"Hehe~ interesting, isn't it—"
Jester's words stopped.
Mid-sentence.
Cut off.
Not by sound—
But by something far heavier.
The air changed.
—
Outside—
The bright, clear sky vanished.
In an instant.
Dark clouds gathered, swallowing the sunlight whole, spreading across the kingdom like a living thing.
Anyone—
Anywhere—
Could see it.
The crowd gathered before the palace stirred in confusion.
"…Wasn't it just sunny?"
"What's happening…?"
Murmurs spread.
Unease followed.
Then—
They felt it.
A pressure.
Not seen—
But felt.
Crushing.
Overwhelming.
Instinctive.
—
Their eyes snapped upward.
And they saw it.
Something descending from the sky.
Like a falling star.
No—
Something far greater.
One by one—
People dropped to their knees.
Not by choice.
Their bodies simply… gave in.
As if something divine had descended upon them.
Their eyes widened.
Filled with awe.
With fear.
Then—
He landed.
Silently.
At the center of it all.
A man.
White hair drifting lightly, faint sparks dancing across it.
His face—
Perfect.
As if sculpted by the gods themselves.
And his eyes—
Crimson.
Deep.
Absolute.
The kind of gaze that made even kings feel small.
In his hand rested a blade.
Golden-white.
Radiating power.
Not just mana—
But something deeper.
Something that felt like it could tear the world apart.
Recognition came instantly.
Because there was no mistaking that weapon.
Kingsbane.
A sword said to cut through space—
Through reality itself.
And the man holding it—
"…Ragnar Zephyr."
—
The name spread like wildfire.
Whispers turning into shouts.
Then—
Humanity itself roared at his arrival.
"The Sword King—!"
"Ragnar Zephyr!"
Humanity's strongest.
Had returned after dissapearing for six years.
__
Meanwhile—
Inside the academy dorms—
Chrono was asleep.
Completely unaware of the chaos unfolding beyond the walls.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
A loud knock shattered the silence.
Chrono groaned, turning slightly.
"…Tch."
Another knock.
Louder this time.
"Alright—alright…"
He pushed himself up, irritation clear on his face as he walked toward the door.
"Who is i—"
The door opened.
Yelena.
She didn't wait.
Didn't greet him.
Didn't explain.
She walked straight in.
Past him.
Her expression—
Tense.
Uneasy.
"Hey—what's going on?"
Chrono frowned, closing the door behind him.
Yelena didn't look at him immediately.
Her voice came out quieter than usual.
"…Father's back."
A pause.
"Check the news."
Chrono froze.
"…What?"
His mind went blank for a second.
Ragnar…?
Ragnar Zephyr.
The man who had adopted them.
The man who had disappeared—
Six years ago.
"…He's back?"
Without another word, Chrono moved.
He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
Every channel—
The same.
The same image.
The same broadcast.
Ragnar Zephyr.
Standing beneath a darkened sky.
Kingsbane in hand.
The entire kingdom watching.
Chrono stared at the screen.
Silent.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
__
Ragnar wore no armor.
No insignia.
Just a simple white shirt, a flowing white cloak, and black pants.
Yet—
It was enough.
He walked forward.
Step by step.
Calm.
Unhurried.
The palace gates stood open.
Guards lined both sides—
Elite.
Trained.
Battle-hardened.
And yet—
The moment they saw him—
They froze.
Not out of confusion.
Not out of hesitation.
But instinct.
Their bodies refused to move.
Their breaths grew shallow as that overwhelming presence pressed down on them.
Ragnar didn't look at them.
Didn't acknowledge them.
Didn't need to.
His footsteps echoed through the halls.
Each step measured.
Each step heavy.
As if the palace itself recognized him.
Servants stopped mid-motion.
Knights lowered their gazes.
Even the air felt… still.
And without pause—
Without announcement—
Ragnar Zephyr walked straight toward the King's chamber.
The doors stood ahead.
Closed.
Massive.
He didn't stop.
Creaaak—
They opened.
And the moment he stepped inside—
Everything changed.
__
Liam blinked.
"…What just—"
He couldn't understand it.
Just moments ago—
Jester had stood there, smiling, speaking as if the entire room belonged to him.
Confident.
Untouchable.
But now—
That smile was gone.
No—
Not just gone.
Replaced.
By something else.
Unease.
No…
Fear.
Liam's eyes widened slightly.
'…He's scared?'
He glanced around the chamber.
The others had noticed it too.
Confusion spread.
Tension rose.
But—
Not everyone reacted the same.
The dukes remained seated.
Unmoved.
And the King—
Xenovar Von Astrael—
Had a faint smile on his face.
Not mocking.
Not amused.
Relieved.
The same could be seen on the dukes.
William.
Fiona.
Even the others—
A subtle shift in their expressions.
As if a weight had just been lifted.
As if something they had been waiting for—
Had finally arrived.
Liam felt his chest tighten.
"…What is going on?"
He turned quickly toward Sylvia.
"A-Aunt… what's happening?"
Sylvia didn't look worried.
Didn't look surprised.
Instead—
A soft smile rested on her lips.
Calm.
Certain.
Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
"You'll understand soon, Liam."
A pause.
Her eyes shifted toward the chamber doors.
"…He's here."
A single sound echoed through the chamber.
Creaaak—
The doors opened.
And a man walked in.
Liam's eyes widened.
Because there was no mistaking him.
A living legend.
Ragnar Zephyr.
—
He stepped forward casually, as if the weight of the room meant nothing to him.
His voice carried easily.
Strong—yet almost playful.
"…Seems like I'm interrupting something, Xeno."
A faint smile appeared on Xenovar's face.
"Not at all, Ragnar."
Their gazes met.
Respect.
Then—
Ragnar's eyes shifted.
"Lady Fiona. William."
Fiona smiled, unfazed.
"Took you long enough, Ragnar."
William simply gave a nod.
Respect.
Nothing more needed.
Ragnar's gaze moved again.
Landing on Sylvia.
Then Liam.
"Hello, Sylvia."
A small pause.
"…Lucian couldn't make it?"
Sylvia straightened slightly.
"Ah—yes, Sir Ragnar. He sent Liam and me in his place."
Ragnar's eyes flicked back to Liam.
A hint of curiosity.
"Oh?"
A small smirk formed.
"…Is this his son?"
Liam froze for a second—
Then quickly spoke.
"A-Ah—yes! I'm Liam Veridian!"
Ragnar let out a light chuckle.
"Relax."
"You don't need to be so tense."
A brief pause.
"You're a first-year at the academy, right?"
"Ah—yes!"
"Mhm."
Ragnar nodded.
"My son should be in the same year as you."
Liam blinked.
Confused.
Son?
He knew about Yelena Zephyr—
A fourth-year.
But a son?
The same year as him?
—
Ragnar didn't explain.
He simply moved on.
His gaze shifted toward Berus.
A small nod.
Acknowledged.
Then—
His eyes fell upon the mages of House Desmund.
The reaction was instant.
They dropped to their knees.
Without hesitation.
Without resistance.
"…So that bastard Quill isn't here?"
"N-No, Sir Ragnar… the Patriarch couldn't make it."
"Tch."
Ragnar waved it off.
"Whatever."
He turned slightly.
Looking toward the Crown Princess.
A softer tone this time.
"Emma."
A pause.
"You've grown."
Emma stiffened slightly.
"A-Ah—yes, Sir Ragnar."
And through all of this—
One thing stood out.
Ragnar hadn't even looked at him.
Jester.
Still standing there.
Frozen.
Ignored.
As if he didn't exist.