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“It’s not something you see every day. This item right here, let me tell you……!”

“A talisman wishing for success, only 10 gold coins……!”

“Go for it, son! Just do what you usually do, okay?”

“Just like you practiced. Follow what you’ve learned! You can do this!”

Merchants setting up stalls early in the morning,

Parents praying for their children’s success,

Fifteen-year-old boys and girls gripping their swords tightly as they entered,

Pickpockets mingling within the crowd, looking to steal,

And the Judgment Knights deployed to maintain order.

Though each had different purposes and backgrounds.

They all gathered for one reason.

The Blossoming Ceremony.

A grand ritual in which fifteen-year-old descendants from prestigious northern families, including the House of Ragnar, gathered to take an exam.

Naturally, this drew the attention of countless people.

More than anything else, this year’s Blossoming Ceremony was said to attract an unprecedented number of brilliant geniuses.

People were eagerly scrutinizing the participants passing through the gate.

Discussions about who would claim the top spot were lively.

-Who do you think will take the top position in this year’s Blossoming Ceremony?

-That’s the thing. There are just too many strong candidates.

-Since none of them have unlocked their magic power yet, wouldn’t someone big and strong have the advantage?

-Then, how about Lord Holcus from the House of Ranke?

-Don’t be ridiculous! Did you already forget how Lady Ray defeated Lord Holcus two or three years ago? Of course, our Lady Ray will be the top!

-B-But there’s also Lady Erica, Lord Holcus’s twin sister, isn’t there?

-Well, there are a lot of rumors about her, but not much is actually known……

-We can’t forget Wellington from the House of Narcio either, right? He’s already being called the Lion.

-You fools! When has a Ragnar ever missed the top spot at the Blossoming Ceremony? It has to be someone from Ragnar. If we’re talking about our Lord Axion……!

The names mentioned in these discussions were mostly from the Four Lords of the North or those with comparable fame.

It was at that moment.

“Holcus! It’s Holcus Ranke!”

At someone’s shout, the crowd stopped their idle chatter and all turned their eyes in one direction.

Thud, thud……!

Cutting through the crowd, Holcus Ranke was walking forward.

He was so much taller than the average person that he could be seen clearly from a distance.

-Ohhh!

-Look at those arms. They’re thicker than my thighs!

-Wow…… I’ve heard rumors that he’s big, but I didn’t expect this much.

-Is he really only fifteen? How much bigger will he get when he becomes an adult?

-The nickname “Bear” really suits him.

‘Hehehe……! Yes. This is it. This is why I train in swordsmanship.’

Holcus Ranke smirked inwardly as he felt the multitude of eyes fixed on him.

In truth, he loved being the center of attention and receiving others’ interest.

The reason he found swordsmanship training fun since childhood was precisely because of that.

The more outstanding he appeared, the more applause and admiration he received from those around him.

So, once again, he planned to bask in that applause all for himself.

With such confidence, he was about to pass through the main gate.

-But what about the top candidate? Shouldn’t ‘Flash Tiger’ also be included?

At the voice that came from somewhere, Holcus’s steps suddenly halted.

-Oh, now that you mention it, didn’t Flash Tiger defeat Black Bear a few days ago……!

-Hey, hey! Watch your mouth!

The two men who had been talking about Flash Tiger quickly shut their mouths.

It was because Holcus’s terrifying glare had landed on them.

But the stare didn’t waver.

Hic!

Frightened, the two men, now pale, even started hiccupping.

At that moment.

-The carriage of the Camellia Palace!

-It’s the Snow White Sword! Lady Ray Ragnar is stepping out!

-She’s just as beautiful as the rumors say.

As the door of the carriage, decorated with elegant patterns like a daffodil, opened, Ray slowly stepped down.

Her cold, aloof aura, like sculpted ice, drew the gaze of everyone as she walked.

Holcus, whose attention was suddenly stolen by this spectacle, frowned deeply.

But the procession of carriages didn’t end there.

Creak

-It’s Lord Axion!

-I heard he moved his residence to the Rose Palace, but he’s still using a Camellia Palace carriage.

-He’s imposing. His gaze is as fierce as a beast’s.

Axion, halfway out of his carriage, caught sight of Ray and gave a slight smile.

“…….”

“What is it? Do you have something to say to me?”

Ray silently glared at Axion before sharply turning and heading toward the main gate.

Axion shrugged his shoulders slightly and followed behind.

– The tension is already starting to rise.

People were buzzing with excitement, clearly amused by the brewing clash between the Four Lords of the North.

Holcus was irritated.

Because of those two, no one was paying attention to him anymore, which made him feel unnecessarily angry.

He was also annoyed with Ray.

If she was going to engage in a battle of nerves, she should have done it with him, her rival, not Axion.

He pondered how to regain the attention he’d lost.

Just as he was deep in thought, another carriage arrived.

– Have you ever seen a carriage like that in Winterer? It’s so beautiful.

Two white horses, so pure that they reminded people of the northern winter, were pulling the carriage, which was a dazzling white. The intricate patterns and elegant decorations were eye-catching, ornate but not overwhelming, drawing attention naturally.

Even nobles with a keen eye for detail were impressed.

But the person who stepped out of the carriage drew even more attention.

– Wow……!

He had an appearance so striking that people couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

He had a slender yet solid physique, one that appeared strong despite its elegance,

A white uniform that accentuated his graceful figure,

Brilliant crimson eyes that sparkled like embedded rubies,

Long black hair, reminiscent of the night sky,

And his poised, precise stride.

He was like a prince from a fairy tale or a legendary sculpture, so lifelike that it seemed a god had come to life.

Out of all the examinees who had appeared so far, he was undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing.

Even Holcus, Ray, and Axion, along with the other participants, stopped in their tracks to stare at him.

– Flash Tiger! It’s Flash Tiger!

– Is that the man who defeated the Four Lords of the North?

– Huh! Was he always this handsome?

– He looks taller, and his features are sharper too.

– They say his mother was once one of the most beautiful women in the North, and it seems her son inherited that.

– He’s going to break a lot of hearts when he becomes an adult.

It was Theo.

* * *

‘Isn’t Well here yet?’

Theo tilted his head, glancing around.

He’d started to suspect recently that Wellington had been avoiding him.

Not only had they not seen each other for the past five days, but Wellington had also declined Theo’s offer to travel to the Central Hall together.

Theo figured Wellington was probably trying to calm his nerves ahead of the Blossoming Ceremony, but still, it was surprising that he hadn’t shown up yet.

From what Theo knew, Wellington was always the first to arrive when there was a scheduled meeting.

“I guess I can greet him after the Blossoming Ceremony starts.”

With that thought, Theo was about to continue walking when—

‘…There are too many people.’

He suddenly realized that not only the crowd, but even the other examinees, were all watching him.

It wasn’t hard to figure out why—they were staring at him because of his appearance.

Even he wasn’t sure if he’d gone overboard with his attire.

But what could he do?

It was nearly impossible to refuse Cecilia’s insistence that her son must shine the brightest.

This would likely happen again at any future major events.

Thinking that he should just get used to it, Theo decided to accept it calmly.

And with that, he felt significantly more at ease.

He could feel the sharp gazes directed his way.

Ray, who had been watching him from a distance for the past few days.

Holcus, who for some reason, was staring at him with a disgruntled expression.

And then—

‘Axion.’

There was Axion, with his mischievous smirk still playing on his lips, looking like a brat.

But in the corners of his curved eyes, there was a hint of murderous intent.

‘Same as always.’

Oddly, though, Theo didn’t find that gaze as threatening as it used to be.

Maybe it was because he had already crossed paths with the Soaring Dragon, or perhaps it was because he had once faced his father in a duel.

In his previous life, Axion had felt like an insurmountable wall, but now, he didn’t seem all that daunting.

In fact, Theo felt a surge of competitiveness.

-Who is stronger now, between me and Axion?

Even in his past life, Axion had been considered the most skilled among the Four Lords of the North.

But now Theo wondered how the recent months of rapid growth on his part would compare.

So, he smiled lightly at Axion and passed through the main gate.

Was Axion expecting Theo to show fear?

Theo noticed Axion’s face twist slightly in irritation but ignored it.

“Hey.”

“……”

“Hey!”

A sudden shout from behind.

Since it wasn’t Axion’s voice, Theo assumed it wasn’t directed at him.

But then, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind.

When he turned around,

Holcus was staring down at him with a strange expression.

‘This guy… how can someone with that body have such strength?’

At that moment, Holcus was in shock.

Like Ray, Theo had ignored him and engaged in a battle of nerves with Axion, so Holcus had reached out to stop him.

But it felt as if he had grabbed onto a solid rock.

“Why?”

“Uh, uh… th-that’s…!”

“Are you trying to get revenge for last time?”

Holcus snapped back to his senses and furrowed his brow deeply.

“Revenge? What revenge! Hey! I’m not that petty, alright? Last time was just a sparring match, and I know how to accept victory and defeat. If I wanted revenge, I’d prove myself in the Blossoming Ceremony through skill!”

Theo looked genuinely surprised.

Up until now, Holcus had always struck him as a fierce competitor who hated losing more than anyone.

“Then what is it?”

“……Teach me.”

“What?”

“……Teach me how.”

“……?”

It was strange to see someone so big fidgeting awkwardly.

“Say it properly.”

“It’s just……!”

“If you don’t speak clearly, I’m leaving.”

Holcus’s face turned beet red in frustration.

“Teach me, teach me how to be as good-looking as you……!”

“…….”

“Is that not possible?”

Holcus was utterly embarrassed but endured it somehow. If he could just learn Theo’s secret, he’d be able to attract all the attention and admiration he craved.

Meanwhile, Theo let out a baffled chuckle.

He had expected Holcus to ask for another spar or maybe about his training methods, but this? This was completely out of left field.

“Ah, damn it! If you don’t want to tell me, just say so……!”

“I don’t know either.”

“What?”

“I don’t know.”

“…….”

“I was just born this way. What kind of method could I possibly have?”

‘Ugh, what a jerk!’

Holcus barely managed to swallow the curse that nearly slipped from his mouth. Theo’s answer was essentially saying, “It’s your fault for being born ugly, and there’s no way to fix that.”

“Five minutes until the main gate closes. All remaining examinees, please make your way to the Central Hall-!”

The announcer’s voice marked the end of the gathering time.

Theo glanced at the clock tower, then turned away.

“If you don’t have any more questions, I’m going ahead.”

Theo and the other examinees began saying their final goodbyes to their families and moved toward the main gate in a rush.

“Ah, damn, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go. Forget it, I’ll just ask next time!”

Holcus, grumbling and scratching his head in frustration, followed after him.

Bang……!

The main gate closed firmly, and with the Judgment Knights keeping a close watch, the area was now heavily secured.

Theo and the other examinees arrived at the enormous open space in front of the Central Hall.

The grounds had a distinctive layout.

At the center stood a podium, where hundreds of swords were haphazardly stuck into the ground. On either side of the area, seating for spectators had been arranged to observe the examinees.

Most of those seated in the audience were senior swordsmen, exuding powerful auras.

All of the Nine Dragons who weren’t away on missions were present, along with the heads and officers of various combat units and institutions, as well as retired elders and veterans.

And in the very center, a middle-aged man sat leisurely.

Seeing him, all the examinees instinctively swallowed their nervousness, tensing up.

Kyle Ragnar, the head of the family, was scanning the faces of the dozens of examinees with a smile.

When his gaze fell on Theo, Kyle even gave a light wave.

The other examinees, along with the senior swordsmen in the audience, were taken aback by the rare sight of the family head greeting someone so casually, and their eyes quickly focused on Theo.

Theo, in turn, slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment, expressing his thanks, but his gaze remained fixed on the seat next to Kyle.

– A woman, lazily yawning with a disinterested expression.

She looked to be in her early thirties at most.

She had long black hair, a symbol of the Ragnar family, but unlike the other swordsmen, she didn’t exude any noticeable aura.

Her presence was so faint that it was as if she was barely there at all.

However, Theo’s eyes deepened as he stared at her.

‘Just like in my past life, she came this time too.’

The main reason Theo had to claim the top position in this year’s Blossoming Ceremony wasn’t just because of the many swordsmen, including Kyle, watching him. It was because he had to catch the attention of that woman.

She possessed power on par with the head of the family himself.

She was Hilda Ragnar, the family head two generations ago.

A demigod so powerful that she was considered one of the top three strongest family heads in the history of the Ragnar family.

The truth of her identity? A monster over a hundred and fifty years old.

“Now, we will begin the Blossoming Ceremony!”

Boom! Boom!

The sound of the war drum echoed, as if signaling the start of a battle.

At the cry of the overseer, Theo’s gaze shifted back to the central podium.

‘It was quite a surprise when he broke his long seclusion to oversee the Blossoming Ceremony. Could it be because of Hilda?’

The overseer was also one of the elder masters, with a legendary reputation not far behind Hilda’s.

“The first phase of the Blossoming Ceremony requires you to select one of the iron swords embedded in the podium and make a scratch on the iron wall over there.”

At that moment, someone raised their hand.

The overseer nodded.

“Speak.”

“Thank you. I am Leton from the Hanabi family. The iron wall appears to be mixed with Snow White Ore, while the swords in the podium seem to be made of ordinary steel. It seems like it would be difficult to even make a small scratch. How are we supposed to damage it?”

“The examinee is correct. Therefore, we will now distribute an elixir to unlock your magic power. Examiners, hand them out.”

Following the overseer’s command, the examiners began distributing small glass vials to the examinees one by one.

The hands of the examinees trembled slightly as they received them.

It was because of the small, round pill no larger than a fingernail inside the transparent containers.

Soma.

A legendary elixir said to grant more than ten years’ worth of magic power with a single dose.

For these fifteen-year-olds, who had yet to unlock their magic power, this was the moment they had only dreamed of.

“Swallow the Soma to unlock the Aura Hall in your dantian. The depth of the scratch you can make on the iron wall using that power will be the primary measure of this trial.”

This first phase of the ceremony evaluated multiple factors: how the examinees adapted to their newly gained magic power, the talent they displayed in opening the Aura Hall, their understanding of the sword, and their level of swordsmanship.

Failing to score well here could mean saying goodbye to any hope of claiming the top position.

“Now, I will begin calling the names of the examinees. Those called will step forward with their Soma and proceed to the podium.”

The overseer’s gaze shifted to one side.

“The first examinee, Theo Ragnar of Camellia Palace! Step forward!”

All eyes swiftly turned toward Theo.

Step, step

Without hesitation, Theo began walking toward the podium, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“…….”

“…….”

Gulp!

The atmosphere in the examination grounds was thick with dry tension.