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Not far from the Vasque Workshop.

Ray stood on a tree overlooking the representative’s office and let out a sigh of relief.

When Theo had grabbed the Moon-White Sword, it had looked dangerous, and she had thought about stepping in.

Fortunately, it seemed like Theo had taken care of it well on his own.

‘I really want to help somehow…’

Just as Theo had helped her during their childhood, she wanted to be of assistance to him, which is why she had followed him.

But no matter how hard she observed, there didn’t seem to be an opportunity for her to intervene.

‘Let’s follow him just a bit longer.’

With that thought, Ray moved once more.

Swish-

Like a lie, her body disappeared, concealed by the shadows.

* * *

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

The carriage carrying Theo and Cecilia was on its way back to Camellia Palace.

“At least we were able to get a decent sword. I was worried that she might turn us down because she was busy.”

Cecilia let out a sigh of relief, and Theo smiled faintly.

It was a completely different sight from when she had complained to Majang Kirsion about selling them a defective product.

Theo was beginning to understand his mother’s true self.

Cecilia, in reality, had this gentle side to her.

She had simply been forced to show a more fierce and strong-willed demeanor in order to protect her son.

All this time, her only son had misunderstood her.

“Thanks to you, Mother, I was able to secure it easily. I’m grateful.”

“What are you saying, my son? It’s only natural for a mother to support her child in every possible way when they have a major event ahead.”

Despite her words, Cecilia couldn’t hide her delight at Theo’s gratitude, a smile spreading across her face.

“Luckily, they said they’d craft it under Majang’s name this time, so let’s look forward to that.”

Theo nodded, and without realizing it, he let out a small chuckle.

“What’s so amusing?”

“Oh, I was just reminded of how Mother… negotiated with Majang…”

“You can just call her Grandmother.”

“…I was thinking about how you bargained with Grandmother.”

Cecilia crossed her arms and gave a light snort.

“Isn’t it a matter of reaping what one sows? After all, she gave you something like that as a birthday present, even though I specifically asked her to pay extra attention since it was for her grandson. If she wants to make up for that, she should really do her ‘best,’ don’t you think?”

‘Thanks to that, it seems like Grandmother, who loves her money, is going to have to tighten her purse strings for a while, doesn’t it?’

Theo recalled the scene of Cecilia persistently nitpicking at Kirsion.

– Your best effort? So, these things you gave me last year weren’t your best work, were they, Mother?”

– I will make it with all my might.

When Kirsion spoke with confidence, Cecilia, with a piercing gaze, pointed out that fact.

Kirsion was flustered.

– Ah, that’s…!

– I had a feeling it was of poor quality. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.

– No, that’s not what I meant!

– What do you mean ‘not’? This won’t do, my son. Get up immediately. Let’s go somewhere else.

Kirsion, who had intended to proudly present Theo with an excellent sword, now found himself having to offer a weak excuse.

Cecilia was throwing a fit, claiming she hadn’t received a proper sword once again.

As a result, Kirsion had no choice but to desperately try to calm her down.

– Where are you planning to go at this hour?

– There’s the Turkan Trading Company and the Georg Workshop not far from here. I was thinking of going there.

– Why on earth would you go to those inferior places!

Turkan and Georg were both workshops often compared to the Vasque Workshop.

Naturally, Kirsion jumped up in protest.

– At least those ‘inferior’ places won’t hand over faulty goods to my son!

– It’s not that it’s faulty…!

– Well, we’ll see about that.

– The sword… Right! You need a sword for the Blossoming Ceremony, don’t you? Even if you go somewhere else now, you won’t be able to find anything satisfactory.

– We’ll see about that.

– All the workshops are swamped with orders, working day and night. How are you going to find a treasure sword? Just accept the one I’m offering you…

– No. I think I’ll manage to find something.

– No, I’m telling you, that’s impossible!

– Have you forgotten already, Mother? My son defeated one of the Four Lords of the North, didn’t he? And if word gets out that he’s been chosen by the legendary Moon-White Sword… wouldn’t everyone be scrambling to give him a sword?

– …!

– He’ll practically be a walking advertisement.

Kirsion’s pupils trembled violently as her true intentions were laid bare.

– That’s what you were aiming for, wasn’t it, Mother? Am I wrong?

At that moment, Kirsion realized something.

The adopted daughter she had raised wasn’t just beautiful.

She was so much like herself that it made Kirsion wonder if they were related by blood.

In the end, Kirsion had no choice but to raise both hands and surrender.

– …Fine. I’ll make you a ‘proper’ sword.

– Good. Now we’re finally negotiating.

– …Do you have any… specific conditions?

– Why should my son and I be the ones to state the terms?

– …What?

– The side that’s at a disadvantage should make the first offer.

– ……

In the end, it was only after Kirsion had been thoroughly pushed around by Cecilia that she finally managed to escape the hell of negotiations.

‘Even if others begged for it, they wouldn’t be able to get their hands on Majang’s sword… She really is incredible, even if she is my mother.’

The specifications Cecilia had wrung out for the treasure sword were quite simple.

60% Snow White Ore and 34% Blackwood.

And.

‘6% Adamant.’

He had been utterly shocked when he heard those words.

‘No matter how much of a Majang she is, I never thought she’d have Adamant in her possession.’

Adamant was an ultra-metal that could only be extracted in minute quantities from meteorites that had fallen from space.

Its most notable feature was that, unless processed in a very specific way, it couldn’t be broken or melted by any means.

This is why people said that even a small amount of Adamant in a sword elevated it beyond the level of a “treasure sword” to that of a “divine sword.”

And yet, she had demanded 6%, not even 0.6%.

At this point, it was practically extortion.

– Don’t like it? Then forget it.”

Even as Kirsion desperately pleaded, Cecilia didn’t bat an eye and gracefully prepared to leave.

In the end, Kirsion completely surrendered, collapsing in defeat.

‘That sword will soon be mine.’

However, Kirsion mentioned that crafting a sword of such caliber wouldn’t take just a day or two; even if she worked all night, it would take at least a week.

With the Blossoming Ceremony beginning in five days, it was unfortunate.

‘But it’s fine. The first part of the Blossoming Ceremony is done with a standard iron sword given at the exam. I’ll be able to use it from the second part onward.’

Theo’s fingers were already tingling with excitement at the thought of Majang’s treasure sword in his hands.

Wuuuuuuung!

As if displeased by Theo’s excitement, the Moon-White Sword hanging at his waist let out a rough hum.

* * *

“…Damn it. That little brat’s going to break my back. They say raising children is useless. Ugh, ugh!”

After Theo and Cecilia had left, Kirsion began to wail.

Not only had she lost the Moon-White Sword, but the roof had practically flown off, leaving her to work in the cold wind for the time being.

To top it all off, her daughter had snatched away a treasure she cherished even more than the Moon-White Sword.

But there was no way she could refuse.

If Theo really received support from Turkan or Georg and ended up taking the top spot at the Blossoming Ceremony…

Then, naturally, rumors about Cecilia and Kirsion’s past relationship would start spreading, and there would be no way for her to escape the stigma of being labeled as “the fool who couldn’t even recognize her own grandson’s talent.”

What had begun as an attempt to secure a walking advertisement had now backfired spectacularly.

Still, Kirsion thought she could somehow manage.

After all, the amount of materials needed to craft a normal-sized sword was relatively predictable.

But then.

Just as Theo and Cecilia were about to leave, Theo had dropped a bombshell.

– I’d like a Zweihander, please.

– …What?

– The size should be about 2 meters and 30 centimeters. The thickness… around the width of a finger should do. And as for the sharpness…

– You thieving little bastards!

The problem was that Theo’s request far exceeded what Kirsion had anticipated.

At that size, the sword was essentially a solid slab, which would require a massive amount of Snow White Ore, Blackwood, and Adamant.

(E/n:She’s right, that is almost impractically huge, most greatswords irl don’t even reach 2m)

Kirsion would have to open her emergency vault.

“Not just the kid, but now even the grandson—what kind of person asks for something like that?”

Grit, grit!

Her teeth ground together with fury, but the ship had already sailed. There was no undoing the deal now.

Huuuu—

Kirsion frowned as she slumped back into her chair, exhaling thick plumes of smoke.

“At least it’s not a completely unreasonable request…”

Her gaze shifted to the materials laid out on the table.

They were the items Theo had asked her to use in the sword if necessary.

Fangs and claws from a Lesser Drake.

And they were top-grade, without a single scratch.

‘He must’ve acquired these while obtaining that artifact.’

What would happen if these materials were incorporated into the sword she was about to make?

Even after living for centuries, Kirsion was certain this would become one of the masterpieces she could count on one hand.

For years, she had stifled her artisan’s instincts, burying them deep beneath her role as a loyal slave to capitalism. But now, she could feel those instincts stirring again.

“The design’s already forming in my mind. Ha! This is ridiculous.”

Though Kirsion wore a bitter smile, she was already thinking about where she’d put her hammer.

“……”

Suddenly, Kirsion’s expression froze, turning cold as her gaze shifted toward the window.

Flutter, flutter!

A small lark with jet-black feathers landed beneath the gently swaying curtains.

An unusual lark, covered head to toe in dark feathers.

Chirp! Chirp chirp!

「It’s been a while, Majang.」

Kirsion heard a voice echoing in her ears.

It was telepathy magic.

“Not really.”

「You’re still as cold as ever.」

“If you’re going to spout nonsense, get lost. I’m in a rare good mood today, and I’d rather not have you ruin it.”

「Seems like you had some welcome guests?」

The lark chuckled as it glanced at the gaping hole in the roof.

Its gaze lingered on the traces left behind by the aura that had swept through.

Accidents in the blacksmith district were no trivial matter, especially to the House of Ragnar, as such incidents could easily escalate into major disasters. There was also the risk of weapon production being halted midway.

“One of the master artisans blew something up while conducting research. I’ve already ordered disciplinary action. Satisfied? And.”

Kirsion’s eyebrow arched.

“If you’re here to poke around for information, I’ve already told you to leave.”

The lark’s eyes returned to Kirsion.

「Fine. I’ll ask just one thing before I go. Have you given it any thought?」

“Thought?”

「Yes. About the artifact I mentioned before.」

“Oh, that? Still not interested. I’ve lost all care for it now.”

「…….」

“What? Why?”

「The artifact that was with you… never mind. Forget it.」

Kirsion, tired of the conversation, waved her hand dismissively with the pipe still in her grip. The lark, about to say something, closed its beak tightly instead.

Any further discussion would be a waste of time.

Forcing her into submission wouldn’t be easy either. She wasn’t someone, or rather, an elf, who could be captured so easily.

「…I’ll come back another time.」

The lark shot Kirsion a sharp look before flapping its wings and disappearing.

Left alone.

Kirsion bit down on her pipe, grumbling.

“Honestly, there’s not a single thing about this damn place I like. If only I didn’t have that good-for-nothing daughter… Ugh!”

* * *

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the day of the Blossoming Ceremony.

Theo was going over the final checks with Evelyn.

Cha-cha-cha-chang!

Cha-cha-cha-chang!

“Your swordsmanship has become much stronger and faster overall.”

“Does that mean it’s also become more refined? That’s good to hear. Even got a compliment from you, Evelyn.”

“But that could also mean you’re becoming trapped in more conventional forms. You’ll need to watch out for that.”

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

From an outsider’s perspective, it looked as if Theo and Evelyn were engaged in a real, life-or-death sword fight.

But for Theo and Evelyn, their conversation carried on casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“Seriously…”

“They’re not human…”

Sybil and his followers, watching the intense duel, shook their heads in disbelief.

Over the past six months, the gap between them and Theo had grown immensely.

Even though they had been training day and night, putting in their best efforts, Theo’s rate of growth was simply on a different level.

Even for someone from the House of Ragnar, it seemed impossible to achieve what Theo had.

Clang!

At that moment, a sharp clash rang out as Theo and Evelyn separated widely from each other.

Evelyn glanced down at her sword, trembling in her grip, before silently sheathing it.

Theo had become strong enough to ‘push her back.’

And once his magic power was fully unleashed?

A monster… would be born.

Evelyn trembled slightly, eager to witness that monster sooner rather than later.

“You’ve worked hard all this time. I hope you achieve great results in the Blossoming Ceremony that starts today.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Evelyn. I appreciate it.”

At Theo’s words, Evelyn felt her nose tingle slightly.

“…No. It’s I who should be thanking you.”

Evelyn’s words were sincere.

She had once lost her sword, both physically and emotionally, after losing her right arm. But thanks to Theo, she had picked it up again.

Now, it even felt strange to be without a sword by her side.

“If I manage to take the top spot, I’ll make sure to mention your name in my speech. Just so you know.”

“That’s…!”

Evelyn, flustered and blushing, started to stammer, but before she could respond, Sybil suddenly cut in.

“Master Theo! After Evelyn, please mention my name as well!”

“Me too! Please include me!”

“What about me? Don’t I deserve a mention?”

As the followers clamored to be included, the scene turned chaotic, and Theo burst into laughter.

“Alright. I’ll make sure to do that.”

With the Moon-White Sword and his training iron sword at his waist, and the temporary Zweihander strapped to his back, Theo left the training ground.

He could hear the cheers and encouragements of his followers, all urging him to take the top spot in the ceremony.

It had been exactly six months since his regression.