Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Sunlight streamed golden through the window, announcing the arrival of a new day.

Nero woke up, feeling refreshed after a restful night’s sleep.

”I haven’t slept like this in a while,” he remarked as he rose to his feet. Checking his broken arm, he discovered that it had healed completely overnight—no longer needing the plaster.

’My natural healing ability seems to have increased.’

It was a realization that couldn’t have been more welcome.

Though he felt a bit hungry from not eating before bed, Nero didn’t rush to breakfast. Instead, he settled into a meditative state. He needed to assess his gains; he had a strong feeling that his earlier suspicions were correct. There was no way his body could have become this resilient and his healing ability improved without the effects of defeating the monster.

Using a mirror, he activated his unique eyes and was instantly transported into his inner world.

Nine stars hung in the sky, with a vortex swirling below. Among them, the red star pulsed faintly, emanating a powerful heat despite being partially sealed. One black chain still encircled the red star, but its condition looked precarious, as if it could break at any moment.

”Just a little more, and I could unseal it. Should I kill another monster?” he pondered, then shook his head. He sensed he could break the damaged chain using a different method. As for which method to try, why not explore the vortex and see what happened? The last time he did that, the first star had been freed. Although it was a risky approach, he felt he had no choice; fighting another monster would be too quick.

”I should wait and try this method tonight.” Knowing the potential consequences of stirring the vortex, he wasn’t foolish enough to attempt it now. Class would begin today after the inauguration speech, and he couldn’t afford to miss it.

Canceling his ability, he cracked his neck and headed to the bathroom. After taking a refreshing bath, he changed into his uniform.

The uniform was a striking combination of black and white, adorned with golden stripes. Crafted from the hide of a powerful monster, it was designed to be exceptionally durable and resistant to damage.

Nero donned the uniform and tied his black necktie before leaving his room. He made his way to the dining area for a quick breakfast. The place was empty, as most of the cadets had already headed to the auditorium for the headmaster’s inaugural speech.

Nero wasn’t particularly interested in the inaugural speech, so when he arrived, he paid little attention. He calmly waited for it to conclude as the old principal rambled on, followed by a few professors and some cadets who spoke afterward.

Once the speech was over, Nero made his way to his assigned classroom, and as expected, he was placed in the special class.

”I wonder if my former half-brother will be in the same class. His expression will be quite a sight,” he thought.

For some reason, Nero felt a sense of anticipation at the thought of seeing Barak’s reaction upon discovering that his half-brother was in the same class—a person he had previously regarded as a complete failure. It wasn’t that he wished for anything specific; he simply wanted to witness Barak’s response. It didn’t matter if he regretted it or reported anything; Nero knew that whatever he did would be reported. But that didn’t concern him. He had severed ties with his family and had no intention of revisiting that decision.

Entering the special classroom, he noticed a few cadets already seated inside.

One of the cadets caught his attention immediately—Khione Undine. Upon noticing his arrival, she opened her eyes and glanced his way for a moment before closing them again.

Nero shifted his gaze to another cadet who stood out even more. With bright silver hair and eyes of the same hue, this young man exuded an aura of holiness. His features were exceptional, and his expression was genuinely gentle. Nero instantly recognized him as Lux Leclair from the esteemed Leclair family, one of the Seven Families. Lux specialized in the Law of Light, possessing the abilities to heal and create powerful barriers. Rumor had it that he was a true genius, though some whispered that he had a screw loose and struggled with a split personality.

As Nero studied him, Lux looked up, his eyes landing on the newcomer. Having heard about him, Lux sensed the air of mystery surrounding the young man with unusual eyes.

”Welcome! May the blessing of the Sun God be with you,” Lux said, gesturing for Nero to sit beside him. His expression radiated sincerity.

From what Nero could gather, Lux was a person of strong moral character who treated everyone equally, regardless of their noble or commoner status. Whether blessed or not, he offered his help without expecting anything in return, earning him the title of ”Saint” from a young age.

Out of curiosity, Nero chose to sit beside Lux. Having never had a friend since birth, he thought it would be beneficial to make connections along the way; after all, they could prove useful in the future. Why not start with this young man?

Once seated next to Lux, they exchanged glances before speaking.

”I’m Nero Adams!”

”Lux Leclair, nice to meet you.”

”Likewise!” Nero replied as the two shook hands, drawing the attention of the other cadets.