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The secret techniques of the Wind Lord.

Theo’s Purge Cleansing Technique.

Oaths of loyalty and pledges.

None of these were things that should be revealed to the outside world immediately.

“Yes, I understand. Considering the morale of the unit, it’s probably for the best.”

“Yeah. So, while you’re in the unit, Evelyn, treat me casually. And drop the formal speech.”

“Excuse me? But how could I possibly…!”

“In the unit, you’re the superior, right? And I’m the subordinate. It only makes sense.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll catch up to you in no time.”

He was implying that he would somehow achieve a promotion soon.

“Do you really think you can?”

Theo smirked. “Why? You don’t think I can?”

“It won’t be easy.”

“I still have to do it. Didn’t I say it? That I’d become the commander of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry within five years.”

“…”

“That wasn’t an empty promise.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“So.”

Theo looked directly into Evelyn’s eyes as he spoke.

“First, stop speaking so formally to me… I mean, to ‘me’ senior.”

* * *

Theo and Evelyn cleaned up everything around them and returned to the base.

By that time, the sun was already sinking low in the west.

“Hahaha! Theo, you were the last to arrive! As a newbie, you should be moving quickly! How can you be so slow right after joining the unit?”

Holcus was overflowing with pride, realizing that there was finally a field where he had beaten Theo.

He and Erika had already completed the aptitude test and returned earlier.

‘Now Theo will understand my true capabilities!’ Holcus thought as he approached Theo, who had just landed on the ground.

“Huh, huh…?”

He suddenly froze without realizing it.

‘Isn’t this… huge?’

The wyvern Theo had brought back was significantly larger than Holcus’s new partner.

Holcus’s partner was also a monster dragon species, a rather large one among wyverns, yet it seemed smaller in comparison.

The bear-sized creature drooped its shoulders slightly.

Growl?

At that moment, Holcus’s partner, ‘Spatium,’ bared its teeth at ’Umbra.

“H-Hey, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

Holcus panicked, confused as his normally well-behaved partner refused to listen to him.

– What… what is that?

– Is that… Umbra?

– What? Did he make Umbra his partner? That unruly beast?

– No way!

– How on earth did he do it?

The members of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, who had belatedly noticed Umbra, erupted into a commotion.

Everyone in the White Armored Dragon Cavalry knew the tragic story of ‘Umbra’.

Despite that, the wyvern’s stubborn refusal to choose a partner had caused endless concern within the unit. Who would have thought that the newcomer would be the one to tame Umbra?

– So this is what it means to be the greatest genius in a thousand years, huh? Wow, talent matters even here. I’m feeling pretty crushed right now…

The unit members stared blankly at Theo and Umbra.

The murmurs about his delayed return and whether his aptitude test needed to be re-evaluated vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, Theo and Evelyn approached Julius.

“Senior Knight Evelyn Nerevil reporting, alongside Trainee Knight Theo Ragnar, having completed his aptitude test. Theo Ragnar has been deemed suitable and has been assigned as the partner to Umbra of the Third Nest.”

“I see. Good work. It seems our unit’s biggest troublemaker has finally found a match.”

At Julius’s words, Evelyn nodded.

“Fortunately, Theo and Umbra appear to be a very good fit.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Julius stroked his chin, a gleam in his eyes.

The record holder of the ‘Blossoming Ceremony’ paired with the notorious troublemaker of the White Dragon Nest.

This combination was sure to become a major asset to the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

It also meant that the range of tactics they could deploy had significantly widened.

“Seems like assigning unit placements will be much smoother.”

Julius grinned as he looked at Evelyn, as if a brilliant idea had just occurred to him.

Gulp!

Evelyn instinctively straightened her back.

‘What is he planning this time…?’

She knew all too well that whenever Julius smiled like that, trouble was sure to follow.

She quickly tried to cut him off, but—

“Alright, it’s late, so we’ll conclude the meeting here! Everyone, disband! I’ll give details on unit placements tomorrow. That’s all!”

“Good work, sir!”

“Good work, sir!”

“Oh, and don’t drink too much tonight. If I hear someone’s struggling with a hangover again… you know what happens.”

“We’ll be mindful, sir!”

“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again!”

“As always, all talk. Anyway, disband!”

“See you tomorrow, sir!”

“Have a good night, Commander!”

And with that, the noisy day—filled with the designation ceremony and the aptitude test—came to an end.

* * *

Once the unit assignments were finished, the next step, naturally, was the newcomer’s welcoming party.

“Hey, junior! Hey! I can drop the formal speech now, right?”

As Theo stood there, still unfamiliar with his surroundings, Selperd quietly approached him with a mug of beer in hand.

Theo couldn’t help but smirk to himself.

‘Didn’t he already drop the formal speech before the aptitude test even began?’

Of course, that was probably because Erika and Holcus had been around as well.

Selperd’s gaze remained mostly fixed on Theo.

“While I’m here, my status as a member of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry comes before my position as a successor.”

“That’s right? Hahaha! I like how straightforward you are. See, Arin! He said it’s okay to drop the formal speech now!”

At Selperd’s shout, Arin, who had been sitting with other comrades, sighed and shook his head.

“But how did you end up making ‘Umbra’ your partner? Everyone’s dying to know.”

“Well…”

Theo explained what had happened with Umbra, leaving out the parts related to the Wind Lord, and embellishing the rest slightly.

Soon enough, more curious members gathered around, eager to hear his story.

Before long, every time Theo spoke, the crowd would erupt in admiration.

– Ohhh!

– That really happened?

– Is that so?

– Sob! It’s a story that brings tears to your eyes!

Some, already heavily intoxicated, were even brought to tears as they listened.

Watching them, Theo started to grasp the overall atmosphere of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

‘I knew this unit was more laid-back compared to others, but they sure are expressive with their emotions.’

In Ragnar, where meritocracy reigned due to the strong preference for survival of the fittest, the hierarchical structure was extremely rigid.

However, in the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, while there were ranks, at least there was no sign of personal belittlement or insult.

‘That must be because of Julius’s belief that everyone should live like siblings.’

Thanks to this, Theo, Erika, and Holcus didn’t experience any kind of hazing or hostile treatment.

Though not much time had passed since his aptitude test, Theo found himself naturally blending into their atmosphere.

After the welcoming party had come to an end, and after saying goodnight to the members who told him they’d see him tomorrow, Theo headed towards the Camellia Palace.

The night had grown deep, and the moon was now high above his head.

‘The unit…’

Theo paused in his steps and looked up at the moon.

A feeling difficult to put into words filled his heart.

A sense of fulfillment he had never experienced in his previous life.

His mind was consumed by the thought of just how different this life was compared to the one before.

“What are you doing standing there all gloomy? You didn’t even drink.”

At that moment, Theo turned his head at the sound of a voice coming from behind.

Holcus and Erika were approaching with slightly flushed faces.

“Weren’t you two supposed to go back to the dorms?”

Erika grinned and shook the beer can in her hand.

“Isn’t it too disappointing to end it after just the first round on a day like this?”

Theo chuckled lightly in response.

He always felt this way.

Just seeing this pair of siblings was enough to make him feel an immense sense of warmth.

Just like with the members of the 4th Training Hall.

“Actually, I know a good place. Shall we go there?”

“Oh! If it’s one of our young master’s favorite spots, we’re always more than welcome.”

“Alright. But this is confiscated.”

Theo swiftly snatched the beer can out of Erika’s hand.

Erika flared up.

“What? Why!”

“I guess you forgot, but we’re still minors.”

“Damn it! You old geezer! Don’t you know it’s fine to drink after the Blossoming Ceremony?”

“To be exact, they just turn a blind eye to drinking after the Blossoming Ceremony. It doesn’t mean you’re allowed to drink.”

Erika’s face crumpled instantly.

“If you don’t like it, stay behind.”

“Ah, let’s just go! Let’s go! Where is it?”

Grumbling, Erika followed behind Theo.

Holcus, fascinated as always by how his sister was constantly being bossed around by Theo, moved his feet as well.

The place Theo arrived at was, of course, the pub that served as the 4th Training Hall’s hideout.

“Oh, you’ve finally arrived!”

“Hey everyone, gather around! The young master has returned!”

“What? Where, where?”

“Ha ha ha! Welcome, young master. We’ve been itching to hear your tales of heroism!”

Erika and Holcus were dumbfounded for a moment by the crowd rushing toward them.

Why are there so many people here?

But Theo, smoothly engaging in various conversations with them, gestured for the two siblings to come in.

They hesitantly stepped inside.

There, Wellington and Ray were already seated.

“You’re here? You’re quite late.”

“Yes. I had to take the aptitude test. You’re here too, Ray.”

“Y-yes…”

For some reason, Ray’s nose was slightly flushed, as if she was embarrassed by the crowded atmosphere.

It was completely different from the rumors about the Ice Blade Sword, who was said to rarely show any emotion.

Wellington chuckled and spoke.

“When I saw her hovering outside, unable to come in, I gave her a little push and brought her in.”

“When did I ever do that?!”

“Or maybe let’s just say I invited you in, and you came.”

“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”

When Ray glared at him with sharp eyes, Wellington only laughed harder.

At that moment, Erika and Holcus approached from behind Theo.

When the two large figures appeared, the pub suddenly felt cramped.

“What’s all this? Why are all the bookworms and the ice queen gathered here?”

“Why do you think? Everyone’s here to celebrate after the Blossoming Ceremony. Anyway, would you like a drink? The whiskey here is pretty good.”

When Wellington shrugged and held out a glass, Erika’s face lit up.

“Oh, I thought you were just some bookworm, but it turns out you’re a bookworm with some sense?”

“Could you stop with the bookworm nonsense already?”

“How about a thug bookworm, then?”

“…So, you’re not planning to stop using the word ‘bookworm’ at all, are you?”

“Ha ha ha. If a nickname changes too easily, it’s no fun, is it?”

Just as Erika was about to take the glass of whiskey, a hand suddenly blocked her.

It was Theo.

“Hmm?”

“Minors are not allowed to drink.”

“Come on, let’s just drink. It’s from your friend, after all.”

“Still no. If you don’t like it, leave.”

“Ugh! You’re worse than an old geezer!”

“Pfft! Didn’t you say it’s no fun when nicknames change too easily? Seems like Sir Theo’s nickname did change.”

“Wellington, the same goes for you.”

“Huh?”

“Confiscated.”

“Wait, no! Sir Theo! Can’t you be a little flexible on a day like this…?”

Wellington, who had been mocking Erika, now cried out in despair as Theo took away his whiskey as well.

Of course, neither of them stood a chance against Theo’s resolve.

“You’d be better off just drinking orange juice. I don’t get why anyone would want to drink something so bad.”

Slurp, slurp.

Right beside them, Holcus, whose appearance hardly matched the sight of him sipping a children’s orange drink through a straw, shook his head in disbelief.

“Young master!”

“Tell us about your adventures!”

“Yeah, with all the top-ranking people gathered like this, you’ve got to give us some stories!”

The other members had already gathered around the five of them, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Even though Ray felt uncomfortable with all the attention, fidgeting slightly,

‘…It’s fun.’

she didn’t leave her seat.

To Ray, who had always spent her life in solitude, this place seemed like a whole new world.

Ever since she was very young.

For Ray, who had always lived alone, burdened by illness, the very concept of spending time with others had been foreign.

But now…

After meeting Theo and slowly getting to know the people around him, she found herself thinking,

‘I want to belong.’

She wanted to be a friend.