Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Old Selector (1)
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‘I wonder if they’ve met by now?’
Julius Ragnar smiled as he cradled the steaming coffee cup between both hands.
When Theo had declared his intent to join the White Dragon Knights during the naming ceremony.
Julius had, in fact, accepted this as ‘fate’ as well.
Just the day before, Evelyn had appeared before him, completely restored.
—Evelyn, your arm…!
—Yes, well, I ended up receiving a gift, somehow.
A gift.
That’s what Evelyn had called her new left arm.
But she didn’t know.
That it was a gift for Julius as well.
Simply regaining Evelyn Nereville had filled Julius’s heart to the brim.
It allowed him to set aside, even if just a little, the guilt he’d carried for years over failing to look after her.
And then.
The one who had given her that gift was now joining the White Dragon Knights, following Evelyn.
That was precisely why Julius hadn’t said a word to Theo about Evelyn.
He hoped that, in return for the gift given to him, he could offer Theo a surprise gift in kind.
Theo and Evelyn.
They would soon become the pillars and foundation of the White Dragon Knights.
“You look happy.”
Julius snapped out of his reverie at the voice calling to him.
He recognized the speaker and smiled.
“A dragon has leaped right into my arms—far more than I deserve. It’d be stranger if I weren’t delighted.”
“I came to see you separately because I thought we should talk about that dragon.”
The Plum Palace Lord sat across from him, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“May I ask exactly what this is about?”
“It seems the White Dragon Knights’ Captain intends to make that child, Theo, a central pillar of the White Dragon Knights in the future. Am I correct?”
Julius merely smiled without answering.
As if he couldn’t respond to a single thing.
“Truly, caution with words befits the White Dragon Knights’ Captain.”
“The mouth is the root of all strife, isn’t it?”
Julius always referred to the White Dragon Knights as brothers and family.
But since they weren’t true family, no matter how tightly bound by camaraderie, they could split apart at any moment in any way.
And usually, the cause of such conflict and division came from the leader’s mouth.
That was why Julius’s firm principle was to never let rumors spread of favoritism or special affection toward anyone.
That was also why he hadn’t promised Theo anything at the naming ceremony.
However.
That didn’t mean he lacked personal evaluations or plans for talented individuals.
The Plum Palace Lord had read that much.
“…No, it’s not that. It’s not just a central pillar—you’re envisioning something far grander than even I imagined.”
“I’ll exercise my right to silence on this one as well.”
“That’s fine. I only came to convey my own intentions to begin with. Seeing the White Dragon Knights’ Captain’s face now has only strengthened my conviction.”
“What is it?”
Julius tilted his head.
The sleeping dragon she spoke of had already entered the White Dragon Knights’ fold.
There was no longer any chance of it going to the Plum Palace.
So in this situation, he couldn’t guess what she might propose.
But then,
“Joint endorsement.”
“…?”
“How does that sound?”
“…!”
Julius’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected words.
* * *
The moment Evelyn returned with the two dead bulls in tow, she couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“…How on earth did he do it?”
Umbra was rubbing its massive head affectionately against Theo.
A display of fondness.
For her, who knew well how tightly shut the creature’s heart usually was, it felt like she must be seeing things.
But there was only one albino in the White Dragon’s nest, so it wasn’t a hallucination.
‘No, if anything, it might be the most natural outcome.’
Evelyn scratched her cheek as she recalled how Theo had united the members of the Fourth Training Grounds—people who never should have meshed.
That affinity of his—wasn’t it his most terrifying strength?
Crunch crunch—
Umbra dragged the two bulls over with its front paws and began devouring them.
It must have been starving; it ate so voraciously it was heartbreaking to watch.
“No one’s stealing it, so eat slowly. You’ll choke.”
When Theo stroked Umbra’s scruff and spoke, its meal paused for a moment.
Then it lifted its head and stared straight at Theo.
“…?”
Wondering what had gotten into it, Theo tilted his head.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, Umbra nudged the meatiest chunk of meat toward Theo.
“Hahaha! You want me to have this?”
Nod nod!
“Nah, you eat plenty. I already ate.”
….
“For real. It’s not that I don’t want what you’re offering—I’m just full.”
Only then did Umbra seem relieved, plunging its head back into the meat.
Crunch crunch!
Theo found Umbra so adorable that he kept stroking its scruff.
It took thirty minutes after that for Umbra to finish eating.
Burp.
With a light belch, suggesting it had some energy now, it rose to its full size.
Spreading its wings made its bulk all the more impressive.
Well, then.
Theo had been amusedly watching Umbra’s antics when it suddenly lowered its body slightly in front of him, rounding his eyes.
“You want me to ride?”
Umbra jostled its body.
As if asking what he was waiting for.
“Allowing someone on its back and scruff means a wyvern trusts them that much. It’s recognized you as its partner… Hold on a moment. I need to fetch the reins and saddle first…!”
“No need. It’s fine. I’ll just hop on like this. It looks impatient anyway.”
“You can’t! It’s dangerous!”
Evelyn tried to stop him as Theo climbed onto Umbra’s shoulder.
Even if it had accepted him as a partner, Theo was still a total novice without proper flight training.
Attempting to fly without even basic safety gear like a saddle or reins was suicide.
“It’s okay. I have a way.”
But Theo was already fully mounted on Umbra’s back.
Evelyn couldn’t see it, but.
An invisible rein connected Theo and Umbra.
Telekinesis enforced the bond between them.
Moreover,
[Telekinesis from ‘Skill: Hatchling Synchro’ links the caster’s thoughts with the Viper Wyvern’s.]
[You can now read the Viper Wyvern’s intentions.]
[‘Skill: Wyvern Taming’ activates, compensating for lacking riding skills.]
[Awakening abilities as a rider.]
With the skills auto-applying, there was no risk of mistakes.
‘This is too easy.’
Theo gripped the invisible reins tight and shouted.
“Shall we go for a spin, Umbra?”
Kaaaaah!
Umbra sprang up with a resounding roar.
The echo and gust shook the rocky mountainside.
And then,
Flap flap!
With powerful wingbeats, the massive body lifted into the air.
Evelyn had no time to stop it.
“Young Master!”
By the time Evelyn came running, Theo and Umbra were already soaring high.
Dust billowed in their wake.
Evelyn brushed back her tousled hair and stared up in bewilderment.
He wasn’t usually this reckless…!
It seemed his encounter with Umbra had changed something in Theo.
But that didn’t mean she could watch such dangerous antics carefree.
Evelyn swiftly mounted Rangus and gave chase.
Two wyverns streaked across the blue sky.
* * *
Becoming one with a wyvern and soaring freely through the blue sky was on another level from just riding in the back.
Refreshing.
And exhilarating.
That was Theo’s first thought.
His chest felt wide open.
It was the sensation of reclaiming a freedom he’d never known on the ground.
Kieeeek!
As if reading Theo’s mind, Umbra let out a long cry.
“Having fun?”
Kyek!
“Yeah. A lot.”
Kyek! Kyek! Kieeek!
“Thanks. I get to enjoy this luxury because of you.”
Keeek—
Theo and Umbra communicated without any issues.
The skill correction helped, but it was mostly because they empathized so deeply with each other’s emotions.
Theo’s joy naturally made Umbra joyful too.
Umbra had probably wanted to show him this exact sight.
The feeling of overlooking the world from the heavens.
Swimming freely through the empty sky let you shed all earthly worries and concerns.
Just as he had, Umbra must have thought Theo would feel the same.
‘Good kid.’
Theo’s heart warmed even more at Umbra’s thoughtful gesture.
How had such a deep and warm-hearted creature turned into a demonic beast like the Shadow Dragon?
‘To become such a monster, there must have been some fateful encounter.’
Theo pondered briefly but soon shook his head.
No need to overthink it.
Whatever it was, he just had to ensure it never happened again.
That was his resolve.
“By the way, Umbra, where are we headed?”
Theo wasn’t steering at all, letting Umbra go where it wanted.
Keeek—
What Umbra meant was simple.
It had a place it wanted to show him.
“No idea what it is, but… sure. Let’s go. Can you pick up the pace?”
Kieeeek!
As if scoffing at what he took it for, Umbra flapped harder and sped up.
‘This guy’s got some bravado, huh?’
Even dozens of lesser wyverns couldn’t catch it?
It apparently didn’t remember being surrounded by others just earlier.
Still, true to its confident claim, Umbra reached the destination swiftly.
Far beyond the White Dragon’s nest, in a valley of the Winter Mountains near the Demon Sea.
A valley blanketed in eternal snow.
Towering conifers formed dense forests, icicles hung everywhere.
The lightly frozen river flowed proudly until it suddenly cascaded.
A massive waterfall greeted Theo and Umbra.
A breathtaking sight.
Kiii?
Umbra asked smugly what he thought.
“Impressive.”
It was a place Theo had never seen in his life.
He thought he’d roamed most of the vast Winter Mountains, but.
No signs of human presence or tracks anywhere—apparently no one came here.
Keeek!
Umbra signaled this wasn’t all, folding its wings slightly for a dive.
Target: the waterfall.
“Wai—!”
Before Theo could exclaim in surprise, Umbra curved sharply behind the falls.
Revealing a cave entrance.
Cleverly hidden, impossible to spot from outside.
Thud!
“Whew…”
Theo exhaled and couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
The outer vista was stunning, but the cave inside was beautiful in a different way.
Crystals embedded in the ceiling and walls sparkled, and the thin ice on the floor reflected faces perfectly clear.
Kyek! Kyek!
Umbra puffed out its chest proudly.
Eager to show off its secret hideout to its new partner.
Theo praised it profusely, stroking its scruff as he ventured deeper.
‘Fits the guy perfectly.’
Everything sparkled from floor to ceiling—just what would draw it in.
But a chill wind kept blowing from within, hinting at a connection further in.
And the faint aura mixed in was ominous.
Demonic energy.
The energy of the Demon Sea.
‘Could this be why Umbra turned into a demonic beast…?’
Determined to check closely, Theo headed to the deepest part.
And there he found it.
In the cave’s innermost depths.
The corpse of an elderly white-haired man, bound by iron chains around both arms, long dead.