Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan - Chapter 45

Rumble rumble—

Dust exploded skyward.

Theo approached the collapsed Axion.

Axion was a bloody mess, breathing in shallow gasps with his eyes rolled back. He looked on the verge of death.

Vwoom, Vwoooom—

The White Moonlight Blade hummed, a low, insistent thrum, urging Theo to deliver the final blow. It resonated with a predatory hunger.

Theo’s eyes narrowed. Questions, unanswered in both lifetimes, haunted him.

Was it really Axion who harmed his mother? Was he part of the conspiracy that attacked the mansion in his past life?

But such questions were meaningless now. So, he silently raised the White Moonlight Blade.

“Stop right there!” a sharp voice cut through the air.

Four shadows descended.

Fwip! Shnnk!

Two landed between Theo and Axion, swords drawn. The other two rushed to Axion’s side.

Theo recognized them instantly. ‘Proctors from the Central Intelligence Bureau faction.’

At that moment, a notification chimed.

Ding!

[Quest Received.]

[Tutorial Quest #16

Break through the enemy’s protection and eliminate ‘Axion Ragnar’.

· Difficulty: B

· Reward: 1 Coin

· Penalty: ■■]

‘Another coin reward? And the objective is to eliminate Axion… It looks like I have to complete this.’

Despite the B-rank difficulty, Theo felt a strange sense of relief. He had no intention of sparing Axion anyway.

“What is the status of examinee Axion Ragnar?”

“Critical. I’m detecting mana reflux. He needs immediate transport to the infirmary,” the proctor checking Axion’s pulse stated, his voice trembling.

Axion’s condition was dire. Death was minutes away.

The severe injury of Axion Ragnar, renowned as the strongest of the 4 Hounds of the North, would have great repercussions if news of it got out. It was a potential disaster.

“Do you intend to obstruct me even though the exam isn’t over yet?”

Theo’s voice was cold, indifferent. Blocking his way, the proctors’ faces hardened.

“The purpose of this exam is to assess cooperation, strategy, and planning during demonic fiend hunts. Nowhere in the instructions did it say to kill your fellow comrades.”

Theo scoffed. Their motives were transparent.

“There’s also nothing in the rules that says we can’t fight,” Theo rebutted.

“What…?”

“And, if I remember correctly, the exam not only evaluates teamwork but also how teams gain an advantage in inter-team competition.”

“…Is that why you harmed examinee Axion?”

“It was merely a conflict arising from inter-team competition.”

“That doesn’t justify attempted murder.”

“I am a firm believer in not leaving loose ends, especially ones that’ll bite me later. This was merely a confirmation process.”

“The fight concluded in your and examinee Ray’s victory. Examinee Axion poses no further threat during the exam.”

“That is my judgment to make, not yours, sir.”

“What?!” the proctor scowled.

He was furious that a mere illegitimate examinee dared challenge his authority.

「Commander!」

Sound Telepathy from the subordinate holding Axion snapped him back to reality. Saving his lord’s nephew was the priority.

“Transport Examinee Axion Ragnar to the infirmary! Now!”

“Yes—!”

As the subordinate moved to lift Axion…

Slaaaaash!

The subordinate had no choice but to stumble back in shock.

A «Dragon’s Claw», projected from the White Moonlight Blade, slashed the ground before him, missing him by less than an inch.

“A clear resolution on this case hasn’t been reached. No one leaves until a decision is made,” Theo declared.

Fsssss…!

Theo lowered the steaming White Moonlight Blade, his eyes glaring cold.

The proctor’s face flushed with rage and snapped, “Judging incidents during the exam is a proctor’s right. Further objections must follow proper procedures after the exam concludes. Continued interference will result in disqualification for obstruction of duty and referral to the tribunal.”

The proctor thought that would be enough. There was no examinee that didn’t fear disqualification from the Awakening Ceremony.

As he signaled his subordinate to leave…

Fwoooo!

[‘Skill: Lesser Drake’s Fear’ confronts those with hostile intent.]

“You insolent brat!”

Theo’s killing intent, sharp and palpable, froze them in their tracks.

Shing, shing!

All four proctors drew their swords, intending to force their way past Theo.

“You call your biased intervention in the sacred Awakening Ceremony ‘duty’? You are all out of line,” Theo intensified his killing intent.

He wasn’t confronting them as an examinee but as an heir with succession rights.

“He’s right,” a voice declared, and three figures landed behind Theo.

Their presence was even more imposing than the Central Intelligence Bureau proctors.

‘The White-Armored Dragon Cavalry…!’ Theo recognized their affiliation instantly.

They radiated an aura similar to Julius—calm and vast like the sky, yet sharp and focused like a dragon.

“Selford! Do you intend to cross swords with us?!”

The white-haired proctor Selford sneered, “And what if I do? Didn’t you just claim judging incidents is a proctor’s right?”

“……!”

“I deem your intervention an abuse of authority, exceeding permissible limits. So, put him down and step back. Further objections must follow proper procedures after the exam.”

Tyrone, the Central Intelligence Bureau proctor, flushed crimson. His own words were used against him.

On top of that, Selford’s group wasn’t the only one challenging his judgment.

“We agree with Proctor Selford.”

Four more figures descended gracefully, as if petals falling in the wind.

They were proctors from the Plum Blossom Palace.

“Rules state that disagreements among proctors shall be resolved by a majority vote among those present,” Natasha, a Plum Blossom Palace proctor, surveyed Tyrone and his group with a chilling gaze.

She continued, “Proctor Selford’s argument holds more weight. I strongly advise you to put down examinee Axion and step back, Proctor Tyrone, unless you wish to invite further misunderstanding.”

Her advice was a thinly veiled threat. While rarely enforced, proctors were technically bound by neutrality.

Grit!

Tyrone ground his teeth, momentarily conflicted.

He couldn’t simply abandon Axion as Selford and Natasha demanded. Axion would die, and they would be held responsible.

Confronting the seven proctors head-on was suicidal. He couldn’t kill and silence them all. They were outnumbered.

But what choice did he have?

‘Damn it! Seems I have to die here,’ Tyrone chose to sacrifice himself and his companions.

They would ensure that Axion and his carrier escaped, even at the cost of their own lives.

That way, their lord would take care of their families and eventually avenge them.

Their faith in Ed Troivan was absolute.

Tyrone and his subordinates’ eyes met in silent agreement.

“Now!” Tyrone ordered.

Whoosh!

Tyrone and the other two proctors charged at Selford and Natasha with all their might while the subordinate carrying Axion fled in the opposite direction.

“Do they take us for fools?!” Selford sneered, then his expression hardened.

Something felt wrong. The energy emitted by Tyrone and his men felt sinister.

“Proctor Selford! Deploy your «Aura Shield», quickly!” Natasha shouted urgently, realizing Tyrone’s true intentions.

Tyrone’s face was pale, veins bulging on his skin. It was the telltale sign of the «Reverse Blood Surge Technique», a self-destructive technique.

“Long live Troivan!” he shouted.

Selford grit his teeth and projected a large veil made of aura. Meanwhile, Natasha and the other Plum Blossom Palace proctors unleashed their sword aura, desperately trying to block the advance.

However, Tyrone and his companions, resigned to death, pressed on relentlessly, shrugging off their wounds.

Shink, shink, shink—

A whirlwind of sharp sword energies descended in a flurry, kicking up a swirl of snow.

Blast!

But just before colliding with Selford, Tyrone abruptly changed course.

Whoosh!

Selford, realizing Tyrone’s true target, screamed out, “No! Protect Theo Ragnar!”

Tyrone quickly hurtled towards Theo.

Natasha and the others’ gazes snapped towards Theo. They launched their sword aura, but it was too late.

‘I have to take down Theo Ragnar, no matter the cost! If he lives, he will become a thorn in Lord Troivan’s side…!’ Tyrone’s eyes were bloodshot with determination.

“Die, Theo Ragnar!” he yelled.

Tyrone’s sharp blade reached Theo in an instant.

Though greatly wounded by Selford and Natasha’s onslaught, he pressed on relentlessly.

However, Theo showed no fear of the danger in front of him.

He seemed almost detached, extending a hand towards empty air.

‘What is he doing?’ That was Tyrone’s thought before his blade was about to strike Theo’s neck. Then, he understood.

Theo wasn’t looking at him.

He was reaching for something unseen, as if his hand held an invisible hook.

[‘Skill: Hatchling Synchro’ violently pulls the designated target using «Psychokinesis»!]

Theo envisioned his «Psychokinesis» as the hand of an invisible giant. He mimicked grabbing the fleeing Axion and the proctor, yanking them back.

The powerful force sent the two tumbling back across the snow.

Fwoosh—

Using the recoil of the force, Theo launched himself into the air, soaring over Tyrone’s head.

Swipe!

Tyrone’s blade narrowly missed, sweeping where Theo once stood.

It was a breathtaking maneuver.

Every eye, friend and foe alike, was fixed on Theo.

“Noooo!” Tyrone desperately cried out.

Theo flew in a parabolic arc, descending towards where Axion and his carrier had fallen.

Once again, the White Moonlight Blade flared brightly.

Slash!

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Mr.Ghost]

[Proofreader – Harley]

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics

* * *

‘Commander…! I will never forget your sacrifice!’ The subordinate carrying Axion fought back tears as he ran.

As he swore vengeance…

“Huh? Wh-What the…?”

An invisible force yanked him backward.

Before he could even react, he and Axion were tumbling across the cold snowfield.

‘What happened—?!’

But his thoughts were cut short, as blinding white light engulfed the sky.

Crash—

The «Dragon’s Claw» cut down not only Axion and the subordinate’s head, but it also tore through the snowy ground.

Steam billowed from the intense heat produced by the attack.

Tmp!

Theo landed on the blood-soaked ground.

“……!”

“……!”

“N-no! Nooooooo! Sir Axiooooon!”

Everyone stared, captivated. His figure, amidst the red and white landscape, was cold, alien, yet beautiful.

While Selford and Natasha watched in stunned silence, Tyrone screamed, consumed by shock and grief.

And as the «Reverse Blood Surge Technique» expired, Tyrone began to age rapidly.

“No… Not… like… this…!”

Meanwhile, Theo checked his rewards.

Ding!

Ding!

[Congratulations! By overcoming overwhelmingly unfavorable odds, you have successfully completed Tutorial Quest #16

Evaluation: A+

You have leveled up.]

[You have reached Level 20.

You have obtained 1 Coin as a reward.]

[As a bonus reward based on your evaluation, you have obtained the authority to use the «Shop».]

‘Shop?’

Coins and the Shop.

Sensing a connection between the two, he reached his hand towards the Shop window.