Kirson’s simmering anger calmed down immediately when Theo returned, now dressed in formal attire.

“Ha!”

“As expected of our son, he has such a remarkable presence,” Cecilia said, adjusting Theo’s clothes with a smile that wouldn’t leave her lips.

She was immensely pleased with the masterpiece she’d created, a display of her finest work.

The outfit accentuated Theo’s frame, his neatly gathered hair revealed a pale neck, his gaze was steady, and his shoulders were solid.

In just half a year, Theo had transformed completely.

Where he once resembled a delicate flower, he now exuded a hint of wild ferocity.

Even Kirson, with his refined taste in art and collectibles, couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Just like his mother…young Cecilia must have been like this,’ thought Kirson, recalling Cecilia’s vibrant, bold spirit.

The lost time between mother and daughter seemed to stand in front of him.

‘…Though he also resembles that rascal Kyle, which I don’t like.’

Kirson quickly pushed this thought away. Kyle was the one who had taken his beloved daughter away.

“Oh, look, isn’t that…”

“Yes, it’s Theo Ragnar.”

“He was already handsome, but now he looks even more striking!”

“Damn it! He’s got the looks, the talent, the skill—what doesn’t he have?”

“There’s talk that he caught the Lord’s attention. It might be wise to bring him into our ranks early.”

The murmurs of admiration and curiosity from those nearby were audible.

Though Theo seemed uncomfortable with the attention.

‘Just like in my morning suit, this is uncomfortable. Can’t it be a bit more relaxed?’

At least, having worn something similar once, it wasn’t as awkward as before.

‘But it’s worth it if it means I can access the mines of the Kanaka Archipelago.’

Theo suppressed a smile.

The Kanaka mines, still largely undiscovered, held more than just adamantite.

They housed other minerals equally, if not more, valuable.

The Bask Forge’s future would be tied to this mine, making this an excellent bargain for him.

“We will now begin the designation ceremony. All graduates, please gather together!” 

At that moment, the judge’s voice rang out, imbued with magical energy.

“Well then, I’m off, Mother.”

“Yes, give it your best until the end,” Cecilia said, encouraging Theo as he walked away.

---

“...A designation ceremony, without Aksion? How could they hold such an event without him, Brother?”

Former Winter Palace Mistress Emil gritted her teeth as she looked at the central government office through the cracked windows of the Rose Palace.

After Aksion returned as a headless corpse, Emil held onto him for days, refusing to let go.

Even when the body began to decay, filling the air with stench.

It was only after hearing that the designation ceremony had begun, following the end of the awakening ceremonies, that she finally returned to her senses.

But…

‘Her mind’s completely gone,’ Ed thought, clicking his tongue inwardly at the madness in Emil’s eyes.

The once-clear-sighted Emil was gone.

‘That fool… Ignored every order and acted recklessly.’

Had Aksion followed Ed’s instructions, he could have taken Theo’s artifact and ended his life.

The spotlight Theo Ragnar currently held might have been Aksion’s instead.

Ed’s trap, laid through the Central Intelligence Bureau in the Winter Mountains, was a perfect snare from which no trainee swordsman could escape.

The charge of ‘rebellion’ was feared in the North for a reason.

But all the traps were rendered useless.

Aksion had died recklessly before Ed could even begin his plan.

‘It’s too difficult to set a new trap now. If I want to uncover more about the artifact, I’ll need a new approach.’

Ed had decided how he would handle Theo during this designation ceremony.

It was a choice he made not only for the clan but for Troivan, waiting eagerly for Ed’s news.

‘Even if I don’t like it, I have no choice. There will be other opportunities.’

He was mulling over his thoughts when Emil grabbed his hand tightly.

“Brother.”

“Yes, speak, Palace Mistress.”

“Kill that… wretch. In front of everyone, tear him apart, make it brutal.”

Once again, Ed clicked his tongue inwardly.

Emil had completely lost her sense of judgment.

‘She wants me dead too.’

Outwardly, however, he spoke reassuringly.

“Do not worry.”

The tone was as if she could leave everything to him.

Still, Emil wouldn’t release her grip.

“You…you’ll do it, won’t you?”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

Only after hearing his assurance repeatedly could Emil finally let him go and return to her seat.

Watching Ed’s departing figure as he left for the designation ceremony, Emil whispered, her voice cold:

“You had better do it, Brother. If you don’t…”

Her gaze, once mad, had turned frigid and calculated.

“I won’t be able to sit by.”

---

“Ugh… There are way too many people here.”

Holcus shivered slightly.

The office was packed.

The number of spectators had decreased since the awakening ceremony, but the air was charged with strong magic pulses.

Among them sat the Nine Dragons, high above, along with the commanders of several Ragnar divisions.

Heroes he’d only heard about as a child had gathered in one place.

Holcus, who had idolized them since childhood, was awestruck.

“A guy built like a mountain is afraid?” 

“It’s not that I’m scared—your nerve is just oversized, sis.”

Holcus bristled at Erika’s amused scoff.

“And what about Theo? He’s doing just fine.”

Holcus glanced at the figure Erika indicated with her chin.

Theo stood tall.

“Come on, our Theo is different.”

“…‘Our’?”

For a moment, Erika’s expression soured.

“Then ‘Theo, sir’?”

“What did you eat last night? Why are you acting strange?”

“Yesterday, I made up my mind.”

“About what?”

“To stake my life on Theo.”

The unexpected statement left Erika staring at him, wide-eyed.

“What… are you saying…?”

“I thought it over a lot last night.”

Holcus’s voice was serious.

“That guy, Theo—he’s going to make a huge impact. He has ambition, the ability, and that bold personality I really like.”

“…”

“Anyway, the life of us Ranques is already set, right? We’re the swords of Ragnar. Big, powerful swords. If we’re going to be their sword, might as well get in before others take the position.”

Erika pursed her lips tightly.

—The sword of Ragnar.

For the Ranque family, it was both an honor and a shackle.

If they met the right master, they’d shine brilliantly, but if not, they’d break.

Such was the fate of all who bore the Ranque name.

It wasn’t just the Ranques, though.

Every one of the Six Houses faced this destiny.

They rose and fell for Ragnar alone.

If Holcus could become head of the Ranque family, things could be different.

But that position was reserved for his twin sister, Erika.

He could pursue it if he desired, but he held back.

He knew how much she wanted that role.

“You know me, sis. I don’t have big ambitions. Just good food, a warm bed, strength, and looking cool… that’s enough for me. I never really had a dream. But Theo, he gave me one.”

“…There’s no one else who would declare in front of all the examiners that they’ll sit on the throne.”

“Right? It left a big impression on me. So I made up my mind. Even if I break, I want to stand where I can burn my life to the fullest.”

For the first time, Erika watched her brother’s desire silently.

“So that’s Theo Ragnar?”

“Yeah. I think he’ll push me to my limits. Doesn’t it sound fun?”

“Idiot, who decides their life just for fun?”

“Come on, sis. You admitted Theo could secure a good foundation.”

“…”

“So I’m going to bet on him.”

Erika shook her head in exasperation.

“Hah! Do whatever you want.”

“Seems like you’ve already been swayed by our Theo.”

“Shut up. And stop saying ‘our, our’; it’s embarrassing. You look like a bandit talking like that.”

“Sis, everyone says we look alike. You’re insulting yourself…”

“Do you want to die?”

Erika drew her two-handed sword slightly, making Holcus clamp his mouth shut.

But the smile tugging at his lips remained.

“Does Theo know about your decision?”

“Huh? No, of course not. I just decided this morning.”

“…So you’ve already made up your mind without even a conversation? Really?”

“Hah! Who would refuse the great Holcus Ranque as their sword?”

Erika massaged her temples before snapping:

“You fool! You need to talk to Theo so you can enter the same division. What are you going to do if you’re assigned somewhere else?”

“…Oh? That… that’s a good point?”

Just as Erika scowled at her clueless brother.

“We will now begin the designation ceremony!”

With the judge’s proclamation, everyone’s eyes turned to the podium.

Even the Nine Dragons and other senior officials followed suit.

Thud, thud, thud—

The loud drumbeats echoed as hearts pounded wildly.

“The top graduate, Theo Ragnar! Step

 forward!”

Thump, thump—

As Theo ascended the podium.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence fell over the crowd.

All eyes, including the Nine Dragons and officials, were fixed intently on him.

Determined to recruit him at any cost.

‘They’re as fanatical as I expected.’

Erika smiled at the scene. It was all too predictable.

While she imagined Theo must be feeling pressured.

‘Wait, he’s… enjoying this? Hahaha!’

Theo seemed perfectly at ease as he met their gazes head-on.

As if declaring that this was his rightful place.

‘My instincts were right. He has the qualities of a born king.’

A king’s talent.

He had the essence of a ruler.

‘My foolish brother, you want to be this guy’s sword? You’ll have to endure more hardship than you think.’

Erika could almost see Holcus, struggling, as he vied for the spot.

Yulius the Demon Dragon, the Plum Blossom Swordlord, the Tempest Sword Corps, the Black Sword Corps, the Court of Laws, the Security Bureau, the Black Iron Brigade… all the greatest units of Ragnar had their eyes on him.

Even the supposedly neutral Jade Dragon Judge was paying close attention.

‘This place is already his.’

As the other graduates looked at Theo with admiration.

Screech!

Suddenly, someone stood up.

‘Who…?’

Erika’s eyes narrowed as she noticed him.

The Nine Dragons and the senior officials also looked in that direction.

The man who rose was—

Ed the Tyrant Dragon.

‘Could it be?’

Yulius, the Plum Blossom Swordlord, and others instinctively reached for their swords.

Although Ed was grieving, they doubted he’d be foolish enough to harm Theo in such a crowded place.

Still, they were ready to intervene if needed.

But Ed simply stared at Theo, expressionless.

Noticing Ed’s gaze, Theo looked back.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence passed between them.

“Director of the Central Intelligence Bureau, whatever you need, sit down. The first graduate hasn’t even started the designation process,” the judge warned, visibly annoyed.

But Ed ignored him, and instead spoke slowly.

“The Central Intelligence Bureau offers Theo Ragnar…”

The murmur was faint, but his words shocked the crowd.

“The position of Deputy Director.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

The quiet crowd erupted in chaos.