Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Clap! Clap!

Aaron clapped twice to silence his students’ chatter.

”My goal in asking my previous question is to make you realize that you must never stop searching for the truth. There’s always some hidden truth; our history is more complete than you think. Have you ever considered that there might be someone who created the monsters?”

At this question, everyone widened their eyes. Most had speculated that it was the Primordial Gods who created the races and, subsequently, the monsters. However, upon further reflection, it seemed unlikely; otherwise, their teacher wouldn’t have posed this question. If they recalled correctly, he had only mentioned that the Primordial Gods created their races—not the monsters—indicating there must be another being responsible for their creation.

Seeing the confusion and curiosity mixed in his students, Aaron chuckled, amused by their reactions, and decided to test them.

”I will award 200 credits to whoever gives me the correct answer.”

The classroom erupted into excitement, with everyone eager to earn those 200 credits—even Elreth, the iceberg, and Khione showed interest, along with the elven princess.

”Do you know the answer?” Adam asked Lux, the most knowledgeable among them. Even Lux wasn’t sure, as there were barely any records left about the creation gods or the Primordial Era.

”I’m not sure.”

Raising his hand, Lux decided to take a chance.

”Yes, Cadet Lux, go ahead and give your answer.”

”Demon!”

There was a momentary silence; for most present, it was their first time hearing the term ”Demon.” For some reason, it evoked an ominous feeling.

Aaron chuckled, ”Not quite right.”

Lux slumped back into his chair, dejected. He had thought he might get it right, while Nero was deep in thought, rifling through every book he had read to see if he could glean the answer.

’For some reason, I feel like I know the answer.’

While lost in thought, his classmates continued to throw out various answers, all eager to claim those 200 credits.

”Primordial Demon!” someone proposed, causing Aaron’s lips to twitch.

”No!”

”Original Demon!”

”No!”

”Sinful Demon!”

”No!”

”Ancestral Demon!”

Aaron felt like cursing at the last suggestion.

”Sigh! It seems that nobody will be able to earn those 200 credits. What a shame.”

Just as he was about to reveal the answer, someone raised a hand. Looking at the individual, Aaron was surprised to see the young man who had surprised him earlier.

”Cadet Nero, go ahead.”

As before, all eyes turned to him, but this time the scrutiny was more intense. Some hoped for him to fail, some were curious, and others didn’t bother hiding their disdain, believing there was no way he could guess correctly. Barak, who had given the last answer, was certain Nero wouldn’t succeed where he had failed, despite all his knowledge.

Ignoring the stares, Nero opened his mouth to provide an answer, causing time to seem to freeze.

”Devils!”

For some reason, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines as if the word uttered by Nero were taboo.

There was a long silence before the shocked teacher began to clap.

”Bravo! You’ve got the answer right. 200 credits for you!”

”What? How does this make sense? How can he know the answer when everyone else failed?” Barak shouted, rising to his feet. Most of the cadets nodded in agreement, sharing his disbelief.

Aaron glared at Barak, forcing him to sit back down.

”Is there any law that forbids someone from knowing the answer just because you don’t? I really dislike petty reactions like this, and I hope that in the future, Cadet Barak will respond appropriately. Letting jealousy cloud your judgment can be fatal. I hope you’ll take note of this and correct your behavior.”

”Ugh! I understand, teacher,” Barak begrudgingly nodded.

Aaron acknowledged Barak with a nod before turning his attention to Nero, who was sitting back in his chair. He couldn’t help but ask,

”Cadet Nero, how did you know the answer? Have you read it somewhere?”

He posed the question fully aware that it was unlikely; like the Primordial Gods, any records about devils had been erased. Only a select few knew this answer, and Aaron was one of those few, having learned some truths through his historical thesis.

Nero shook his head as he replied. ”I don’t know myself. For some reason, the answer just came out on its own.”

Most of the cadets’ faces twitched, suspecting that Nero was messing with them. They tried to read him, but his expression was unreadable.

Only Aaron sensed the sincerity in Nero’s response. He truly didn’t know how he had arrived at the correct answer; sometimes, things like this just happened. The teacher grew curious about this student of his, certain that he would stir up a storm in this new era.

’It’s a pity he can’t use a law. I don’t feel any trace of primordial energy from him. Well, who knows? He might surprise us. Let’s wait and see.’

Shaking his head to discard any unnecessary thoughts, Aaron smiled.

”Alright, I believe in you.”

Although others weren’t pleased with Nero’s answer, there was nothing they could do; after all, their teacher had accepted it. They could complain all they wanted, but it wouldn’t change a thing.