Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Khione carefully selected ripe fruits, including juicy strawberries, crisp apples, and succulent oranges, slicing them into bite-sized pieces. The colors were a feast for the eyes, each hue representing the freshness of the morning.

Nero joined her, helping to chop the vegetables—crunchy cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and a handful of leafy greens. They mixed everything together in a bowl, adding a handful of nuts for a delightful crunch. As Khione drizzled a light vinaigrette over the top, the aroma of the fresh ingredients filled the air, invigorating them both.

Once the salad was ready, they quickly sat down to eat in silence. The flavors melded together beautifully; the sweetness of the fruits contrasted perfectly with the crispness of the vegetables and the nutty texture. Each bite was refreshing, a perfect start to their day, providing just the right amount of energy without weighing them down. They savored the meal, appreciating the simple yet delicious combination, knowing they needed to fuel up before the challenges ahead.

The duo immediately departed, plunging deeper into the forest; the first place mustn’t be taken.

Meanwhile, at the princess’s location, her team had finished their morning training and were now feeling hungry. Unlike Nero’s team, who opted for a light breakfast, the princess’s team had something quite different in mind. Elreth had prepared a copious breakfast, and Lux sat calmly, waiting for her to finish. Today was her turn to take charge of the meal.

Elreth rummaged through her spatial ring, pulling out an array of ingredients. She began with fluffy eggs, whipping them in a bowl before cooking them to a golden perfection. Next, she sliced thick pieces of bread, toasting them until they were crispy and warm. She also prepared savory bacon, letting it sizzle in the pan until it was perfectly crispy.

To accompany the hearty fare, she mixed a colorful medley of sautéed vegetables—bell peppers, onions, and spinach—seasoned to perfection. Finally, she added a bowl of fresh fruit on the side, featuring juicy berries, sweet melon, and zesty citrus slices, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich breakfast.

The aroma of the cooking wafted through the air, enticing everyone in the vicinity. When the meal was ready, it was a feast fit for royalty: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, golden toast, and vibrant sautéed vegetables, all complemented by the fresh fruit.

It was a hearty start to the day, fueling them for the busy hours that lay ahead.

”You don’t have to restrain yourself today,” Elreth announced as they set out. This took Lux by surprise; he was well aware of his unique situation and had been prepared to hold back. But now, hearing that he could unleash his other persona, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of astonishment and excitement.

”Are you sure?” he asked, not out of fear of injuring the princess, but because he knew that once his second persona was unleashed, it tended to monopolize every kill, unleashing devastation and slaughter beyond description. Most people found this unsettling, so he wanted to be absolutely certain.

Elreth smiled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. ”Let’s see who kills the most monsters today.”

It was a clear challenge, and while it hinted at using him, Lux didn’t mind at all.

”Sure!” With the restraints lifted, he felt liberated to go all out and embrace the chaos of battle.

The duo disappeared into the depths of the forest, just like the other teams, all in search of their prey. They needed to quickly boost their scores; everyone was vying for the top spot, and the thrill of the hunt was on.

Meanwhile, Adam and Blake, surprisingly the third-best team with 165 points, were facing their own challenges. Adam was fuming; if it weren’t for the consequences, he would have gladly bashed the skull of the annoyingly lazy daemon before him. Blake refused to wake up early like the rest, and even when forced, he moved at a glacial pace—so slow that even a slug would seem faster in comparison. This was infuriating. Adam felt as if Blake had come to test his patience, gritting his teeth so hard that the sound could be heard from a distance.

”You fucking asshole, can you be more serious and act faster? Make your damn breakfast so we can go!” Adam shouted, his breath coming in heavy bursts. Yet Blake didn’t respond; he leisurely focused on preparing his breakfast, seemingly unfazed by the urgency around him.

From his pocket dimension, Blake pulled out a variety of ingredients. He started with thick slices of hearty bread, toasting them until they were golden and crisp. Next, he cracked a few eggs into a bowl, whisking them with a pinch of salt and pepper before pouring the mixture into a sizzling pan, letting them cook into fluffy scrambled eggs.

He then took out a generous portion of savory sausage links, browning them until they were perfectly cooked. To add some color and flavor, he chopped up vibrant bell peppers and onions, sautéing them alongside the eggs. Finally, he reached for a small jar of honey and drizzled it over the toasted bread, creating a sweet contrast to the savory elements of the meal.

The aroma wafted through the air, a mouthwatering combination of toasted bread, savory sausage, and fluffy eggs, complemented by the sweetness of honey. Despite the chaos surrounding them, Blake took his time, plating everything with a casual finesse that only added to Adam’s growing frustration.

As Blake finally set the hearty breakfast before them, it was a feast: golden toast topped with sweet honey, fluffy scrambled eggs mixed with colorful veggies, and perfectly browned sausage—everything a he needs before heading into battle wasting his precious energy. Adam could only stare in disbelief at the leisurely pace of his teammate, his irritation reaching new heights as he recognized the delicious meal before him.

’’Stop staring so much come sit and eat with me. I permit you.’’ Blake declared with a lazy smile making Adam fume angrily but he still sat down, compared to his crude breakfast this one was better and more appetizing.

’’Tch! I will kill you one day.’’ Adam declared while devouring his part of breakfast.

’’Sure!” Blake responded without much thought.

While most teams were vying for the top spot this team wasn’t, Adam was venting his frustration to be put in the same team with Blake, a male while Blake was simply doing his best because he didn’t really have the choice, a truly unusual team.