Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

The following morning, Nero woke up and went through his usual routine before taking a shower. He changed into his uniform and was about to text Lux and the others to meet for breakfast when a sudden knock came at his door.

Knock! Knock!

”Who is it?” Nero called, walking toward the entrance.

”I’m a member of the student council,” a voice answered from the other side. ”President Elysia Raizen has sent me to summon Cadet Nero for a meeting in the northwest pavilion.”

Nero wasn’t surprised. He had expected something like this—it was only a matter of time. He couldn’t run from it. He decided to meet her, throw the dice, and see just how powerful this sister of his truly was. After all, she was known as a genius.

”Alright. Give me a minute. I’ll be out to follow you,” Nero replied.

His response brought a smile to the messenger’s face; she had feared a refusal, but fortunately, it hadn’t happened.

Nero quickly texted his friends and his girlfriend to explain his absence and the reason behind it.

[I know you’ll handle it. I believe in you.] —Khione

Nero replied to his girlfriend with three heart emojis and a kiss. Lux asked if he should contact his older brother for backup, but Nero declined, assuring him he could handle it.

After sending the messages, he unlocked the door and finally saw the messenger. She had short brown hair and green eyes behind a pair of glasses. A rapier was fastened at her left side, marking her as a mage—and a powerful one at that. Nero judged her to be close to the peak of the Red Knight rank. She wouldn’t be easy to beat. If a random messenger is this strong, the members of the student council should not be underestimated, he thought.

He followed her in silence, lost in his own thoughts. In what felt like the blink of an eye, they arrived at their destination.

”I’ll take my leave now. Just continue straight ahead—you’ll see the pavilion and the president waiting there,” the girl said. Without offering her name, she excused herself and slipped away.

Nero nodded and began walking down a wide, immaculate path flanked on both sides by breathtaking gardens. Lush flowerbeds overflowed with blossoms in every hue: deep crimson roses, clusters of lavender, delicate white lilies, and vibrant blue irises. The air was sweet with their fragrance, and morning dew still clung to their petals, glittering like scattered diamonds in the early light. Butterflies drifted lazily from bloom to bloom, and the gentle hum of bees filled the tranquil space.

At the end of the path stood an elegant white pavilion with a gracefully curved roof supported by slender columns. Wisteria vines heavy with purple blooms draped from its edges, swaying softly in the breeze. Inside, seated at a polished stone table, was Elysia Raizen. She held a delicate porcelain cup, sipping tea with an air of utter leisure, her golden eyes lifting calmly to meet his as he approached.

’’Oh? You are already here Little brother?” Elysia raised her head and those golden eyes filled with power, ambition and something deeper, darker.

Nero could feel sweat dripping from his forehead, this girl is dangerous, extremely dangerous he arrived at this conclusion in an instant,no matter what scenario he ran through his mind, he saw no victory, she is unfathomable, although she sat there perfectly with otherworldly beauty and appeared normal, he knew she was nothing but normal. She was like a sheathed sharp sword that could kill once unsheathed, in few words she is extremely dangerous.

’’What is it? Did you miss me so much that you’re gobsmaccked after meeting after a long time?” Elysia asked with a subtle smile, her golden eyes narrowed into a slits.

Nero chuckled in response before sitting from across her.

’’I don’t recall our relationship to be so close resulting in that scenario of yours. I’m here, go straight to the point.’’ he didn’t want to waste time in pointless chatter.

Elysia put down her tea cup with elegance before looking straight into Nero’s eyes, she didn’t seem offended by his direct approach.

Golden eyes clashed with ominous red eyes in a deadlock before everything returned to normal after a few seconds.

’’Those are beautiful pair of eyes, so beautiful that I want to conserve them and admire them.’’ she said those chilling words with deadpan face resulting in Nero feeling chill down his spine. His eyes narrowed, indicating that he did not wish to waste time making Elysia let out a chuckle.

’’You are no fun. Well, you know why I called you here. Come back to the family, endless rewards await you if you accept. I can even give you my secured position as the next patriarch of the clan.’’ Elysia joked at the beginning of her sentence before becoming serious, staring directly into Nero’s eyes who did not flinch even when she listed those benefits, she wasn’t disappointed, it would have been boring otherwise, now it would be fun, she chuckled inwardly.

’’And you already know my answer. I have no desire nor the intention of coming back, I’m no longer member of the clan. I don’t want nothing to do with you lots anymore.’’ Nero while staring into those bottomless golden eyes responded with calm countenance.

Elysia chuckled in response as she had expected this kind of answer.

’’Do you think that leaving the clan, having your name erased from family registry make you a complete stranger from the clan?”

’’I do.’’ Nero responded without hesitation and Elysia smiled in response.

’’Then you too naive then. Blood run thicker than water. Once Raizen always Raizen. You belong to the clan from the day you are born until your death.’’ Elysia stated as calmly as possible. It was Nero’s turn to smile this time.

’’That is your logic. It doesn’t mean it works on me. When I wasn’t valuable none of you approached me but now that my worth suddenly increased thousand folds you’re talking to me. My response is still no.’’

’’Fufufu! You are right, we have nothing to do with a worthless tool, now that you’ve become the most useful tool, it is normal to approach you as you’ll be useful to the clan. We can’t let you go, we must do everything possible to get you back.’’ Elysia calmly stated while sipping her tea which had been replaced who knows when.

’’I refuse.’’ Nero’s response didn’t change.

’’Fufufu! Let’s calmly discuss this. You don’t want to become enemy with the clan do you?” Elysia asked her eyes narrowed dangerously as she smiled, Nero felt invisible pressure on his but his response still the same.

’’I don’t mind.’’

Time seemed to have stopped at this response.