-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Theo Ragnar (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Traditional families or factions usually set the first mana sensitivity test for their disciples between the ages of five and ten.
But the Ragnar family was the opposite.
Fifteen.
They delayed it as much as possible, fearing that their overflowing talent might overwhelm them and consume them instead.
In its place, they tempered the body to its limits beforehand, building a foundation for the talent to awaken.
And the moment to open the Aura Hall like this was precisely the [Awakening Ceremony].
A grand ritual where initiates advanced to trainees.
Even in the Ragnar family, it was one of the major events where all direct and collateral branches turning fifteen, as well as the heirs of vassal families, were required to participate.
So, with the Awakening Ceremony five months away, Theo was absolutely not allowed to open his Aura Hall by principle.
That was Ragnar's "ancient tradition."
If he opened it and got caught?
Immediate execution—death by summary judgment.
But.
Five years from now, someone would shatter that tradition.
"Martial Monster Newitz."
A reclusive scholar holed up in some mountain village, quietly conducting his research.
He was Theo's master.
* * *
The Ragnar family prided themselves as the bloodline of an ancient dragon. But their breathing techniques differed from dragons, their mana operation differed from dragons, and their aura constructs differed from dragons...
The words Newitz suddenly threw into the world turned the Ragnar family upside down.
To summarize briefly:
-You guys claim to be dragon descendants? Then why do you mimic human mana usage instead of dragons?
-Are you lying?
Theo still remembered it vividly.
The family elders, who were usually so arrogant, all charging around like boars struck by lightning.
They couldn't even protest because it was true, so they just swallowed their rage.
In the end, all the Ragnar elders and patriarchs, along with the thirteen vassal heads, gathered to put their heads together.
To breathe "like dragons," wield mana "like dragons," and forge aura "like dragons," they birthed one secret art.
That was the [Dragon's Heart].
Traditionally, the Aura Hall was installed in the lower right abdomen, what Theo called the
But the Dragon's Heart was placed in the opposite direction from the dantian: the left chest, right at the heart.
Simply because dragons used their hearts as the core of their mana circuits to store energy.
The problem was that, unlike dragons who innately handled mana freely, the Ragnar family's swordsmen were ultimately human.
Attempting to install an Aura Hall in the heart caused many to fail to contain the rampaging mana, dying or becoming cripples.
In the end, the elder council ruled it "impossible" and disposed of the Dragon's Heart.
They judged it impossible to stabilize mana in a heart that thrashed without rest.
But.
"My master revived it instead."
Newitz obtained the shelved Dragon's Heart, refined it repeatedly, and successfully implanted it in Theo.
He sometimes called this new Dragon's Heart something else.
Aura Heart.
A second mana organ that resonated with the Aura Hall in the dantian.
-Dragons are dragons, humans are humans. Forcing them to fit is why it fails. Idiots.
He could still hear his master's booming laughter echoing in his ears.
Kehkehkeh...
"And that Aura Heart we made back then is here again?"
[Discovered past life's mana as additional reward based on evaluation.]
[Past life's mana is fully attributed to the newly born Aura Heart.]
Theo was utterly dumbfounded, not knowing how to take this.
Reincarnating or regressing was miraculous enough, but now his past life's Aura Heart was restored too, with his body young again?
'This is too good to be true?'
Of course, Theo had no intention of refusing a gift that fell from the sky.
In this era, the concept of Aura Heart didn't exist yet.
Meaning he could cultivate aura while evading the family's eyes as much as he wanted.
'This will be my hidden trump card.'
The mana accumulated from his past life was no small amount.
On the level of a typical 5th-class knight.
Enough to be called an "expert."
And if he opened the Aura Hall in his dantian too, operating two mana organs simultaneously.
If he achieved resonance for amplified power.
The explosive force would be beyond words.
'It's like having two engines installed.'
Plus, the Ragnar family's blessed warrior bones, which grew tougher the more they were tempered, never tiring.
No worries about the strain on his body from the explosive power.
"Alright, time to start real training?"
He wondered just how strong he could get by the Awakening Ceremony.
He was already getting excited.
* * *
"Young Master Theo, did you perhaps spill something on your clothes?"
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no. It's just that the clothes you usually wear suddenly started smelling sour and corroding... Ah! I-I don't mean you smell weird or anything...!"
"I know. No misunderstanding, don't worry. I was messing around in the kitchen last night making something to eat and spilled it on myself. Sorry about that."
"No! Why apologize? I didn't say it to make you say sorry...!"
Theo scratched the back of his head as he left the room.
'Circulating mana all night because cleaning the mana circuits was fun... I should prepare some disposable clothes next time.'
The Aura Heart, enhanced with his past life's mana, performed amazingly.
He kept operating mana to pioneer his mana circuits; it tired him physically, but the mana didn't deplete easily.
Thanks to that, he spent the night ceaselessly scouring his circuits and successfully built the 1st line.
In the process, massive waste from his acupoints and subtle meridians was expelled, ruining the clothes he wore.
Considering he'd focus on building and expanding lines like this for a while.
He definitely needed to mind his clothes while operating mana.
'Still, thanks to the Aura Heart—or maybe the initial mana volume—Aura Heart efficiency feels way better than in my past life. Perfect.'
Theo hummed lightly as he headed to the 4th training ground.
With mana circuits cleared and aura awakened, what next?
Swordsmanship training, naturally.
'This additional reward made things easier, but what the hell is this thing?'
Theo pondered while fiddling with the message still dominating his retina as he walked.
Receiving a good gift didn't erase the suspicion that had sprouted.
No, it sharpened it further.
There was no such thing as goodwill without strings in this world.
'It'll definitely demand something later.'
He had already received the next message.
[Tutorial Quest■ has arrived.]
+
[Tutorial Quest■ #2]
Temper your Aura Hall.
· Difficulty: E
· Reward: ■■■'s Nec■■
· On Failure: ■■
+
Temper the Aura Hall?
Did it mean mana cultivation, or tempering the body to hold aura?
'And so many characters are glitched. Like someone did it on purpose.'
That bred unease.
Specifically, the [Reward] and [On Failure] entries.
'Definitely not ordinary...'
Would these [Rewards] match the additional reward's caliber?
Then what about the [On Failure] penalty?
How dangerous would that be?
He couldn't sort his thoughts easily when—
"Ah, hello, Young Master! Have a great day!"
A maid suddenly rushed up, bowed deeply, and vanished. No chance to respond.
Theo was dumbfounded.
'...The maids are avoiding looking at my face more than usual today. Their cheeks are flushing too. Is something going on?'
* * *
"Yaaawn."
Evelyn yawned languidly while scratching her empty left shoulder vigorously.
Bored.
A thought that crossed her mind several times a day.
Maybe because she'd lived intensely as a senior swordswoman in her youth, managing the 4th training ground felt dreadfully dull.
'If I didn't have that guy to watch, I'd be in trouble. Big trouble.'
Her lifeline against mundane days, perhaps.
Lately, there was at least an entertaining spectacle.
Theo Ragnar.
Among the family head's many children, the quietest, most unassuming young master.
But Theo's name wasn't well-known only to elders or active swordsmen; among maids and butlers, he was quite famous.
No, hugely popular.
Unlike the arrogant, selfish other Ragnar bloodkin, his personality was just too good.
So Evelyn secretly liked Theo too.
Watching him was enjoyable.
But today, Theo's routine deviated slightly from usual.
The pre-dawn run was the same.
A month ago, he couldn't even complete one lap properly, but now he ran several laps effortlessly, earning a small gasp of admiration...
'Huh? The armory?'
Instead of returning to the palace, he headed to the shed attached to the training ground.
It held various weapons provided for novice and trainee swordsmen to practice with.
Theo meticulously inspected each practice weapon for quite a while.
He hefted them,
Swung them,
Gripped with both hands,
Assumed stances.
If a weapon didn't suit, he'd set it down and scrutinize the next for ages.
At first, Evelyn thought he was searching for one that fit him,
But even when he found seemingly perfect ones, he shook his head and put them back.
'What the heck is he doing? No clue.'
By the time his weapon hunt exceeded five hours, even Evelyn grew curious.
Then Theo rummaged the shed again intensely, eyes widening as he found something and hoisted it high.
Evelyn gasped upon seeing it.
"Zw-Zweihander?"
A greatsword about two meters long, weighing at least several dozen kilograms, in Theo's hands.
His face, reflected in the worn blade, beamed with a huge grin.
As if he'd unearthed hidden treasure.
* * *
"Th-Theo, sir?"
"What's that you're holding...?"
"Ah, don't mind it. Keep doing what you were."
As Theo walked, every swordsman and servant training in the 4th training ground gaped.
The shock of a boyish-faced youth dragging a two-meter-plus greatsword was immense.
'He's gonna use THAT? Before even the Awakening Ceremony?'
'But he's holding it...?'
'Even looks light?'
'Was Theo sir that strong?'
While onlookers erupted in shock and awe,
Whoosh, whoosh whoosh—
Theo swung the Zweihander through the air, gauging its balance.
'This is the one.'
Swinging the monstrous greatsword one-handed caused no real strain.
Proof that steady running had built his muscle and the completed Aura Heart had transformed his body.
His master had said it.
With a sturdy Dragon's Heart, next he needed a sword worthy of it.
The Zweihander fit perfectly.
Large, heavy.
And... massive.
Nothing better to push his body to the limit for rapid growth.
-I want to get stronger.
A fierce voice resounded from deep within his chest.
In this moment, Theo realized.
He'd ignored it, but this emotion, desire, impulse had waited desperately in a corner of his heart for him to call them, for so long.
And now, facing them head-on, they surged out, filling his body.
His worries about the message had vanished cleanly.
'Guess I am Ragnar blood after all.'
With that thought.
'Let's do this.'
"Huuu...!"
Theo took a deep breath, slowly raising the Zweihander.
He emptied his mind. Poured all focus into the sword in his hands.
Serene calm dominated his body.
Thump thump thump thump!
Conversely, his heart raced wilder than ever.
Blood and mana surging from the Aura Heart flowed through veins, infusing robust power everywhere.
And.
Boom!
Theo took his first step.