"What are you saying? This happened because of me! So it's only right that I should be the one to…!"

Evelyn, shocked, took a step forward, but Julius stretched out a hand to stop her.

"Hold on a moment."

"Captain!"

"Teo didn’t just say that without reason. Let’s hear him out first before we jump to conclusions."

"..."

Evelyn hesitated, taking a step back. Her right fist clenched tightly, the veins on the back of her hand visible.

"Teo, with the frame you've set up, this is no longer a fight between the Demon Dragon and the Primordial Dragon but rather a showdown between the White Armor Brigade and the Elders. This is now a matter of the brigade’s name and honor. Defeat is simply not an option. It won’t be tolerated."

Julius, who usually had a warm smile when looking at Teo, now had flames of intensity blazing in his eyes.

"So if this is a move born purely out of your own ambition, I will never forgive it. Explain yourself, and tell me how you intend to overcome the Elders, because they will surely come at you with everything they’ve got."

The title "Elder" was given only to warriors who had served Ragnar long and accomplished legendary feats in their youth. At the very least, they were expected to be at the level of senior warriors or master swordsmen.

Yet, Teo, who had just recently completed his coming-of-age ceremony, intended to challenge such figures? Even for a top-tier practical warrior, it would be impossible.

But Teo confidently replied, "No. For the first round, it won’t be an Elder. It’ll likely be one of their apprentices."

"What…are you talking about?"

Looking at Julius’s puzzled expression, Teo gave a mysterious smile.

"I’ll make it that way."

---

"This is turning into a headache."

"Indeed. We’re now entertaining a boy’s fifteenth birthday with this spectacle. How did it come to this?"

The Elders shook their heads in frustration. They had aimed to crush Julius’s pride and assert the Elders' authority, but now they found themselves on equal footing, raising the prestige of the Crystal Palace instead. The situation was humiliating for the Elders.

To make matters worse, they couldn’t simply refuse to participate in the duel now. Wolfgang had already lost his right arm, and Julius had threatened to take the arms of the other Elders as well. If they backed down now, they’d face nothing but ridicule by Ragnar’s standards.

Moreover, their advantage in numbers was also gone. This was a complete setback.

"So, this kid twisted the situation with nothing but a few words? Just like the Central Command’s director said—a snake with at least a dozen tricks up its sleeve."

Grinding his teeth, Wolfgang recalled what Ed had once said.

This was now a matter of life or death.

"Since I’m the one who created this mess, I’ll take the last spot. The Demon Dragon will likely come out on their side as well."

The Elders nodded, somewhat relieved. None of them were confident in defeating Julius in a head-to-head confrontation.

"The question is, who will go for the first and second matches… Anyone interested?"

"It’s clear that they’ll send a senior or master warrior on their side."

"Their reinforcements haven’t arrived yet. It’ll take time for support to come."

"So then, that disabled woman Evelyn is the only one to come out on their side for the first round, right?"

"I’ll step up."

"No, I will."

"Please allow me the opportunity to bring glory to the Elders and avenge the Elder Lord."

Now they all clamored to take the field.

Beating someone from the White Armor Brigade in a duel was a tempting opportunity for fame.

Wolfgang, irritated by the Elders’ enthusiasm, decided to reassert his authority and declared, "For the first round…!"

But Wolfgang’s words were cut short.

Someone was slowly stepping forward from the White Armor Brigade's side.

"Why that brat…?"

The crowd began to murmur, just as Wolfgang’s eyes widened.

"Aren't these duels supposed to honor the organization’s reputation?"

"Right? No matter how famous he is lately, he’s still a kid who just became a practical warrior. What are they doing?"

"Are they throwing this one away?"

"Ridiculous. He’s called the Sixth Candidate for a reason. Would they risk tarnishing that title?"

"Then could it be that he really believes he can win?"

The moment Wolfgang realized what Teo intended, his face contorted in anger.

"We’ve been tricked!"

Both he, the Elders, and everyone gathered here in the Crystal Palace had been maneuvered into becoming the stage for Teo’s grand debut.

With a booming strike, Teo slammed the Drake’s Fang into the ground.

"I am Theo Ragnar, practical warrior of the White Armor Brigade and successor to the lineage of Ragnar, known as the ‘Dark Yaksha.’ I stand here as the first to duel. Who among you will face me?"

*[Skill: Lesser Drake's Fear] has activated, unleashing Dragon Slayer's Aura.*

A powerful force spread from Teo, filling the entire banquet hall.

At that moment, everyone understood.

The rumors about Teo had understated the truth. For Kyle himself to bestow the Sword Orb on him, Teo must possess extraordinary skill.

"But didn’t they say he just became a practical warrior?"

"An incredible rate of growth…!"

"So this is why the Head took an interest in him. The rumors didn’t do him justice."

But what shocked people most wasn’t Teo’s strength.

"Not only does he represent the White Armor Brigade, but he’s asserting his claim to the inheritance."

"He’s cementing himself as the Sixth Candidate right here and now!"

Every eye in the crowd was fixed on Teo.

Wolfgang realized that, even though he understood Teo’s intentions, he and the other Elders were now cornered and helpless to counter him.

"No matter what, I can’t send an Elder against a practical warrior."

"For the sake of propriety, I’ll sit out the first round. Any other Elder may go."

"Hmm! I’ll pass too."

"Same here."

"Indeed, I’ll abstain as well."

Sending a full-fledged Elder against a practical warrior would only make them look petty.

One by one, the Elders excused themselves, glancing furtively at Wolfgang.

Wolfgang’s face burned with frustration. But he couldn’t show anger without making himself look foolish. Finally, his gaze settled on another figure—a middle-aged warrior, an attendant in Wolfgang’s service.

"Beta, what’s your rank right now?"

"…Practical warrior."

"Good. Then you’ll be the one to fight."

"I…understand."

Though clearly hesitant about facing a mere "kid," Beta had no choice but to comply.

In reality, Beta’s skill was comparable to a senior warrior, despite his practical rank.

"Don’t hold back."

Then Wolfgang added a more chilling command, "If you can’t kill him, then at least sever his right arm. I’ll handle the aftermath."

"Understood."

Bowing deeply, Beta stepped into the dueling ring.

"A fierce aura… It seems the Sixth Candidate title isn’t just for show."

Beta, feeling the sting of Teo’s aura prickling his skin, allowed himself a slight smile, relishing the chance to take down a candidate himself.

Drawing his sword, he introduced himself. "I am Beta Tetris, warrior of the Elders and once known as the ‘Mad Wind Blade.’ I’ve heard much of the Dark Yaksha’s reputation and look forward to an honorable duel."

As he extended this courtesy, their swords met lightly in the air, signaling the start of the duel.

Beta struck first, moving quickly.

"The Head gave him a sword, didn’t he? Let’s test that!"

But midway through his thought, Beta’s eyes widened.

A bolt of lightning erupted from Teo’s sword, followed by a deafening thunderclap, crashing down on Beta from above.

"Gah!"

Beta was knocked to the ground, unable to dodge the onslaught.

"So powerful!"

At that moment, Beta realized that his opponent was far stronger than he had initially assumed.

Even among warriors of the same rank, those with Ragnar’s natural talent could easily overwhelm more experienced fighters.

Boom! Crack!

Teo pressed forward relentlessly, his blade leaving smoky trails and yellow lightning crackling into the ground with every swing.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

With each step, the ground trembled under the force, blackened scorch marks trailing behind him.

[Dragon’s Seven Claws]

The seven-part assault now struck like a whirlwind.

Though Beta managed to deflect each blow, he felt as if he were facing a cannon head-on. His body shook from the intense impact, tasting excruciating pain.

As his stance faltered, he left an opening.

Teo seized the opportunity and kicked Beta hard in the chest.

Boom!

Beta was thrown to the ground again, but this time he looked far worse.

His body was covered in bruises and burns, his face was smeared with blood from internal injuries, and his mouth leaked fresh blood.

"How… How could this…?"

Struggling to stand, Beta stared at Teo in disbelief.

Even if the rumors had been underestimated, Teo’s power was well beyond the realm of a regular practical warrior.

It was as if he had undergone some miraculous transformation.

"A blessing?"

Beta recalled that Teo had been bestowed with a sword by Kyle and had spent the last few days secluded in the Camellia Palace.

What if he had been absorbing this "gift" all this time?

Otherwise, there was no way he could have grown this strong so fast.

"Head! What have you done…!"

Wolfgang stood abruptly, shouting in fury.

Turning to face the half-shaded part of the room, his gaze accusedly asked what sort of monster they were creating.

Reactions varied around the room.

"Huh," Julius muttered, admiring the seamless success of Teo’s plan.

"My friend really is a monster. How am I supposed to keep up with that?"

Wellington, chuckling helplessly, shook his head.

"Big sis, what do I do?"

"I don’t know, figure it out yourself."

"Oh man, he’s way too strong now."

Erika and her brother broke into a sweat.

"Oh my son…" Cecilia clasped her hands together, silently praying for Teo’s safety.

Meanwhile…

"Haha!" The Black Dragon laughed out loud, while the Plum Blossom Palace Lord smiled faintly.

Both of them saw it clearly in Teo’s swordplay—every lesson they’d ever taught him was there, fully embodied.

"Now I understand why you and Julius were so insistent about Teo."

The Black Dragon was not holding back in his admiration.

He had discerned the source of Teo’s drastic growth.

"The sword orb… He’s drawn something profound from the dark spirit within that blade. He’s even managed to suppress its madness. Incredible."

As one who knew the original owner of Kyle’s blade well, the Black Dragon had been worried. Now, his concerns were dispelled.

At that moment, he was certain: Teo was different from the other chosen ones.

He had faith that Teo would make a choice no one else could make.

The *true* chosen one.

The Sixth Candidate—truly, that position was meant for Teo.

Thump, thump, thump…!

The heartbeat and energy rippling from Teo spread through the room like waves, pulsing with force.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!