Chapter 265
Episode 84: The Spark (Part 2)

Jin was tormented by nightmares.

Dark, writhing tentacle-like creatures seemed to press down on his entire body.

Especially on his face, where they clung relentlessly, refusing to let go—a horrifying sensation that made him groan softly.

“Ugh…”

He forced his eyes open and sat up, finally realizing the source of his nightmare.

Meow, meow meow!

Murakan was kneading his face with his paws.

“This again? Familiar scene. Get down, will you?”

Jin gently pushed Murakan away and checked his body.

‘Still intact.’

Thanks to the excellent medical team of Runcandel, but also because very few people in the world could wake up so well after taking Siron’s sword strike.

Jin himself knew this well.

‘Thanks to my brothers, I’ve gotten incredibly strong. Without the training in Laprarosa, surviving that sword strike would have been impossible.’

Looking around, the room was familiar.

The very same room he’d used during his cadet days.

After a moment, he sensed someone approaching.

“Are you awake, young master?”

Gilly. She had returned to the Sword Garden right after Jin took Siron’s strike.

And, as always during their cadet days, she stayed faithfully by his side.

“Gilly.”

“It’s been a while.”

Gilly smiled brightly.

They were meeting again after about a year and two months. Right after leaving Laprarosa, Jin had only seen Misha and Murakan.

“I missed you.”

“Me too. The others have missed you terribly as well.”

Jin nodded and naturally glanced at Gilly’s wrist.

It was bare. The iron pin that had suppressed her power was gone. The Runcandel medical team had removed it as soon as she returned.

Gilly scratched the back of her head, a little embarrassed.

“You’ve been through a lot, Gilly.”

“Any nanny in Runcandel goes through this. Thanks to you, young master, I had a relatively easy time finishing my trainee period.”

Then Gilly looked at Jin with a serious gaze.

Slowly, she bent one knee and bowed her head.

“As Knight Gilly McLoran, I pledge my unwavering loyalty as the nanny of Sir Jin Runcandel, 12th Rider of Runcandel. It is an honor to serve you once again.”

Jin couldn’t help but feel a flood of emotions.

In his previous life, Gilly had been exiled with her powers sealed because of him.

But now, he was a Rider, and she was the nanny of a Rider.

Something warm and heavy settled in his chest.

‘No one will ever ruin Gilly’s life again.’

Suppressing his feelings, Jin smiled.

“I’m honored to have you as my nanny, Gilly. It’s awkward, so get up quickly.”

“Yes, young master.”

With a pop, Murakan transformed back into his human form and helped Gilly up.

“What’s with all this loyalty to our little Strawberry Pie? Strawberry Pie, didn’t you miss me? I’m hurt! Am I just a dragon you know, while you only love the little one?”

“Mu-Murakan, sir, what are you saying… Of course I missed you too.”

“Then why are you so cold to me?”

“Well, Murakan, you were with me in Tikan just a week ago, weren’t you?”

“So you’re saying I wasn’t gone long enough for you to miss me that much?”

“Well… I guess that’s true?”

Gilly’s answer left Murakan speechless.

After all, a week apart wasn’t a big deal.

Murakan and Gilly still weren’t a couple.

“Hmph, hmph! Even so…”

“Hey, why are you bothering Strawberry Pie—no, Gilly—over nothing? And this isn’t Tikan! You can’t just transform like that. You have to stay as Butterfly Runcandel like when we were cadets.”

“What are you talking about, kid? The whole world knows I’m your guardian dragon. Why should I hide my identity by turning into a cat?”

“Is that so? Anyway, Gilly, how long was I out cold?”

“About three hours, young master.”

“Three hours… what?”

Jin’s eyes widened as he looked outside.

The Sword Garden was still bathed in bright sunlight—it was around noon, the time of Siron’s ceremony.

‘You mean I recovered from that injury in just three hours?’

—A real vampire, no doubt! How many buckets of the Twin Swords’ blood does he drain? This is something else.

During last year’s training in Laprarosa, King Otu Boras had said something similar.

Jin had received transfusions of the Twin Swords’ blood twice. Each time, Ban’s blood was passed on, slightly weakening him, but Jin’s blessed body and radiant heart grew stronger.

That was why he could wake up just three hours after Siron’s strike.

“If word gets out that the young master is awake already, the Sword Garden will be in an uproar again. The head of the medical center anticipated this to some extent, but most believed the young master wouldn’t wake for at least three days.”

“What about the Rider appointment ceremony?”

“Since the Lord personally ordered it, it’s very likely to happen today. We should visit the Lord first, young master.”

Gilly opened the wardrobe.

Inside hung the Rider uniform prepared for Jin.

A black coat embroidered with intricate golden patterns.

Her eyes glistened with tears as she took it out and handed it to him.

“Seeing you wear this makes me emotional. Please take care. Oh, is there anything you need me to do?”

“Hmm… Make a Strawberry Pie for Murakan. He was singing all the way here.”

“Understood.”

After a quick wash, combing his hair, and tidying his clothes, Jin stepped into the hallway.

He immediately felt eyes on him.

Servants, guardian knights, cadets passing by.

None dared to stare openly, but all struggled to hide their curiosity, sneaking glances.

Just then, some brothers passed by.

“Long time no see, Sister Mu, Sister Anne.”

Mu and Anne.

They were on their way to report to Rosa about the Rider duties and happened to pass by Jin’s room.

They froze, turning their heads simultaneously.

‘I wonder how much they’ll sneer. Or maybe they won’t be as dismissive as before?’

They stared at Jin, frozen and silent for a while.

Like people who had seen something they shouldn’t.

‘Already awake?’

‘After receiving Father’s sword? Am I seeing things?’

They glanced back and forth between each other and Jin, confirming several times.

It didn’t take long for them to realize Jin was real.

“You… no, never mind. Let’s go, Anne.”

Mu was the first to speak.

She only frowned, clearly not wanting to talk, unlike Jin.

“Sis?”

Anne was surprised by Mu’s reaction.

Anne was also shocked to see Jin, but since they had met, she planned to unleash a barrage of harsh words. They would have a proper hierarchy battle with Jin soon.

And Anne was confident they wouldn’t lose.

Jin had grown stronger, yes, but there were many ways to win a hierarchy war beyond one-on-one duels.

“Seeing a wanted man wearing the Rider coat this morning and just walking by? What nonsense. I should tear it off right now…”

“Just go.”

“Young Master Jin!”

At Mu’s reply, a loud voice came from behind.

It was Emma Niltro, nanny to the Tona brothers, her tone a mix of delight, servility, and heavy flattery.

Next to her stood a dumbfounded Tona brother, mouth agape—also shocked by Jin’s awakening.

“I heard from the servants nearby that the young master has awakened, so I rushed over. Have you been well? Seeing the youngest young master safe… oh my, I must compose myself. From now on, I should call you the 12th Rider, right?”

As she spoke, Emma rubbed her hands together and bowed repeatedly.

“Ha! Emma Niltro, are you crazy? Interrupting a conversation among Riders like this—where did you learn such bad manners?”

“Ah, sorry, Miss Anne. But the 12th Rider has truly come of age! I always believed the young master would become someone great.”

Emma poked the Tona brother’s side, signaling him to greet Jin.

“Hey, youngest. Good to see you… been well?”

“Are you feeling better? You blocked Father’s sword! Everyone was so shocked, right, Heytona?”

“Of course! Daytona, wasn’t it amazing?”

Watching the Tona brother babble exaggeratedly made Jin chuckle.

But at the same time, Emma’s insight sent a chill down his spine.

‘Emma is utterly convinced I’ll become the Lord. Even if she doubts it, she wants to believe it—since the Tona brothers have no other strings to pull. She’s trying to get on my good side now to brighten their future.’

Back in the stormy days, she had observed him so blatantly it annoyed him enough to warn her once.

Back then, Emma subtly flattered Jin, but deep down, she desperately wished that Jin would always rank below the Tona brothers.

The moment Jin became inferior to the Tona brothers, she planned to immediately order them to trample him or recruit him as a subordinate.

But that was no longer the case.

Emma had long since accepted that the Tona brothers could never challenge the throne, so she was now looking for an ally to help them survive the power struggles.

The exceptional brothers paid no mind to the Tonas, while others like Mew and Anne were constantly itching to take them down. It was a frustrating time for Emma.

Then, like a comet blazing across the sky, Jin returned—stronger than anyone could deny.

“Looks like Mew, that girl, is a bit sharper than Anne. She’s finally realized she can’t treat Master Jin so carelessly anymore. Haha, damn it. Thanks to Master Jin, they got a taste of their own medicine, didn’t they?”

Even if it wasn’t a huge humiliation, Emma was thrilled just to see Mew and Anne falter and back down when Jin stepped in.

Considering how much Mew and Anne had tormented the Tona brothers before, Emma felt like she could drink to that.

“I pledge my loyalty. Just say the word, Master Jin!”

Of course, Jin saw right through Emma’s true feelings.

“Well, I appreciate you coming to me first here in the Garden of Blades. I’ll join you in this little revenge, Emma. The Tona brothers will have their uses one way or another.”

Having made up his mind, Jin swallowed a smile.

“Are these people all crazy? Hey, Emma, what’s with you? I asked you—where did you learn to be so rude…”

“Anne, you’re going too far. It’s true Emma was somewhat disrespectful, but she’s a nanny from the 10th and 11th cohorts. She’s been devoted to the family for a long time. You’d do well not to be so harsh.”

Before Jin could finish, Anne’s eyes nearly popped out in shock.