Primordial Heir: Nine Stars-Chapter 52: Humans

Above all, each wielded a Law that was the opposite of the other’s, ensuring that they would never truly get along. Every time Elreth saw Khione, she felt an irresistible impulse to torment her.

’’Let’s go eat," Elreth said, walking forward.

"Um!" Azalea nodded, closely following behind.

In her bad mood, Elreth noticed that Nero and his group however she didn’t greet them with the usual enthusiasm, a change that Nero secretly welcomed.

The two girls approached the counter to order their respective breakfasts.

Elreth decided on a savory breakfast sandwich, filled with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, all tucked inside a toasted bagel. She added a side of seasoned potato wedges, knowing they would provide the satisfying crunch she craved.

Azalea, on the other hand, opted for a lighter choice—a smoothie bowl made from blended bananas and spinach, topped with fresh slices of kiwi, coconut flakes, and a sprinkle of granola for added texture. She appreciated the refreshing nature of her meal, which provided a burst of energy without weighing her down.

Once they had placed their orders, the two girls took their meals and found a table, ready to eat and unwind before their next class.

Meanwhile, having finished eating, Nero’s group left the cafeteria and arrived at a midsection where they separated, with Lux and Blake heading to Magic class while Nero and Adam made their way to Knight class.

"Let’s meet later," Lux suggested.

"Sure!" Adam nodded, and Nero agreed, though Blake’s face scrunched up as if he had eaten something unpleasant. He really didn’t want to take another class today; he felt too lazy, his muscles sore all over from the previous morning drill, and he hadn’t fully recovered.

Lux sighed before dragging Blake along with him. Nero watched the duo with amusement before leaving with Adam.

They arrived at their classroom, where most of the other cadets were already present. The two found a nice spot to sit and each began their meditation, focusing on breathing exercises. For Nero, it was also an opportunity to check his physical form.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the classroom, standing further from Nero was Barak, surrounded by his group of three men and two women.

"Give your order, young master. I will take care of him," a muscular cadet said, glaring at Nero. He hoped to earn points with Barak and win his favor.

Barak observed the man before sneering.

"You can’t take him on. He would crush you with his physique alone."

It was a blunt assessment, but a truth nonetheless. The muscular man was merely a low-level Blue Knight, while Nero’s estimated strength should be around an intermediate-level Blue Knight. Barak had no doubt that Nero could effortlessly defeat him.

Faced with this brutal reality, the man felt ashamed. "Ugh!"

The other two in the group weren’t much stronger either. They had wanted to boast, but after witnessing what happened with the muscular man, they dared not say anything. Barak’s foresight was far ahead of theirs, so they took the situation seriously.

"Relax, I will give you a mission soon," Barak announced, much to their surprise. They beamed at the prospect.

The situation was urgent for Barak. He had heard that his big sister had returned from her mission, having accomplished another exceptional feat, while he felt frustrated, unable to perform better than a cripple—a cursed child. He needed to redeem himself quickly and take care of Nero to get back on track. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Barak had to act fast, and he planned to use these five to do so.

"Listen, you will spread various rumors..." he whispered their mission to them. As they listened, their surprise grew; their leader was both ingenious and ruthless. He intended to start by destroying Nero’s burgeoning reputation. News of Nero’s accomplishments had been spreading through the academy, and those who had previously disregarded him were now paying attention. Not many knew about his background; if they learned what kind of existence he truly was, it would tarnish his achievements. No matter how exceptional he had been, he remained a cursed child.

People were prone to superstition and often disliked things associated with bad luck, leading to a swift decline in his reputation and making him a target.

What if there was another rumor suggesting that he was responsible for his mother’s death due to his very existence? Without a doubt, such claims would severely damage Nero’s standing.

Just imagining the chaos that could ensue if these rumors spread, Barak wore a vicious smile.

"You should have stayed in the shadows and quietly disappeared. It’s your fault for stepping out and drawing attention. You can only blame yourself, my big brother. Become the stepping stone to my success. Hehehe!"

Already envisioning his glorious comeback, Barak laughed, confidence surging through him.

Why did Barak hate Nero so much? It was simply because he was jealous and afraid of Nero’s accomplishments. This jealousy stemmed from a deep-seated insecurity within Barak, a common trait found in humans throughout history.

Humans are inherently complex creatures, driven by a wide range of emotions. They possess a natural inclination toward comparison, often measuring their worth against others. This tendency can lead to feelings of inadequacy, especially when confronted with someone who achieves success or recognition. Throughout the ages, humans have struggled with envy, viewing the accomplishments of others as a threat rather than an inspiration.

This behavior is rooted in survival instincts; for early humans, competition for resources and status was essential for survival. While society has evolved, many of these primal instincts remain. Humans are social beings who crave validation and acceptance, and when they perceive that someone else possesses qualities or achievements they lack, it can manifest as resentment or hostility.

Barak’s feelings toward Nero exemplify this timeless struggle. His inability to accept Nero’s talent and success only fueled his hatred, illustrating the darker side of human nature that has persisted since ancient times and will likely continue into the future. Rather than celebrating each other’s victories, some humans fall prey to jealousy, allowing it to cloud their judgment and relationships. This is simply what humans are.