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In the third and final test, Nero and the others were taken to a stairway to heaven.
Stretching infinitely into the sky, they couldn't see its end.
"This test is simple. You just need to climb until the time is up."
"Your score will depend on how many steps you take in these ten days."
After going through one test after another, most of the children were already used to it.
Stepping forward, they began to climb.
However, as soon as they did, their greatest fears and despair seemed to manifest behind them.
Above them, their hopes, salvation, and dreams also took shape.
Driven by fear and aspiration, they ascended rapidly as if climbing from hell to heaven.
But the higher they went, the heavier the pressure became.
The third test was a trial of will.
Each step they took weighed on their spirit and soul.
With fear chasing from behind and the promise of reward ahead, their will was pushed to the limit.
It tested whether one was determined enough to escape desolation and pursue their goal, even with the world against them.
As they climbed higher, some gave up, letting the abyss swallow them, while others gritted their teeth and pressed on.
Yet the further they went, the more exhausting it became. One by one, they fell, consumed by despair.
Meanwhile, Nero, haunted by the imperfections behind him, was already running for his life.
Even as his body bled and broke under the pressure, he refused to stop.
Born with the physique of heavenly perfection, he would rather die than be tainted by imperfection and filth.
If not for his father and family guiding him, Nero would have long taken his own life after being exposed to the outside world.
Soon, with unwavering determination, Nero didn't stop, reaching the top within a few days.
"Hah… I'm dead…" Nero muttered, collapsing to the ground.
Fortunately, the stairway to heaven had an end. Otherwise, he would have kept running until time was up.
Lying there, he felt his mind free as all the pressure in his body dissipated.
"I shouldn't disappoint them, right?" Nero thought, staring into the distance.
As the son of the Shadowcrest family, aside from his unchangeable talent, everything about him had to be perfect.
Days passed as Nero rested, waiting for the test to end.
Staring blankly at the sky, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.
"It can't be that girl, right?" Nero thought immediately.
Among the children in the test, only one anomaly could match or even surpass him in talent.
Thinking such a girl had three heads and six arms, Nero sat up, watching curiously at the figure climbing slowly up the stairs.
Then, like a fairy descending from the heavens, she appeared.
Nero's mind went blank as he stared at the little girl.
Like perfection crafted by the gods themselves, she left him speechless.
Among all the people he had seen, perhaps only his father could compare to her.
"Hello~" The girl smiled, seeing Nero in a daze.
"H-Hi—I'm Nero," he stuttered.
"I know…" The girl nodded, stretching out her small hand.
A Month Later in the Shadowcrest Castle
The whole family was hosting a farewell party for Nero.
"It's great, Nero! You scored an SS grade on the test!" Liam patted his head.
"As expected of my brother!" Nathan added, nodding in satisfaction.
"Unfortunately, there was no battle, so you couldn't show your power." Max sighed in disappointment.
"Don't be demanding. Nero has already shown enough."
Praising one after another, the brothers and sisters began pampering their cute little brother.
Their adorable sibling had left his first mark on the world—how could they not be proud?
Thinking about how he was about to leave for Etherium Academy, they couldn't help but sigh.
"Are you coming back often, Nero?" Asha pouted, hugging the little munchkin.
"Yes, sister! I'll come back every day!"
"You wish. Focus on your studies. Don't always think about staying in comfort." Lily pinched his cheeks.
"Then I'll come back from time to time." Nero nodded, thinking about a certain girl.
"Tsk, what are you thinking about?" Layla asked, noticing the flicker in his eyes.
"Uh—I'm not thinking of anyone…"
"Anyone? A girl? Could it be Mira?"
In an instant, the siblings exchanged glances, having the same thought.
"Brother, you have good taste!"
"Nero, you're still too young!"
"Hahaha, our little boy has grown up!"
Hearing their teasing, Nero couldn't help but blush.
But thinking back to his interaction with Mira a month ago, he sighed.
Mira seemed approachable, always smiling at everyone she met.
But she was too polite—so much so that it felt distant.
Like the beautiful moon in the night sky, it seemed close enough to reach, yet deep inside, one knew it was nothing more than an illusion.
"Who is that girl, brother? What's her identity?" Nero couldn't help but ask.
"We don't know. She just appeared like a bubble a few years ago."
After the test, Mira scored a perfect SSS grade.
From talent to comprehension and will, she was unmatched.
Curious about the origin of such a prodigy, they mobilized all their resources to gather information.
Unfortunately, what they found only left them in shock.
One day, a baby had simply materialized in the wild.
Protected by nature and the world, Mira had grown up peacefully until a few years to the present.
If not for the unified test summoning all children of age, they wouldn't have even known such a talent existed.
Marveling at Mira's mystery, the farewell party continued.
Packing his bag, Nero bid farewell as his family watched him walk toward the teleportation array, ready to head straight to Etherium Academy.
"Our little boy has grown up and is finally going to school." Maximus smiled, holding Skye's hand.
"Hmm… I just hope he can take care of himself." Skye nodded, worry clouding her eyes.
Although Nero was mature and far too intelligent for his age, he was still just a three-year-old child.
Coupled with his physique, which felt like a curse, Skye's eyes were filled with concern.
"Don't worry. He's our son, after all…"
In the Etherium Realm, even an absolute being wouldn't be able to lay a finger on Nero.
Even that mysterious little girl—after using thousands of plane origin, Maximus had confirmed she was harmless to everyone.
With everything accounted for, he had nothing left to worry about.