CHAPTER 64: FIRST MISSION

Nero returned to his room, feeling the weight of the day lift off his shoulders as he sank into a long and refreshing bath. The warmth enveloped him, soothing his muscles and washing away the remnants of the day’s exertions. Earlier, that drunkard Adam had suggested the group stop by a pub to celebrate their achievements, but the other three had rejected the idea outright. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to acknowledge Nero’s accomplishment; rather, the timing was simply off. With class and their first mission looming tomorrow, they needed to be at the top of their game. Indulging in a night of revelry would only be counterproductive, and so the celebration was postponed for a later date—a suggestion Adam begrudgingly accepted.

After his bath, Nero changed into something more casual, feeling comfortable in his relaxed attire. He picked up his phone and sent a quick message to the group chat, letting them know he was thinking of them before disconnecting. Setting his phone aside, he sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes to focus on his breathing.

As he inhaled deeply, he began to recall not only his recent fight but also the other matches he had witnessed. Each moment replayed in his mind like a highlight reel, and he sought to glean insights from them. This was a time for learning and growth; he needed to analyze his performance and identify areas for improvement.

With each breath, he centered himself, allowing the memories of the day to flow through him. He visualized the movements, the strategies employed by both himself and his opponent and the other matches, and the lessons embedded in each encounter. This was more than just a routine for him; it was a commitment to becoming stronger, to rising above his current capabilities.

As he continued his breathing exercises, Nero felt a sense of calm wash over him. He understood that every challenge was an opportunity to grow, and he was determined to embrace them fully. Tomorrow would bring new tests, and he would meet them with resolve and preparedness, ready to face it.

°°°

A brilliant light enveloped the land as the sun stretched its golden arms wide, heralding the dawn of a new day.

Nero awoke, feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep.

"Not bad. I slept well. Fortunately, we were exempt from drill this morning." He pushed the covers aside and swung his feet to the ground, rising to his full height and stretching his muscles, which let out a satisfying pop.

"Time for some morning exercise."

Nero began with a series of push-ups, lowering himself to the ground with controlled precision before pushing back up, his arms working steadily to lift his body. Each repetition was fluid, his form solid as he maintained a straight line from head to heels. After finishing his set, he transitioned into squats. He stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, lowering his body as if sitting back into an invisible chair, ensuring his knees stayed behind his toes. He rose back up, feeling the strength in his legs with each movement.

This routine, though simple, helped him awaken his body and clear his mind, preparing him for the day ahead.

After taking a bath and changing into his school uniform, Nero headed to the classroom. On the way, he spotted Adam, who was walking alongside him while the other two had already made their way ahead.

"Hello, Adam!"

"Howdy, little Nero!" Adam replied with a grin, matching Nero’s pace.

"Doing great, as you can see. And judging by that smile, you’re really looking forward to today. Probably hoping to be paired with a cute partner for our first mission."

"You know me too well," Adam said proudly, already envisioning his romantic escapades during the mission. He had to perform well to impress his teammate.

Watching Adam grin like a fool, Nero couldn’t help but shake his head. ’This guy is really hopeless.’

The duo arrived at the cafeteria, where they met Lux and Blake. Together, they settled down for breakfast.

Nero opted for a hearty meal, piling his plate with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a side of toast slathered in butter. The aroma of the eggs mixed with the savory scent of bacon made his mouth water.

Adam, on the other hand, chose a lighter fare. He had a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey, alongside a glass of orange juice that added a refreshing zing to his morning.

Lux enjoyed a colorful fruit salad, a mix of melons, pineapple, and grapes, paired with a yogurt cup for an extra boost of energy.

Blake kept it simple with a classic breakfast sandwich, filled with eggs and cheese, all tucked between two slices of toasted bread.

As they dug into their meals, the chatter flowed easily, the camaraderie of the group making the morning feel even brighter.

"Who do you think you’ll be paired with?" Lux asked, breaking the breakfast chatter.

"I don’t know, but I hope it won’t be someone annoying," Nero replied. Blake, too lazy to offer a verbal response, nodded in agreement, as if to say he felt the same way.

Staying true to form, Adam raised his chin high and declared, "Of course, it’ll be with a beautiful girl. Khione, for example. I’ll melt the Ice Queen."

His bold declaration earned him a sneer from Blake. "You are so delusional. You and that woman? Well, if you don’t freeze to death first," he mocked Adam, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Tch! You’re just jealous. Just wait and see," Adam shot back, glaring at Blake, who lazily opened his eyes. The brown and purple hues clashed, creating an invisible spark between them.

Nero and Lux exchanged amused glances, both wearing smiles as they decided to sit back and watch the show unfold. It was entertaining, to say the least.

Meanwhile, the two continued to glare at each other, the tension lingering for another five minutes before Nero finally intervened. With a firm nudge, he pulled them both to their feet, and together they headed to the classroom.

They arrived in the classroom, where most of their classmates were already present. Many eyes landed on Nero for a moment as he entered. Barak glared at him, but the usual intensity seemed to be lacking today. Unbothered, Nero walked in and took a seat, with Lux sitting to his right, Adam to his left, and Blake slumping down behind him, already in the throes of sleep.

"I envy his ability to sleep whenever it pleases him," Lux mumbled, glancing at the slumbering Blake.

"Yeah, I wonder how that’s possible?" Nero said, curiosity piqued as he studied Blake. For a fleeting moment, he even entertained the absurd thought of dissecting Blake to uncover the secret, but he quickly shook his head to dispel it.

Before they could continue marveling at Blake’s exceptional ability to nap on command, their teachers walked in: Elena from the Magic class and Balrog from the Knight class.

"I see you all are present," Balrog said, scanning the room as if scrutinizing each cadet.

"You must be aware of why we are here this morning. It is to form a team of two. You will be paired with a Mage, and this will be an opportunity for you to learn more about each other and cooperate for future battles,"Elena explained, her gaze moving across the cadets in turn.

"You will be sent into a pocket dimension—a small world housing monsters. Your goal is to kill a certain number of these creatures. There’s a time limit; you will spend three days inside the pocket world. The team that finishes the fastest will receive a reward: a Blood Revitalization Pill," Balrog announced, chuckling as he watched the cadets’ eyes blaze with desire. It was to be expected; the Blood Revitalization Pill was highly sought after. Not only did it help cleanse the body of impurities, but it also elevated one’s physique level, albeit slightly. However, the real reason it was such a prized item was that it increased core capacity by clearing the pathways. One must understand that elixirs capable of promoting core growth are extremely rare; typically, one can only grow their core naturally through various procedures.

Elena then took her turn to explain what a pocket world is. "A pocket world is a controlled environment created through magical means, designed to simulate various landscapes and ecosystems. These dimensions can be small yet complex, containing unique flora and fauna, as well as a variety of monsters. They are often used for training purposes, allowing teams to test their skills in a safe yet challenging setting. The conditions within these worlds can vary widely, from climate to terrain, providing an opportunity to adapt and strategize. However, be prepared—once you enter, the pocket world will be sealed until your mission is complete."

"I see," Nero nodded after hearing Elena’s explanation about what a pocket world is.

"Now let’s announce the teams and their members," Balrog declared, much to the anticipation of a certain boy. His glorious romantic adventure was about to begin, and Adam earnestly prayed it would be the Ice Queen by his side as his teammate.

Nero narrowed his eyes at Adam, who had his hands clasped in prayer. Lux rolled his eyes at Adam, clearly exasperated, while Blake simply ignored the weirdo altogether.