Turning to the audience, Sokram, with the same calmness but wearing a confident smile, asked, “Master? Great Uncle? Did I pass?”

The silence was deafening. Even the howling northern winds outside the arena seemed muted, as if the world itself had paused in disbelief.

Then...

“I knew it!” Leona’s triumphant voice shattered the quiet.

She leaped to her feet, practically glowing with pride. “Haha! My disciple is a once-in-a-million-years genius! You pass, kiddo!”

Leona had never doubted this outcome.

Contrary to Sokram’s earlier modesty, she knew he could defeat Karini with ease.

Even before awakening, his training sessions with her had been challenging enough.

But then, remembering she wasn't the examiner, she turned to Licarus, brimming with excitement, and added, “Right, Father?”

Licarus glanced at Hilda, his expression conflicted. He hadn’t expected Karini to lose so decisively.

Smiling wryly at her, he said, “Sorry, kid. Nothing I can do now. He passed fair and square.”

But then he looked back at Sokram, wondering, 'Is this whelp... No, this young dragon, really a recently awakened? Or perhaps his level of existence is above Uncommon?'

Hilda, still processing what had just happened, remained silent.

She wasn’t alone.

Miralyn, Cecille, and Lycius each grappled with their own thoughts.

Cecille felt a pang of regret for not discovering Sokram before Leona. Lycius, meanwhile, entertained the idea of offering his four daughters as potential wives, hoping to bring Sokram into his pack.

Karini remained still, standing in the same place where she had taken the third hit, not believing what had transpired just a few instants ago.

Miralyn’s thoughts wandered further.

If Sokram was already this strong, how powerful would he become when he fully matured? Her mind drifted to the Curse of Blood and its effects, especially its potential influence on her and Hilda.

Stories from past eras told of geniuses like Sokram, whose powerful bloodlines and talent drove the women in their lives to obsession. Combined with the Curse of Lust, which made women of nymphic races instantly attracted to them, the implications were staggering.

Her train of thought broke when Hilda turned to her and asked, “What do we do now, Mira?”

Mira could only shake her head, unsure of what to do either.

But then, tired of this charade and their overprotectiveness, Sokram stepped forward, speaking with authority in his voice, “You will do nothing.”

“Sokram, dear, you have to understand…” Hilda began, but before she could continue, Sokram cut her off.

“For those of us who follow the Path of Evolution, stagnation is death. By getting in the way of my growth, Mom, you're pushing me toward that fate. Even if it’s out of love and concern, you’re still guiding me toward the very death you’re trying to protect me from.”

Without leaving room for her to reply, Sokram turned away and headed toward Leona.

Licarus watched the scene with a gaze full of sympathy for Hilda. But his long life had taught him that the eagerness of youth was a necessary evil.

As Sokram approached his Master, he was caught off guard.

Leona, unable to contain her excitement, sprang forward and enveloped him, mashing him into her chest in a crushing hug. “You were amazing! I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait to introduce you to my Master!”

“Mnnnfffhh!” Sokram tried to respond, but Leona’s ample chest muffled his words.

“You’re going to suffocate him, Leona,” Cecille said, approaching with a light chuckle.

“Right, sorry, haha.” Leona released him, but couldn’t help but notice that Sokram looked disappointed.

Cecille stepped forward with a warm smile.

“Allow me to introduce myself first. I’m Cecille di Armfrost vid Blackfur, third wife of Lycius. I congratulate you and extend an invitation: You’re welcome at my tower anytime you wish to conduct magical research.”

She handed Sokram a token. “Show this to the palace guards, and they’ll guide you there.”

“Hey, wifey, you’re not trying to poach my disciple, are you?” Leona teased, pulling Cecille by the waist. “Besides, he already has enough mages in his family.”

Sokram couldn't help but appreciate the contrasting scene between the two wives, Leona's voluptuous and toned body towering over Cecille's soft and luscious curvy frame.

He knew they were married, but wolves saw things differently.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

But since he wasn't of age, he should restrain himself.

Dealing with the Curse of Lust and the Curse of the Blood would be troublesome enough; he could only hope he didn't lose himself in the frenzy of the flesh, as it happened many times in his previous timeline. Still, looking at the pair of wives, he had to admit, it was a beautiful scene.

Cecille blinked, realizing the truth in Leona’s words, but before she could reply, Sokram spoke. “I’d be honored, Arch-Mage Cecille. Although my Master is right, my family is a bit overprotective of me, so I don’t have access to the advanced stuff yet. If you could help me with that…”

Cecille’s expression darkened slightly. “How can your family have someone so talented and still hold you back?”

Hilda and Miralyn, only a few meters away, overheard her words and felt embarrassed.

Even if Cecille didn't know the whole picture, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Sokram, seeing how his two mothers reacted, shook his head with a small laugh. “It’s not like that. I’ve had plenty of education in elemental, light, shadow, and combat magic.”

“My grandmothers seem determined to keep Time-Space and other advanced topics out of reach,” Sokram quipped, rolling his eyes playfully. “I think they’re afraid I’d teleport myself into the middle of a battlefield, or worse, straight into a royal banquet uninvited.”

“That’s still no excuse,” Cecille countered. “If you’d been recruited by any magical institution, with the talent you’ve shown, you’d already be a Core student, or even be groomed as a succession candidate.”

“Yeah, but I’m not interested in affiliating with any magic schools for now. Auntie Moira even offered to help me get into Frozen Root Academy. But I want to fulfill my obligatory service first,” Sokram said, glancing toward Licarus, who was speaking with Karini, as she was still dazed in the same spot in the arena.

Leona, misinterpreting Sokram’s gaze, said, “Don’t worry about her, kiddo.” She assumed he was concerned for Karini, but Sokram knew Karini well enough to understand that this defeat wouldn’t hurt her pride too deeply. Instead, it would drive her to grow stronger.

“I know, Master. She’s strong. If she’d taken me seriously from the start…” Sokram trailed off, noticing Lycius’s piercing stare.

It reminded him that, among the wolves of Norwinter, sympathy after defeat was considered an insult, a sign of disrespect.

“We wolves are taught since we're cubs to never underestimate a foe. Young or old, harmless-looking or not. Wolves hunt to eat and fight to kill or to win,” Lycius said, his voice firm. “Let this be a lesson for her. She saw you as a dragonling, but you’ve proven to be a true dragon of the north.” His words were deliberate, loud enough for Karini to hear.

Turning to Hilda, Lycius added, “Stop plotting to clip his wings. Your son can already fly. If you cut them now, he may never recover. Let him soar and fly alongside him instead of forcing him to stay in the nest. Or… lair, I suppose.”

With that, Lycius left the training grounds.

Hilda could see his point, too. Even Hannah had been against her overprotectiveness, but she couldn’t control herself when it came to her children, especially Sokram, since he was so young.

Seeing Lycius leave shook Karini out of her dazed state, and she finally stood.

Approaching Sokram, she placed a fist over her heart and bowed slightly. “You fought well, young dragon.”

Sokram nodded humbly, acknowledging her words.

His eyes filled with respect, as he knew how great a warrior Karini was. After the short interaction, she left without acknowledging her wives or anyone else.

“That will be tough,” Licarus said with a sigh. “This will shake her confidence, but it’s for the best. As for that son of mine.”

Glancing at Leona and Cecille, he added, “I’ll need to have a word with him before he loses his women entirely.”

Turning back to Sokram, Licarus asked, “Where do you want your first post to be?”

“Extermination Hall. I need more experience fighting bandits, monsters, and wild beasts,” Sokram replied, as if it were a casual request.

Hilda and Miralyn gasped upon hearing that.

“Do you have a death wish?” Licarus asked sharply.

Realizing Licarus didn’t appreciate his eagerness, Sokram backtracked, “No, great-uncle. I’m not planning to tackle any great beast nests or bandit fortresses. I’ve heard you can choose your missions there instead of being assigned, and I’d like to explore Eversnow territory to familiarize myself with our lands.”

Licarus’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but after a moment, he nodded. “I see. This old wolf failed to recognize the insight in your wish. My apologies, but I must refuse. I’ll assign you to a hunting team first. Learn from them. Prove yourself in the Hunter’s Hall first, and then I’ll allow you to join the Extermination Hall.”

Hilda and Miralyn exhaled in relief.

“I see. If that’s your order, I’ll follow,” Sokram said, though his disappointment was obvious.

“Don’t worry, young dragon. You’ll rise through the hunters’ ranks quickly. But as City Lord, it’s my duty to protect you, even from your own ambition. Stagnation may mean death, but so do stupidity and recklessness.” Licarus winked playfully at Hilda. “You’ll report to the Hunters’ Hall at sunrise the day after tomorrow. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. City Lord,” Sokram responded firmly.

“Good.” Licarus left, followed by Cecille and Leona.

As she passed Sokram, Leona patted his shoulder and mouthed, "Be patient."

“Sigh… Shall we go home?” Sokram smiled at his mothers, who looked very conflicted.

“You can be angry if you want,” Hilda said, lowering her head to avoid his gaze.

“Yeah, at me too,” Miralyn added.

“What’s the point of getting mad at a bird for flying? Isn’t what you did just what mothers do?” Sokram asked rhetorically as he headed for the door.

Hilda and Miralyn exchanged glances as Sokram walked away, feeling oddly guilty.

‘Why can’t he act like a child for once? Why did he have to be so mature, making them feel as though they were the ones in the wrong?’ They shared the thought.

“Aren’t you coming?” Sokram called from the doorway.

“Yes, we’re coming,” the two said in unison, hurrying after him.

The rest of the day and the next passed in relaxation.

Sokram spent his time with family, recounting his final test in vivid detail to his grandmother, aunt, and sister.

Had Hilda and Miralyn not confirmed his story, they might have found it hard to believe.

Only Hannah seemed unsurprised, as she was the one who created the sealing bands for his training with Leona.

On the night of the last day before Sokram had to present himself at the Hunters’ Hall, a courier knocked on the door with a letter for Sokram.

It was his first official order, specifying that he had been appointed to a team and would depart on his first mission by the morrow.

Morning came, and even before the sun had risen, Sokram was already dressed and ready to leave.

He wore his dark-scaled leather armor and Void glove on his right hand, packed with all he needed.

“Leaving already?” Hilda’s voice was soft, too soft.

The dark circles under her eyes told the truth: she hadn’t slept at all. She had spent the night grappling with the same fear, the same ache.

How could a mother ever be ready to let go?

Sokram smiled gently, reading her emotions with ease. “Yes, Mom. Don’t worry. I’m ready for this.”

Hilda nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know, but I’m not.”

She hugged him tightly, her arms trembling as she held on for as long as she could.

Miralyn joined them, wrapping her arms around both.

Sokram, even though it might annoy him slightly, he would never dislike their clinginess or their overprotectiveness.

Only he truly understood how many lonely nights he had needed them there. Only to be reminded again and again that they were already gone forever.

“There’s something I want to give you.” Miralyn stepped back, summoning a small box from her spatial ring.

Inside was a simple necklace with a green stone attached and a matching green crystal.

“Is that a Death Stone?” Sokram asked, though he already knew the answer.