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Gain recognition from the Dragon Slayer.

· Difficulty: S-

· Reward: 1 coin

· Failure: ■■

+

‘Dragon Slayer? And the difficulty is S-?’

For a moment, Theo felt an indescribable wave of intense anxiety.

Dragon Slayer.

It literally meant someone who slays dragons.

For Ragnar, who prided himself on being a descendant of dragons, was there any title more ominous than this?

However—

Theo thought there wasn’t a more fitting title for Kyle.

Yet, the level of difficulty, which he was seeing for the first time, bothered him.

‘I’ve already earned Father’s acknowledgment through our sword duel. I’ve even witnessed Dragon Flash. And yet, recognition is supposed to be this difficult?’

Could there be another secret in this Third Blossoming Ceremony that he wasn’t aware of?

‘In my past life, I didn’t make it to the third round, but… from what I know, unlike the second round, which had several hidden pieces, the third shouldn’t have any.’

He was certain of this because he had been involved with Black Snow.

The very reason the Third Blossoming Ceremony was established was to give the head of the family a chance to personally select suitable candidates.

If a candidate wasn’t chosen by the head here, other units would step in to recruit the remaining hopefuls.

‘There could be an error in the message… For now, I should head up.’

In that moment, a sharp gleam appeared in Theo’s eyes.

Yellow lightning crackled in his gaze.

[You activate ‘Skill: Lesser Drake’s Fear’ to overcome the Curse of Fear!]

Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump-!

His heart began to pound faster, and his magic power started rotating at a rapid pace.

As his Dragon’s Heart resonated with his dantian, he unleashed Dragon Slayer Aura from his body.

Rrrrrr!

The Dragon Slayer Aura clashed with another of its kind.

While the gap between them was too great to fully overcome, it was enough for Theo to create a space where he could move freely.

“Hoo…!”

Theo took a deep breath and quickly scanned his surroundings.

Wellington and Erika were holding up, but just barely. Their struggle was clear.

Both of them showed signs of extreme exhaustion.

However, there was someone suffering even more than those two, and it was none other than Holcus.

Quietly, Theo stepped to stand beside Ray.

Her already pale complexion had turned even paler than usual.

Sssss-

Even uncontrolled cold energy was leaking from her body.

It looked as if she was experiencing a seizure from the Nine-Syllable Pulse again.

Ray’s face was drenched in cold sweat before they knew it.

“Close your eyes and focus on your magic circulation.”

Ray tightly closed her eyes as Theo instructed.

Theo placed his palm on Ray’s back and infused her with his magic power.

He was using Thunder Qi to forcibly stimulate the nerve cells paralyzed by fear.

The symptoms resembling the Nine-Syllable Pulse were a side effect of poor magic control.

Crackle!

As the thunder-attribute magic permeated her, Ray’s hunched back straightened up.

Soon, color returned to her previously pale face.

“Haa…!”

Ray exhaled a long sigh, and her breathing became much more relaxed.

Theo quietly withdrew his hand, staying by her side to help her gather her scattered magic fully.

There was also something he wanted to ask her privately.

“Why didn’t you tell me about getting the Attribute Breathing Technique?”

“…I wanted to surprise you.”

“Did you think I’d believe you were hiding it on purpose?”

“I did.”

“And what did you think?”

“Opportunities like that aren’t something you usually share with others.”

“So, you thought I was hiding it?”

Ray shook her head.

“Then?”

“At first, I thought that way… But then I realized it wasn’t true. Because you’re a kind person, Theo.”

Theo let out a bitter smile.

What would the dead Axion say if he heard this?

After regressing, Theo had only acted for his own benefit.

Yet, it seemed Ray still didn’t see him that way.

“So, I figured you’d tell me when the time was right.”

“…”

Boundless trust and goodwill.

Theo wasn’t sure how to react to this.

In both his past and present lives, there had rarely been anyone like this.

However,

Theo felt the distance that had lingered between him and Ray gradually melt away.

‘But what if I’d had bad intentions?’

His temples throbbed.

“Haa…! So, you were hiding the truth all this time to surprise me?”

Nod.

Seeing Ray nodding innocently, he felt an unexpected mischievous urge.

Flick!

In the end, Theo couldn’t hold back and flicked her on the forehead.

“Ow! Theo… you hit me.”

“Well, you deserved it.”

Theo grumbled playfully.

“Listen carefully. The Ice-White Martial Technique is already a top-tier technique with a powerful attribute on its own. On top of that, you’ve overcome the Nine-Syllable Pulse, giving you unparalleled potential with the frost attribute that no one else can match.”

Ray nodded.

She knew this well, which is why she had chosen the frost attribute among the many breathing techniques.

“But as with anything, too much can be as bad as too little.”

“Are you saying the breathing technique is dangerous for me?”

“Yes. The Water breathing and Frost Breathing Technique condenses magic power to alter the flow of surrounding air. It seems like it would complement the Ice-White Martial Technique, which focuses magic only on the sword, but they’ll inevitably clash.”

Theo sighed deeply and continued.

“And fundamentally, you shouldn’t practice two techniques of different origins at the same time. What if the paths of your magic power get tangled?”

“But, Theo…!”

“Are you going to say that I’ve been mastering the forms of the Ice-White Martial Technique that you taught me?”

Nod!

Ray nodded again.

It wasn’t just the Ice-White Martial Technique, though.

Theo had also absorbed the Full Blooming Plum Blossom from the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace and even mastered Julius’s swordsmanship.

On top of that, he had recently received part of the sword intent from the Overseer.

Yet Theo continued to grow stronger without much difficulty.

He let out a bitter smile.

The reason he could handle so many different techniques and sword arts wasn’t because of any inherent talent but due to the power—no, the authority—of the Dragon’s Heart he possessed.

But he couldn’t explain that to her, could he?

So, he had no choice but to shamelessly say something like this.

“I’m fine.”

“Why?”

“…Just because.”

“….”

“It just… works.”

“….”

“….”

Ray narrowed her eyes at him.

For the first time, her expression seemed to cool down completely.

“Theo, you’re really obnoxious right now.”

“…Anyway, you need to be extra careful. There’s no technique more sensitive than the Ice-White Martial Technique.”

Ray nodded silently, though she felt a little regretful.

Even if it was only for a moment, the sensation she had felt when the Water and Frost Breathing Technique and Ice-White Martial Technique had merged was incredible.

If she could just manage it well, it seemed like she could advance the Ice-White Martial Technique even further…!

“So, from now on, memorize what I’m about to tell you.”

“…?”

Ray widened her eyes, wondering what Theo was talking about.

“At dawn, when the frost settles on the leaves, it reflects the color of the water but carries the weight of the earth’s moisture…”

“…!”

Ray quickly pulled herself together and focused on memorizing the incantations Theo was reciting.

It was the formula for the Water and Frost Breathing Technique.

However, the content was slightly different from what she had learned before.

There were also more incantations—about four in total.

‘Did he revise it himself to give to me?’

Modifying an already perfected technique was impossible without profound expertise in martial theory.

It was impressive enough that Theo had managed to pull it off, but Ray was even more grateful for the effort he put into it, going out of his way to help her.

‘I’m always just receiving from this child.’

With that thought, Ray became completely absorbed in the incantations.

In her Aura Hall, her magic began to stir naturally, merging with the new technique .

It was a perfect match with the Ice-White Martial Technique.

Fwoooosh…!

A cool breeze circled around Ray.

* * *

‘Good thing I read her thoughts.’

Theo let out a light sigh.

Of course, modifying the Water and Frost Breathing Technique hadn’t been easy for him either.

But if he had left Ray as she was, the conflict between the Water and Frost Breathing Technique and Ice-White Martial Technique would have only worsened over time, so he had no choice but to step in.

Fortunately, he had already collected quite a few incantations, and since he had read Ray’s thoughts, the revision had been swift.

‘With this, I’ve repaid the debt of being taught the Ice-White Martial Technique.’

With a small smile, Theo stood up.

Ray opened her eyes soon after.

Her gaze, now calm and focused, no longer showed any sign of being oppressed by Dragon Fear.

Her eyes softened as they met Theo’s.

“As expected.”

“As expected?”

“Theo is kind.”

“…”

Flick!

“You hit me… again.”

Ray groaned, holding her forehead in pain, but she couldn’t help noticing that Theo’s ears had turned red as he turned his back to her.

“Yes, Lord Theo is quite the gentle soul,” came a sly voice.

Wellington approached them with a grin.

“…What are you here for?”

“To tease?”

Theo’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“Oh my, scary. Don’t glare at me like that. Besides, you might want to do something about that red face of yours.”

Sigh!

Theo let out a deep sigh as he looked at Wellington’s smug grin.

However, even through the banter, Theo noticed Wellington had overcome Dragon Fear without any particular assistance.

‘He’s much stronger than he was at this time in my previous life. With the insights he gained from his secluded training and the addition of the breathing technique, his growth has been explosive.’

Wellington’s presence was now beyond that of an ordinary training knight. He had reached the level of a practical knight, a title reserved for those who had surpassed the average knight.

It was hard to believe that he had only opened his Aura Hall two weeks ago.

At this rate, Willington will catch up in no time.

A rival.

Theo recalled what Wellington had said earlier.

‘I can’t afford to lose focus now.’

“Theo.”

“…?”

“Do you have a way to get us up there?”

Wellington asked in a serious tone, staring at the lodge perched atop the mountain.

While the three of them were currently managing to resist Dragon Fear, the pressure would only increase the closer they got to the lodge.

Wellington was asking how they would overcome that and reach the top.

“You said we should move separately during the Blossoming Ceremony since we’re rivals, didn’t you?”

“In the face of great obstacles, even sworn enemies join hands. Why wouldn’t friends do the same?”

Theo’s teasing remark was met with a bold, shameless response from Wellington.

Theo couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

“So, do you have a plan?”

Theo glanced at the Overseer and the examiners. They were watching the group with keen interest, waiting to see how they would overcome this challenge.

‘Who said the final trial would end quicker than the second one?’

It might end faster, but it seemed twice as difficult.

Just as Theo clicked his tongue, about to say something—

Fwoosh!

Theo swiftly drew Drake’s Blade from his back and swung it in the opposite direction.

Clang!

Ray and Wellington turned their attention in the same direction.

“Hey, top student.”

It was Erika and Holcus Ranke, the siblings who had already overcome Dragon Fear, watching them from a distance.

No, to be precise, it was Erika Ranke who was glaring at them.

Her hostility was unmistakable.

With a height and build comparable to her brother Holcus, Erika cut a fierce figure, her tangled hair resembling a lion’s mane. The aggressive air she exuded was as if she was ready to start a bloody brawl at any moment.

Shing!

Ray and Wellington also quietly unsheathed their swords.

However, Erika’s gaze wasn’t fixed on them. It was locked firmly on Theo.

One corner of her mouth twisted upwards.

“You’re pretty good, huh?”

“So what?”

It seemed she was referring to the previous battle during the second trial, where Theo had faced the Thunder Dragon.

From her perspective, Theo had ended up taking the top spot, reducing her role to that of a mere bystander. It was only natural for her to be furious.

Theo was well aware of Erika’s personality, notorious for her reckless nature even within the House of Ranke.

With a quiet resolve, Theo raised Drake’s Blade.

If it came down to a confrontation, he had no intention of backing down.

Seeing his stance, Erika’s expression grew even more savage, seemingly pleased by his defiance.

Between Erika’s slightly parted lips, her bear-like fangs gleamed unusually.

But then—

“So, you pass.”

“…What?”

Out of nowhere, she said something completely unexpected.

What did she just say?

Theo tilted his head in confusion, but Erika’s grin only widened.

It was a mischievous smile, almost playful.

“As my future husband.”

“…!?”

Theo was left speechless.