Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Their team held second place with 180 points. Deciding to take a break, the duo made their way back to a nearby lake, eager to prepare dinner. As they arrived, the scenery unfolded before them like a painting. The water shimmered under the fading sunlight, reflecting hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. Tall trees surrounded the lake, their leaves rustling gently in the evening breeze, while wildflowers dotted the grassy banks, adding splashes of color to the tranquil setting.

”Let me cook; just rest and enjoy,” the male Mage suggested, a grin spreading across his face. The female Knight happily obliged, settling down on a nearby rock to take in the beauty of their surroundings.

With a wave of his wand, the Mage summoned the Law of Water to catch some fish. He stood at the edge of the lake, his focus intense as he manipulated the water with deft precision. With a swift flick, he created a small whirlpool that drew fish toward him. In moments, he had caught a sizable fish, its scales glistening in the sunlight.

Returning to their cooking area, the Mage skillfully processed the fish. He moved with practiced ease, removing the scales and gutting the fish before rinsing it in the cool lake water. Next, he reached into his spatial ring, retrieving a bundle of rice and a handful of fresh herbs.

As he prepared the rice, he measured the grains carefully, rinsing them under the water until it ran clear. He set a pot over a small fire he had kindled earlier, pouring in water and adding the rice. As it began to simmer, the inviting aroma of cooking rice filled the air.

Meanwhile, he seasoned the fish with a blend of herbs and spices, rubbing them into the flesh to enhance the flavor. Once the rice was nearly done, he placed the fish on a makeshift grill over the fire. The sound of sizzling filled the air, mingling with the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore.

The female Knight watched from her perch, her heart warming at the sight. She couldn’t help but admire the diligent Mage at work. There was something undeniably handsome about a man who could cook with such skill and care.

As the fish grilled, the Mage prepared a simple salad with fresh greens and wildflowers he had gathered earlier. He tossed the salad together with a light vinaigrette made from herbs and a splash of water, creating a refreshing complement to their meal.

After a short while, the fish was perfectly grilled, its skin crisp and golden brown. The Mage plated the fish beside the fluffy rice and the vibrant salad, creating a colorful spread that looked as delicious as it smelled.

”Dinner is served!” he announced proudly, setting the dishes down before the Knight.

She couldn’t help but smile, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. ”It looks amazing!” she exclaimed, eager to dig in.

As they sat together by the lake, the sun setting in the distance, they enjoyed the fruits of the Mage’s labor. Each bite was a delightful explosion of flavor—the tender fish, the fragrant rice, and the fresh salad combined to create a simple yet exquisite meal.

The tranquility of the surrounding, combined with the delicious food, made for a perfect moment in their journey.

At least, that’s how it should have been. However, just as she finished eating, the female Knight began to feel dizzy; her vision blurred. She shook her head, momentarily thinking that perhaps the previous fight had been more taxing than she realized. Yet, as the sensation intensified, she quickly dismissed that notion—something wasn’t right.

Just as she attempted to rise to her feet, she felt the sky shifting, and her balance wavered. It was then she heard the panicked voice of her companion.

”Are you alright?” His voice was laced with anxiety as he appeared beside her, supporting her as she sank back down. He gently patted her back, trying to soothe her.

”I-I’m fine!” she stammered, struggling to respond properly.

”It will be alright. You just need to sit down and relax; everything will be fine,” he reassured her, still patting her back.

The female Knight was about to nod in agreement when a chill ran down her spine, her instincts as a Knight warning her that something was wrong. His voice was too eerily calm, unnervingly so. She recalled that her prana was greater than his; even though she had killed more monsters, his stamina was less than hers. How could she feel this way while he appeared fine? The answer dawned on her with alarming clarity—she had been poisoned.

As this realization struck, a cold wave swept over her, causing her body to shudder as goosebumps erupted across her skin, the fine hairs standing on end.

”You—” she tried to look at the male Mage, who had stopped patting her back to help alleviate her dizziness.

Through her hazy vision, she saw his previously meek and gentle expression morph into something incredibly horrific.

”!”

A chill unlike any she had ever felt surged through her, freezing her in place, and a sudden realization struck—no, it was more than a realization; it was a certainty.

’I will die!’

”Hehehe! Now, now, the intuition of a Knight can be sharp, but still, I get to have the last laugh,” he said, spreading his arms dramatically as if he were the star of a grand play.

”To think I had to restrain myself from slaughtering you pathetic bugs. Several times, I almost lost control, you know?”

With a deranged smile, his head cocked at an unnatural angle, making the scene all the more disturbing.

Badump! Badump!

The female Knight’s heartbeat quickened, pumping harder, causing her dizziness to intensify; her head spun uncontrollably.

Then she saw it—his eyes had transformed, turning a sickly yellow, vertical like those of a reptile. Another wave of terror coursed through her, quickening her pulse until it resounded like a war drum in her ears.