The wine was exquisite.

Hilda smiled, clearly enjoying it. 

"So, a regressor is an artifact of the Ancient Dragon?" Theo asked, unable to hide his urgency.

Lordbrok had told Theo he possessed four relics. But Theo could only account for three: the dungeon, the Moonlit White Sword, and Amon. He’d speculated that whatever caused his regression might be the missing fourth relic.

“No, it’s not the regression,” Hilda chuckled, shaking her head with a look of amusement.

Theo’s eyes widened. “Then…?”

“It's the blessed body inherited only by the direct line of Ragnar. That’s the relic.”

“…!”

“Contrary to legend, we Ragnars are not true blood descendants of Lordbrok. Through an ancient pact, we share the ‘blood of the dragon.’ But over a thousand years, that blood has inevitably diluted. You, as a regressor and chosen one, should understand this much.”

“…Yes.”

“Yet, how has this special trait continued in our family? Just because of our second ancestor, Sigurd’s selective breeding? Hardly. If that were the case, you’d see this trait manifesting in collateral branches or other houses over the centuries—given how many alliances and marriages have taken place.”

“So, it’s because of this relic?”

“Exactly. A blessing passed down exclusively within the Ragnar line—a unique bloodline factor that only activates in the direct lineage. That’s the relic.”

The Ancient Dragon’s relics are, in essence, mysteries. They might take the form of an object or a specific phenomenon.

“And,” Hilda continued.

There was more?

Theo felt as if he were being drawn further into her words.

“Occasionally, the bloodline factor manifests more intensely. That’s when we see…”

“The chosen one… the regression ability.”

“Bingo.” 

Hilda poured more wine into her empty glass.

“I don’t know the exact conditions that awaken the chosen ones or regressors within our genes, nor the number of cycles one might be granted. If we knew, Ragnar would have long since conquered the world.”

Theo nodded, feeling clarity settle in his mind.

'Those who awaken as chosen ones gain the power of regression and the right to communicate with Lordbrok. That much seems clear. But the exact conditions remain a mystery.’

But another question arose.

*How many cycles do I have?*

And another:

*Why hasn’t Hilda mentioned the <Message>?*

'She seems unaware that the abilities from our bloodline extend beyond just a blessed body and regression…’

Theo decided to test his theory.

“It’s possible that regression is limited to just one cycle.”

“Perhaps. Some have only had one cycle. Are you curious about your own limit?” Hilda asked, swirling her wine with a mischievous smile.

Theo smiled wryly and nodded. “I won’t deny it.”

“Of course you are. Each cycle is an opportunity for you, so it’s natural that you’d want to know.”

“Is there a way to find out?”

Hilda shook her head.

“No, there’s no definite way. But you might get a ‘feeling’ about it. You could sense whether you have cycles left or if you're nearing your last one.”

“A feeling… not very concrete, then.”

“True. But even that would be quite helpful, wouldn’t it?”

Theo nodded quietly, inwardly certain that his ability to receive messages was unique to him.

Even if he wasn’t the only chosen one, he could at least confirm Hilda wasn’t one of them.

*When I first regressed, I received a message. It’s not just the messages; the status window, info window, inventory, shop… all of it is tied to my <Permissions>.*

His heart pounded with excitement.

If he possessed a unique ability, that was a powerful advantage—a weapon. It was something he’d keep hidden from Hilda.

*Ding!*

[Congratulations! You’ve successfully uncovered your family’s hidden secrets and the events surrounding them, completing Tutorial Quest #18.]

[Evaluation: A+]

[Reward: 1 coin.]

[Additional reward based on evaluation: All stats increased by 5.]

[All tutorials are now complete.]

[The Beginner status has been removed, and all beginner privileges are terminated.]

[You are now free to begin the main scenario.]

Theo’s spirits soared as the messages appeared. With this reward, his total stat boost equaled what he’d gained from a full cycle of the bloodline awakening ritual.

*But the main scenario? That sounds like the next step after the tutorial.*

As he pondered, another message appeared.

[The main scenario involves uncovering the hidden mysteries of this world and pursuing ■■.]

[Clearing these quests will grant rewards and causal power.]

[Best of luck.]

*Causal power?* 

The messages were cryptic as always, but Theo had a strong hunch that the “■■” mentioned in the scenario was a core part of the Ragnar family’s secrets or something tied to the Ancient Dragon’s relics.

The next message solidified his suspicion:

[The main scenario begins.]

[A new quest has arrived.]

---

+ 

**[Scenario Quest #1]**

Stay centered amid the temptations and threats of those who covet your abilities.

- Difficulty: A

- Reward: 2 coins

- Failure Consequence: Death

*This quest will lead to an important turning point.*

+ 

---

Theo stiffened at the quest’s prompt.

*To remain grounded in the face of temptations and threats from multiple people?*

The sudden appearance of this quest could only mean one thing.

*Damn it.*

He glanced at Hilda, who was gazing at him while swirling her wine glass, her eyes holding a dragon's gaze fixed on its prey.

Even a hint of madness gleamed in her eyes.

“I’ve answered your questions, so now it’s my turn to ask.”

“…Yes, what would you like to know? My life hasn’t been that long, but I’ll answer as best I can…”

“There’s no need for that.”

Hilda raised one corner of her mouth, revealing a sharp canine tooth as she smiled.

“I have a better way.”

“A… better way?”

“Become my disciple.”

“…”

“I’ll pass down my sword, the one that even your father dared not challenge. Surely, that entices you.”

“…”

“And…”

Theo’s heartbeat grew thunderous.

The sword Hilda had crafted, said to reach heights surpassing even Kyle’s skill, lay within his grasp.

Noticing his internal struggle, Hilda smirked and placed something on the table with a loud *thud*.

A wooden box.

“I’ll give you this as a gift, too.”

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

Hilda pushed the box across the table toward him.

With a soft *click*, the lid opened, and Theo’s eyes widened at what lay inside.

A red heart, the size of a human head, pulsed within.

*Thump, thump, thump!*

In sync with its beats, Theo’s own heart raced.

“Judging by your reaction, you recognize it. Is it part of your future knowledge?”

Theo couldn’t deny it.

“It’s… Garuda’s heart, isn’t it?”

“Correct.”

Theo swallowed hard.

Back when he’d first seen Hilda at the Blossom Ceremony, he’d desired this heart. Now, seeing it up close, his hands trembled.

Garuda was a mythical bird known for devouring dragon hearts. It was one of the few natural enemies of dragons and dragonborn beings.

Its heart, imbued with immense vitality, would be an invaluable asset for Theo’s growth.

“Possessing it would eliminate one of my greatest natural foes.”

Yet, Hilda was offering not only her martial prowess but also this divine elixir as part of the deal.

It was a staggering proposal.

“You seem to grasp its value, so that saves time. Unlike Kyle, I don’t waste time pitting successors against each other in foolish competition. I’ll choose a single, proper successor and support them fully.”

“…”

“Come to me, Theo. I’ll give you the power no regressor has ever possessed.”

Theo silently stared at Garuda’s heart.

*Thump, thump, thump!*

The heart beat, seeming almost alive, its vibrant life force reaching out to him.

But then—

*Thud!*

Theo firmly closed the lid and bowed his head.

Hilda’s confident expression hardened.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? Is my offer lacking?”

“No, it’s more than enough.”

“Then why?”

Theo raised his head, his calm eyes meeting Hilda’s.

“I don’t want to become a pawn in your power struggle.”

Hilda looked puzzled, tilting her head.

“A power struggle? What do you mean? You know I left the headship decades ago. This is Kyle’s era now; how would I reinsert myself?”

“Yes, even if you reappeared, it would be difficult for you to claim Ragnar’s throne.”

“Then why…!”

“But it’s still possible for you to control from the shadows.”

Theo didn’t miss the look in Hilda’s eyes as she slowly lost her composed mask.

What replaced it was madness.

“By making me your disciple and placing me on the throne, you could essentially control all of Ragnar.”

Hilda’s remaining lust for power was evident to Theo.

That was the conclusion he’d drawn from her past actions and the illusions he’d witnessed outside the castle.

It was greed.

Just like the Mad Dragon Emperor, who had used his regression power to manipulate Ragnar for personal gain, Hilda too sought to use her powers for her own ends.

*This must be the fundamental flaw my father saw in regressors.*

Hilda and Kyle would inevitably clash.

While Theo hadn’t witnessed

 it in his past life, it was likely that these two titans had already engaged in unseen battles.

“Kyle will never let a regressor live. He’s leaving you alone now out of whim, but his sword could come for you at any moment. But under my protection, you’d be safe.”

Hilda made no effort to hide her intent to wage a power struggle against Kyle. 

But Theo shook his head.

“I aspire to stand on my own. I’ll claim the throne of my own will, without protection from either you or my father.”

“…I see. Now I understand why Kyle wants to watch you a little longer.”

Hilda smiled bitterly, recognizing the iron will in Theo’s gaze.

There was no breaking it with mere words.

Then—

“I have no choice.”

Hilda’s gaze filled with madness.

Theo instinctively tried to back away from the table.

But Hilda’s hand hit the table first.

*Tap!*

*Whoosh!*

Theo’s world turned upside down.

An endless, pitch-black darkness surrounded him.

There was no table, no heart of Garuda, no Hilda. 

Even Theo’s own presence seemed to vanish, his senses swallowed by the abyss.

This was Hilda’s domain.

「I’ve never let anything I desired slip through my fingers. No matter how many attempts it took, no matter how many I had to break, I claimed what I wanted.」

Hilda’s voice echoed from all around, resonating in the void.

「So what makes you think I won’t have you?」

She was declaring that she’d imprison him in this darkness until he changed his mind.