Parallel Memory

The geniuses received their vials containing the precious pills from King Thranduil. For most, the number of pills that they received was only one, and many were left disappointed.

But they also know that they didn't do very well in the Contest, so they could kind of accept it, especially when many others were also receiving the same amount.

Even Rank-S -, got one pill only. So, they weren't in any position to complain about the amount of pills that they got.

"WOW!"

"Look! Mia Frostine got ten pills! I am so jealous."

"Damn it! She is already powerful and doesn't need that much pill. I need more than her." …

The geniuses exclaimed when they saw the number of pills handed over to Mia. Mia got 10 pills and this was her reward for getting first place in the contest.

Seraphine also got a hefty amount, which was 8 pills.

Anyway, the geniuses couldn't help but be jealous when they saw the number of pills that Mia got. It means that she can spend 10x more in Luminary Spring than most of them.

They felt unfair as Mia was already powerful and didn't think she needed to get any more powerful.

But what can they say? Mia won the contest after all and she deserved it. Most importantly, she was the strongest and no geniuses wanted to be on the bad side of Mia by complaining.

Hiro also got a surprising number of pills. He got 5 pills despite not even being in the quarter-final. Not even the genius who survived till that round got such a number.

However, he was also someone who deserved it as he fought with Rank-S and even battled with her as an equal.

Sylvia was very surprised by the amount of pills that she got. There were three, the same Lisa, Misha, and Zion. Despite getting eliminated in the first round, she was able to get a pill equivalent to those who battle in the quarter-finals. It looks like King Tranduil didn't forget the Rank-B genius who was able to injure Rank-S, an impossible feat.

Sylvia was very happy about it!

But of course, she also wasn't the one who seemed to luck out. Zero who got eliminated in the quarter-final against Princess Elenia got 7 pills which was even greater than Princess Elenia who won against him.

There were only 2 people who got more pills than Zero and those were the first-ranked Mia and Second-ranked Seraphine.

The geniuses examined the pill distribution, and a hushed murmur began to circulate among the crowd. Some geniuses couldn't help but express their dissatisfaction with the way the pills had been allocated, especially when it came to Zero and Hiro.

"It's unfair!"

Professor William yelled. Who could be more unsatisfied than William who only got 1 pill while the two people he hated the most got 5 and 7 pills?

"How could someone like them get so many pills while I got only 1?"

Professor William's outburst had ignited a spark of frustration, and soon others joined in, expressing their grievances.

"It's an outrage!"

"I can't believe this! I fought so hard, and this is what I got?"

"There must be something going on here! Otherwise, how come even someone who got eliminated in the first round got 3 pills?" …

The room was abuzz with complaints, and some even began to question King Thranduil's judgment in allocating the pills. "I mean, seriously, did you see this? Zero got 7 pills, while I got only 4 despite being in the same position as him," muttered Aster, a talented but slightly bitter Rank-S - genius. He had made it to the quarterfinals and was more than satisfied with the rewards until he saw what Zero and Hiro had gotten.

That made him extremely jealous of Zero who has 3 more pills than him despite both of them being eliminated in the same round.

As the discontent among the geniuses continued to grow, the atmosphere between geniuses became tense.

Hiro looked a bit tense as he had gotten a lot of pills despite not ranking very high. The people dissatisfied with him are very large.

Meanwhile, Mia Frostine, who had received the lion's share of pills, wasn't included in the batch of those who proclaimed this was unfair. Seraphine and Princess Elenia, too, weren't included in that group. However, it was quite different for Hiro's group who received many more pills despite their lower rank. The dissatisfaction with them seemed to be very high, especially Sylvia who was eliminated in the first round but still got three pills.

Sylvia, the center of attention with his surprising allocation, found herself in an awkward position. She had no say in the matter and had received more pills than she had expected. It wasn't like she did anything to get more pills but others could help but accuse her out of jealousy.

Suddenly, Zero stomps on the ground causing a loud sound that attracts everyone's attention. And then issued a challenge to everyone who seemed dissatisfied with the result.

-BANG!

"Who said that the pill distribution is unfair? Want to get the same amount of pills as me? Then come and fight me. I will give you all my pills if you win."

Suddenly, Zero stomps on the ground causing a loud sound that attracts everyone's attention. And then issued a challenge to everyone who seemed dissatisfied with the result.

Zero's cold gaze swept across the geniuses, locking onto individuals who had complained the loudest. Those who were making commotion were now all silent. Even the Aster who complained that it was unfair since he was ranked the same as Zero kept his mouth shut.

Although he was able to advance to the same round as Zero and was even higher rank than Zero, but knew that he was severely lacking compared to Zero.

Zero was someone who even dominated people like Princess Elenia who is Rank-S and even though he ultimately lost, everybody knows that Zero was at least stronger than Rank-S - and no one was his opponent below Rank-S.

Additionally, who could forget that brutal beating that Zero gave to Elrond? Would they really want to experience Elrond for pills?

It wasn't! At least, not when the chance of winning was almost Zero to none!

The discontented geniuses exchanged nervous glances, torn between their desire for more pills and the fear of facing Zero in a battle. William, who had initially voiced his dissatisfaction, found himself retreating. He, despite not liking it, didn't seem stupid to have noticed the strength of Zero.

There was a sudden silence after being so noisy just a few seconds ago.

"If not then stop crying like a baby! I don't have the whole day to waste on your complaints. If you don't like what is given to you, then you won't mind me taking what you have, right?"

Zero said, with a smirk.

They all shook their heads and said, "No, we are fine! Yes, I like my pills!"

"Good then!"

Zero said, seemingly ending their complaints.

"..."

( Aren't you bullying us too much? Do you think we are afraid of you?... Well, we are! But there are others who are stronger than you. )

Most geniuses thought like that and turned to Rank-S - geniuses to find someone who would stand up to Zero but there was none.

They acted like they weren't interested even though minutes ago, some of them were protesting with them.

Then their only hopes were Rank-S but the three Rank-S didn't seem very interested in this situation. So, in the end, they had to accept what they had and be happy with what they had. Otherwise, it looks like they will also lose what they have.

With the distribution of the pills completed, King Thranduil addressed the gathering once more. He was glad that the commotion ended quickly as that would have been quite a waste of time.

Moreover, he wasn't planning to address the complaint as he awarded the geniuses according to their potential and rank. "Remember," he emphasized, "these pills are your lifeline in Luminary Spring. Use them wisely, for they will protect you and empower you. Now, embark on your journey to that sacred place."

The geniuses, carrying their vials of pills, began their march towards Luminary Spring. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and mysteries, but they were united in their determination to harness the spring's power and emerge stronger than ever before.

As they set forth on their adventure, the geniuses from various races couldn't help but wonder about the secrets and dangers that awaited them at Luminary Spring, and how this journey would shape their destinies.

As the caravan of geniuses, guards, and their diverse races' representatives set out, they encountered various challenges along the way. The journey to Luminary Spring was not without obstacles. They faced treacherous terrain, encountered strong, and navigated through enchanted forests. As they neared Luminary Spring, the atmosphere grew charged with anticipation. The power of the spring was palpable even before they laid eyes on it, and they could feel the unusual mana in the air. It looks like they will finally be able to achieve their objective!