Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Finally, Nero delivered a punch to the machine.

Bang!

A dry sound echoed, followed by a digital beep, and then an abrupt silence fell over the room.

An astonishing score appeared on the digital screen.

[350]

Even Balrog was taken aback by the absurd number displayed. It was important to note that Nero hadn’t received a blessing nor could he use primordial energy, yet he had still managed to achieve such a high level of physical strength. Balrog wondered what Nero had endured to reach this kind of physical prowess. As a cursed child without access to any resources, his current level was entirely self-made.

’You must have gone through a lot,’ Balrog thought.

”Is something wrong with the testing machine?” someone shouted, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

Elteth was shocked, but her surprise quickly turned into a smile. ’You are really interesting; I must make you mine.’

Azalea closed her eyes, lost in thought, while Adam gave Nero a thumbs up.

Barak was the most shocked of all. Although he had expected Nero to score around 300, he never imagined he would surpass level 3, nearly reaching level 4.

’How is this possible? He didn’t have access to any resources like the rest of us? Wait, a minute there’s something...’

Barak recalled that every time he sparred against Nero, he had left him with a low-level healing potion. He must have used those to train his physique, but that couldn’t be the only reason; there had to be more to it.

’Shit!’

Barak regretted not keeping a closer watch on Nero back home. He might have learned a lot and disrupted whatever Nero was doing. If only he had, perhaps Nero wouldn’t be here now, throwing his plans into chaos.

Unbeknownst to him, he had inadvertently contributed to Nero’s training. This realization infuriated Barak, making him seethe with anger. He vowed to make Nero pay; he would do whatever it took. He wouldn’t let him take all the glory while he remained in the shadows. This was his stage, and he had to be the protagonist, excelling at the academy, building connections, and ultimately overthrowing his older sister to become the family head. He envisioned marrying either the princess or another member of the seven families—that was how it should have been.

The current situation was truly unbearable. If it weren’t for his perfect control over his boiling emotions, Barak would have attacked Nero on the spot, determined to get rid of him at all costs. Unfortunately, now was not the right time.

Balrog snapped his fingers, sending a shockwave outward.

”Alright, we all know your current level. To be honest, I’m pleasantly surprised by the results; you’ve exceeded my expectations. Let’s call it a day. We’ll meet tomorrow morning for your drill,” Balrog announced before vanishing.

”Let’s head to the cafeteria; I’m hungry,” Adam suggested.

”Sure, let’s go.” Nero didn’t hesitate; he was hungry too and, above all, eager to try the academy’s food.

The two made their escape before the princess or any other cadet could approach them. While most of the cadets displayed jealousy, some began to recognize Nero’s worth and saw him in a new light. They realized they needed to befriend him. Humans are like that; when you’re nothing, no one pays you any mind, but once you show a glimmer of a promising future, everything changes.

Elreth sighed as she watched the opportunity slip away like a slippery fish.

~Meanwhile, in the Magic classroom, let’s rewind time a little.

The Magic classroom was distinct from the Knight classroom, featuring an oval shape that created an inviting atmosphere for learning. Enhanced targets lined the walls, designed to test a variety of magical skills. Advanced golems, intricately crafted and imbued with magical properties, could be seen throughout the room, standing ready for practice and demonstration. The air hummed with energy, a testament to the potent magic that filled the space, making it a hub of creativity and experimentation for aspiring mages.

The teacher in charge of the Magic class is a woman named Melinda Geary, an elf. Her gray, short hair hangs clumsily over a warm, furrowed face. Hooded blue eyes, asymmetrically set within their sockets, eagerly observe her new students.

Her fair skin beautifully highlights her cheeks, leaving a captivating impression that hints at her noble upbringing. This is the face of Melinda Geary, ready to guide her students through the wonders of magic.

Melinda had come to love her job; she cherished teaching, spreading knowledge, and nurturing the new sprouts who might later bloom into something exceptional—or not. She often recalled a piece of advice she received early in her career, one she would never forget.

”When a teacher embodies the qualities of a loving, protective, and nurturing parent, they have discovered the true art of teaching. They activate the prefrontal cortex and align with the rules of evolution... we are only meant to learn from those we trust, as family should.”

This philosophy drove her dedication to her craft. She strived to be more than just a teacher, and as a result, she became one of the most appreciated educators at the academy—always attentive, offering guidance even after classes ended.

With a smile, Melinda began her class with an introduction, inviting each of the fifteen cadets to share a bit about themselves.

After their introductions, Melinda began her lesson. Strangely, her first sentence echoed Balrog’s words from across the hall. Like him, she emphasized that mages mustn’t look down on knights, treating them as mere muscle-bound fools. They are more than that, she asserted, and together they complement each other. There’s no need for competition; healthy rivalry is welcome, but not the kind where everyone vies for supremacy, undermining one another to prove their superiority—an unnecessary struggle.

In life, no two individuals are equal; we are born different. Yet, we learn to grow through these differences, building a society together. So why not apply this understanding to their professions as well? It is indeed possible to live in harmony, supporting one another. They have already achieved this, something once unthinkable in the past. This is proof that humanity as a whole has evolved.