Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: First War (2)
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Gulp!
Wolfgang swallowed dryly.
In his eyes, Theo was no longer a fool but a madman.
‘Proposing a deal directly to the Family Head!’
Kyle was a tyrant.
Anything he decided he wanted, he would seize no matter what.
Anything he decided to accomplish, he would see through without fail, or it wouldn’t satisfy him.
For such a man, a ‘deal’ was utterly impossible.
A deal was something only those on equal footing could do.
So Wolfgang thought.
This clueless pup, riding high on a fleeting moment of the Family Head’s favor, had forgotten his place and climbed too far.
The end for a guy like that was as clear as day—
“Fine.”
‘What?’
A completely unexpected response.
Wolfgang’s eyes widened.
“If you’re aiming for the successor position, you need the guts to match.”
Kyle’s gaze turned to Ed.
“If this child properly withstands my single strike as he wishes, I shall grant him ownership of Camellia Palace. Anti-Dragon, you have no objections, I presume?”
“……Everything of the Ragnar Family belongs to you, Family Head. How could I possibly object?”
“With Anti-Dragon’s guarantee, there should be no issues.”
Grit—
Ed ground his molars behind the Family Head’s back.
“Very well. Prepare the stage at once. From this moment, I will test Theo Ragnar.”
At Kyle’s command, the Nine Dragons moved with perfect precision.
* * *
[Observing ‘Kyle Ragnar.’]
+
Kyle Ragnar (67 / Male)
· Title: Incarnation of the Dragon.
· Talents: Sword Communion. Dragon Blood. Dragon Eyes. Dragon Power. Dragon Essence. Dominance. Tyranny. Charisma. Sovereign’s Feats. (Omitted hereafter)
· Status: Feeling intrigued by a new side of his son, whom he previously paid no heed.
+
‘Omitted hereafter? First time I’ve seen this…… How many talents does he even have? As expected, incredible.’
Even if he unlocked all the permissions embedded in the message, it couldn’t match the sheer number of Kyle’s talents.
Just how arduous a path would it take to reach Kyle’s level?
But even knowing the gap with Kyle, Theo didn’t cower at all.
If anything, he was thrilled.
It meant that with continued effort, he could one day reach that height too.
Thump……! Thump……!
His heart pounded fiercely.
From the anticipation that it would be so much fun.
‘But taking Father’s single strike in my current state is impossible. I’ll borrow the message’s power.’
Pretending to loosen up, Theo glanced at his reflection in the scabbard.
‘Observation.’
[Observing ‘Theo Ragnar.’]
+
Theo Ragnar (15 / Male)
· Level: 2
· Stats (▼)
Strength: 18 Agility: 16
Vitality: 17 Mana: 195
Intelligence: 16 Luck: -20
Additional Stats: 5 (new!)
· [Inaccessible]
· [Inaccessible]
+
‘As expected!’
Theo clenched his fist.
The prominently marked [Additional Stats] item showed a value of 5.
This likely meant the stat points he could freely allocate, as he’d seen in the message.
Thump thump thump!
His heart raced wildly.
Adrenaline surged through his mind.
‘What should I raise?’
But unlike the thrill, Theo’s gaze on the status window was sharp.
For a total newbie like him, 1 stat point was a huge difference, but in front of his father, it wouldn’t matter much.
‘Even dumping all 5 into one stat won’t change that. What to do?’
A brief but profound deliberation passed.
‘Wait, if it’s that method……?’
Theo reached for the status window without hesitation at the sudden idea.
* * *
‘Damn it, damn it, damn it!’
Ed clenched his fist as he looked at the open ground in the center of the Law Court.
Theo and Kyle stood facing each other.
Though their heights differed, their appearances alone made them look like the same person at different ages.
Jet-black hair like the midnight sky.
Crimson eyes burning red.
An inscrutable expression and piercing gaze that pressured the opponent.
Even the Law Swordsmen silently guarding the Law Court looked at Theo with envious eyes.
Receiving the Family Head’s single strike was an honor every family member coveted.
The Family Head himself was imparting his sword.
The family would surely buzz after this.
That made Ed’s insides burn.
The stage he’d prepared to catch Theo had instead become one that elevated him.
‘If only that bastard dies here, failing to withstand the strike……!’
Bloodshot veins filled Ed’s eyes.
Then clarity struck.
‘Wait, dies……?’
A sudden thought occurred.
Theo was a total novice who’d just picked up a sword.
Could such a guy really withstand the Family Head’s single strike properly?
Something even advanced swordsmen struggled against?
There was an eighty percent chance he’d die.
If not, he’d be crippled beyond ever holding a sword again.
In an instant, a strange smile crept back onto Ed’s lips.
Meanwhile.
“Hmm?”
Kyle suddenly scanned Theo up and down as if sensing something off, tilting his head.
He’d noticed the change.
‘As expected, sharp. The other Nine Dragons haven’t noticed.’
Theo feigned ignorance and asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Did you secretly take an elixir in the meantime……? No. Even then, such a sudden change…… Hmm.”
Kyle stroked his chin, pondered, then shook his head.
“Well, at your age, boys grow by the day. Fine. Have you warmed up?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then let’s begin.”
Kyle smiled lightly and raised his sword.
In that instant.
The air inverted.
Whoooosh—
A mighty aura swirled around Kyle.
An immense pressure bore down on Theo’s shoulders.
‘Ugh!’
Boom!
The ground sank under the pressure, Theo’s feet sinking a handspan deep.
His body hunched as if about to slam into the ground.
But.
Theo gritted his teeth, resisting Kyle’s aura with all he had.
‘I can’t lose here.’
Bloodshot veins filled the corners of his eyes,
Thump thump thump thump thump thump!
The Dragon’s Heart pounded wildly, supplying vitality-mixed mana through his body.
Plus, thanks to the arbitrarily allocated stats, his body felt sturdier than usual.
Tremble—
Strength surged into his buckling knees.
His upper body straightened, and Theo’s eyes locked onto Kyle.
Veins large and small bulged across his skin, ready to burst.
“You endure well.”
As Kyle watched approvingly, his aura hammered down on Theo like a blunt weapon, again and again.
Boom! Bang bang bang bang!
But the more it did, the tighter Theo gripped his Dragon’s Heart, slowly rising.
[Immense pressure dominates your body. Gained massive EXP.]
[Ragnar trait applied.]
[Level up.]
[You show unyielding spirit against an insurmountable foe. Gained massive EXP.]
[Ragnar trait applied.]
[Level up.]
.
.
‘As expected!’
He inwardly cheered that ‘acts of defiance against Kyle’ were indeed counting as EXP, just as hoped.
He’d gambled on it, considering Evelyn’s party play had counted as combat, and it hit perfectly.
That brought 6 additional levels.
Theo dumped all the newly gained 30 stat points into [Strength], just like before.
[Strength: 53]
Crunch, cruuunch—
Theo felt his body change in an instant.
His skeleton subtly shifted, muscles tightened, and strength filled his sword-grip hand.
A thrilling surge shot through his entire body.
It was liberation.
—The liberation that came when breaking from the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Was it why the pressure crushing him,
The chains binding him across past and present lives,
Felt like they’d snapped free?
In that moment.
Flash—
Kyle moved.
From above to below.
A single streak of light fell toward Theo’s head.
Considering Theo’s level, no mana was infused, but as the sword of the ‘Son of the Dragon God,’ its trajectory was blindingly fast.
Yet.
‘I see it!’
A ray he couldn’t have seen before.
Boom!
Theo stomped the ground hard against it, twisting his body.
The scabbard in his left hand separated from the hilt in his right.
Revealed was the half Zweihänder, broken three months ago.
He’d considered switching swords many times but kept it, his familiar extension.
Craaaash!
Sword met sword in fierce clash.
And.
Screeeeech—
Sparks flew from intense friction as they slid apart.
Theo to the right. Kyle to the left.
Crash clatter!
In the process, the Zweihänder’s remaining blade shattered, scattering into the air.
Amid the glittering shards, Theo’s dangerously poised figure was breathtakingly beautiful.
He’d done it.
Though all his stamina drained in one go, leaving his body heavy as if it might collapse.
The satisfaction of properly meeting his longed-for father’s sword filled him with ecstasy.
But.
An even greater ecstasy awaited.
‘Father’s sword. Beautiful.’
The ray from his father’s single strike.
It closely resembled the one Julius had once shown.
—I want to be like that.
The intense longing surged from his chest once more.
—Someday, I want to bloom that sword with my own hand.
The streak of light lingered vividly in his vision.
Theo stood dazed, lost in the euphoria of inspiration.
And.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
In the deep silence.
Ed, Wolfgang, and the Plum Palace Lord stared blankly at Theo.
He’d faced the Family Head’s single strike head-on, not flung away, and stood firm?
A novice without mana mastery?
Was that even possible?
Even geniuses like Axion from childhood might not manage it.
Flash—
Then Julius leaped onto the stage to check on Theo.
Also to block Ed and Wolfgang from any nonsense.
“He’s just passed out, nothing to worry about.”
Only after hearing Kyle did Julius realize Theo had merely fainted, eyes wide open.
He quickly checked his pulse.
Fortunately, it was normal.
Breathing steady too.
‘Even without mana, facing the Family Head’s strike without major internal injuries……? What kind of growth speed is this……!’
But the most shocking part was elsewhere.
Theo.
Was smiling.
“Ha……!”
Julius couldn’t help but chuckle.
Was facing the Family Head in swordplay that enjoyable?
Others would tremble in fear.
‘A true fighter…… A Ragnar through and through.’
Even fainting on his feet.
How strong was his will to manage that?
Truly remarkable in every way.
“……Really. You’ve mastered making people worry.”
As Julius muttered softly, Kyle turned and declared.
“Theo Ragnar has proven his innocence by his own will. The trial ends here!”
* * *
“Ugh……!”
Theo slowly opened his eyes.
He remembered the Zweihänder shattering against Kyle’s sword.
And the intense inspiration that seared into his mind after.
The ray of light.
His father’s.
Julius’s too.
That single sword lingered in his vision……
But nothing after that came to mind.
“My son? Are you awake? Do you recognize your mother’s face?”
Only then did he notice Cecilia stroking his face with a sad expression.
“I’m…… fine.”
“Do you know how startled I was hearing you took the Family Head’s sword! Your arm? No injuries? Move your shoulder. If it’s fractured or dislocated, we need a physician now.”
Amid Cecilia’s fuss, Theo strangely felt at peace.
Having someone worry for him brought an odd sensation.
“And your complexion looks paler than usual……! No, I must. I’ll use my own funds to get some elixirs refined right away.”
As Cecilia rose hurriedly, the door opened with laughter from behind.
“Young Master Theo’s skin is naturally fair, Madam, that’s all. His pulse is steady, so no need for excessive worry.”
It was Julius.
Realizing Julius had brought him from the Law Court, Theo tried to rise and thank him.
“Ugh…….”
But his body felt like waterlogged cotton, too heavy.
“Oh my! Just stay seated. No injuries, but the fatigue is immense. Who told you to push so hard?”
“Still, I wanted to thank you. Thanks to you, I returned safely, didn’t I?”
“This is nothing. Well, if you’re truly grateful, join the White Dragon Knights after the Awakening Ceremony. Heh.”
Same as ever.
As Theo gave a wry smile, he noticed Cecilia’s eyes blazing as she stared at them.
‘……No wonder my neck felt hot. She’ll grill me later.’
Theo pretended not to notice his mother’s gaze and asked Julius.
“More importantly, where is this?”
Theo scanned the room, tilting his head.
The interior and decorations were all unfamiliar.
“Hm? You demanded it as a reward from the Family Head without knowing where it was?”
“You mean……?”
Theo’s eyes widened in an instant.
Julius grinned and nodded.
“Camellia Palace. Just moments ago, by the Family Head’s order, the former Camellia…… no, ex-Camellia Palace Lord and Axion were chased out with the Intelligence Chief. You should’ve seen their indignant faces yourself. Haha!”