The Beginning of the Starborn

"Morning, Tiandao."

Still bleary-eyed, Jing Liuli waved at the silver-haired youth who had entered last.

Like a sloth, she sat in her seat hugging her pillow, looking as though someone had forcibly dragged her out of bed.

For even someone as fond of slacking off as Jing Liuli to be forced to arrive early—

It was clear just how important this day was to everyone.

Besides Jing Liuli, there were another ten Starborn in the meeting room.

Including the newly arrived Tiandao, eleven Starborn had gathered in the room.

Seeing so many people looking at him at once, Tiandao immediately smiled. "Don't be so tense, everyone. It's just a Star Source selection meeting. Relax, relax."

As he spoke, Tiandao casually took the seat of honor according to his trainee ranking, moving as naturally as though he had been born to sit there.

Even Chen Xing, who had always regarded Tiandao as a rival, found nothing wrong with it.

After all, with the strength and potential Tiandao had displayed—

If he sat second, no one could sit first.

But as the pinnacle of the Starborn, aside from his terrifying strength that far surpassed others his age—

Tiandao also had a mouth that made people want to tear it apart.

"Eh? Chen Xing, your injuries still haven't healed? Looks like our organization's medical standards aren't much either. Otherwise, how could they not even have scarless treatment?"

Seeing the scars still lingering on Chen Xing's arm, Tiandao voiced his curiosity.

Chen Xing calmly replied, "It has nothing to do with the organization. I deliberately asked them to leave those scars."

"Because they constantly warn me that I must work even harder, so I can avoid ever facing that kind of despair again."

"Huh? Despair? Why did the Final Assessment feel pretty easy to me? Didn't we just go up there, fight a little, and finish it?"

"..."

Chen Xing shot Tiandao an annoyed glare, clearly too lazy to respond to his obvious clowning.

Just as Tiandao was about to keep teasing this tsundere girl who always had such a stern expression—

The meeting room doors suddenly opened.

Doctor entered the meeting room with Yun Meng following behind him.

At the sight of the two, everyone present rose to their feet in respect. Tiandao was the sole exception.

He lounged in his seat without moving, exactly like some unruly troublemaker in a classroom.

Yet Yun Meng and Doctor did not mind his rude behavior.

Doctor walked to the enormous projection before the group and gestured for everyone to sit.

As Yun Meng passed Tiandao, she gave the back of his head a light knock.

"At least put on a show. You have no sense of decorum at all."

Tiandao grinned and rubbed his head. "Sister Yun, my injuries haven't healed yet. I can't move around carelessly."

"Do whatever you want. I can't be bothered with you."

Yun Meng shook her head helplessly. Though Tiandao was a Starborn, his status within Ember was exceptionally special.

Even she indulged Tiandao almost without limit.

As a result, many things that would have been unforgivable if done by anyone else—

Became utterly insignificant when it was Tiandao.

Like Tiandao's "arrogance" right now.

If it had been someone else, Yun Meng would certainly have shown them what rules were.

But with Tiandao, a little scolding was enough. Could she really punish him?

"Good morning, everyone."

Doctor walked before the giant projection and lightly tapped it.

The next second, a holographic image like a nebula appeared before them.

And amid those nebulae were several unusual stars radiating eerie light.

Looking at those special stars, the Starborn present seemed to understand something.

Excitement immediately appeared on their faces, and even their breathing became slightly hurried.

Seeing their reactions, Doctor smiled. "It seems everyone understands what these stars represent. That's right—they are the legendary Star Sources."

"Ninety-five years ago, a special meteor shower changed the entire world. The truth behind that meteor shower was these sources of stars that possessed miraculous power."

"For a long time afterward, people were both curious and deeply fearful of this miraculous power."

"But after all these years of research, we have more or less uncovered some of the principles behind Star Sources."

As he spoke, Doctor moved his hand through the Holographic Projection.

The next second, the originally dazzling star cluster abruptly changed. A brilliant explosion erupted at its very center.

Then countless fluorescent meteors streaked across the void, flying toward every corner of the universe.

Watching those scattering meteors, a sharp gleam flashed in Doctor's eyes beneath his Silver Mask.

"The origin of stars—the most fundamental and core cosmic power of a planet."

"Though we do not know what caused the meteor shower ninety-five years ago, we do know that its appearance completely opened a brand-new era."

"However."

Doctor caught one of the meteors flying through the Holographic Projection and displayed it before everyone.

"...Just as Star Sources opened a new era, I believe your arrival will also usher in a brand-new age."

"An age... called the Starborn."

Doctor's words seemed to carry some mysterious power, filled with a strange, bewitching allure.

Even Caroline, calm as she was as a Mechanical type, showed an obvious emotional reaction.

"Alright, everyone. Other than Tiandao and Chen Kong, who is still recovering in a medical pod, the rest of you may follow Yun Meng to receive your Star Sources."

Hearing Doctor's words, everyone first looked curiously at Tiandao, then rose and followed Yun Meng deeper into the base.

After everyone had left, Doctor immediately looked toward Tiandao, seated in the place of honor, and asked, "Tiandao, are you certain you want to choose that Star Source?"

"With your performance, as long as you ask, I can find a way to get you even the rarest Star Source."

"Furthermore, based on our long-term observations of your personal traits, a certain Fantasy type Star Source within the base is highly suitable for you. Are you sure you wish to give up that Star Source and choose this ordinary Vector Control?"

Doctor took two mysterious metal cubes from his coat and spread his hands.

The next second, the two metal cubes flew before Tiandao.

Inside those two metal cubes were the Star Sources that countless people coveted.

One was the "Vector Control" Tiandao had specifically requested.

The other was the Fantasy type Star Source Doctor said suited him extremely well—"The Visionary."

Star Source: Vector Control

Effect One · Kinetic Interference: Can alter the direction of motion of any object touched, thereby stacking or canceling kinetic energy. For example, slowing a falling object or accelerating a swinging blade.

Effect Two · Energy Flow Interference: Can deflect or disperse energy attacks (such as flame jets, lightning, or shockwaves), but cannot create something from nothing. It can only control existing vectors.

Star Source: The Visionary

Effect One · Synchronization: Can briefly replicate Star Sources that have been touched and use them (the effect is only 50% as powerful as the original; only one Star Source may be used per synchronization; at most three replicated Star Sources may be stored; and it cannot replicate an existence whose Innate Star Energy Level exceeds one's own, unless the other party willingly removes their restrictions and actively accepts synchronization).

Effect Two · Vision: Can briefly fuse replicated Star Sources together, forming a special Star Source with multiple effects. The effect depends on one's own Star Energy Level and the types of Star Sources fused together (can only be used once per calendar month).

The Visionary was an exceptionally special Fantasy type Star Source.

Its applications were broad, and its practicality was immense.

Paired with Tiandao's outstanding combat talent and powerful Innate Star Energy Level—

It could allow him to continuously adjust his tactical system according to different opponents.

And thus reach a nearly "omnipotent" state.

But all of that was only true in theory.

In reality, without the special Star Core Black Star to compensate for The Visionary's fatal weakness—

This Star Source was merely passable.

It was useful for crushing weaklings, but it could not handle high-level battles at all.

It could be said that The Visionary had been tailor-made for the protagonist Chen Kong from the very beginning.

It was completely incompatible with Tiandao.

Naturally, Tiandao would not say any of that aloud.

He placed his hand on the Star Source Cube containing "Vector Control" and said with utter confidence, "Whether it suits me or not isn't for others to decide."

"The Visionary, a shadow that can only hide behind others forever, doesn't fit the temperament of Tiandao Siming."

"If I, Tiandao Siming, do something, then I'll do it. And if I do it, I'll be the strongest."

"So, Doctor, I think this Vector Control suits me just fine."

With that, Tiandao gave Doctor no chance to persuade him further and directly opened the Star Source Cube containing "Vector Control."

In an instant, a special sphere no larger than a ping-pong ball, radiating brilliant starlight, appeared before Tiandao.

Without the slightest hesitation, Tiandao placed his hand on the orb of light and absorbed the mysterious power contained within.

As for The Visionary?

That thing could be left for the protagonist Chen Kong to use.

After all, he liked hiding in the shadows beyond the spotlight, didn't he?