Odyssey of the Blind God

After the first theory lesson that revolved around the appearance of the Monster Dimension, and how the Creatoran were able to tap into their true potential thanks to its emergence, Nial got to know a few more things.

His knowledge was already broad and there was hardly anything about the first few Academy semesters that he didn't know. That was the case with the theoretical knowledge shared in the Imperial Academy. His instructors had been old scholars and their knowledge was much broader than the things he could learn in the Imperial Academy.

Of course, knowledge was not the reason why he entered the Imperial Academy. There were more important things than the teachings he received.

First and foremost, Nial Lacardia was supposed to be the role model of the youngest generation. He ought to show everyone how things were done and that it was fine to rely on him. After all, he would become the ruler of the Lacardia Empyrean Void.

His mother didn't want to pressure him but Nial roughly understood what was going on. He may only be seven years old, but his every action was recorded and would be made use of by his enemies. The moment he did something stupid, rumors revolving around his actions would spread.

That was the fate of a ruler with many enemies, however, that was fine.

Nial didn't really care about most rumors, and he felt that the experiences he made in the Imperial Academy were very helpful. He and Celine had a good time in the Imperial Academy, right from the start at that.

At the end of the day, there were always idiots who thought that their status as nobles allowed the youngest students to be entitled. However, these idiots were quickly taken care of. Nial didn't care whether someone was a noble or not. As long as they tried their best, Nial considered them good students that were worth his respect.

Sometimes he wished that he was not a Crown Prince but just a talented commoner. It was not like he dreamed about this scenario or anything like that.

However, he sometimes wondered how his life would have been if he were to be an ordinary child, without any noteworthy background. It was possible that he would have been exploited just like Celine, or that something bad would have happened.

But, somehow, he felt like his life would have been a lot easier. He didn't like that others had high expectations of him as the Crown Prince of the Lacardia Empyrean Void.

Nial Lacardia.

That was the name of history's youngest full-fledged Summoner, the youngest Original who had created a Unique Origin Ring, and the Crown Prince of the Lacardia Empyrean Void…not a seven year old child that ought to live his childhood, having fun with his peers and playing around a bit.

What was a normal seven year old child even supposed to do? Play around cheeky? Stir trouble?

Nial didn't know. He was not sure what he missed out so he was never really sad about it.

It was just that he was wondering how life would be if not everything about it was so serious.

Every step in his life was under surveillance and he was not allowed to make any mistakes.

In fact, even if he were to act a little bit childish, there would be people starting to hate him.

–You are a Crown Prince, act according to your role.

–You want us to follow you when you're just playing around all day? What a disgrace to have you as our Crown Prince!

In the Information Era which the Lacardia Empyrean Void had entered not too long ago, rumors spread extremely fast. Hateful rumors spread even faster and it didn't even matter whether something was true or not, people would believe it.

Not all people may trust hateful rumors, but there would always be someone who would trust the words of others even if it didn't make any sense.

That was why Nial sometimes wished that he was a talented commoner, just for a few days. He wanted to experience the bliss of youth, even if it was just for a few days. It was more than enough for him to understand what he was fighting for, and why he should always give his utmost when becoming stronger.

Nial spent the rest of the day working hard, as always. He didn't show off his knowledge but he was often asked to answer questions others couldn't answer with their procured knowledge.

Nial noticed that the questions were mostly something he had learned not too long ago. It was obviously a ploy of the royal household and the scholars to make him memorize the answers beforehand and ask him exactly those questions.

The Imperial Academy wanted to make sure that Nial would be considered the perfect role model of the Lacardia Empyrean Void. They wanted him to be considered a once in ten thousand years prodigy, whether it was about his intellect, Summoner talent, or cultivation talent.

That was also why the theory lesson about Familiars didn't want to show off Goldy. The Goldscale Serpent was an extinct monster, but Goldy's talent was not exactly high according to the results of the examinations made in the royal palace.

It was obvious that Goldy was special because the Goldscale Serpent was the strongest of its kind, and one of the last of its kind, if not the last in the first place. However, considering that Goldy's potential was not that special, the professors didn't point out the Crown Prince's first Familiar.

If Goldy had been a Hydra Larva, a Pegasus, or some other kind of mythical creature, this would have been a lot different. However, the Goldscale Serpent paled in comparison to some first familiars of other students in the same class.

They were much older than Nial Lacardia, but that didn't really matter to other people. It was just important that the Crown Prince's Familiar was not as powerful and talented as the Familiars of other students.

Nial knew that this was extremely stupid but he didn't really think too much about it. He was quite comfortable being in the shadows. It was better than being bombarded with all the spotlight.

Sometimes the scheming of his own people was confusing, but Nial didn't even try to understand them. He allowed them to do what they had to do, after all, they were professionals.

This was also how he got to know a bunch of familiars of the exceptional students who were in possession of better Familiars as the Crown Prince.

There was a cat-like monster close to 1.5 meters in height that strode through the huge training hall with slow yet confident steps. The Blazing Sabertooth Tiger was different from ordinary feline beasts. It had proportionally longer front legs and a much more muscular build. Its upper canine teeth were long, flat, and dagger-like. The moment they dug into their prey, they would reap its life.

That was what it felt like when looking at the scarlet-red, bronze-furred Blazing Sabertooth Tiger. The monster's eyes gleamed with fierce intelligence and it bared its fang toward the students whom the monster identified as its master's opponent in an instant.

As the Blazing Sabertooth tiger moved, its muscles rippled beneath its skin.

Under normal circumstances, the majestic and terrific sight of the predator that was at the top of the food chain was enough to intimidate the people in the surrounding. However, Nial wasn't really fazed.

'That monster is better than Goldy? Are these idiots on drugs?'

Nial was unable to understand what the strategists were thinking. This feeling grew even more intense at the sight of the other Monster Familiar that was chosen as a display for extraordinary monsters.

A Heavy Armored Bull…

The entire arena trembled as the several-ton heavy monster charged through it.

Its bronze metallic hide glistened brightly in the light of the afternoon sun, dazzling most of the wildly cheering students. The Heavy Armored Bull's muscles bulged beneath its hide as it charged toward its master to reunite with him.

Despite its massive frame of close to 1.5 meters shoulder-height and heavy weight, the bull was eerily quick and agile, could run at high speed, and maneuvered itself quite easily while taking sharp turns.

Its long, muscular legs provided the necessary foundation for its power and speed, which was also what the teachers pointed out.

But even then, Nial could only shake his head.

'They're really on drugs. I should tell Mom that she should start doing some mandatory tests again…'