Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Nero clenched his fists, feeling the tension. He had to do everything in his power to obtain this pill; it would be a significant advantage for him.

Sensing the burning determination of the cadets, Balrog nodded inwardly, thinking, ”That’s the spirit.”

He then added, ”An additional reward will be given: 500 credits will be awarded.”

There was a momentary silence before the cadets erupted into cheers.

”Wow! 500 credits!”

”I must get it!”

”No, I will be the one to get it first!”

”It’s mine!”

Most of the cadets were expressing their desires, their eyes shining with intensity and eagerness to claim these rewards. Even the princess and Khione showed interest upon hearing about the additional prize.

Credits were a special currency that could only be earned at the academy, either through good grades or by slaying monsters and completing missions. They could be used for various purposes, such as purchasing powerful equipment or elixirs.

Naturally, the cadets were excited at the prospect of earning credits.

After enjoying the students’ reactions for a moment, Balrog clapped to regain their attention.

”You will be sent to the same location—a forest, but divided into different sectors, so there’s no worry about encountering another cadet.”

With that, he flicked his finger, and the space beneath each cadet’s feet seemed to tear apart before they were swallowed, sent off to the forest.

After being suddenly transported, Nero massaged his temple, feeling dizzy. He took a moment to calm himself before observing his surroundings, and just as Balrog had said, it was indeed a forest.

The forest was vast, clear, and lush. Its canopy was a competition of sycamore, pine, and willow, with cascading light filtering through the leaves, allowing an abundance of plants to thrive on the rocky ground below.

Quiet creepers wrapped around every tree, and a colorful array of flowers dotted the landscape, standing out against the otherwise monotonous forest floor.

A medley of wild sounds filled the air, created by birds, and were accompanied by the distant roar of a waterfall.

He would have loved to take his time to enjoy the scenery but he knew he didn’t have the time nor the leisure to do so. He must prepare, if his primordial energy wasn’t sealed he would have spread it out to check his surrounding, like this he could prepare for any unforeseen situation. Right now he was like a blind man, no knowing where the monster was, if he knew he would be better prepared, maybe laying some kind of trap to easily deal with the monster.

’’I will have the time to test that ability I have been in the process of refining.’’

Thinking about this ability, Nero couldn’t help but smile, something he rarely did, it had taken him a lot of time and through some trials and errors he has come up with this ability, it was his trump card to pass the final test, he couldn’t use primordial energy nor wield a Law, he had to prepare somehow.

This ability is simple but in its simplicity lay a complexity. By raising his blood temperature and speeding its flow, it enhances his physical prowess. At least a twofold increase in strength, simple isn’t but here is the catch.

Duration depends on your physical limits. The stronger the body, the longer it lasts, currently he could use for two minutes at best, but after his body got strengthen last time maybe he could use for 3 minutes. He named this ability Blood Acceleration or Second Gear.

Shaking his head he focused his eyes ahead, opening them fully, wishing to see if anything was unusual.

Swoosh!

It was then something flew out of the depth of the forest coming straight at him.

It was life and death crisis.

His brain froze, fear was about engulf him but something coming from the depth of soul made him regain his cool instantly.

Absolute tranquility. Extreme coldness.

Entering this state, Nero opened his mouth and inhaled deeply, drawing the refreshing air to his body.

’’Second Gear!”

Thump! Thump!

Instantly, his heart started pounding violently. His blood surged, his pupils dilated, and the flow of the world around him seemed to slow down.

Charge!

He leaned forward, lowered his center of gravity, and kicked off with all his might. His entire body shot forward like an arrow!

The soles of his boots burst under the powerful pressure, sinking slightly into the ground, turning into mud. But before the mud could swallow them entirely, he had already pulled them free.

Nero ran swiftly, sprinting across the forest floor.

One step!

Two steps!!

Three steps!!!

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!

In less than two seconds, he covered five steps, dashing dozens of meters across the ground like a cheetah.

Finally, he leapt forward, diving headlong.

At the exact moment Nero took off, a deafening boom erupted behind him, followed by a terrifying shockwave.

BOOM!!!

The moment the giant rock hit the ground, a massive explosion occurred, spreading shockwave, the ground where the rock landed was left with a deep crater.

Thump! Thump!

If he was late by a millisecond he could have died, his heart thumped quickly pumping oxygen, he raised his sword, canceled his ability and stared into the forest, the thing responsible for the current situation was coming.

Dong! Dong!

The ground shook repeatedly as the thing moved forward and soon, a monster stood before him, opposite to him.