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“Hah!”

“As expected, our son—whoever he takes after—his appearance is truly exceptional.”

Cecilia, with a constant smile on her lips, helped Theo tidy up his attire.

Her smile remained because she was so pleased with the masterpiece she had crafted.

The way his clothes enhanced his figure,

his hair pulled up neatly, exposing his white neck,

his confident gaze,

and his solid shoulders.

In just six months, Theo had completely transformed.

If he had previously been closer to a delicate pretty boy, now there was a hint of wildness mixed in.

Even Kirsion, who had a hobby of viewing and collecting countless works of art, couldn’t help but express admiration.

‘As expected from his mother’s son—he’s just like his mother in her younger days.’

Kirsion felt a bit bitter as Cecilia, always so confident and lively, came to mind.

It was as if the time lost between the two women was standing right before his eyes.

‘…Though I don’t like it, I can see traces of Kyle in his face, too.’

Of course, Kirsion quickly erased such thoughts from his mind.

After all, Kyle was the scoundrel who had taken away her dear daughter.

– Oh my, oh my, look at that person…!

– That’s right, it’s Theo Ragnar.

– Was he always this handsome? I mean, I knew he was good-looking, but dressed up like this, he looks just…!

– Damn it! He’s got the looks, the talent, the skills. What doesn’t he have?

– There are rumors that he’s caught the patriarch’s eye. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring him into our family in advance.

Theo could hear the whispering voices around him.

However, his expression remained awkward as ever.

‘Just like when I wore a tailcoat, it still feels uncomfortable. Can’t they make this a bit more comfortable?’

At least, having worn this once before, it was much better than before.

‘Well, thanks to this, I’ll have access to the mines of the Kanaka Archipelago, so a little discomfort is nothing.’

Theo suppressed the urge to smile.

It wasn’t widely known yet, but the mines of the Kanaka Archipelago didn’t only contain adamant.

There were other valuable minerals, some even more precious, scattered throughout the area.

In the near future, the mines would become the flagship source of the Vasque Workshop’s materials, and now he had secured a foothold there—it was a deal worth every discomfort.

“We will now begin the Designation Ceremony, so all the graduates should gather in one place—!”

At that moment, the announcement of the Overseer, laced with magic, rang out.

“Well, then, I’m off, Mother.”

“Yes. Do your best until the very end and return.”

Leaving behind Cecilia’s words of encouragement, Theo slowly began walking forward.

* * *

“…The Designation Ceremony, is it? A Designation Ceremony without Axion? How could they hold such an event, brother?”

Emil, the former Lord of Camellia Palace, ground her teeth as she looked out of the shabby window of the Rose Palace, staring at the Central Hall beyond.

After Axion had returned as a headless corpse.

For several days, Emil held her son tightly in her arms, refusing to let go.

Even when the corpse began to decompose, emitting a foul stench.

It was only after all the Blossoming Ceremonies had ended and the Designation Ceremony had begun that she finally came to her senses.

But.

‘Her eyes… She’s completely lost it.’

Ed clicked his tongue inwardly as he saw the madness flickering in Emil’s eyes.

It seemed that the once sharp and wise Emil was gone for good.

‘Fool…! He never listened, always doing as he pleased.’

If Axion had followed Ed’s instructions properly, he not only would have taken the relic that Theo possessed but also ended his life.

Perhaps all the attention that Theo Ragnar was now receiving would have been Axion’s instead.

The trap that Ed had set in the Winter Mountains, using the Central Intelligence Bureau, was one no mere trainee swordsman could have escaped.

The crime of “treason” was that terrifying in the North.

Yet all those traps had ended up being useless.

It was because Axion had recklessly died before the plan even began.

‘Even if I try to lay another trap, it won’t be as easy now that he’s become sharper. To learn more about the relic, I’ll have to fundamentally change my approach.’

Ed had already decided how to handle Theo at this Designation Ceremony.

It was an inevitable choice, not just for the family but for Troyban, who was surely waiting eagerly for news.

‘Even if I don’t like it, there’s no choice. There will always be another opportunity.’

As Ed organized his thoughts, Emil suddenly grabbed his hand tightly.

“Brother.”

“Yes. What is it, my lady?”

“That bastard… Kill that crippled wretch. Tear him apart in front of everyone. Make it so they can’t even recognize him.”

Once again, Ed clicked his tongue inwardly.

Emil seemed incapable of rational thought now.

‘She wants me dead as well.’

But the words he spoke were different from his thoughts.

“Don’t worry.”

His tone was as if she could leave everything to him.

However, Emil’s hand, which gripped Ed’s, refused to let go.

“You will… do it, won’t you?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

After hearing Ed’s assurance several more times, Emil finally managed to rise from her seat. She watched his back for a long time as he left, saying he had to participate in the Designation Ceremony. Then, Emil slowly opened her mouth.

“You must handle this properly, brother. If you don’t…”

Her eyes had suddenly turned cold.

It was hard to believe that this was the same person who had been consumed by madness just moments ago.

“I won’t be able to stay idle either.”

* * *

“Ugh…! There are just way too many people here.”

Holcus shivered.

No matter where he looked around the building, people were everywhere.

Though the number of observers had significantly decreased compared to the Blossoming Ceremony, the sheer density of powerful magical auras around him was overwhelming.

Not only were the Nine Dragons sitting high above, but the captains of various units representing Ragnar were also present.

Heroes he had only heard about since childhood were gathered in one place.

For Holcus, who had admired them from a young age, it was enough to leave him completely awestruck.

“You’re huge as a mountain, so why are you so timid?”

“It’s not that I’m timid, it’s that you’re too bold, sis!”

Holcus snapped back at Erika, who was smirking beside him.

“Then what about him? He seems perfectly fine.”

Erika tilted her chin in another direction, and Holcus turned to look before chuckling softly.

Standing tall was Theo.

“Come on, our Theo is different.”

“…‘Our’?”

For a moment, Erika’s expression turned uneasy.

“Then should I say ‘Lord Theo’?”

“Did you eat something weird yesterday? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“I made a decision yesterday, sis.”

“About what?”

“I’ve decided to stake my life on Theo.”

It was something she hadn’t expected to hear.

Erika’s eyes widened in shock, immediately snapping towards Holcus.

“What are you talking about…!”

“I spent the whole night thinking about it.”

Holcus’s voice was serious.

“Theo, he’s definitely someone who’s going to make big waves in the future. He has ambition, the capability to back it up, and most importantly, his straightforward personality really appeals to me.”

“…”

“As you know, our lives in the Ranke family are pretty much set in stone, right? We are Ragnar’s swords. And not just any swords, but blunt and powerful ones. If we’re going to be wielded by someone anyway, it’s better to be claimed by someone before others take all the good spots.”

Erika pressed her lips tightly together.

– Ragnar’s sword.

To the Ranke family, that was both an honor and a chain.

It could bring them glory, but it could just as easily lead them to hell.

If they met the right master, they would shine brilliantly; otherwise, they would end up broken.

This was the fate of all those born into the Ranke family.

But it wasn’t just the Rankes.

Everyone in the Six Snow Families shared the same fate.

They were meant to rise and fall for Ragnar alone.

If one became the head of the Ranke family, the story could change.

But Holcus couldn’t do that.

From the beginning, that position was meant for his twin sister, Erika.

Though, if he had harbored even a little ambition, he could have challenged her for it. But… Holcus didn’t.

He knew just how much Erika longed for that role.

“You know, sis, I don’t really have any desires, as you well know. I just want to eat tastier food, sleep in a more comfortable place, get stronger, and look cooler… That’s all I need. I didn’t have any dreams. But that guy planted one in me.”

“…There’s no one else who would proclaim they’ll take the throne in front of so many examiners.”

“Right? That really shocked me. So I made a decision. Even if I break, I want to stand somewhere where I can burn brightly for once.”

Erika silently stared at her brother, who, for the first time, was showing real “ambition.”

“And that’s Theo Ragnar?”

“Yeah. That guy will probably handle me roughly, but doesn’t that sound like fun? Hehe!”

“You idiot, who decides their life based on fun?”

“Come on, sis. Do you think I’m that much of a fool to decide just like that? Even you admitted it, right? That with Theo, it won’t be hard to establish a foundation.”

“…”

“So, I’ve decided to bet on that.”

Erika shook her head in disbelief.

“Ugh! I don’t know. Do whatever you want.”

“You’ve already fallen for our Theo, haven’t you, sis?”

“Shut up, you idiot. And stop with the ‘our, our.’ It’s making my skin crawl. You look like a mountain bandit, for crying out loud.”

“Sis, people say we look alike. So that’s like spitting in your own face…”

“You wanna die?”

Erika subtly drew her two-handed sword, effectively shutting Holcus up.

But the grin hanging on his lips didn’t disappear.

“By the way, does Theo know about your decision?”

“Huh? No, of course not. I only decided this at dawn today.”

“…”

“I’ll tell him now.”

“…So, you’ve been doing all this drumming and playing all by yourself without any actual emotional exchange, haven’t you?”

“Haha! Who in the world would refuse the great Holcus Ranke’s offer to become their sword?”

Erika pressed her index finger firmly against her temple before shouting angrily.

“You idiot! You need to talk to Theo first if you want to be in the same unit as him! What if you end up being assigned to a different one? How are you going to be his sword then?”

“…Huh? Th-that’s true, I didn’t think of that.”

As Erika scowled at Holcus, who blinked dumbly in realization, a voice echoed through the hall.

“We will now begin the Designation Ceremony—!”

At the Overseer’s declaration, all eyes, including those of the graduates, shifted toward the podium.

The Nine Dragons and other high-ranking officers followed suit.

Boom, boom, boom!

With the thunderous sound of ceremonial drums, the hearts of the crowd beat just as heavily.

“First among all graduates, Theo Ragnar! Step forward!”

Step, step—

The moment Theo stood on the platform, an intense silence fell over the room.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Even the previously restless Nine Dragons and the other officers fixed their burning gazes on him, unwavering.

Their eyes glowed with determination to recruit Theo at any cost.

‘As expected, the room is filled with madness.’

Erika chuckled silently as she observed the officers. It was all unfolding exactly as she had anticipated.

Though she wondered if Theo might feel the pressure from the intensity of those stares,

‘Wait, what? That bastard’s actually enjoying this? Hahaha!’

Despite all the attention, Theo remained completely composed. It was as if he was putting on a show, asserting that this was exactly where he belonged.

‘My instincts were right. This guy doesn’t just attract everyone’s attention; he embraces it without any hesitation.’

A natural born king.

Theo undoubtedly possessed the natural qualities of a ruler.

‘Oh, my foolish brother, you want to become that guy’s sword? You’re going to have to work much harder than you think, rolling in the dirt to keep up.’

Erika couldn’t help but smile, picturing her brother, Holcus, struggling to claim a spot by Theo’s side.

The Dark Dragon, Julius,

The Sword Dragon, Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace,

The Gale Sword Unit, the Black Sword Unit, the Judgment Hall, the Security Bureau, and the Black Iron Cavalry—all the prestigious units and organizations of Ragnar had their eyes on Theo.

Even the impartial Overseer, Upsurging Dragon seemed intrigued.

‘This place already belongs to him.’

Amidst the awe-struck gazes of the other graduates directed at Theo,

Creaaak!

Suddenly, someone shot up from their seat.

‘What’s this?’

Erika’s eyes narrowed as she locked onto the person who had risen.

The Nine Dragons and the officers were no exception.

Everyone turned their gaze in that direction, frozen in place.

The person who had stood up was none other than Soaring Dragon Ed.

‘No way…?’

Julius and the Mistress of plum Blossom Palace immediately moved their hands toward their swords.

Even though they didn’t believe Ed, consumed by grief as he was, would be foolish enough to harm Theo in front of so many people, they couldn’t be certain of his intentions. If anything seemed amiss, they were ready to intervene.

However.

Ed didn’t care about their reactions. He simply stared at Theo with a blank expression.

Theo, sensing the gaze, turned to face him.

“……”

“……”

A tense silence stretched between them.

“Director of Central Intelligence, whatever your reason, please take your seat. We haven’t even begun explaining the Designation Ceremony procedure to the first graduate yet.”

The Overseer, clearly displeased with Ed’s behavior, issued a warning.

But.

Ed paid no attention. Instead, he slowly opened his mouth.

“The Central Intelligence Bureau offers Theo Ragnar…”

Though his voice was soft, the next words rang like a thunderclap.

“…the position of Deputy Director.”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

A massive ripple spread through the once-quiet assembly.