles, massive size, omnivorous nature, and ferocity made them subjects of totemism in ancient societies.

So, in Theo's eyes, no clan resembled this bear more than the Lanke family.

With their size and strength, as well as their cleverness.

This was why the Lanke family had been able to maintain their reputation for so long, even under the enormous shadows of Ragnar and Narsio.

"And Erika was practically the embodiment of that Lanke."

Currently, the representative of the Northern Four is Holcus, the Black Bear of Lanke.

However, in the not-too-distant future, a talent will emerge who will far surpass Holcus and rise to the position of head of the family.

That person is the White Bear, Erika.

"Another nickname was ‘Erika of Calamity,’ right? They say that wherever she passes, nothing is left intact."

During his time in the Black Snow, Theo had performed operations with Erika, so he remembered her traits quite accurately.

She was refreshing yet ferocious.

Due to her reckless nature, charging in without consideration for the consequences, the Lanke family had endured their fair share of hardships.

"Like Ray, who has been training in seclusion for quite some time, she had remained largely unknown to the outside world, a genius only anticipated by those who knew her. Her first public appearance was this… flowering ceremony."

And she was the only one to discover the secret of the Spirit Protection Law and would soon make her mark...

"Although I erased that fact by my own actions."

Thus, ever since Theo faced Erika, he had been keeping a close eye on her every move.

He couldn't predict how Erika would react to him.

But then...

"…To become a lord?"

What on earth was that absurd statement?

"Ah…! Damn, you actually said it. This crazy sister…."

Holcus, from behind, covered his face with his large hand and sighed.

He seemed to be extremely embarrassed at that moment.

Ray and Wellington also struggled to keep up with the flow of the conversation, glancing back and forth between Theo and Erika.

"...What do you want to say?"

Theo frowned and looked at Erika.

With a playful smile, Erika replied, "Actually, I've been watching you ever since I heard that you beat this guy."

Holcus flinched at his sister's gaze.

Seeing that big figure shrink was strangely satisfying.

"This guy may look foolish, but he's not someone who just gets beaten up. I've trained him thoroughly since he was young."

"Who looks foolish…!"

"But he got beaten up. And the greedy Axion guy is said to be grinding his teeth trying to catch him by any means necessary? Plus, he even left nice cut marks on the slate. How could I not be curious about this?"

Erika lightly dismissed Holcus's protest and slowly drew her sword.

Swish—

It was a two-handed sword.

A great sword similar in shape to the zweihander that Theo possessed.

"So I wanted to have a spar with you when we met, but I had to at least see your face. But then, at the final ceremony, you suddenly threw a dagger at me."

Erika seemed to recall the situation at that time and shivered slightly.

A smile formed on her lips.

It was joy.

"But it felt much more electrifying than I expected, with adrenaline rushing, right?"

"I can guess."

"Right, you understand, right? I knew this would happen."

Erika smiled brightly.

The intense joy of meeting a comrade.

Theo nodded quietly and replied, "I get it. I know very well that you're a pervert."

"What, you punk?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Erika's face crumpled amusingly, and Holcus burst into laughter beside her.

It wasn't until he received his sister's fierce glare that he managed to cover his mouth, but his flushed face showed no signs of calming down.

Theo took Drake's weapon and assumed a combat stance.

"In the end, it seems like you’re just beating around the bush to say you want to spar. Is that really necessary?"

"Of course. It's nice and straightforward."

Theo and Erika's gazes crossed in the air for just a moment.

Boom—

The two of them unleashed their stances and clashed right in the center.

Clang!

The sound of the two massive great swords crashing together resonated loudly, almost taking their breath away.

Erika let out an exclamation as she felt herself being pushed back by the sheer force.

She was surprised that she was being overpowered.

When it came to 'strength' in the north, the Lanke clan was the first to come to mind, and she was genuinely astonished.

"Hey."

"What?"

"Don't you really want to become my family’s son-in-law?"

The Lanke clan reveres strength above all else.

If Theo's 'strength' were recognized, he would undoubtedly be counted among the top of the Lanke family.

"I'm really quite a fool, you know? But if I'm also strong? Then it's obviously a good match, right?"

From her expression, it seemed she was quite serious.

Theo chuckled softly.

After regressing, he had encountered all sorts of situations.

"I thought there wouldn’t be a man who would catch my eye until I died, and that all those pursuits were for nothing."

Just like with Wellington. It felt good to be acknowledged by someone who had once been an object of envy.

Of course, he had no intention of accepting this proposal.

"Sorry, but I’ll have to decline."

"Huh? Why? Is it because you’re embarrassed by the son-in-law comment? Think it over. You might not know, but I’ll soon become the head of the family, right? The Lanke clan's lord husband. Isn't that a pretty good title?"

He chuckled lightly.

"No, that's not it."

"Then?"

"How could the head of Ragnar become the lord husband of Lanke? We are supposed to be a prestigious family."

"…?"

Erika blinked, not understanding Theo’s words at first, then burst into laughter.

"What? Ha ha ha! Are you seriously aiming for the succession rights?"

Ray, Wellington, and Holcus, who were present, all widened their eyes in shock.

No, it wasn't just the three of them.

The judges and examiners watching the clash between Theo and Erika also had shocked expressions.

Especially,

Ray’s surprise was the greatest.

Generally, heirs keep their ambitions concealed until they have a certain foundation, even when vying for power.

The constant stress of not knowing when or how the interference and restrictions from other siblings would come was substantial.

‘Theo, being the second son, would know that… but he still said it.’

This was a declaration of intent.

—A declaration that he would become the head of the family.

Having already secured the top spot and exceeded the daunting 3,000 points, this declaration was sure to stir significant attention.

Moreover, it wasn't just the judges and examiners present.

‘Father…!’

Up there at the distant peak.

His father, Kyle, was waiting for them.

If it were him,

That embodiment of a dragon who did not look like a human would surely understand Theo's determination.

‘Soon I’ll see Father too. What will you do then, Theo?’

Ray’s thoughts grew deeper.

Meanwhile,

"The power of Ragnar… power, you say?" 

Erika was smiling.

In a way, it seemed like a sneer, and in another way, it seemed like she was genuinely surprised.

"Anyone who is the heir of Ragnar can dream of that much, right?"

"Sure. It's fine to dream. But that’s still very different, isn’t it? There’s a big gap between simply dreaming and actually doing it."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. But looking at you."

Erika's eyes sparkled as she licked her lips.

Slurp!

"I really think you might do it."

Theo simply smiled without giving a clear answer.

An unspoken affirmation.

"But I heard you’re a second son. Is that okay?"

"Can’t a second son claim succession rights?"

"It’s not that you can’t, but it’s practically difficult, isn’t it? To grasp power, you need sufficient background and foundation, but you’re lacking in that."

"Foundation."

"…?"

Thud—

Theo lunged again.

"I can just make it from now on."

"…!"

Swoosh—

Drake’s weapon moved violently in a horizontal arc.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Erika, showing no sign of tension, instead laughed as she quickly parried Theo's sword.

Great sword against great sword.

Strength against strength.

The shocks continued to resonate, making the ground tremble noticeably.

"With this, isn’t it enough to earn the right to create?"

Theo smiled broadly.

By this point, Erika's laughter couldn't help but grow louder.

It was a maniacal laugh.

"Ha ha ha! Look at that confidence! So cool! Yes! If you're a person, you should have at least one ambition. Hey, Holcus, learn something too. Stop making strange excuses every time we spar!"

Holcus, who had suddenly been hit with an arrow, seemed to have a lot to say but chose not to voice it.

Erika was grinning from ear to

 ear when suddenly she smacked her lips.

"Ah, it’s such a pity. I thought I found a good lord candidate."

"Look somewhere else."

"I was planning to do just that. But still…!"

Whoosh!

Erika skillfully deflected Drake's weapon, charging forward with a grin.

"I think you could be a good drinking buddy. What do you say?"

"I'm still underage, so I don’t drink yet."

"No wonder you talk like a naive kid. What kind of fun do you have in life? Then just a friend?"

"If that's the case, I'm welcoming it."

When Theo smiled back, Erika's laughter grew even louder.

"Great. Then let’s see who’s above whom first!"

"Can a friendship be determined by a ranking?"

"Stop babbling and swing your sword! The spar isn’t over yet!"

Boom—

Erika and Theo clashed again.

---

“Power, the power to lead! Ha ha ha!”

The embodiment of the dragon, Kyle, looked out the window and laughed brightly.

As if he were overjoyed.

Or perhaps as if he found it amusing.

Caw!

At that moment, the black lark perched on Kyle's left shoulder chirped.

Its call was filled with concern.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Caw...

“But if he wants to dream, how can anyone stop him? Especially between parent and child.”

Kyle genuinely cared for Theo.

Just like the other five children he truly cherished, including Torkel.

Of course, his feelings differed from those of a typical father-son relationship.

The revival of the clan.

The prosperous age of Ragnar.

He cherished them only because they were 'swords' for that purpose.

Kyle was someone who should hold the hilt of those swords; if their blades were ever aimed at him, he would break them without hesitation.

And right now,

Theo was declaring,

That he would become such a sword.

Although it would take more observation to see if he would be the hilt or the blade.

One thing was certain, though.

That sword's blade would be,

Very sharp.

“Weren't you and I just like that in our youth? No one can stop the passionate blood of youth. So let’s just watch and see.”

The black lark finally closed its beak tightly.

“Whether it breaks when it meets a great barrier or not.”

Kyle’s gaze, looking out the window, glinted ferociously.