Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Swo…
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Chapter 81 Table of contents

*The Underground Prison of the White Armored Dragon Brigade.*

Above the bustling corridor, where guards came and went, Evelyn was using her stealth technique.

“Is it true they’ll be making a move to cut off any loose ends...?”

Evelyn had been waiting here for over four hours, uncertain and uneasy, despite being here on Theo’s orders. 

After all, this was the underground prison of the White Armored Dragon Brigade—hardly a place someone would dare to raid. No matter how bold the infiltrators, attacking this location seemed reckless. 

But she figured there was nothing to lose by setting a trap, so she waited.

“Thanks to this, I’ve figured out a new way to use Wind and Thunder Technique.”

The Wind and Thunder Technique encompassed all forms of movement arts. By blending with the wind, one could erase their scent and presence—erasing themselves from the world entirely. 

Theo had taught her this technique.

“There’s no need to doubt my lord’s insight into the core of techniques. All I need to do is train diligently and rise higher so that I can become the sword he wields when he stands tall.”

As Evelyn thought this—

Whoosh—

A faint, cool breeze from outside brushed by.

A breeze that should never reach the depths of the underground prison.

“They’re coming.”

In the darkness, Evelyn’s eyes glinted coldly.

* * *

“‘Three-Second Abyss’… that’s what she called it, wasn’t it?”

Theo swallowed hard, or so he thought, as he gazed into the surrounding darkness.

A glass space was a mental projection, a place that manifested the caster’s consciousness into the physical world.

Hilda’s glass space was infamous, giving her the nickname “Hell Wraith.” It had a terrifying reputation.

In just three seconds, she could trap her opponent in this abyss, cutting off all sensation, making them feel as if they were bound within an endless cycle of suffering.

When all senses are severed, one can barely grasp reality. Without external stimuli, consciousness loops within itself, spawning fear and delusion that ultimately consume the mind.

Hilda’s offer was clear: to escape, he needed to become her disciple.

If he agreed, she would even give him her sword techniques and Garuda’s Heart.

Of course, Theo had no intention of being manipulated by Hilda’s schemes.

> [Skill Activated: Hatchling Sync. A mental barrier shields your consciousness.]

> [Previously severed senses return, enabling bodily awareness.]

“It worked.”

As the darkness receded and Theo could once again see his hands, he let out a sigh of relief.

He had obtained a solid mental barrier during the third Blossom Ceremony, after overcoming Kyle’s mind test. Thanks to that, he could easily deflect most mental attacks.

Thus, he hadn’t offered much resistance when Hilda hinted at activating her glass space.

“Since the moment I entered the Ghost Fortress, I wasn’t relying solely on Hilda’s favor.”

Given her role in raising the previous Ragnar patriarch to prominence, he wouldn’t have been surprised if her heart harbored countless hidden schemes.

He had, therefore, set up a few contingencies—and they were now paying off.

The first contingency was Hatchling Sync.

The second—

“Inventory, summon Balmung.”

The dragon-slaying sword.

Flash!

As Theo’s fingertips glowed, Balmung appeared in his hand.

Due to the myth of dragon-slaying attached to it, his fingertips pricked as if pierced by needles.

“No matter how remarkable the Three-Second Abyss is, it’s ultimately a space rooted in Ragnar’s legacy. Its laws are governed by dragon’s magic. In that case…”

Theo poured all the dragon power from his heart and core into Balmung. Simultaneously, he activated Hatchling Sync, attempting to awaken part of Balmung’s latent will.

“Even the Abyss should be vulnerable to Balmung’s dragon-slaying edge.”

> [Stimulating the will of the dragon-slaying sword: Balmung. Lacking qualifications to awaken its full will.]

> [Will cannot be awakened.]

> [To awaken the will, specific conditions must be met.]

.

> [An immense amount of magic elevates skill effects.]

> [A fraction of latent will forcibly awakens temporarily.]

> [Effect: Dragon-Slaying Slash]

Buzz!

Balmung trembled wildly, its blade glowing with energy. 

The power was faint for the amount of magic poured into it, but it was enough.

*Five Claws of the Dragon – Demon-Slicing*

Slash!

Theo swung Balmung downward with all his might, and through the void, something shattered, like chains breaking.

Rumble—

Crash!

The chains snapped, creating a crack in the darkness.

Through that fissure, Theo released his remaining will.

* * *

“…What did he just do?”

Hilda’s brow furrowed as she watched Theo, who was encased in a sphere of darkness.

She’d thought he’d be a bit more compliant after spending a day or so confined within, but strange phenomena were already beginning.

Some of the chains binding the black sphere had broken, and a crack had formed on its surface.

Though minor compared to the full force of the Three-Second Abyss, the fact that a crack had appeared was itself a problem.

At that moment—

Whoosh!

“No… It can’t be!”

Hilda’s eyes widened as she noticed the aura rising above the crack. She quickly realized what it was.

“A manifestation of will? A mere sword apprentice can already wield will? How did he open the Mind Gate?”

Unaware of Theo’s secrets, Hilda hadn’t anticipated this misstep.

The purpose of this will was simple: SOS.

It was sending a distress signal to someone.

Before Hilda could suppress it, the ceiling shattered, and the black sphere exploded.

Boom!

Crash, rumble!

Dust filled the air, as the grand table laden with food lay in ruins.

Amidst the debris emerged a man clad in black armor and a white-haired mask.

Step—

“Robert!”

“It’s been a while, Grand Elder.”

The Black Dragon gave a polite nod to Hilda’s irritated face, then glanced backward.

Theo, looking exhausted, was gasping for breath.

Having exhausted his magic and strength to break through the Three-Second Abyss, he was utterly drained.

“Ha… ha… Looks like… the distress call reached… just in time…”

“How did you know I was outside?”

The Black Dragon’s eyes gleamed sharply from beneath his mask.

In fact, he had been secretly tailing Theo, using transformation and concealment techniques to remain undetected—even by Kyle.

If his presence had been leaked, he would need to sever that information channel.

“The Black Lark… that’s you, isn’t it?”

“Answer the question. How did you know I was there?”

The Black Dragon’s aura felt as if it would slice Theo’s neck at any moment.

Exhaling deeply, Theo straightened his back, his eyes shining with determination.

“Didn’t you leave me hints, Black Dragon?”

“I gave you hints?”

“Yes. I had no direct connection with either you or the Black Snow, yet during the Naming Ceremony, you offered me an unexpected invitation, suggesting I’d be a suitable fit for the Black Snow. That implies you’ve been observing me for a long time, doesn’t it?”

“You don’t seriously believe that’s the only reason you figured out I was watching?”

“The Clan Leader’s reactions also played a role.”

“Hm?”

“Several times, he behaved as if he knew my every move. It wasn’t merely due to informants scattered in Winterlor, but as if he had eyes directly by my side.”

“Ha!”

“Moreover, since he knew I was a Chosen One, he’d likely consider the importance of surveillance. It seemed reasonable that the Black Dragon might keep watch over me. And finally…”

Theo’s eyes gleamed with a sly smile.

“Didn’t you personally sign the recommendation letter for my promotion exam? If I’d been unaware, I’d be a fool.”

“…Ha! Seems you saw through all my moves.”

The Black Dragon murmured with a hint of exasperation, though his eyes behind the mask seemed to smile.

“Your talent for swordsmanship aside, your insight and judgment in connecting fragmented information into a whole are a perfect fit for the Black Snow. We must take you under our wing.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Excessive humility is merely deceit.”

The Black Dragon praised Theo with a smirk, then turned away.

It was clear now.

Theo was not a mere tool for the White Armored Dragon Brigade or the Plum Blossom Palace.

Though his status as a regressor was a concern—

“Well, I can keep a close watch. I finally understand why my brother wanted to observe this boy so closely.”

His advantages far outweighed any concerns.

“Can you leave on your own?”

The Black Dragon, keeping an eye on Hilda, asked.

Theo smiled.

“Your assistance alone is already invaluable. If I couldn’t handle the rest, how could I ever claim the Ragnar throne?”

“A good answer. Show me, then.”

At that moment, Hilda unleashed her magic, her voice seething with fury.

“Do you fools think you can ignore me?!”

Boom!

An overwhelming pressure filled the room.

> [Skill Activated: Lesser Drake Fear. Partially nullifying the aura.]

Theo used the dragon-slaying technique, much as he had during the third Blossom Ceremony, to break free.

“Everything I learned from Father is proving useful,” he thought with admiration for Kyle’s insight as he shouted—

“Umbra!”

A shadow stirred, and Umbra emerged, carrying Theo skyward.

Screech!

“Stop right there…!”

Hilda attempted to restrain Theo, but the Black Dragon intervened.

Clang!

The clash

 of sword energy shattered remnants of the dining room.

“Grand Elder, why not withdraw for now? It wouldn’t look good to fail at capturing a single boy, would it?”

The eyes beneath the Black Dragon’s mask sparkled with polite yet sharp intensity, ready to strike at any moment.

That wounded Hilda’s pride deeply.

“You dare!”

“I dare, you say?”

Clang!

The Black Dragon forcefully pushed Hilda back, adjusting his mask as he spoke.

“It’s strange. Even the Clan Leader wouldn’t speak to me like that.”

Click.

In a chilling tone, he straightened his slightly tilted mask.

At that moment—

A sinister aura erupted.

The Black Dragon’s presence transformed, taking the shape of a masked demon emerging from the darkness.

“Let’s see if you’re worthy of that title, ancient wraith of Ragnar.”

Boom!

Crack! Crack!

As the two forces clashed, the sheer power of their confrontation set off a series of natural disasters, beginning to tear apart the Ghost Fortress.

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