Back at Nero’s location.
Unaware of the repercussions of his actions in the outside world, he continued with his inheritance.
The previous flame sigil that had entered his body manifested outside as red eyes on the tattoo on his skin, a revelation he would come to understand later as he progressed in his endeavors.
Soon, the pure energy within the inferno world converged to complete the blessing of the law, surrounding Nero’s soul and slowly seeping into every pore, gradually fortifying it. At first, he felt nothing, but as time passed, he began to experience immense pain. Grinding his teeth, he endured the excruciating sensation, knowing he must not falter; if he did, he risked losing part of this inheritance, and he could only guess at the potential repercussions that would follow. He could not afford to make such a mistake.
Nero persevered, enduring again and again until the purest essence of the Law of Fire was fully integrated within him. Once he absorbed it completely and made it his own, he was certain he could wield this law like no other, commanding various types of flames.
After receiving the purest essence of the Law of Fire, he felt liberated; his eyes gleamed with brilliance, allowing him to see through the essence of this place. He instinctively understood that if he unlocked another star, his special eyes would evolve, their previous abilities enhanced by the unlocking of his first star. He sensed that he could activate and deactivate this power at will, though the cost of using it remained unchanged. To master this ability fully, he needed to increase his mental capacity, which could be achieved by unsealing another star. During the star baptism and inheritance, his soul level would elevate, thereby boosting his mental capacity. The more stars he unsealed, the stronger his mental capacity would become, enabling his Eyes of Truth (a temporary name he had given them) to unleash their full potential.
"Even in my soul form, I feel powerful; strength courses through me."
Boundless strength surged within him, and for a fleeting moment, he felt invincible.
"Well, I better not become conceited," Nero remarked, glancing around the inferno world. The heat seemed to have dissipated, as if this realm would not endure much longer. Shaking his head, he focused his thoughts and left the inferno world, reappearing in the inner world where a newly freed red star shone vibrantly in the cosmos. He noted that eight stars remained sealed, and he sensed their silent urging for him to release them swiftly.
"I will, but I’m sure it won’t be as easy as the first time. I have a feeling that the more stars I unseal, the harder it will become, as the requirements for unsealing them will only grow more absurd."
"Sigh! The road to understanding myself is harder than I imagined. Well, I’ve just taken my first step; I must not become impatient." Nero calmed his emotions, reminding himself that impatience was not the key.
He looked at the vortex at the center of his inner world, sensing it swirling faster and more fluidly than before. He believed he could tap into its power, even if just a fraction of it, which was sufficient for now; with this, he could wield the Law of Fire.
"I thought you’d throw a tantrum after being used, but I guess I was overthinking," he remarked, addressing the entity sealed within the vortex. However, he was completely ignored, not that he had expected a response in the first place.
Taking one last look at his inner world, Nero felt his soul being pulled back into his body. As he regained awareness, he immediately noticed the drastic change: a two-meter radius around him had been reduced to ash, including his boxers—he would need to buy new ones.
Unfazed by his nakedness, he examined his body. The muscles he had developed through rigorous training had grown more defined, sculpted as if crafted by a master artisan. His countless scars, once stark reminders of battles fought, now appeared more beautiful, seamlessly integrated into his physique. His skin had taken on a healthy tone, becoming more refined and robust, radiating strength and vitality.
"I’m sure if I took a retest now, my physical strength score would skyrocket. I’m still at the Blue Knight level, yet my physical strength rivals that of a Red Knight. Not bad," Nero mused, pleased with his progress. He decided to test the most urgent task at hand: using a law. Even though this was his first attempt, he instinctively knew what to do. He willed the power to manifest, and immediately something stirred within him.
Robust orange flames erupted above his outstretched palm, quickly engulfing his entire arm and burning brightly. He shaped the flames into various forms, creating a sword made entirely of fire that flickered with intensity, its edge sharp and formidable. The flames danced around him, flickering and swirling, as he enveloped his entire body in a fiery cocoon. The heat radiated outward, shimmering in the air, while the fire took on various forms—wings of flame extending from his back, and a protective barrier encircling him, showcasing his newfound mastery of the Law of Fire.
"Wow! This is so awesome!" Nero exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. He was genuinely happy—happy to finally wield a law like his peers. Despite his mature demeanor, he was still a young man at heart. Now he is a proper Knight.
"Still, I must not abuse it," he reminded himself, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. "My Prana capacity is a bit limited, which is unfortunate, but I guess I need to learn to use it efficiently with what I have. This will come in handy once I have total control over my Prana."
What Nero didn’t realize was that what he had just accomplished was exceptional for someone using a law for the first time. He was able to use it effortlessly, almost as if it were an extension of himself. Even with his limited Prana, he had performed wonders; the primordial energy flowed through him with a docile grace, perfectly in sync with the Law of Fire—a rare occurrence that many could only dream of achieving.