Episode 193
Valhalla, the continent’s premier knight training institution, stood as one of Atlas’s most iconic landmarks.
Reina Draker was in the midst of adapting to the new culture at Valhalla, which was quite different from the academy she had known.
Lately, Reina had been grappling with a significant dilemma.
She stared intently at the box in front of her, wrapped in adorable devil bear-patterned paper.
”…”
It was a gift from the second son of the Roswell family, a man known at the academy as Durban the Slicer.
Without hesitation, Reina drew the sword from her waist and sliced through the cute-patterned box.
Swish—
Inside, a devil bear plush toy, equally cute, was split in half, its stuffing spilling out.
Reina sheathed her sword and said, “Throw it away.”
One of the students, a retainer from the Turn family, who had been kneeling beside her, picked up the halved box and left the room.
As Reina shook her head and prepared to head to the training grounds, a woman watching her clicked her tongue and spoke.
“Reina, if you keep this up, you’ll never get married.”
Olga, a fellow cadet who had joined Valhalla with Reina, was five years her senior. She was the daughter of the influential Argo family, who ran a trading company in the port city of Iason. Despite her merchant family background, she had chosen the unusual path of becoming a knight and had entered Valhalla for training.
Reina replied firmly to Olga, “I have no intention of getting married.”
“That’s what you think. Your family might not agree,” Olga retorted.
Reina shook her head. “I bear the Draker name, so there’s no reason for the Turn family to force a marriage on me.”
Yet, she was well aware that one day she might have to marry someone, likely chosen through an agreement between families.
‘But it won’t be Durban the Slicer.’
Olga, noticing Reina’s frown, chuckled and said, “The Roswell family isn’t a bad match. Durban might be a bit lacking, but he doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble.”
“If you like him so much, you take him,” Reina shot back.
“I can’t. I already have a fiancé,” Olga replied, her voice calm. Her betrothed was none other than Edward Siemens, the second son of the Siemens family. Reina knew better than anyone that Olga longed to escape the fate her family had set for her.
Reina suggested to Olga, “When you’re frustrated, sparring is the answer.”
“That sounds a bit odd, but you’re saying we should go spar, right?”
As Reina and Olga were about to head to the training grounds together, a servant approached and whispered something to Reina. Her eyes widened in surprise.
“What? Zeke Draker is here?”
In a southern cuisine restaurant within Valhalla, a place where he had once dined with Diego, Zeke found himself again. Despite not being particularly fond of southern food, he often found himself reminiscing about the meals here after graduating from Valhalla.
As the food arrived, Reina appeared at the restaurant.
Thud!
Behind her, a dozen or so individuals in dark uniforms lined up in formation. As Reina entered, they stood at attention outside.
Zeke clicked his tongue at the sight. ‘Even here at Valhalla… the Turn family is as persistent as ever.’
Reina spotted Zeke and took a seat across from him.
“It’s been a while, Zeke Draker.”
“Yes, it has. Reina.”
Reina was slightly taken aback by Zeke’s unexpectedly friendly tone.
Gathering her thoughts, she asked, “What brings you here?”
Zeke replied, “Let’s eat first. Have you tried the food here?”
Reina shook her head.
Zeke pushed the freshly served southern dishes toward her. “Give it a try. The food here is quite good.”
Reina eyed Zeke warily as he suddenly offered her food, but he paid no mind to her suspicion and began eating.
Watching him, Reina’s appetite returned, and she started to eat as well.
“Hmm?”
Reina, tasting southern cuisine for the first time, was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected flavors. Accustomed to a diet of lean meats to prevent muscle loss and supplements for missing nutrients, the strong spices and seasonings of the southern dishes were a revelation to her.
Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.
Reina, known for her hearty appetite, quickly cleared the table, leaving the plates spotless. Zeke had to order more food twice.
“Phew.”
Only after stacking the empty plates beside her did Reina regain her composure. She felt a bit embarrassed under Zeke’s curious gaze and turned her eyes away.
“That was quite a meal.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
For Zeke, who had returned from twenty years in the future, Reina and the younger Alice seemed equally youthful. Seeing Reina eat heartily brought him a sense of satisfaction.
Wiping her mouth, Reina’s expression turned serious again.
“I heard you recently completed the mission at the Mansion of Wraiths.”
News of Zeke’s successful mission had spread widely.
Zeke nodded, sipping his tea. “Yes, it wasn’t easy, but I managed.”
In truth, the mission had been unexpectedly straightforward, but Zeke feigned modesty.
Unaware of the details, Reina nodded and asked, “Why did you want to see me?”
Zeke set down his teacup and got to the point. “I wish to meet the head of the Turn family.”
Reina’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.
The head of the Turn family, Rex Turn, was renowned as one of the strongest knights in the family’s history and a Black Knight of Draker. Yet, he had chosen the Turn name over Draker and become the family head.
Reina asked Zeke with a firm expression, “What business do you have with the head?”
Zeke met her gaze and said, “I intend to challenge the Trial of Strife.”
“What?”
Reina was taken aback by the mention of the Trial of Strife. She stood up, almost shouting at Zeke, “Do you even know what the Trial of Strife entails?”
Zeke nodded, sipping his tea. “Yes, I’m aware.”
“And you still want to do it?”
Reina stared at Zeke in disbelief, then, feeling the eyes of others on her, sat back down. “I know you’re the youngest to become a Blue Knight and have gained fame as a knight of the Draker family. But the Trial of Strife is no joke. Even renowned knights of the family hesitate to take it on.”
“I’m aware. That’s why it’s worth it.”
Reina frowned at Zeke’s words. ‘He’s crazy. The Trial of Strife, of all things.’
The Trial of Strife was the name of a special dungeon managed by the Turn family. For ages, the Turn family had overseen the dungeon, allowing anyone to enter and prove their valor. However, the dungeon’s difficulty was so high that no one had ever reached its deepest level.
Zeke explained to Reina, “I understand that to enter the Trial of Strife, one must gain the head’s approval.”
Rex Turn, the head, was the only person to have reached the 90th floor of the 100-floor Trial of Strife. Before his leadership, many had entered the trial recklessly, never to return. Thus, upon becoming head, Rex Turn instituted a test to assess a challenger’s strength and determine their eligibility to enter the dungeon.
Reina told Zeke, “You can take the head’s test, but once you do, there’s no turning back. You must enter the Trial of Strife.”
“That’s what I want.”
Reina clenched her teeth, looking at the composed Zeke. ‘Is this how the gap widens again?’
Back in the cradle, she hadn’t thought much of Zeke. She had considered him a weak direct descendant, always scheming to avoid training. But then, he had suddenly changed, and now he was far beyond her reach, someone she had to look up to.
Zeke rose slowly from his seat. “Think it over and let me know. If you can arrange a meeting with the head, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”
“Why go through me to meet the head? You could go directly.”
Zeke grinned at her question. “Wouldn’t it look better if I went as your guest rather than showing up unannounced? Besides, I was curious about how you were doing.”
Reina was caught off guard by Zeke’s unexpected words. To Zeke, he was simply interested in the growth of Reina Draker, one of the future Five Star Knights, but she interpreted it differently.
Blushing, Reina lowered her head.
Zeke assumed she was trembling with anger at his words. ‘I must have made a mistake. It’s understandable she’d be upset, hearing that her rival is already challenging the Trial of Strife.’
Zeke paid for the meal and left the restaurant, leaving Reina behind.
As soon as Zeke left, Olga, who had been sitting nearby, rushed over to Reina.
“Hey, Reina! That was really Zeke Draker, wasn’t it? The winner of the Draker Martial Tournament! The youngest Blue Knight on the continent and the youngest Valhalla graduate!”
Reina composed herself, lifting her head with a determined expression.
“Yes, it’s true. Zeke Draker.”
At her words, Olga let out an excited cheer.
“See! I knew it! I can’t believe I actually got to see the real Zeke Draker! Remember, I was there at the Grand Stadium for the championship match between Zeke Draker and Helen Draker. You were there too, right, Reina?”
”…I know he participated in that tournament.”
“Oh, did I ever show you? My scrapbook of Zeke Draker articles!”
“No, I haven’t seen it.”
“Really? I must not have shown you. I’m a member of his fan club, you know. Dragon’s Roar.”
“What’s that?”
“Zeke Draker’s fan club.”
”…”
“My suggestion for the fan club name got picked. Dragon’s Roar. Catchy, right?”
Reina looked at Olga in disbelief but couldn’t help but chuckle.
Just then, someone entered the room.
He approached Olga and Reina.
It was the second son of the Roswell family, known as Dervan the Swordsman, who had made a name for himself at the academy.
With a grand bouquet in his arms, he walked up to Reina. Dervan called out to her with fervor.
“Reina Draker! I, Dervan Roswell, second son of the Roswell family, formally request to court you!”
Olga watched with wide-eyed fascination, eagerly awaiting Reina’s response to Dervan’s declaration.
But Reina only glared at Dervan with a frosty expression.
With a wave of her hand, students from the Turn family, who had been waiting outside, rushed in.
Reina spoke in a cold voice.
“Remove him.”
The uniformed Turn family students escorted Dervan out. Like a tragic hero from a play, Dervan cried out.
“Let me go! Reina Draker! Accept my heart!”
Dervan’s boldness in his confession was unwavering.
Olga clutched her stomach, laughing as Dervan was dragged away.
“Reina, why not give Dervan a chance and go on a date with him?”
Reina shot Olga a look that said she wouldn’t budge on this matter, and Olga, feigning innocence, whistled and turned her head away.
Reina’s mind drifted to the image of Zeke Draker, who had vowed to face the trials of combat.
“Zeke Draker…”
For a moment, she imagined herself standing beside Zeke, the two of them sparring daily, testing each other’s skills.
In her mind’s eye, Zeke and Reina were smiling at each other, sweat glistening on their brows.
“What am I thinking…?”
She shook her head, trying to dispel the thought.
Then, watching Olga still amused by Dervan’s antics outside, Reina spoke.
“Olga, I need to visit my family home for a bit.”
“Huh? Why the family home?”
Reina pressed her lips together, then slowly spoke.
“I’m going to take on the trials of combat myself.”