Kynda Reynolds, the Pirate Queen, caught the spear hurtling toward her neck with a casual flick of her hand.0

"Hah," she scoffed, thinking it was utterly absurd.0

The shaft of her spear, Luin, shimmered with dark blue mana—a strange, almost eerie mana that felt like a blend of the sea and darkness. It clawed at her palm, attempting to consume her, but she calmly clenched her fist, crushing the unruly force with ease.2

"Mana really does take after its master," she remarked, her gaze landing on Caron, who had caused this madness.0

No one in this world had ever dared to pull a stunt like this. The thought of throwing her own spear back at her was madness of the highest degree. It was the kind of lunacy only someone completely unhinged could entertain.0

…Luin actually approved of him? the Queen thought.0

The spear Luin had a will of its own. It allowed no one to wield it unless it deemed them worthy. Even knights who had reached 8-Star couldn't handle Luin without its permission.0

And yet, the boy before her had not only wielded it, but had even thrown it back at her with remarkable skill. That could only mean one thing: Luin had accepted him.0

It was an unprecedented situation in the Queen's lifetime.0

"Caron Leston... you…" the Queen murmured.0

Her mind replayed the breathtaking swordsmanship Caron had displayed moments earlier, conjuring hundreds of petals in a single motion. There was only...0