“What did Black Snow have to say about the recent report?”

“They’ve finished cross-verification and estimate it’s likely true with an 89% probability.”

“…This is truly maddening.”

Julius frowned at his subordinate's report.

On his desk lay an urgent report that had been relayed via a hotline late last night.

The contents detailed that Trainer Isben, the longtime captain of Squad 5 in the White Armored Dragoon, had perished on a mission alongside fifteen of his subordinates.

Julius had hoped for a mistake and requested Black Snow to confirm the details, but they received only a somber confirmation.

It was one of the most devastating losses in the past three years.

“As instructed, we’ve temporarily appointed Senior Inspector Evelyn Nereville from Squad 1 as the captain of Squad 5, and assigned three new recruits under her command. After completing expedited training, they’re scheduled for deployment in three days.”

“We’re so desperate that we have to deploy green recruits… It feels like we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.”

The subordinate had many responses on the tip of his tongue, but he held them back, pressing his lips together.

If anyone was feeling the frustration, it would be Julius most of all.

This was, after all, one of the most chronic issues plaguing the White Armored Dragoon.

“If only we didn’t have to deal with the Intelligence Bureau and the Elder Council…!”

The White Armored Dragoon was an airborne unit.

Unlike other units that were heavily dependent on terrain, their area of operations was far broader, and they were constantly overwhelmed with mission requests.

Squad 1 handled special operations.

Squad 2 conducted reconnaissance of the Demon Sea’s movements.

Squad 3 guarded the Grand Barrier and conducted reconnaissance around its perimeter.

Squad 4 safeguarded Winterer and monitored the northern Six Families.

Squad 5 managed various incidents and aid requests across the northern territories.

With such extensive regions under their responsibility, they could barely manage with less than five hundred personnel.

Each request for reinforcements met resistance from the Intelligence Bureau and the Elder Council.

While they used “lack of talent” as a justification, everyone knew the real reason was political opposition.

As a result, the White Armored Dragoon was constantly understaffed.

Even now, despite the death of Squad 5’s captain, rather than mobilizing reinforcements from other squads for retribution, they had to settle for deploying new recruits.

If this had happened in another division, rumors about the breakdown of discipline would have spread like wildfire.

“Ensure that the recruits only handle reconnaissance and support roles in this mission. Let them have some field experience, but nothing too dangerous. They’ll learn a lot that way.”

“Understood.”

After his subordinate left with a respectful bow, Julius turned his chair to face the window.

The sky appeared exceptionally indifferent today.

“An 89% chance… That still leaves an 11% chance of survival. Even if he’s injured, I just hope he’s alive, that old man.”

Julius recalled Trainer’s face, always fussing beside him, and suddenly thought of Theo.

The young master from Camellia Palace, who had already performed miraculous feats—perhaps he might work another miracle this time…?

But the thought was fleeting.

Julius laughed softly at himself.

“I really am at a loss.”

Even for Theo, there were limits to what he could do.

Expecting anything miraculous from a mere fifteen-year-old apprentice was ridiculous.

Yet.

Yet… if a miracle were to happen?

*Click!*

Julius unlocked a drawer in his desk, taking out a booklet.

It was the secret manual the Lady of Plum Blossom had entrusted to him, hinting at their shared legacy.

“If only this could help even a little in bringing about that miracle.”

He gave a gentle shake to the bell on his desk.

*Ting!*

A knight waiting outside entered the room.

“You called, sir?”

“Summon Evelyn.”

* * *

—All designated shooters must complete basic training for their subordinates by the start of the mission in three days.

With that announcement, Evelyn’s command sent Squad 5 into a frenzy.

The directive seemed almost absurd, even by emergency standards.

However, orders were orders.

Even with complaints, a command once issued had to be followed.

Thus, the mentor assignments for the three recruits proceeded quickly, and Theo followed his mentor to a training ground within the White Dragon’s Nest.

“What kind of mission could it be, if they’re so desperate to deploy recruits who haven’t even completed their training?”

Citing security, Evelyn shared no information about the mission until it was underway.

With no hints to go on, Theo continued racking his brain for anything useful from his past life.

Yet, nothing major seemed to have happened around this time.

The only event he could vaguely recall was one:

*The Northern Hostage Incident involving the Ceres Merchant Guild.*

The Ceres Guild had clashed with Theo half a year earlier during the Gathering of the Iron Dragon, and was also linked with Ed Troyban and his family’s clandestine operations.

On the surface, they appeared loyal to Ragnar, operating as a northern merchant guild.

During this period, however, their trade caravan was suddenly taken hostage by a bandit group called *Black Skull*.

At that time, Squad 5 of the White Armored Dragoon was dispatched to rescue the hostages and eliminate the bandits, concluding the incident.

For the harsh northern lands, it was a common occurrence.

Ragnar and the White Armored Dragoon paid little attention to it.

However…

*Much later, Black Snow uncovered that one of the items the Ceres Guild was transporting was none other than the Dragon-Slaying Sword. The discovery threw the family into turmoil.*

Within a few years, Ed Troyban would attempt a coup.

He would raise his nephew, Axion Ragnar, as the new family head, staging a rebellion that paralyzed the administrative system with the Intelligence Bureau’s support and isolated Winterer from the outside world, causing catastrophic damage.

Though several elders stationed at Winterer attempted to suppress Ed, they all lost their heads.

It wasn’t just Ed’s skill—his weapon was Ragnar’s nemesis.

The *Dragon-Slaying Sword Balmung*.

An ancient magical sword said to have slain a dragon in the mythic age, steeped in mystique and deadly power.

Ed nearly succeeded in his coup with this weapon.

*Though my father and the Black Dragon eventually subdued him… the damage was undeniable.*

There were whispers that, if Black Snow had detected the sword’s presence during the hostage crisis, the tragedy might have been prevented.

*But things have changed in this life. Axion is no longer here, so Ed has lost his excuse to stage a coup… but how will that alter his plans?*

Ed Troyban was notoriously devious, so much so that even the Black Dragon had to watch his back.

With his pawn Axion out of the picture, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ed had revised his plans.

Theo vividly recalled the look in Ed’s eyes when he declined the deputy position—it was far from ordinary…

*If this is a butterfly effect resulting from those changes, I’ll have to confirm it myself.*

Conflict with Ed Troyban was inevitable, so Theo needed to track his moves closely.

Perhaps it might even be necessary to strike first.

“Alright, let’s start by teaching you how to set up a saddle and bridle.”

Theo snapped back to reality at his mentor’s call.

“No matter how well-trained they are, wyverns naturally detest anything restrictive. They hate anything that could weigh them down while flying. That’s why a partnership with a wyvern starts with the saddle and bridle.”

Selphid Gardner.

Theo’s mentor, typically jovial, was now fully focused on his instruction, his usual humor set aside.

If he didn’t concentrate during basic training, he could face a life-threatening situation in actual combat.

Not just for himself, either—his allies’ lives could be at stake as well.

“Alright, give it a try.”

Theo nodded, carrying the saddle over to Umbra.

Umbra took a few steps back, narrowing its eyes.

*Grrrr…*

A slight rasping sound escaped it.

Somehow, Theo sensed that Umbra’s disgruntled look was more directed at him than the saddle.

“What’s wrong? Is it because I left first without you yesterday?”

*Keeek!*

Umbra spread its wings wide, fluttering with indignation.

Selphid moved to intervene, but Theo held him back with an outstretched hand.

“I knew it. You’re upset because I left, aren’t you?”

*Keek! Keekeek!*

Umbra flapped its wings even more, as if scolding Theo for not understanding sooner.

Theo couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

*Keeeek!*

Umbra gave him a pointed glare, as if asking, “Are you seriously laughing right now?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. My bad!” Theo chuckled again.

*Keeeeek!*

Umbra screeched, clearly exasperated.

Its fierce expression contrasted so hilariously with its petty complaint that Theo couldn’t help but laugh.

Umbra was genuinely frustrated, though.

Theo understood why—Umbra, who had known neither family nor friends for so long, had finally found a companion. Yet, Theo had suddenly left it alone, likely making it worry all night.

“Sorry, I should’ve been more thoughtful. I won’t leave without you again.”

*Keeek!*

Umbra turned its head sharply, clearly sulking.

—“If ‘sorry’ was enough, we wouldn’t have any problems!”

Theo realized he’d need to pull out a special card to appease Umbra.

“Oh, how unfortunate… I actually brought a gift for you, but I guess I

’ll have to take it back.”

Feigning disappointment, Theo rummaged around dramatically.

*Flinch.*

Umbra’s ears perked up.

“It’s a very expensive pearl necklace. Too bad… guess I’ll just give it to the captain instead.”

Theo’s hand emerged, holding the pearl necklace Cecilia had given him.

*Shudder!*

Umbra’s eyes wavered, fixated on the necklace.

“Hmm. I heard the Commander loves things like this. Should I…?”

*Keeeeek!*

Umbra flapped wildly, panic-stricken.

“Oh? Would you like it instead?”

*Keek! Keekeek!*

Umbra nodded eagerly, as if afraid Theo might change his mind.

Chuckling, Theo draped the pearl necklace around Umbra’s neck, where it dangled, brightening its mood. The wyvern soon began to fiddle with the necklace in delight.

In the meantime, Theo managed to saddle and bridle Umbra.

“…How did you manage that?”

Selphid looked utterly bewildered.

Even with a partner, saddling and bridling a wyvern usually took at least two weeks.

But Theo had accomplished it in just a few hours.

Seeing this, Selphid quickly reverted to his usual self, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I don’t know. It just worked,” Theo shrugged nonchalantly.

“…Ever been told you’re annoying?”

“Annoying? Why?”

Selphid merely stared, lips twitching into a faint smile.

And so, Theo continued his basic training under Selphid’s watchful eye.

From tactics unique to the White Armored Dragoon, command structures, squad-specific techniques, and emergency protocols—Theo absorbed everything rapidly.

Thanks to his past life experience in Black Snow, he had little trouble.

Selphid, unaware of Theo’s background, was left with only one thought:

*This kid’s a genius! A prodigy born solely for the White Armored Dragoon! I have to keep him safe. No one’s taking him from me! You’re mine, Theo Ragnar!*

The arrival of such a talented mentee was a huge boost for his mentor’s morale and evaluation scores.

Given that Arin and other rookies were practically drooling over Theo, Selphid was more determined than ever to hold onto him.

With blazing resolve, Selphid’s eyes sparkled.

Theo shivered from an odd chill that crept down his spine.

Time passed quickly, and soon…

Three days later.

“Move out.”

Under Evelyn’s command, Squad 5 of the White Armored Dragoon, with Theo among them, set out on their mission.