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Among the nine dragons that symbolize the Ragnar family, he was the least known.

This was because he rarely engaged in outside activities, spending the majority of the year in seclusion, even within Winterer.

However…

The nine dragons knew.

That if the Upsurging Dragon were to emerge into the outside world, it would bring about significant upheaval.

Even the sinister Black Dragon respected and feared him the most.

That was the Upsurging Dragon.

“It’s about time for him to arrive.”

Julius and the Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace were waiting for the appearance of the Upsurging Dragon.

In fact, they were quite shocked when it was announced that the Upsurging Dragon would serve as the Overseer for this year’s Blossoming Ceremony.

Despite the family head’s repeated requests over the years, the Upsurging Dragon had remained in seclusion.

They had no idea what had suddenly changed his mind.

However, everyone was well aware of the Upsurging Dragon’s skills and keen insight.

Moreover, since he was politically neutral, there was confidence that he would evaluate the candidates objectively.

“How can the Nine Dragons, esteemed as they are, lower themselves to the point of participating in something as trivial as testing a bunch of kids?”

At that moment, Wolfgang, the Elder Council President, clicked his tongue in disapproval, arms crossed.

Since Ed had silently departed after cradling the body of his deceased nephew,

Wolfgang had repeatedly attempted to downplay the significance of this year’s candidates.

Of course, no one was unaware that this was due to the fact that most of the Elder Council candidates he had backed had also retired early from the competition.

“He’s arriving.”

At the words of the Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace, all the officials’ gazes turned toward the door.

Creak!

Step-

The door opened wide, and the Upsurging Dragon slowly walked in, hands clasped behind his back.

As usual, his face was expressionless.

All the officials except Wolfgang, including Julius and the Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace, rose from their seats and bowed their heads.

It was a gesture of respect for their great predecessor.

The Upsurging Dragon gave a silent nod in response.

“How did it go?”

Julius cautiously asked.

At that moment, a faint smile appeared on the stern face of the Upsurging Dragon.

‘The Upsurging Dragon… is smiling?’

Julius was momentarily stunned.

He had known the Upsurging Dragon for over twenty years, but this was the first time he had seen such an expression.

‘Wait. This situation feels oddly familiar…’

Suddenly, a warning bell rang in Julius’s mind.

“I made a proposal to a child that I found very promising.”

“…!”

* * *

“Upsurging Dragon! That…!”

-Another person has broken through the 3,000 points of the Demon!

The rumor, which began to spread through the lips of the Overseer, the Upsurging Dragon caused a stir in Winterer.

The 3,000 points of the Demon.

This term had been frequently mentioned in Winterer for a long time.

It was because there hadn’t been a single examinee who surpassed 3,000 points in the secondary Blossoming Ceremony, held annually.

The retrieval of the purple demon species,

The acquisition of hidden ciphers,

And a deep understanding of the attributes.

These were essential challenges that had to be overcome to reach 3,000 points, which is why no one had been able to achieve it.

For that reason, examinees usually took the top spot even if they surpassed just 1,000 points, and that alone was enough to earn them the title of ‘prodigy’ and allow them to choose whichever unit they wanted to join.

But what if someone scored more than 2,000 points?

They would be given the title of ‘near-genius’ and classified as a key pillar responsible for Ragnar’s future.

Thus, the 3,000-point barrier was referred to as an unexplored domain that no one could break through.

Then, 14 years ago, the 3,000-point barrier of the Demon was broken for the first time.

A true ‘genius’ had appeared.

-Torkel Ragnar.

The youngest candidate among the top five contenders, who were considered closest to becoming the next head of the family.

The commander of the Black Iron Cavalry, who had made remarkable contributions on numerous battlefields and gained the greatest support from young swordsmen—that was him.

So people thought,

No one else would ever be able to break through this demonic barrier after Torkel.

The common opinion was that no other examinee stood a chance.

But then,

That evaluation was shattered once again.

And.

-The top scorer is Theo Ragnar once again.

When it was revealed that the protagonist of the rumor was none other than the Cripple of the Rose Palace, everyone fell silent.

They didn’t know how to react.

Or how to respond.

But that silence didn’t last long before it was broken once again.

Around that time, a formal statement was made on behalf of Torkel by the Black Iron Cavalry.

-A friend I’d like to meet at least once.

No further words were needed.

That was enough.

“We need to find out how the third and final test will turn out!”

“What about the head of the family? How does the head feel about this friend?”

“Camellia Palace! They said Theo Ragnar’s mother is in Camellia Palace, right? Send someone there quickly, hurry!”

“I heard Theo Ragnar carries a Zweihander. Wasn’t it made at the Vasque Workshop? Ask them if they can make another sword like that, quickly!”

Everyone began moving in a flurry of activity.

And all eyes were focused on the final third test.

* * *

The third Blossoming Ceremony began immediately after a brief break.

“The content of the third test is very simple.”

All the examinees fixed their eyes on the Upsurging Dragon, who had returned to his role as the Overseer.

They were currently on the move to the next test location.

Gulp!

The sound of someone nervously swallowing echoed unusually loud.

“It seems some of you already have an idea,” the Overseer said with a small laugh.

“It’s a one-sword duel with the head of the house.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…D-Do you mean we will meet the head of the house directly?”

To the training swordsmen of Ragnar, the existence of the head of the house was like a distant, unreachable star—too far and too high to grasp.

And now, they were going to see such a person face-to-face?

Of course, they couldn’t help but feel nervous.

In fact, some were already gazing ahead with eyes filled with admiration.

“Yes. For now.”

However, the Overseer’s tone was somehow peculiar—affirmative, yet with a touch of bitterness.

But only Theo noticed that subtle shift.

‘The conflict between the Upsurging Dragon and the head… It was quite famous. Even though people don’t talk about it openly.’

While Theo smirked to himself, the Upsurging Dragon continued his explanation.

“But most of you won’t even get to see the tip of the head’s foot. You must break through the murderous intent exuded by the head and stand before him.”

Wellington and Erika swallowed nervously, tense.

But most of the other examinees tilted their heads in confusion.

Even if the head’s aura of killing intent was frightening, it wasn’t an actual attack—just an aura. Could it really be so hard to withstand?

“If you succeed in getting that far, the head will personally bestow upon you a single sword strike. What you gain from that moment is entirely up to you. The scoring will depend on the gap in enlightenment, so keep that in mind.”

The examinees clenched their fists tightly.

If evaluations were based on the changes they underwent after the one-sword duel, it meant they still had a fair chance to take the top spot.

‘I might get to meet my father again?’

Theo recalled the moment he had encountered Kyle, the head of the house, a few months ago.

The joy, the thrill, the tension he had felt then.

And,

The ecstasy he experienced when he first faced the light shard.

He found himself longing to relive that moment.

But.

At the same time, another thought crossed his mind.

– Kyle.

He remembered the answer he received when he had asked who had stolen the Dragon’s Heart from the guardian dragon, Lodbrok.

– Yet despite all that, he is one of the few who shattered and tore through every shackle to rise to the position of head of the family. Even though he’s the wicked man who made me like this, I have to admit that his ability and willpower deserve recognition.

– So, as a human, you can be proud of your father. Your father… Yes. He has a human body, but he is not human. And yet, he is the most human of all, a monstrous man gazing at the realm of gods.

Lodbrok had a high regard for Kyle. He was a true monster who, despite having a crippled body, broke through the limits of humanity.

‘If I stand before him again, what should I do?’

Of course, Theo would still have to hide the fact that he was the Dragon’s Heart contractor, so he wouldn’t reveal it just yet.

But, someone like Kyle could easily see through the mindset of his opponent.

– Is the head an enemy, or an ally?

Since the hidden truth about Kyle was unknown, Theo hadn’t yet solidified his stance.

It was at that moment.

“Alright, the third test begins now.”

Suddenly, the Overseer, who had been walking forward, threw out the words nonchalantly.

The examinees, focused on the approaching building, didn’t even get a chance to ask what he meant.

Boom…!

A heavy pressure descended over the heads of Theo and all the examinees.

It felt as though their shoulders were being crushed, their lungs squeezed tight.

“Ugh!”

“Gurk…!”

Most of the examinees foamed at the mouth and collapsed, unconscious.

Only five remained standing.

Theo, Wellington, Ray, Erika, and Holcus.

“Damn it! What the hell is this?!”

Holcus seemed to be trying to shake off the pressure with sheer force, but the more he struggled, the more it pressed down on him, crushing his shoulders.

Thud!

In the end, one of his knees couldn’t hold out and hit the ground.

‘It’s similar to… Dragon Fear.’

Theo realized that the oppressive force squeezing the air around him was quite similar to what he had experienced in the dungeon.

Of course, this was incomparably more destructive, but understanding the principle behind it helped Theo grasp how Kyle could exert such a power.

‘My father consumed Lodbrok’s Dragon’s Heart!’

The mountain lodge where Kyle resided, atop the ridge, now looked to Theo like a dragon’s nest, coiled and waiting.

Just then—

Ding!

[A quest has arrived.]

A new message appeared.