Chapter 77: The Joint Exhibition (2)
“You seem to be in quite a good mood.”
After all the training was over.
Theo, a bit exhausted, stepped out of the training grounds of the Plum Blossom Palace, and Lang Frence was waiting for him outside.
Natasha was nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, do I? Actually, I’m pretty tired from all the back-to-back training...”
“For someone who says they’re tired, the smile on your lips hasn’t left. Haha.”
Theo scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.
After all, Lang was right.
Even though his body was exhausted, his mood was far fresher than ever before.
He had received hints about many secret arts, martial techniques, and realizations that had previously been locked in his mind, unable to understand them.
Even just reviewing what he learned today would help him see a new path.
“I’m grateful to you, Lord Theo.”
Lang, who had been watching Theo with satisfaction, suddenly bowed respectfully.
Theo was startled, wondering why Lang was acting this way, but Lang continued speaking.
“You may not know, but ever since the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace first saw you at the Central Hall and after guiding you through Full Blooming Plum Blossom, she has been smiling much more often.”
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
“So, please continue taking good care of her.”
“Ah, yes, of course...”
Theo, caught off guard, bowed his head while awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
‘It seems like he naturally assumes I’ve already become her disciple. What should I say?’
Lang’s loyalty to the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace seemed exceptionally strong, making it hard for Theo to speak carelessly at that moment.
“Are you Theo Ragnar, the new recruit of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry?”
Step—
Suddenly, a group of about a dozen people appeared in front of Theo.
In an instant, Theo’s eyes sharpened.
Among the group, there were familiar faces.
Felix.
“And what if I am?”
However, Felix, who had his neck shrunk like a turtle, was merely blended into the group, and the real leader was someone else.
Theo knew exactly who she was.
A woman with long hair cascading down to her feet, her cold eyes piercing.
Hazel Copel.
A direct descendant of the Copel family, one of the Six Snow Families, and a practical sword master who had entered the Plum Blossom Palace in pursuit of the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace’s sword techniques.
‘In the original timeline, she was the one who became the true “first” disciple of the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace, surpassing Felix.’
Her skills and talent were remarkable, and later, she even became the right hand of one of the five main candidates for succession.
It wasn’t hard to figure out why she had appeared now.
‘She must think I’ve taken her place. Just like Felix. Is she here to pick a fight?’
The head butler, Lang, found the unfolding situation so interesting that he quietly stepped back to watch. He showed no intention of intervening.
“Your words are curt. I don’t see any respect for your superior.”
Hazel, displeased with Theo’s blunt response, frowned as she scanned him up and down.
Tsk—
Theo let out a cold sneer, finding the situation absurd.
“Superior? To whom?”
“What?”
“You’re not even my direct superior, so why should I care?”
Hazel’s face hardened in an instant.
“You arrogant bastard, you’ve been pushing it too far!”
*Cha-cha-chang!*
The swordsmen next to Hazel, enraged, drew their swords in unison.
Meanwhile, Felix, who had already been beaten by Theo once before, turned pale with fear.
A cold killing intent flickered in Theo’s eyes.
“You understand what it means to draw your sword, right?”
“What nonsense are you spou—!”
The one who first shouted tried to say something more, but—
Hazel and the other swordsmen gasped in disbelief. Even Lang, standing nearby, couldn’t hide his shock.
* * *
“How was your meeting with Theo?”
Natasha arrived at the now-empty training grounds where only the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace remained, looking around at the remnants of the training session.
The signs left behind were rather rough.
‘As expected of the 24 Forms of the Plum Blossom Sword... Has she already passed down all eight forms from the first half? That’s too fast.’
Considering it had taken Natasha over a month to master just the first half of the forms, Theo’s growth speed was extraordinary.
As expected, a smile played on the lips of the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace, who was gently touching a plum tree.
“It was enjoyable. Truly enjoyable.”
“At last, the successor to the Heavenly Dragon Sword Master has appeared. My deepest congratulations.”
Natasha bowed her head deeply.
The Heavenly Dragon Sword Master.
This was the hidden identity of the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace.
She was not originally from the House of Ragnar.
She was the inheritor of a secret martial art lineage passed down by a single individual since ancient times.
But the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace had been without a disciple or children for a long time, unable to find a worthy successor to carry on this legacy.
Naturally, Natasha assumed that Theo’s appearance meant he was destined to be her successor.
However—
“Originally, I had the same thought... but, haha! It seems I’ll need to find someone else for that role.”
Natasha’s eyes widened in shock at the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace’s words.
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying Theo Ragnar...!”
“He refused my offer again. Now that I think about it, this is the third time. He’s a stubborn child, without a doubt. Hahaha!”
Despite being rejected, the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace looked far from upset—she seemed positively amused.
Natasha, on the other hand, was completely bewildered.
“Why this time? This is unacceptable! I’ll go ask him directly.”
“No need for that.”
“But—!”
“He may not have become my disciple, but our bond hasn’t ended. In fact, I’d say it has deepened.”
“...?”
Natasha blinked, still unable to grasp the meaning behind the Lord’s words.
The sound of her laughter grew even louder.
– *I’m always grateful for your consideration, my Lady. But becoming your disciple would be difficult. I already have someone I regard as my master in my heart.*
– Oh dear...
– However...
Theo’s gaze from that moment remained vivid in her mind.
– May I honor you as another mother to me?
Another mother.
The Lord of Plum Blossom Palace couldn’t stop smiling.
It was only natural that she would prefer a mother-child relationship over a rigid master-disciple bond.
While fate had not granted her the joy of having a child of her own, the fact that she could now welcome a child in her heart brought her immense happiness.
– I have gained a child.
That realization filled the previously empty space in her heart to the brim.
The heat from the Blossoming Ceremony had barely cooled, and now this would likely become an even bigger issue.
From that point on, the five main candidates for succession would undoubtedly be on high alert.
*Hoo-rroo...!*
At that moment, the lark perched on Kyle’s shoulder chirped lightly.
“You’re recommending him too?”
Kyle looked at the lark with a surprised expression.
The bird nodded, continuing to chirp softly, *Hoo-rroo, hoo-rroo.*
“Indeed. That’s a good idea as well. Very well, let’s proceed with that.”
With that, Kyle stamped his approval seal heavily onto the two documents.
*Thud!*
– Approved.
“Alright then. You said with your own mouth that you’d challenge the throne. Whether you soar high or get crushed, that’s for you to prove.”
A white fang gleamed between Kyle’s parted lips as he grinned widely.