069. 1st Class Supreme Grade
In a mansion at the Gana Empire headquarters, the Super Novas sat with their jaws on the floor.
A 1st Class supreme grade? And not even from a proper 1st Class knight? It was a rank they'd never heard Arian utter before.
Could they have misheard?
Raz Medra whipped his head around, scanning the others. But they were all the same—frozen like statues, mouths agape. Even It wore a stunned expression.
“……”
A brief silence fell.
In that moment, a maid slipped into the room. She quickly assessed the situation and hoisted the collapsed Arian onto her back. Even as the maid carried Arian out, It remained lost in thought.
'1st Class supreme...? What the hell is going on...?'
Its gaze shifted to Bin. A youthful face, an ordinary build. Nothing threatening on the surface. But those eyes burned with life—a maturity beyond his years.
'The kid seems... different somehow.'
It proceeded cautiously in its mind.
'But 1st Class supreme? Even for him...'
He'd never heard of such a rank. Part of him wanted to deny it outright. Yet it was Arian's judgment. She'd never been wrong before—not once. He couldn't dismiss it.
'Was Arian not feeling well? But I can't chalk it up to coincidence...'
It furrowed its brow, deep in contemplation.
But only for a moment. He looked at Bin and retracted his earlier words.
“I'll take back what I said before. Bin Bascon, will you join the Empire?”
“……!”
Raz's eyes flashed at the offer.
'An invitation already...?'
It was a meticulous man who'd fought alongside for years. He always vetted thoroughly—abilities, character—to avoid the disaster of letting in an assassin. Never had he extended an offer to a Super Nova so swiftly.
If memory served, this was the fastest on record. And to a teenager who looked barely mid-teens. The youngest Super Nova, receiving the Empire's invitation in record time. Raz could hardly trust his own ears.
'Even if it's Lady Arian's word... what does he see in this kid?'
As Raz glared sharply at Bin, the boy spoke with utter calm.
“I refuse.”
Its pupils trembled at the firm rejection. It was a far cry from the usual response.
Most would leap at it. Fame to honor one's house. Vast wealth. A harem of beauties. For any man born in the Gana Empire, it was a must-visit before death. This was the heart of the Empire itself.
It eyed Bin quizzically.
“What's the reason? If it's money, I'll advance another 20,000 gold on top.”
“……!”
As It finished speaking, the blonde woman, Aili, eyes gleamed.
“Tw-twenty thousand gold...!”
Her shock was justified. 20,000 gold could buy a fine mansion. No amount of potential justified that for a mere 3rd Class low-grade rating.
Yet Bin maintained his impassive demeanor.
“I'll pass. I don't need money right now.”
“……”
It looked flustered. Bin's expression didn't suit a teenager. It felt uncanny, like facing a seasoned elder who'd lived longer than him.
Its chest tightened uncomfortably.
'Feels like he's toying with me...'
It cleared its throat with a smack of its lips.
“Hm...”
Two refusals were rare for it; it seemed irked.
'Too young to grasp gold's value? Or did he inherit his stubborn father's traits?'
A hundred out of a hundred loved money—even from wealthy ducal houses. Human greed knew no bounds. But exceptions existed.
It recalled a similar scene from the past.
A massive figure loomed before him. A 1st Class knight of the continent, head of the Bascon Ducal House—one of the three great battle families—Moden Bascon.
It made its offer.
“You. Care to join the Gana Imperial Guard?”
Moden threw his head back and replied.
“How could a beast raised in the wild live leashed?”
“……”
Its brow furrowed at the loaded words.
'Oh? Playing hard to get, eh? I half-expected it. Let's see if he holds that attitude for the next offer.'
It flashed a confident smile and proffered a bulging pouch of gold coins.
“This'll more than satisfy. Enough for a small castle, even.”
It watched Moden's face intently.
'Well? Can you resist this temptation?'
But before its lips could curl further, Moden gave an unexpected answer.
“Beasts prefer hunting across vast plains over fed scraps.”
“……”
Moments later, Moden strode out without a backward glance, utterly without regret. It scowled at his retreating back.
'Daring to scorn money...'
Watching Bin reject It so decisively, the Super Novas wondered.
'Not a moment's hesitation...'
'Twenty thousand gold... just like that.'
'Incomprehensible guy.'
Meanwhile, Codic at Bin's waist grinned inwardly, his cheekbones rising.
'These foolish beasts. As if my lord would fall for pocket change. I have more than enough gold myself. Heh heh.'
Codic recalled the crystals he'd stuffed into his skull in the harpy cave. That's why his cheekbones twitched every time It mentioned money.
Recalling Moden's past stirred It to defiance.
“Forty thousand gold. I'll advance 40,000. What say you?”
“F-forty thousand...!”
Aili's shock was warranted. 40,000 gold could buy several mansions. A serf could toil a lifetime and never afford one. Most nobles never touched such sums.
Offering it to a rookie Super Nova with a 3rd Class low-grade rating was absurd.
'Forty thousand for a 3rd Class low? Impossible.'
She was right—it was unheard of. Born only from that absurd 1st Class supreme potential.
Yet even that fortune didn't faze Bin.
“Leashes aren't my style. I'll take my leave.”
With no lingering attachment, Bin exited the room. His stride echoed Moden's from years ago.
It slammed the table in frustration.
Thud!
'Like father, like son.'
Shortly after, Bin headed for Plentel Castle. His steps felt lighter.
Step, step.
As he walked, familiar faces appeared ahead: Super Novas Raz and Metz.
Raz spoke first.
“Hey, newbie. You were reckless back there.”
His tone was belligerent. He adjusted his wooden glasses with one finger, glaring at Bin.
Seeing Bin reminded Raz of his younger self—intimidated at Super Nova gatherings called 'Bang,' surrounded by elders who kept him in line.
But Bin was the opposite. He spoke freely, boldly, with infuriating poise.
Raz scowled.
“Since you're here, show us your skills.”
He wanted to test Bin personally. Was Arian wrong for once? Or was this the seed of a 1st Class knight, realm of the gods?
Gripping his staff, Raz narrowed his eyes. Bin's gaze turned icy.
“Do as you like.”
Metz watched silently, heart pounding.
Thump, thump.
The highest potential he'd ever seen.
'1st Class supreme potential...'
The bald, burly Metz felt a pang of regret. He itched to fight Bin himself. His hand drifted to the giant axe on his back.
Meanwhile, Bin and Raz locked eyes. A 3rd Class low-grade versus a 3rd Class supreme-grade duel.
Raz raised his staff horizontally with both hands and gritted his teeth.
'Opening.'
In that instant—
Shhh.
The silver-glowing staff turned to sand. Grains swirled around him.
'No matter your potential, you're just 3rd Class low now. Time to show you your place.'
Raz raised his hand. The sand enveloping him surged into the air. As he lowered it—
Countless sand harpoons shot toward Bin like spears.
Whoosh.
Impressive speed. But Bin watched with wide eyes.
“……”
He raised Luminare.
The moment the sand harpoons met his greatsword—
Claaang!
The deafening clash echoed. Raz smirked at Bin's furrowed brow, taunting him.
“Newbie, charge in with that confidence from before.”
The next attack was coming—fine sand grains to slip past and slice his throat.
But Bin, parrying, flashed a confident smile.
“If you insist...”
As he spoke—
Whiiir.
A blue vortex erupted from Luminare, sucking in the sand harpoons in one gulp.
Metz's eyes widened at the impossible sight.
'Th-that's Hobas...?!'
His eyes were spot on. It was the ability of Hobas's weapon, the Great Sickle.
Before Metz could react, Bin leaped into the air, swinging his greatsword at Raz.
'Right back at you.'
As the blade arced through the sky—
Sand harpoons burst from it, hurtling toward Raz.
Raz's face went slack in disbelief.
'S-sand? How...?!'