When the drinking gathering with the Fourth Training Ground members finally came to an end, it was already dawn. Though reluctant to part ways, they had to split up due to the early morning unit assignment announcements the following day.

Only Ray remained until the very end.

“Theo.”

“Yeah?”

“Can… can I come back again?”

Ray, avoiding Theo’s gaze, looked nervous as he asked. Theo sensed Ray had thought about this question a lot before voicing it.

“Of course.”

“Re-really?”

“Yes. We’re friends now. And friends are always welcome.”

“Friends…”

Ray murmured the word several times before a bright smile spread across his face, and he nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you!”

Her smile was warmer than Theo had ever seen.

---

Quietly entering the Camellia Palace, Theo carefully made his way through the halls, assuming everyone was asleep. However, he noticed the dining room lights were still on.

*Did someone forget to turn off the lights?*

Curious, Theo walked over to switch off the lights but was surprised by what he saw.

“Oh, my dear. Just now coming in, are you? You know you have an early morning tomorrow. How do you plan to manage your condition with such a late return?”

“Don’t worry; I didn’t drink at all. But… Mother, you’re still awake?”

Cecilia was seated alone at the dining table, her cheeks slightly flushed as if she’d been drinking. Indeed, a wine bottle nestled in an ice bucket beside her confirmed his suspicions.

“Tonight felt so wonderful that I decided to indulge a bit. What, does your mother seem strange to you?”

“No, it’s just… I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“Oh, right. I’ve never shown you a vulnerable side before. I felt I had to maintain my composure, no matter what.”

Her softly murmured words pierced Theo’s heart.

Then, Cecilia smiled brightly.

“So, what do you say? Will you join me for a drink tonight?”

Though Theo had planned to avoid alcohol until he was twenty, he felt that tonight was an exception.

*Just this once.*

He realized he wanted to talk to his mother—about everything that had gone unspoken, misunderstandings, inner thoughts. And he wanted to thank her for Evelyn.

“Yes. I’d be honored.”

“I’ve always dreamed of sharing a drink with you like this, dear. Come, have a seat.”

Theo sat across from Cecilia, and the night turned into an endless conversation between mother and son.

---

The next day, at 6:11 a.m.

Yawning deeply, Wellington entered the Fourth Training Ground as usual. Despite the late night, he couldn’t skip his dawn training.

*Old habits die hard. I was planning to rest today, but it seems harder not to train.*

The gathering had continued even after Theo left, with the others going for third and fourth rounds. Both Wellington and Erica had, in their frustration over not drinking with Theo, indulged a bit too much.

Now, Wellington was nursing a severe hangover.

*Northlands tradition treats those fifteen and older as adults… but ouch, my head.*

Despite his resolve, he felt tempted to return to his quarters for more rest. Just then, a familiar sound reached his ears.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…*

It was the sound of a blade cutting through the air.

*No way…*

Wellington looked in the direction of the sound and let out a chuckle.

“That relentless…”

There, as always, was Theo, the earliest arrival, swinging his massive zweihander with slow, measured movements. Each swing carried an intense depth, as if Theo were sparring with an invisible opponent.

Wellington realized Theo was revisiting the insights he’d gained from the Blooming Ceremony.

*After setting a record, what could he possibly need to train so hard for…?*

But what truly made Wellington laugh was something else entirely.

*Does that guy even rest?*

Someone mentioned that Theo had been seen drinking with Lady Cecilia at the Camellia Palace until late last night. That meant he was here training after barely any sleep.

*How can anyone be this driven?*

Or perhaps that’s why he was able to improve so quickly. Inspired by Theo, Wellington abandoned any thoughts of slacking off and joined in the training.

Meanwhile, Theo’s sword swings grew faster. So absorbed was he that he didn’t even notice Wellington’s presence.

He was in a state of complete immersion.

*My dear, what is it you seek?*

His mother’s question from last night lingered in his mind.

*I’ve heard you’ve openly declared your intention to compete for the throne. I wanted to hear your thoughts, my thoughtful son.*

Theo had shared his ambitions, and Cecilia had listened silently, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

*I see. If that is your decision… very well.*

Her expression at that moment was unreadable, but her eyes sparkled with a fierce determination.

*I trust she’ll share more in time.*

Theo felt a renewed trust in Cecilia. He no longer worried about obstacles on this path. His focus was singular: growth and mastery of his swordsmanship.

A strong foundation was gradually being laid.

*The techniques of *Swift Blade Movement* focus on sharp, rapid strikes and unrestricted fluidity. Perfect for my *Death Beat* style.*

Theo’s focus was on mastering *Swift Blade Movement* and *Thunderstorm*, the Wind Sovereign’s legacy techniques.

Although the advanced techniques were left to Evelyn, Theo was captivated by the remnants of the Wind Sovereign’s essence within the techniques.

*Thunderstorm, like *Swift Blade Movement*, uses wind in various forms—sometimes fast, sometimes powerful, sometimes explosive, sometimes gentle. The Wind Sovereign must have honed this before he lost his mind.*

With *Hatchling Sync*, Theo dissected the Wind Sovereign’s movements, categorizing them into five levels:

Gentle Breeze, Gale, Whirlwind, Storm, and… Typhoon.

The varied intensity and direction of the winds harmonized perfectly with his thunder-based mana, especially complementing the contradictory mix of Theo’s heavy blade and swift strikes.

*If I can fully integrate these two techniques and the Wind Sovereign’s insights, I’ll achieve even greater heights.*

Currently, he was working on the first level, *Gentle Breeze*, which involved drawing in surrounding air and enveloping his body. With this, he could lighten his movements significantly, and eventually, he could even surround his sword with wind, accelerating his attacks.

Determined, Theo resolved to master *Gentle Breeze* before his unit assignments began.

*The wind was beginning to gather.*

---

“Ugh… my head…”

“Who told you to drink so much? Honestly.”

“Quiet…! Ugh!”

Erica clutched her stomach, unable to scold Hulcus further as she held back another wave of nausea. She’d tried to alleviate her hangover with mana, but to no avail.

Just then, Theo handed her something.

“What’s this?”

“A remedy for your hangover. Tastes horrible, though.”

“Ugh, thanks…”

Without a second thought, Erica drank it but immediately gagged and threw up.

“Ugh! What the hell, Theo?”

Ignoring Hulcus’s startled yelp, Erica glared daggers at Theo.

“You… you… were you trying to poison me?”

“I warned you it tasted bad.”

“But how could anyone drink that…”

What she’d consumed was Theo’s special celery juice, a tonic he used frequently for recovery, though it was an acquired taste.

“It grows on you if you drink it often enough.”

“I’ll pass, thanks.”

“Suit yourself.”

He hadn’t forced it on her, after all.

“I just wish they’d hurry up with the unit assignments…”

Erica muttered, glancing toward the waiting room entrance. The three of them were waiting for the announcement.

The White Armored Dragoon was divided into five squads, each with 70 to 150 members, specializing in different missions and responsibilities.

The second squad focused on exploring the *Demon Sea*, while the third squad was tasked with watching over the Great Wall. Each squad had unique strengths and characteristics.

Because of this, unit assignments for new recruits were carefully considered. Erica and Hulcus hoped to be assigned together, though they knew it might not be possible.

*As for me, I hope for Squad 1.*

Unlike the siblings, Theo wanted to join Squad 1, known as the “Royal Guard of the Demon Dragon,” as it frequently worked with Julius and promised rapid advancement. Plus, Evelyn was in Squad 1.

*Let’s see…*

Just as he grew impatient, the door to the waiting room swung open, and Evelyn entered, followed by Selford, Arin, and other familiar faces.

*…?*

Theo’s brow furrowed in confusion. Evelyn was from Squad 1, and Selford and Arin were from Squad 5, so it didn’t make sense for them to enter together.

But the most puzzling thing was the solemn expressions on their faces.

“Greetings. I am Evelyn Nereville, newly appointed captain of Squad 5. I’ll be overseeing the three of you.”

Erica and Hulcus lit up, thrilled to be in the same squad.

But Theo’s face darkened.

*The captain changed? Suddenly? I thought the 5th Squad Captain was supposed to be Triner Isven.*

Triner was the oldest knight in the White Armored Dragoon and was often consulted by Julius and other captains. He still had five years before retirement, yet his position had been reassigned.

*Something’s definitely happening.*

“Under normal circumstances, you would undergo basic training as dragon knights for the next three months,” Evelyn announced. “However, due to urgent matters, all training will be skipped.”

Erica and Hulcus exchanged glances, while Theo’s gaze grew steely.

With a grave tone, Evelyn continued, “In three days, all of you will be deployed to active duty.”