Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

"Just wait, Nero," he muttered, his voice low and venomous. "I will find you. I will crush you. I will take everything from you, just as you took everything from me."

He laughed again, the sound echoing through the forest.

The demon seed pulsed within him, a dark promise of things to come. The storm was brewing, and Barak Raizen was at its heart.

In another location, the Ice queen was also going on a rampage, her score already pass 180pts.

’’I need to rest a bit before continuing. I mustn’t lose.’’ she mumbled under her breath as she began to meditate to recover.

Rumble!

Her stomach suddenly made a rumbling sound, she decided to eat before anything else.

°°°

The evening descended upon the pocket world like a velvet cloak, the sky transforming into a canvas of shimmering stars. They were brilliant, more vivid than any Nero had seen in the academy city, scattered across the darkness like diamonds on black silk. The forest below was a study in shadows, the twisted trees casting long, eerie silhouettes, their branches reaching toward the heavens as if grasping for the light.

Nero had found a river running through the heart of the forest. Its waters were clear, reflecting the starlight like liquid silver. The banks were lined with smooth stones and patches of soft grass, a perfect spot to camp for the night. He erected his tent quickly, a simple shelter of canvas and poles, and set up a small fire pit nearby.

He stripped off his training gear and waded into the river. The water was cool, refreshing, washing away the grime and sweat of the day’s battles. He submerged himself completely, letting the current carry away the tension in his muscles. When he emerged, his skin gleamed under the starlight, droplets cascading down his body.

Before bathing, he had caught several fish with a simple spear he had fashioned from a branch. Now, he cleaned them and prepared a meal. He took out ingredients from his spatial ring—herbs, spices, a small pot, a pan. He set the fire and began to cook. The fish sizzled, releasing a savory aroma that mingled with the scent of the forest. He seasoned them with salt, pepper, and a touch of thyme. He also prepared a simple salad of fresh greens, drizzled with oil and vinegar.

He sat on a flat stone by the fire, his plate balanced on his knees, and ate in comfortable silence. The fish was tender, the salad crisp, the flavors simple but satisfying. He took out a bottle of whisky and poured a measure into a small cup. The liquid was amber, smooth, warming his chest as he drank.

He stared into the stars, his gaze drifting across the constellations. The pocket world’s sky was different from the one above the academy, but the stars were the same—distant, eternal, indifferent. He thought of Khione, wondering where she was, what she was doing. He imagined her in her own camp, perhaps looking at the same stars, thinking of him. The thought brought a smile to his face, soft and affectionate, transforming his usually impassive features.

He finished his meal and set the plate aside. He leaned back, his hands resting on the stone, and continued to gaze at the stars. Tomorrow, he would hunt again. He would seek out more powerful monsters, not only to earn points but to refine his control over his laws. The competition was the perfect opportunity to push his limits, to grow stronger. He thought of Elysia, of the challenge that awaited him. He would crush her, prove that the Raizen could not hold him back.

But for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace. The fire crackled, the river murmured, and the stars watched over him. He closed his eyes and let the quiet settle over him like a blanket.

---

In another part of the pocket world, Khione had found her own sanctuary.

She had discovered a small lake, its surface still and dark, reflecting the starlight like a mirror. The surrounding trees formed a natural barrier, shielding the area from prying eyes. She stripped off her training gear and waded into the water. It was cold, bracing, but she welcomed it. She submerged herself, letting the water wash away the remnants of the day’s battles.

When she emerged, her body glittered under the stars, droplets of water clinging to her skin like tiny jewels. Her white hair clung to her shoulders, dark with moisture, framing her face in soft waves. She stood at the edge of the lake, her back to the shore, and allowed herself a moment of stillness.

The stars were beautiful, scattered across the sky like scattered diamonds. She thought of Nero, of his calm confidence, his unwavering strength. She wondered if he was looking at the same stars, thinking of her. The thought brought a faint smile to her lips, a rare moment of vulnerability.

She dressed in clean clothes and sat by the shore, her legs crossed, her eyes closed. She began to meditate, her breathing slow and steady. The ambient prana of the pocket world flowed into her, rich and abundant, filling her core, sharpening her senses. She thought of new spells, ways to enhance her control over ice, to push her power to new heights. She had grown stronger, but she needed more. The competition was fierce, and she could not afford to fall behind.

She would grow stronger. She would push herself to her limits. And when the time came, she would stand beside Nero, a worthy partner, a force to be reckoned with.

The lake was still, the stars bright, and Khione Undine meditated in the silence, her resolve unyielding.

•••

Outside, in the academy ground, in the underground training area of student council private villa, Elysia was facing a group of cadets, the other members of the students council.

A young man with a spiky red hair and orange eyes, the temperature around warped by the intense heat, the crown prince of the empire, the heir of the Samael clan, Elreth’s big brother, he held his spear as he faced Elysia, his expression tense.

Not far from him was a blue haired handsome man, eyes of the same color, Khione’s big brother.

The silver haired handsome man was naturally Lux’s brother and lasly the lazy looking daemon was Blake’s brother but unlike his little brother he appears lazy but was hard working than anyone.

The four were sparring against Elysia. The result well, they have yet to land a proper hit on this monster.

’’Let’s continue.’’ Elysia declared before her raven black hair turned golden, her golden eyes more sharper, she became the embodiment of the Law of lightning itself, she disappeared with her sword, another intense bout was about to begin.