Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Overwhelming Gap (4)
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Ascending Dragon.
Among the nine dragons symbolizing the Ragnar family, he was the least known.
He rarely engaged in external activities and spent most of the year in seclusion even at Winterer.
However.
The other Nine Dragons knew.
They knew that if the Ascending Dragon emerged into the outside world, it would cause a massive upheaval.
Including the sinister Black Dragon,
He was the one the other Nine Dragons respected the most while also remaining the most wary of.
That was the Ascending Dragon.
"It's about time he arrived."
Julius and the Plum Palace Lord had been awaiting his appearance.
In fact, they had been greatly surprised when it was announced that he would serve as the judge for this Awakening Ceremony.
Despite the Family Head's repeated requests, he had steadfastly refused to end his seclusion.
No one could fathom what wind had blown to change that.
But everyone knew well of the Ascending Dragon's skill and insight.
He was also politically neutral, so there was faith that he would evaluate the applicants objectively.
"How do they expect to handle judging those kids if even the Nine Dragons treat it so lightly?"
At that moment, Elder Council Leader Wolfgang crossed his arms with a dissatisfied tsk.
Ever since Ed had silently withdrawn from the chamber clutching the body of his dead nephew,
Wolfgang had repeatedly attempted to downplay this year's applicants in this manner.
Of course, everyone knew it was just him venting frustration over the fact that most of the Elder Council's applicants had retired.
"He's here."
At the Plum Palace Lord's words, all the executives' gazes turned toward the door.
Creak!
Step-
Through the widely opened door, the Ascending Dragon walked in slowly with his hands behind his back.
His face remained impassive as always.
Julius, the Plum Palace Lord, and all the executives except Wolfgang rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
It was a gesture of respect toward a great senior.
The Ascending Dragon nodded silently at the sight,
"And how did it go?"
Julius ventured a question.
In that instant, a faint smile appeared on the Ascending Dragon's stern face.
'The Ascending Dragon... is smiling?'
Julius blanked out for a brief moment.
It had been over twenty years since he first came to know the Ascending Dragon personally, but this was the first time he had seen such an expression.
'Wait. This feels awfully familiar somehow?'
A warning light flashed in Julius's mind.
"I made a disciple offer to a child who really caught my eye."
"......!"
"Ascending Dragon! That's......!"
As his unease became reality, Julius's mouth fell open, and the Plum Palace Lord jumped to her feet in shock.
Neither had imagined the Ascending Dragon suddenly becoming a new rival(?).
Especially for the Plum Palace Lord, it was chilling news.
She had received a report from Natasha about what Felix had done to Theo.
She hadn't yet properly apologized to Theo for it, leaving her in a precarious position.
On the other hand, Wolfgang and the other executives were shocked for different reasons.
-The Ascending Dragon, who had never taken a disciple in his lifetime, had found someone he desired!
That fact alone was enough to shake Winterer to its core.
"Got rejected. Me, of all people."
But at his following words, the executives all drew in sharp breaths.
In Winterer, there were countless people who would give anything just to witness the Ascending Dragon's sword once from the side.
What would they say if they heard this?
And.
The identity of the talent who had committed this unbelievable act was obvious as day.
"I've been too quiet all these years, it seems. Now there's a talent I want but can't have."
"......That's truly... regrettable."
"Why don't you hide that twitching lip of yours first?"
Julius subtly covered his mouth with his hand.
The corner of his eye, visible above his palm, curved sharply upward.
"Oh, my mistake. Did you see?"
"You know... whatever happened to that polite fellow? Now you're just a sly fox."
The Ascending Dragon shook his head slowly.
He was well aware of the intense rivalry between Julius and the Plum Palace Lord over Theo.
"Anyway, that's how it turned out. You'll know the final results soon, but this top scorer got 3,021 points. For your reference."
"......!"
"......!"
"......Th-that score means?"
The executives' mouths fell open once more in even greater shock.
A score exceeding 3,000 points.
The implications were significant.
The Ascending Dragon nodded as he spoke.
"It's been broken again—a record that had stood unbroken for a thousand years. Just 14 years after the first break."
"......!"
"......!"
"......!"
Gulp-
Someone swallowed dryly amid the tension.
"I wonder what face Torkel will make. Quite curious."
One corner of the Ascending Dragon's mouth curled up even higher.
* * *
-The one who surpassed the Demonic 3,000 has appeared again!
The rumor, spread through the judge—the Ascending Dragon—set Winterer abuzz.
The Demonic 3,000.
The term had long been a legend at Winterer.
No applicant had exceeded 3,000 points in the secondary Awakening Ceremony for years.
Retrieving purple demon cores,
Acquiring hidden formulas,
Achieving profound insight into attributes.
The prerequisites for reaching 3,000 points were so numerous that it was inevitable.
As a result, even surpassing 1,000 points was enough to claim top spot,
And that alone earned the label of "genius," allowing entry into any desired unit.
What if one exceeded 2,000?
They would bear the title of "prodigy" and be classified as a future pillar of the Ragnar family.
Thus, the 3,000-point wall had become known as an unattainable, mythical realm.
Then, 14 years ago, the Demonic 3,000 was broken for the first time.
A true "genius" had emerged.
-Torkel Ragnar.
The youngest among the five leading candidates for next Family Head.
Captain of the Black Iron Knights, he had earned renown on countless battlefields and received the greatest support from young swordsmen. He was the protagonist.
So people thought.
No one after Torkel would ever breach that demonic wall.
Other applicants didn't stand a chance—that was the common consensus.
Yet,
That consensus had been shattered once more.
And.
-The top scorer is Theo Ragnar again.
When it was added that the Rose Palace cripple was the protagonist of that rumor, everyone fell silent.
Unsure how to accept it.
Or how to react.
But that silence didn't last long.
By then, the Black Iron Knights had issued a statement in Torkel's stead.
-A friend I'd really like to meet once.
No other words were needed.
That was enough.
"We need to find out about the third and final test!"
"What does the Family Head think of that guy?"
"Camellia Palace! Theo Ragnar's mother is at Camellia Palace, right? Send someone quick!"
"Theo Ragnar carries a Zweihander, they say. Made by Basque Workshop? Inquire if they can make another one like it, hurry!"
Everyone sprang into frenzied action.
And watched with bated breath.
For the final third test.
* * *
The third Awakening Ceremony proceeded immediately after a short break.
"The content of the third test is very simple."
The applicants' gazes fixed on the back of the Ascending Dragon, who had returned to his role as judge.
They were currently moving to the next test venue.
Gulp!
Someone's dry swallow echoed unusually loudly.
"Some of you seem to already know."
The judge let out a chuckle as he spoke.
"It's a single sword exchange with the Family Head."
"......!"
"......!"
"......D-do you mean we get to meet the Family Head in person?"
To Ragnar trainee swordsmen, the "Family Head" was an existence as distant and lofty as a star in the night sky.
To meet him directly?
Of course they would tremble.
Indeed, some gazed with eyes full of envy.
"Yes. For now."
However, the judge's tone carried a strange nuance.
Affirmative, yet somehow bitter......
Only Theo noticed that subtle shift.
'The conflict between the Ascending Dragon and the Family Head... it was quite infamous. Everyone hushes it up, though.'
As Theo gave a wry smile, the Ascending Dragon continued his explanation.
"But most of you won't even glimpse his toes. You have to pierce through the Family Head's killing intent to stand before him."
Wellington and Erica swallowed dryly, visibly tense.
But most other applicants tilted their heads.
Even if the Family Head's killing intent was fearsome, it was just pressure, not an attack—surely they could break through.
"If you succeed that far, the Family Head will personally grant you a single sword exchange. What you comprehend from it is up to you. Scores will be awarded differentially based on the depth of your insight, so keep that in mind."
The applicants clenched their fists.
If evaluation came after comparing before and after the exchange, they too had a real chance at top spot this time.
'I get to meet Father again?'
Theo recalled facing Family Head Kyle just a few months prior.
The thrill, excitement, tension he had felt then.
And,
-The ecstasy of first encountering the Ray of Light.
He strongly wished to relive that moment.
But.
Another thought crossed his mind as well.
-It's Kyle.
The answer he had received when asking who had stolen the Dragon Heart from Guardian Dragon Lordbroke.
-Even so, he's one of the rare few who shattered all those shackles and ascended to Family Head through sheer ability. The bastard who made me like this, but his talent and will are worthy of respect.
-So as a human, you can proudly call him your father. Your father is... yes. A human in body, yet inhuman. And the most human of all, a monstrous human gazing toward divine realm.
Lordbroke had given Kyle high praise.
A true monster who had broken human limits despite his half-breed body.
'If I face him again, what should I do?'
Of course, he still had to hide his identity as the Guardian Dragon's contractor, so he wouldn't reveal it.
But someone of Kyle's caliber could surely see through his mindset.
-Is the Family Head an enemy or an ally?
Uncertain of Kyle's hidden secrets.
Theo had yet to fully solidify his resolve.
It was then.
"Alright, third test begins."
The judge suddenly halted his brisk pace and tossed out the words.
The applicants, focused on the approaching building, couldn't even ask what he meant.
Boom......!
A crushing pressure descended upon Theo and all the applicants' heads.
A force that seemed to crush their shoulders and squeeze their lungs.
"Gah!"
"Gurgle......!"
Most applicants foamed at the mouth and collapsed unconscious.
Only five remained standing.
Theo, Wellington, Ray, Erica, and Holkus.
"Damn iiiit! What the hell is thiiiis!"
Holkus thrashed, trying to shake off the pressure with brute force.
But the more he struggled, the fiercer it grew, bearing down on his shoulders.
Thud!
In the end, one knee gave out and hit the ground.
'It resembles Dragon Fear...'
Theo realized this oppressive force blanketing the surroundings was strikingly similar to what he had felt in the dungeon.
Of course, it was worlds apart in sheer destructive power.
But understanding the principle let him grasp why Kyle wielded such a force.
'Father consumed Lordbroke's Dragon Heart!'
The mountaintop lodge where Kyle resided now appeared to Theo's eyes like a nest coiled around by a dragon.
Right then.
Ding!
[A quest has arrived.]
A new message appeared.
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