REAPER SCANS
Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Chapter 57 - Nomination Ceremony (2)
Right as Theo was about to announce his decision, someone whispered in his ear with Sound Telepathy.
「You’re a regressor, aren’t you?」
“......!” Theo froze.
Regressor.
It was a secret he planned on taking to the grave.
His eyes snapped towards the executive seats. There, amidst the gathered figures, a woman sat watching him, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
She seemed to occupy a space entirely of her own.
It was Hilda Ragnar. Ragnar’s former Clan Head was looking straight at him.
Ba-thump ba-thump—
His heart pounded.
Ding!
[Quest Received]
[Tutorial Quest #18
Uncover your clan's hidden secrets, find the answers you seek, and complete the tutorial.
· Difficulty: S
· Reward: 1 Coin
· Penalty: ■■
*This is the final Tutorial Quest.]
Thump thump thump thump!
His pulse hammered even harder.
The final Tutorial Quest.
The words resonated with a sudden, stark clarity.
This encounter with Hilda held the key to unlocking the truth about his regression and the cryptic messages.
‘Calm down.’
Taking a deep breath, Theo forced himself to open his mouth.
「I… I don’t understand what you mean.」
He desperately tried to hide the sweat trickling down his hands.
「Oho? You still want to play coy? I don’t know what kind of life you lived in your previous cycle, but your acting is impeccable. Truly impressive.」
「......」
‘Cycle? What does she mean? Or is there perhaps a set number to regression?’
Things only seemed to get more complicated. One thing, however, seemed clear. Hilda knew nothing about his past life.
「Just be honest. We won’t get anywhere if you keep up this charade.」
Hilda’s smile widened, increasing Theo’s unease.
How should he respond?
“What’s wrong, Theo Ragnar? Is something the matter?” The judge said while placing a hand on Theo’s shoulder.
Theo had paused mid-nomination, so the judge became concerned.
“Could I… please be given a moment to get my thoughts in order?” Theo requested.
“Of course. I don’t blame you for struggling with this. But don’t take too long. As I mentioned, there are others waiting.”
“Thank you, sir.” Theo bowed.
He then turned back to Hilda. 「How did you know?」
He decided to abandon the pretense. With someone like Hilda, excuses were futile. A direct approach was the only option.
But Hilda’s answer was even more shocking.
「Because I’m also a regressor.」
「......!」 Theo was stunned.
「It’s not that hard for us to recognize each other, is it?」
「......」
「Though, the cycles permitted to me are now over.」 Hilda shrugged.
‘Cycles… She said it again.’
Theo’s gaze darkened.
Thump thump thump!
His heart hammered against his ribs.
「Does that mean one can regress multiple times?」
「Who knows?」
「......?」
「Huh?」 Theo searched her face for clarification.
Instead, Hilda suddenly tilted her head, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
「Wait. Have you not heard anything from Kyle?」
「I… I don’t understand why you’re bringing up father.」
「Don’t give me that. That man is a maniac when it comes to regressors.」 Hilda crossed her arms, a frown creasing her brow. 「Unless… Ha! Trying to be clever, I see.」
She muttered, then focused on Theo again.
「Simply put, we still know very little about regression. The trigger, the conditions, the cause. We only know it’s somehow tied to the Relics of the Primordial Dragon and this cursed Ragnar body.」
One phrase struck him. Relics of the Primordial Dragon.
‘So the first relic I somehow obtained indeed caused the regression. But tied to the body? What does that mean? Is it perhaps connected to the clan secrets the quest mentioned?’
A slow smile curved Hilda’s lips. 「I bet you have a lot of questions.」
「To be honest… I do. There’s so much I don’t know.」
「I see. I see.」 Hilda’s smile deepened.
Murmur murmur—
The crowd began to whisper, their conversations growing louder as Theo and Hilda continued to speak.
「Well, it seems this isn’t the place for this conversation. Let’s finish this talk later.」
And with that, Hilda vanished, leaving Theo with no indication of when or where they would meet again.
“......” He felt like he’d just awakened from a daydream.
‘But soon, I’ll have answers. About the messages, my father, and Lodbrok.’
For now, he needed to focus on the present until Hilda contacted him again.
Composing himself, Theo finally spoke. “I will…”
He was finally able to share his choice.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
“I nominate the Zenith Academy.”
The crowd, executives, and the Nine Dragons were still in shock from Theo’s decision. However, Remington, the next graduate in line, gave them no break, adding to the commotion.
“Zenith Academy? Is there a place like that in Wintera?”
“Are you kidding? It’s that place!”
“What do you mean by that place?”
“The school run by the Zenith Dragon!”
“Oooh!”
“How could you forget that?”
A decade ago, Kyle had established a school in an attempt to coax the Zenith Dragon out of seclusion.
The Zenith Academy.
He had framed it as a way to alleviate the dragon’s potential loneliness, suggesting he take on disciples. However, the Zenith Dragon had ignored the gesture, rendering the academy to be just an empty shell.
However, that academy had just been revived.
“Does that mean he’s become the Zenith Dragon’s disciple?”
“Narcio’s junior clan head will get to be the sole disciple…?”
“What does this mean? Will the Narcio Clan get to inherit the Zenith Dragon’s secret techniques?”
“Can this be allowed?”
“There’s no way they’ll allow a suzerain clan’s secrets to be passed on to a vassal clan. Though, now that I think about it, the Zenith Dragon wasn’t originally a Ragnar, was he?”
Speculation ran rampant.
Remington glanced at the judge, who returned a satisfied nod.
This confirmed it.
“The Zenith Dragon has broken his seclusion!” Another wave of excited murmurs swept through the crowd.
“Next, Erika Lanke!”
As Remington descended the platform, he met Theo’s eyes.
“Congratulations,” said Theo.
“Thank you. It’s because the Zenith—master, has taken a liking to me..”
Remington seemed to find it awkward to call the Zenith Dragon his ‘master’.
“Aren’t you going to ask why I didn’t follow you?” Remmington asked with a playful grin.
Theo chuckled, “I think I know the reason.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Is it not the same reason as in the 2nd Stage?”
Remington beamed. As he expected, Theo understood him.
“Exactly. I still intend to surpass you, but on my own terms.”
“And you see that path at the Zenith Academy?”
“Precisely,” Remington said with shining eyes.
Theo could sense a whole new world reflected in them. A world beyond Ragnar and Narcio. He wondered what the Zenith Dragon showed him.
“I wish you success.”
“I too wish for your good fortune, young master Theo.”
The two passed each other, carrying a shared wish for the other’s good fortune.
‘History has changed again.’
In his previous life, Remington hadn’t become the Zenith Dragon’s disciple. Instead, he immediately returned to his clan after the Awakening Ceremony to prepare to become the clan head.
And as soon as he became the clan head, he rebelled against Ragnar.
But this time was different. He’d become close to Theo and become deeper entwined with the Ragnar Clan.
No one knew what the outcome would be, but Theo knew one thing for sure. The ripples he had created were causing significant change, and he couldn’t control them.
While he hoped things would go his way, people weren’t puppets. They each had their own ambitions and dreams, and they would forge their own paths.
‘Just like me.’
A smile touched Theo’s lips as he envisioned the vast tapestry of fate unfolding before him.
Ba-thump ba-thump!
His heart thrummed with anticipation.
***
And so, the nominations concluded.
Remington departed for the Zenith Academy, and Ray returned to the Daffodil Palace. Ray seemed particularly heartbroken to leave Theo.
“You can come to the Camellia Palace whenever you’re bored,” Theo offered.
“Is that okay…?”
“Of course. We’re siblings and also friends.”
“Friends… Right. We’re friends,” Ray’s face brightened, and she finally left with a smile.
Others who hadn’t yet given up on Theo approached him.
“You’ll regret this,” Ed was the first.
“Axion told me the same.”
“......”
“I’ll never join you, Sir Sky Dragon.”
“…I’ll be seeing you again,” Ed glared at Theo before turning away.
Lady Plum Blossom came next, “Oh my. What a shame we can’t work together.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a favorable answer.”
“You saw your dream in ‘him’, didn’t you?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Hearing Theo’s firm response, the regret in Lady Plum Blossom’s eyes faded, replaced by a gentle smile.
“Very well. If that’s your decision, I respect it. As long as there is no lingering resentment between us, or between you and the Plum Blossom Palace. After all, bonds can always be reforged.”
“......?”
“Until we meet again.”
Lady Plum Blossom’s parting words felt more tangible than Ed’s. However, she offered only an enigmatic smile before leaving.
After several similar encounters, a call rang out.
“New recruits, gather at the white banner—!”
Theo headed towards the banner emblazoned with a white dragon roaring, a sword clutched in its jaws.
‘That’s… the insignia I’ll soon wear.’
Ba-thump ba-thump!
His heart quickened, echoing his childhood dreams.
“Ahem! Ahe-hem!” Hulkus approached, clearing his throat repeatedly. “Ehem! Oh. My. Good. Ness! What. A. Surprise? Theo… You. Are. Here. Too? Ha. Ha. Ha.. What. A. Co. In. Ci. Dence. Ha. Ha. Ha.”
“......?”
Hulkus’s stiff demeanor and awkward laughter seemed out of character. It was as if he were reading a script—poorly, at that.
“What are you talking about? We were just together at the ceremony.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Is. That. So?”
“......?” Theo’s confusion deepened.
Erika sighed, covering her face with a hand. “What an idiot… Just ignore him, Theo. He’s just happy to see you.”
Theo still wondered about Hulkus’s strange behavior, as he was normally bold and confident. However, he nodded along, guessing Hulkus must have his reasons.
He also considered that, in his past life, the siblings had returned to their own clan. But this time, they had chosen Ragnar units. He wondered what brought on this change within the sibling duo.
He put the question aside as another shout echoed through the air.
“The Commander is coming! Everyone, attention—!”
Theo and the Lanke siblings turned their attention in the same direction.
Tmp, tmp—
Julius was slowly walking towards them.
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