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suddenly, a voice secretly crept into his ear.

「You, you’re a regressor, aren’t you?」

“……!”

In that instant, Theo felt his whole body stiffen.

A regressor.

A secret he intended to take to his grave.

Theo’s gaze urgently shifted to one side.

Toward the section where the higher-ups were seated.

A woman was smiling slyly as she looked in his direction.

Even though she was mixed in with the crowd, it felt as if she alone existed in a different world.

Hilda Ragnar.

The head of the Ragnar family two generations prior was staring right at him!

Thump thump thump thump-

It was at that moment.

Ding!

[A quest has arrived.]

+

[Tutorial Quest #18]

Uncover the hidden secret of the family, resolve all the questions you’ve been harboring, and complete the tutorial.

· Difficulty: S

· Reward: 1 Coin

· Failure: ■■

This is the final tutorial quest.

+

Thump thump thump thump!

The quest that suddenly appeared only made Theo’s heart race even faster.

The final tutorial quest.

Just from reading it, he understood clearly.

Facing Hilda was the key to unraveling the final mystery behind his regression and the messages he had been receiving.

‘Calm down, calm down.’

Theo took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth.

「I… I don’t know what you mean.」

Theo desperately tried to hide the cold sweat trickling down his face.

「Oh, so you still want to hide the truth, even now? I don’t know what kind of life you lived in your previous round, but your acting is top-notch. Truly top-notch.」

「…….」

‘Round? What does that mean? Is there a set number of regressions or reincarnations?’

His mind became more and more entangled.

But one thing he was starting to understand.

Hilda knew nothing about his previous life.

「Why don’t you just come clean? There’s no point in hiding it till the end. We won’t make any progress in our conversation that way.」

Hilda’s smile deepened.

And with that, Theo’s thoughts became even more muddled.

How on earth should he respond?

“Theo Ragnar? What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”

At that moment, the inquisitor touched Theo’s shoulder, looking at him with concern.

Theo had stopped right before naming his nominee, which naturally raised suspicions.

“Could I… Could I have a moment to gather my thoughts?”

“Hmm. Indeed, it must be quite complicated for you. But, as I mentioned before, there are still others waiting, so don’t take too long.”

“Thank you.”

Theo lowered his head slightly and once again glanced towards Hilda.

「How did you know?」

In the end, Theo decided not to hide the truth.

No matter what excuse he made, it wouldn’t work on someone like Hilda.

In that case, facing it head-on was the best option.

However—

「Well, it’s because I’m also a regressor.」

Her response was even more shocking.

「…!」

「It’s not that difficult for us to recognize each other, is it?」

「…….」

「Though, my permitted rounds have all ended.」

Hilda shrugged her shoulders.

‘Rounds… she mentioned it again.’

Theo’s eyes sank deeply.

Thump thump thump thump!

Meanwhile, his heart was pounding even harder.

「Are you saying there’s a limit to how many times one can regress?」

「Who knows?」

「……?」

「Hm?」

Just as he was wondering what she meant by that,

Hilda tilted her head, as if something suddenly seemed off to her.

「Wait a minute. Don’t tell me… you didn’t hear anything from Kyle?」

「I don’t know why my father is being mentioned here.」

「Ha! You’re going to play it like that? Suddenly? That man, who’s obsessed with regressors, didn’t say a single word to you? There’s no way.」

Hilda crossed her arms with a puzzled expression.

「Or… could it be? Ha! Look at this kid. Trying to play mind games with me?」

She muttered something unintelligible, then looked back at Theo.

「Well, to put it simply, there’s still so much we don’t know about the power of regression. Its activation principles, the specific conditions, or even the reasons behind its use. The only thing that’s known is that it’s somehow tied to the relics of the Ancient Dragon or this damned body of Ragnar.」

One word stuck in Theo’s ear.

The relics of the Ancient Dragon.

‘As expected, the effect of the first relic I unknowingly possessed was regression. But for it to be related to the body? What does that mean? Is this also connected to the family secret mentioned in the quest?’

The corner of Hilda’s mouth curled up.

「You seem to have a lot of questions.」

「To be honest… yes. There’s too much I don’t know.」

「I see. Is that so?」

Hilda’s smile deepened.

Whisper whisper—

As the conversation between Hilda and Theo dragged on, murmurs began to rise among the onlookers.

「Well, it seems this isn’t the place to continue this conversation. We’ll talk later.」

Without specifying when they’d meet again, Hilda abruptly disappeared.

“……”

Theo felt as though he had just experienced a long daydream in an instant.

‘But soon, I will uncover all these secrets. Not just the message, but also about my father and Lodbrok.’

For now, he decided to focus on the task at hand until Hilda arrived.

Thinking this, Theo composed himself again and said,

“I…”

At last, he could voice his choice.

* * *

Theo’s decision sent ripples throughout the room, stirring not only the senior officials but also the Nine Dragons.

“I choose the Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall.”

And soon after, Wellington, who followed next, caused yet another uproar with his Designation.

– Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall? What is that? Does Winterer even have such a place?

– What are you talking about! It’s that place, the Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall!

– That place? Where exactly?

– The academy run by the Upsurging Dragon!

– Ah!

– How could you forget that, you fool!

Around ten years ago, Kyle had personally established an institute to coax the Upsurging dragon out of seclusion.

The Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall.

Kyle had permitted the creation of the ‘academy,’ suggesting that it would be lonely in his old age and that he should take on some disciples. However, the Upsurging dragon ignored the idea, making it practically defunct.

Now, it had been revived.

– Wait, doesn’t that mean he’s become the Upsurging dragon’s disciple?

– Probably the only disciple, too… And that position went to Narcio’s heir?

– What does this mean? Is the Upsurging dragon’s secret art going to Narcio?

– Is that even allowed?

– The secret art of a great house being passed down to a vassal family? Surely, it can’t be! Then again, wasn’t the Upsurging dragon never part of Ragnar to begin with?

Speculations swirled around the room.

Wellington looked at the arbiter, who smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

With that, it became certain.

– The Upsurging dragon has finally come out of seclusion!

This too was a shocking development.

“The next, Erika Ranke!”

When Erika’s name was called, Wellington swapped places with her, and as he stepped down, his eyes met Theo’s.

“Congratulations.”

“It’s… only thanks to the fact that Master has favored me. Thank you.”

Wellington seemed uncomfortable with the word ‘Master,’ as if it had yet to settle naturally on his lips.

“But aren’t you going to ask? Why I didn’t follow Sir Theo?”

He asked playfully, smiling mischievously.

Theo chuckled in response.

“I think I already know.”

“What do you think it is?”

“The same reason as during the second evaluation, isn’t it?”

Wellington smiled as well, as if glad Theo understood him.

“That’s right. I still believe I will surpass Sir Theo in my own way.”

“Did you see that path in the Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall?”

“Yes.”

Wellington’s eyes gleamed.

Theo could see a new world reflected in his gaze.

Not just a world of Ragnar and Narcio, but something beyond that.

What kind of world had the Upsurging dragon shown him?

“I wish you success.”

“And I wish you good fortune as well, Sir Theo.”

Theo and Wellington exchanged wishes of luck as they passed each other.

‘History has changed again.’

In fact, Wellington becoming the disciple of the Upsurging dragon had never happened in his previous life.

Back then, as soon as the Blossoming Ceremony ended, Wellington returned to the Narcio family and steadily prepared to become the head of the family. Once he became the head, he promptly initiated a rebellion against Ragnar.

But this time was different.

He had grown closer to Theo and had become more deeply intertwined with Ragnar.

No one could predict how this new path would unfold.

However, there was one thing Theo was certain of.

The ripple he had caused was now beginning to create a significant change.

And it was something he could no longer control.

It would be great if everything went as planned, but people were never puppets on a stage.

Everyone had their own capacities and dreams.

They moved to find new paths for the sake of those dreams.

‘Just like me.’

Theo couldn’t help but smile, feeling as though he could see a massive wave of destiny unfolding before his eyes.

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

His heart pounded wildly in anticipation.

* * *

The Designation ceremony came to an end.

Wellington headed to the Upsurging Dragon Hall Hall, and Ray returned to the Restoration Palace, where she had originally been.

Ray, in particular, had been very reluctant to part with Theo.

“If you get bored, come visit Camellia Palace anytime.”

“Can… can I really?”

“Of course. We’re siblings, after all. And friends too.”

“Fri… ends. Right. We’re friends.”

Only after hearing Theo’s words did Ray finally smile and leave.

And then,

There were still some who couldn’t let go of their lingering feelings toward Theo.

“You’ll regret this.”

The first to approach was Ed.

“Axion said the same thing.”

“……”

“I doubt I’ll ever walk the same path as Sir Soaring dragon.”

“……See you next time.”

Ed glared fiercely at Theo before leaving.

Next came the Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace.

“It’s a shame we won’t be together. Such a shame.”

“I’m sorry for giving you a less-than-ideal answer as well.”

“You saw your dream in ‘him,’ didn’t you?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

After hearing Theo’s firm response, the regret in the Mistress of plum Blossom Palace’s eyes faded away.

Instead, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

“Alright. If that’s your stance, then so be it. As long as there’s no resentment left between you, me, and the Plum Blossom Palace, that’s what matters. Relationships can always be rebuilt.”

“……?”

“Well then, I’ll see you again.”

Somehow, her “see you again” felt more specific compared to Ed’s parting words.

But the Mistress of plum Blossom Palace left with a mysterious smile, leaving Theo slightly puzzled.

After several rounds of such encounters had passed,

“All new recruits, gather under the White Flag!”

Theo moved towards the white flag upon hearing the assembly order.

The flag bore the emblem of a white dragon roaring with a sword in its mouth.

‘That’s… the insignia I’ll wear on my left chest from now on.’

Thump-thump!

For some reason, it made him feel like he was reliving a childhood dream.

“Ahem! Ahem, ahem!”

Just then, Holcus approached Theo with a series of awkward throat clearings.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem! W-what a… surprise! W-what’s… going on…? Theo… you’re… here… too? Ha, ha, ha! What a… coincidence… ha, ha, ha!”

“……?”

Holcus extended his hand stiffly, his attempt at greeting painfully awkward, as if he were reading straight from a textbook.

“What are you talking about? We were just together at the Designation ceremony.”

“Ha… ha… ha… right. T-that’s… what I said?”

“……??”

Theo’s face was covered in question marks.

Sigh! Erika, standing nearby, covered her face with her hand and let out a deep sigh.

“This idiot… seriously. Theo, just ignore him. He’s just excited to see you.”

Theo found it odd seeing the usually confident Holcus acting so strange, but he simply nodded, assuming there must be a reason.

At the same time, another thought crossed his mind.

These siblings had returned to their family in his previous life.

But this time, they had chosen Ragnar’s unit.

Like Wellington, what kind of wind was blowing in their hearts this time?

Pushing those questions aside—

“The captain is coming. Everyone, attention!”

At the flag bearer’s shout, Theo and the Ranke siblings turned their attention to one side.

Step, step, step.

Julius was walking towards them.