Soon after bringing Nero home, Skye stared him down.
"What do you have to say?"
Knowing he couldn't win an argument, Nero quickly hugged his mother and apologized.
"What are you sorry for?" Skye didn't yield, squinting her eyes at him.
"I forgot to inform you about my graduation."
"Silly, I'm not angry about that! I'm angry because you haven't been home in over ten years!"
Not seeing her son for so long, Skye had dearly missed him.
Feeling his warm embrace, her heart nearly melted.
"I'm sorry, Mother… I missed you too!" Nero quickly picked up the hint and coaxed her.
"Hmm… Remember to come back next time."
A few days later, after confirming Nero had finished school, they decided to celebrate.
The reunion turned the castle jubilant, filled with food, laughter, and joy among the family.
"What are your plans next, brother?" Liam asked.
"I don't know." Nero shook his head, unsure of what to do.
"What about you, Mira?" Lily asked, hugging Mira's arm.
"I'll just follow Nero until I figure something out."
"Oh~ How sweet!" Layla smiled at her response.
"How's your progress? Did you kiss yet?" Asha asked excitedly.
"Kiss? No, Nero and I are just friends…"
Hearing her answer, Max poked Nero teasingly.
"How pitiful…" Luke joked.
"How about I teach you, little brother? I have a lot of experience." Sam whispered.
Having spent years wooing women, Sam considered himself an expert.
"What did you say?" Suddenly, like a dragoness ready to pounce, Sam's wife, Valentine, appeared beside him.
"No, I didn't say anything!" Sam quickly defended.
"Hmph! You better stay away from your old habits, or I'll break your legs."
"Honey~ don't be too harsh. I'm just giving my brother some advice."
As the conversation continued, the family congratulated Nero and Mira on graduating from the Etherium Academy.
Becoming the youngest graduate in history, Nero had made them all proud.
"Nero, it's time for you to take on the second challenge."
"Challenge? What challenge, Father?" Nero frowned as his father turned serious.
"Didn't I tell you? Your first mission was to graduate from the Etherium Academy within a thousand years. Now that you've completed it, it's time for your next mission."
Suddenly, Nero recalled that attending the academy had been a mission assigned by his father.
He had been so busy with his studies that he had completely forgotten.
"Wait! Before anything else, what about my reward, Father?! Since it was a mission, there should be a reward!"
Knowing he couldn't argue with his father once his mind was set, Nero could only negotiate for compensation.
The others also nodded in agreement with Nero's achievement; a reward was only fair.
"Of course, I didn't forget." Maximus smiled.
Although he had forgotten to prepare a reward in advance, he had the treasures he crafted for Nero's next mission.
"As a reward for your outstanding achievement, I'll grant you three treasures."
"What are these?" Nero asked, looking at the items his father handed him.
One was a book, the second a necklace, and the third… a lump of soil?
"This is my painstaking work over the years."
"The book is called the Heavenly Library. It contains copies of all knowledge in the Aeon Plane and will continuously update with new discoveries," Maximus said proudly.
Although the book was only a Tier 12 treasure, it was his masterpiece after he became a 12th-grade alchemist.
As Nero bound the book, his consciousness was transported into a vast, infinite space filled with books.
Furthermore, realizing he could adjust the time flow inside as he pleased, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Next, this necklace. It's an upgrade from the previous one I gave you."
The previous necklace helped calm Nero's emotions, preventing his senses from spiraling out of control.
With this upgrade, it would allow him to better adapt to any situation.
Nero liked the necklace more than the Heavenly Library.
Without the previous necklace his father had given him, he might not have even survived in the academy.
Now that he had an upgraded version, he couldn't wait to explore its differences.
"And lastly, the Ultimate Star Bound Island—a land that can expand and evolve endlessly."
He didn't need land or anything of the sort. Living in the castle was more than enough for him.
"This is for your next mission—to become a Star Lord, conquer the Chaos Continent, and be crowned the Chaos Lord."
A few months later, on a barren island floating in the chaotic sea, Nero stood in a daze, staring at the horizon as the sea breeze brushed against him.
"I just escaped one hell, and now I'm being sent to an even worse purgatory?"
The Etherium Academy had already been a nightmare, and now he was supposed to conquer the Chaos Continent?
Not only was it an impossible task, but the sheer imperfection and chaos it contained could kill him instantly. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
However, looking at the necklace his father had given him, he had a feeling he couldn't die even if he wanted to.
"Don't be too depressed. It's not that bad." Mira comforted, enjoying the breeze.
Having chosen to follow Nero, Mira had been assigned to the island as his Deputy Star Lord.
"Maybe…" Nero sighed, glancing at Mira.
The only silver lining of this mission is that he was together with Mira.
With her by his side, the journey wouldn't be as torturous or dull.
Star Lord Ranking: Unranked
Star Island Ranking: Unranked
"How do we earn points?" Nero muttered, analyzing the panel.
Sent on this mission, aside from his clothes and the treasures his father had given him, all his belongings had been stripped away.
Even Mira had only a few sets of clothes. Everything else had been confiscated.
They started their journey to the Chaos Continent practically empty-handed.
"It should have something to do with developing the island," Mira answered hearing Nero's
"Developing the island?"
Just as Nero spoke, a massive sea beast emerged from the waters, roaring in rage as it charged toward them.
"Killing that should get you points…" Mira mused.
With a single condensed water arrow, the sea beast's life was cut short.
[ Killed: Tier 4 Sea Serpent!]