The transition from the holidays to the new school term was a quiet one for the House of von Vinci. Leon spent his days training alongside Claire, though it was a delicate dance of deception. He carefully moderated his output, matching less than half of her strength. He was a shadow moving in tandem with a star, still determined to keep his true nature hidden until he could understand the anomaly of his own existence.
When the new session began, the B-Rank students gathered in their familiar classroom, the air buzzing with stories of their break. The chatter died down instantly when a stranger stepped through the door.
He was a man who radiated warmth—a gentle, welcoming presence with a wide, enchanting smile that seemed to put the entire room at ease.
"Good day," he said, his voice soft and melodic. "My name is Luther Fendrick, and I am your new teacher. This is my first time in a classroom, so let's work together to make every lesson fun and entertaining." He paused, his smile widening. "Oh, and I am an S-Rank elemental user, just so you know."
While the class was instantly won over by Luther's charm, Leon felt a prickle of unease. There was something "off" about the man—a hidden depth beneath the warmth that Leon couldn't quite identify.
"Today's topic," Luther began, leaning against his desk, "is the Primordial Skills. These are not merely abilities; they are the core of existence itself. Creation, Destruction, Reality Manipulation, Matter Manipulation, Time Manipulation, Theft, and Life/Death Manipulation. These skills forged the universe. Those who possess them are destined for Legend, and once mastered, they are absolute."
Luther scanned the room, his eyes twinkling. "Now, can anyone guess the top three most powerful Primordial Skills?"
Lloyd's hand shot up first, a prideful smirk on his face. "I'd say Time, Reality, and Matter manipulation."
Ron followed next, her brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe Creation, Destruction, and Life/Death?"
Luther's smile remained fixed as he noticed Leon's hand slowly rise. "Go on, young man," Luther prompted.
"I think it's Theft, Destruction, and Creation," Leon replied steadily. "I believe Theft has the most potential."
"You've identified the top three, though not in the correct order," Luther corrected, his voice taking on a weightier tone. "It is Destruction, Creation, and Theft. To understand why, you must know their True Names—the names that reveal their function in the cosmos."
He turned to the board, his presence suddenly filling the room with an ancient authority.
Primordial Skill >The True Name >The Cosmic Function
Destruction >Nullification >The End
Creation >Origination >The Beginning
Theft> Adaptation >The Copy
Time >The Process >The Flow
Matter> The Essence >The Substance
Reality >The Proof >The Manifestation
Life / Death> The Truth >The Cycle
"The Beginning, The End, and the Adaptation," Luther concluded, his gaze lingering on Leon for a fraction of a second too long. "These are the fundamental pillars of the universe. Their True Names show you exactly why they stand above all others. They are the framework of all that is, was, and ever will be."
The classroom remained silent, the students mesmerized by the lecture. But for Leon, the words felt like a riddle designed specifically for him.
The classroom air grew thick with unspoken tension as Luther's hierarchy of powers settled over the students. Seeing his Time Manipulation ranked below Theft—a skill he viewed as a mere parlor trick for mimics—Lloyd hissed, a dark scowl twisting his face. I'll make a joke of all these skills once I reach my peak, he seethed internally. I'll prove your "pillars" are nothing but sand.
"Among the seven Primordial Skills, only six currently exist in our world," Luther continued, his voice dropping into a solemn register. "As you know, the universe does not allow two users of the same Primordial Skill to exist simultaneously. Here are the souls currently carrying these burdens:
Arnold Voltegold: Destruction (The End)
Phyx Rainstorm: Reality Manipulation (The Proof)
Lloyd Tempest: Time Manipulation (The Process)
Ron Buress: Creation (The Beginning)
Claire von Vinci: Matter Manipulation (The Essence)
Leon von Vinci: Theft (The Adaptation)"
Luther concluded the list by locking eyes with Leon, his expression shifting into a deep, unsettling concern. Leon felt a chill crawl up his spine. Why is he looking at me like that? he wondered, his mind racing. Does he see through the lie? Does he know I'm not the Adaptation?
The lecture ended with a final, haunting reminder: "Remember, unless a Primordial user dies, another cannot be born."
Sensing a trap, Leon spent his free period at the pupil's committee office, digging into Luther Fendrick's files. The discovery was frustratingly perfect: Age: 45. Rank: S-Rank Elemental. Origin: Neighboring Kingdom. No scandals, no family, no history worth mentioning. It was a ghost's biography—too clean to be real.
That night, in the red-drenched throne room, the mysterious master stared down at his three elite subordinates. Ren stood among them, still bearing the spiritual scars of his defeat.
"Leon, right?" the figure on the throne mused. "I saw him today. He didn't emit any overwhelming power. Ren, are you certain this child is the one who shattered your domain?"
"Yes, my lord," Ren replied, his head bowed. "He may not look like much, but I urge you to proceed with caution."
"I'd like to see for myself," the master said, tossing a necklace with a tiny, glowing orb to the third figure in the room. "Xenes, you're next. Challenge the boy. Wear this orb so I may watch the battle."
Xenes Roman, a Legendary Rank Nature User with a reputation for cruelty, caught the necklace with a mocking grin. "I don't believe he'll be a problem. If he proves weak, shall I kill him?"
"No," the master replied. "I need access to his Soul Palace—if it truly exists. Do not kill him until I have what I want."
The weekend arrived, and Leon found himself lured into the woods by Ron. She had been insistent on showing him a "mysterious cave," and Leon, unable to resist her infectious smile, had reluctantly agreed.
As they trekked through the dense foliage, they stumbled upon an anomaly: a breathtaking garden nestled in the heart of the wild. Ron was puzzled; she had walked these woods countless times and never seen this vibrant oasis. It was a paradise of fluttering butterflies and neon-hued flora.
Enchanted, Ron reached out to gently scoop up a sapphire butterfly resting on a pink flower. The moment her finger brushed the petal, the "flower" snapped shut, its hidden teeth sinking into her skin.
"Ouch! It hurts!" she screamed, recoiling in pain.
"Careful," a voice drifted from the shadows behind them, cold and smooth. "Those plants are carnivorous. Not everything beautiful is meant to be touched."
A man in his mid-thirties stepped out from the dense foliage, strolling into the vibrant clearing with the poised, effortless gait of a high-ranking noble. His attire was impeccable, yet his presence felt like a blight upon the very beauty of the garden he had cultivated.
"Hey there," he began, his voice smooth but laced with a subtle, predatory edge. "My name is Xenes Roman. It's truly a pleasure to meet you both."
He stopped a few paces away, his gaze shifting between Leon and the wounded Ron. A malicious smile spread across his face, one that didn't reach his cold, calculating eyes.
"Those who possess the Primordial Skills are truly gifted," Xenes continued, his tone mockingly sweet. "And I would dearly love to test that gift. So, please..."
He spread his arms wide as the surrounding vines began to twitch and coil like hungry serpents.
"Do show me what makes you so special."