[You have gained approval for defeating 'Ebile Hanavi'.]
[You have gained approval for defeating 'Matthew Byron'.]
[Your Luck has increased by 14.]
[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Tutorial Quest #11 by forming a party with 'Evelyn Nerevil'.
Evaluation: B+
You have obtained a 'Beginner's Tunic' as a reward.]
'Nothing bonus this time. Did I get a lower evaluation because I didn't fight them myself?'
Theo felt a pang of disappointment. Bonus rewards seemed to require at least an A-rank evaluation.
'I was hoping for an authority that would give me access to the rewards I've accumulated.'
With the stakes rising, he had hoped for a power boost.
'Still, this isn't all bad.'
[You have leveled up for the first time!]
[You can now freely distribute additional stat points.]
The word 'freely' caught his attention. If it was possible to increase his abilities in specified ways, he would have much more flexibility while planning.
But he decided to push it off and slowly look it over later.
This wasn't a decision that he should rush. He needed thorough research and careful consideration to make the best strategic decisions.
Step!
Theo scrolled through the messages as he left Camellia Palace, glancing back at the unsettling quiet. The recent chaos felt like a dream.
'The one after me was indeed Axion—no, the Troivans.'
He recalled Axion's Status Window from his second observation.
[Observing 'Axion Ragnar' again.]
[Axion Ragnar (15/Male)
· Title: Dark Leopard
· Talent: Madness. Psychopath.
· Status: Feeling intense shame and stress from failing his uncle's orders against a mere imbecile.]
The [Status] section sometimes revealed the target's thoughts. He had checked again on a hunch, and it had paid off big time.
Ed Troivan.
Axion's uncle and Aimil's twin brother. Once the Troivan Marquis Clan's prized prodigy, he had even been a contender for the next clan head.
However, his loyalty to his little sister was strong. Ed had followed Aimil when she married into the Ragnar Clan, becoming a vassal.
The clan head bestowed upon him the title of Sky Dragon, and he became one of the 'Nine Dragons' that protected Ragnar.
Turns out, this whole incident wasn't just Axion's doing. It was Ed's scheme.
'A man like him wouldn't act without a reason. He likely wanted to test me after his plant, Rendon, abruptly died.'
Theo considered how he should respond.
'If I remember correctly, Troivan eventually…!'
Theo's eyes narrowed. Just then…
"Young Master Theo! Young Master Theo!" Remington rushed out of the Camellia Palace.
"About what happened earlier…!"
"Remmy."
"Young Master Theo, did you just… call me by a nickname…?" Remington froze, his eyes wide.
He had intended to try and make excuses for what just happened, but that all went out the window. After all, nicknames were reserved for close friends.
"This party was disappointing. Why don't we go have an afterparty?" Theo suggested.
This was unexpected. It was the first time Theo had invited him to hang out.
Remington eagerly nodded his head in joy.
Evelyn, emerging moments later, also looked surprised.
'It seems he had a change of heart,' she observed.
Perhaps the confrontation with Axion had awakened a sense of camaraderie.
It was a welcome change.
"I know a great hole in the wall. I'm a regular there, so we'll get the best service," Remington led the way, energized.
As Theo followed, he considered the implications. 'This has completely severed Remington's ties with the Scaled Dragon Society. Will the future conflict between the Narcios and the Ragnars change as well?'
Predicting the future was impossible, even for him. Too many variables existed in the clash between the two clans.
But one thing was certain. A major thread of history had shifted ever so slightly.
'What if I could secure the Narcio Clan's support, a power almost rivaling the Ragnar Clan…'
Theo wanted to take that shifting thread and bend it to his will. However, in order to do that, he had to slowly carry out his plans and steadily build power.
And part of that power was right there.
"...."
Theo glanced up at the Camellia Palace. In the second floor storage room, a faint blue light seeped through the window cracks.
'I'm certain. That blue light… it's a signpost by the quests and messages.'
From the invitation to the storage room, the blue light pointed towards new events.
This meant he had to acquire the Camellia Palace, the source of that light.
'An alliance with Troivan was never an option. So what if I strike first…'
A nascent idea, still vague but promising, sparked in his mind.
'...and take over the Camellia Palace?'
It'd cost them an arm and a leg, knocking them down a few pegs.
He could manipulate another thread of history, make it dance to his tune.
A cold smile graced Theo's lips.
* * *
Camelia Palace
4th Floor
Quarters of Aimil, the 3rd wife
Smack!
The sound of a slap echoed in the room.
Being a common occurrence, the maids and butlers feigned ignorance, covering their ears and discreetly retreating.
"You incompetent fool! You not only lost face against that imbecile, but you even lost your men as well?!"
Aimil glared at her useless second son, her face flushed with rage.
Axion nodded, a bright red handprint stark against his left cheek.
"Yes, Mother."
"That's all you have to say…!" Aimil raised her hand again.
However, she paused, taking a deep breath to regain her composure.
She then continued, "I've told you countless times how crucial this operation is to your uncle. I don't care what that lowborn Theo Ragnar does. The only thing we need is the Rose Palace, nothing else."
"...."
"But now, that little wretch of the Rose Palace will be on high alert. There are now considerably more variables to factor in."
Aimil's eyes shifted, cold and heartless.
"Go to your room and reflect on your actions, my son. You need to understand how close you came to ruining everything with your foolish games."
"…I'll keep that in mind," Axion replied with a stoic face.
He then bowed his head curtly and exited Aimil's quarters.
Fwip!
Aimil opened her fan, cooling her flushed face.
"He can be so clever. Who does he take after with that impulsiveness? Tsk!"
"He's just like you, Lady of the Camellia Palace, in your youth," a shadow silently approached from behind.
Unfazed, Aimil glared at the newcomer, "That's not very humorous, dear big brother."
"You seem agitated, my lady. I have some exquisite aroma candles I recently acquired from the Akran Volcanic Region in the south. I'll leave it as a gift for you. Enjoy their scent while you bathe. It will soothe your nerves."
Aimil chuckled at her twin brother Ed's words.
This was why she couldn't truly despise her mischievous twin. He understood her better than her own husband.
"And I believe this incident might actually be beneficial," said Ed.
"How so?"
"The Rose Palace, as the clan head's harem, has always been a difficult acquisition. But what if Theo Ragnar were to rise to prominence there?"
Aimil's eyes gleamed, "That imbecile could become the Lord of the Rose Palace."
"Precisely. If that happens, when we take Theo Ragnar down, all the servants and wives of the Rose Palace will have to bow down to the Camellia Palace," Ed smiled, "and we can eliminate that troublesome commoner at the same time."
Aimil's expression softened.
The reason they had yet been unable to acquire the Rose Palace was because Cecilia had been a constant obstacle.
Eliminating her alongside Theo would be immensely satisfying.
This event had not been as disadvantageous for them as she initially thought.
Aimil looked at Ed, a calculating glint in her eyes. "I presume you're already prepared?"
"By the time you're awake tomorrow morning, there shall be good news awaiting you."
"As expected of you, brother. This is why I adore you."
Aimil embraced Ed, and he responded by patting her back.
But in stark contrast to his affectionate actions, his eyes were anything but.
***
Remington grimaced for the first time in front of Theo.
"...Young master Theo, did you not say we'd have an afterparty?"
"Yes. And you chose the location, Remmy."
"But doesn't 'afterparty' usually involve drinks?"
Remington stared at the glass laid in front of him. Bright orange juice with some ice cubes. The straw sticking out seemed to mock him.
This wasn't alcohol. It was a beverage from the kid's menus. Meant for little children who came with their parents.
The bartender and Evelyn's faces were flushed red from trying to hold in their laughter.
"We're underage. The Scaled Dragon Society has the wrong idea."
"But this is a pub."
"That doesn't change the fact that we are underage."
"...."
"Not to mention, it tastes great," Theo sipped his grape juice through the straw, not seeing the issue.
The bartender bowed, deeming it an honor.
Remington turned his head, his eyes pleading for assistance.
However, Evelyn was now loudly cackling and on the verge of doubling over.
Remington let out a deep sigh.
No wonder Theo had never suggested going out to party before.
He wasn't particularly fond of alcohol either, but in books, friendships seemed to always be forged over drinks…
This felt wrong. His romanticized imaginings were being crushed.
But Theo was right. And so, Remington had no choice but to also enjoy his juice alongside Theo, sipping it through a straw.
But then out of the blue, the door of the pub swung wide open.
Slam!
"Welcome!" the bartender greeted.
Twenty swordsmen, reeking of sweat, burst through the door.
They were familiar faces.
"So, in our spar today, if I had changed my stance like this, maybe I could have won."
"You're so full of it for having lost."
"You're such a dick. I'll show you tomorrow—huh?"
"Huh? Sir Remington? What are you doing here with the Instructor…? Whoa! Young Master?!"
"What's the Young Master doing here?!"
"I thought he was at a fancy dinner."
They were his sparring partners from Training Ground #4, his companions for the past three months.
Like Remington, it seemed they were also familiar with this place.
"We just sort of ended up here," Remington explained.
"Oh, well, in that case, let's celebrate together!" one of them suggested.
However, the group glanced at Theo. They seemed eager to join but also hesitant.
They seemed to be overly conscious of Theo.
「They were sad that you and Remington went to a fancy dinner without them. To compensate, they decided to go out drinking by themselves.」
Evelyn explained to Theo through sound telepathy.
Theo's eyes widened in realization. 'I guess I've been neglecting them too much.'
This was what Evelyn wanted to impart to Theo. She wanted him to relax a little.
Theo guessed that she likely planned this with Remington.
'I didn't intend to be so distant...'
Theo was both grateful and amazed that they were going out of their way to open up to him.
He then nodded to the group, signaling that it was okay for them to join in.
Cheers erupted as the sparring partners grabbed tables and chairs, transforming the pub into a lively party.
It was a far more enjoyable and comfortable gathering than the Scaled Dragon Society.
***
There wasn't much to the party.
It was mostly filled with each of them sharing their own stories.
Story of dreaming of being a high-rank swordsman, only to fall behind due to a lack of talent.
Story of putting away their swords from the trauma of losing a comrade in a mission.
Story of crumbling under the expectations and pressure put on by their family.
And so on…
Their stories were rife with regret and broken dreams.
Theo listened intently, finding solace and connection in their shared experiences and perseverance. He wasn't the only one to have lived a tough life.
'I guess life isn't all that different for most. The only difference between me and them is our circumstances.'
He felt a newfound closeness to them.
The sparring partners also seemed finally relaxed around him, their initial unease gone.
The party continued, past the second and third rounds, stretching into the early morning hours.
"Ugh… I can't drink anymore."
"No more…"
"Help…"
They were all plastered beyond help.
Only Theo and Remington remained sober.
Chomp, chomp!
Remington bitterly chewed on his straw. He lost count of how many cups of orange juice he drank.
'I wanted to have fun… I wanted to be the life of the party…' Remington thought regretfully.
This was the downside of hanging out with Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes.
As he grumbled, Theo chuckled, "You seem unhappy."
"...What can I do? I'm underage."
"After the Awakening Ceremony."
"...?"
"Let's have a drink then. The clan laws don't explicitly prohibit it after that."
Remington couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
Theo was surprisingly adept at handling people.
"All right. It's a promise."
"Also, I actually wanted to ask you a favor, which is why I told you not to drink."
"A favor?" Remington tilted his head.
Theo rarely asked for anything.
Seeing the seriousness in Theo's expression, Remington's eyes narrowed.
"It must be something important."
Remington's gaze sharpened, reminiscent of the 'Lion of the Snowfield' title he would earn in the future.
This, Theo thought, was the true nature of Remington.
"Axion and I will have a Battle for the Throne soon. It'll culminate around the Awakening Ceremony."
"...!"
Remington couldn't help but straighten up.
Battle for the Throne.
Within the Ragnar Clan, no words carried more weight.
"I'll win, of course. But I need your assistance with something."
"What is it that you…!"
Just then…
"Theo Ragnar."
Bang!
The pub door flew open, almost breaking it.
Swordsmen clad in yellow armor stormed in.
All the patrons paled. They were the Swords of Law, known as Wintera's Grim Reapers.
"You are under arrest for intimidation, threats, violence, and inciting insurrection."