—-

A new day came as Apollo opened his eyes to the rays from the duals suns shining on his face. Blocking the light with his hand, Apollo turned over.

​​

After stretching, he left his worn-out bed. It soon dawned on him that he was unaware of the appearance of the body. As such, he ventured to the pond out back, finally catching a glimpse of his face.

Although he wasn’t ugly, currently, there was nothing particularly capturing about him. His eyes were a dull grey color but compared to the initial state, they seemed to possess more vitality. Furthermore, depending on the angle of light, his hair looked to be both black and extremely dark grey.

His cheeks were slightly concave due to a bit of malnutrition. Other than that, the proportions of his features were rather natural including his tiny stature.

Once he examined his features thoroughly, Apollo stood up and reached into his pocket. Inside his hands rested one of the pills he received before. Additionally, the system expanded on its details. 

Item Name: Foundation Strengthening Pill

Rank: Rank 1 Pill

Grade: Poor

Effect: When ingested, the user gains Experience +10.

Sub-effect: Ingesting 10 results in All Attributes + .1.

Use: 1/1

“Azridan, this pill gives me experience. Does this mean increasing my level is the only thing I need to do? Oh, there are no instructions…can I ingest them all at once?”

[No, that’s not how this works. Only the Mortal Realm is different. Also… don’t do that. For now…ingest 1 a day. It contains threads of Natural Essence and that could overload your currently fragile body.]

“Oh, does the grade of these pills matter?”

[Yes. In your case, an increase in grade results in an increase in the experience provided by these pills.]

“Oh…okay. So what do we do today?”

[Train. Add your stat points so I can formulate a quest accordingly.]

In addition to the Strength and Agility gained from his daily training quest, he added 1 point to Strength and 1 to Vitality. As a result, Apollo’s stats changed.

—-

(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Human

Age: 10

Level: 2

Experience: 125/200.

Health: 14/14

Stamina: 16/16

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Mortal

Physique: Mortal-Grade (Middle Tier)

Zuls: 2

Strength: 1.4

Agility: 1.3

Intelligence: 8.6

Vitality: 1.2

Stat Points: 0

«System Alert! Daily Mission»

Quest Name: Arduous Training (Beginner Level)

Quest Information: Although you have been blessed with the appearance of the system. Its presence means nothing with inaction. Hence, it is time to begin your training. A sturdy foundation is the basis of everything.

Objectives-

-Execute 120 staff strikes. (0/120)

-Execute 60 squats. (0/60)

-Run 1.2km. (0/1.2km)

-36 minutes of stance training. (0/36)

Reward-

– 25 Experience

– .1 Strength

– .1 Agility

Time Limit- 3 hours.

«Note: Time Limit begins from the moment you perform your first repetition of an exercise.»

Apollo rubbed his chin, noticing slight differences from yesterday’s mission, “Azridan, how comes the amount of training has increased compared to yesterday and there is a time limit?” 

[The reason is simple; progressive overload. If we keep the training volume the same and allow the break to be too long then you won’t experience the needed growth. Not to mention, the presence of the system now makes your body inherently different from others. So, I will keep the challenge there to promote your growth.]

“Oh…okay,” Apollo nodded somewhat ruing what Azridan told him.

Nevertheless, if he sought strength, then he’d have to come to terms with difficult training. Thus,  Apollo gathered his gear and headed to the training area bright and early. When he reached there, it was near empty except for Aaron slashing away at a training post.

Upon noticing his focused visage, Apollo greeted him as he grabbed the staff, “What time did you wake up Aaron? Isn’t it somewhat too early for you to be here?”

“Oh, me? About 30 minutes ago. Actually, because I wasn’t doing anything productive, my mom made me. For some reason, it seems the older family members urge us to train harder now.”

For a moment, Apollo brooded over this fact. It would be a lie to say he didn’t seek the care of his parents, ‘No one urges me to train…I wonder what Mom and Dad were like.’

Although Aaron noticed the change in expression, he didn’t press the matters. However, he did take note of Apollo’s movements once he swung his staff. Compared to yesterday, they flowed much better. Not to mention, his grip while not yet deft, wasn’t as crude.

‘I guess he got his hands on some Healing Ointment. Thank goodness,’ Aaron thought after examining Apollo’s palms.

Fortunately, that additional .1 Vitality and .3 Strength difference seemed to work wonders for Apollo’s training. ‘Azridan, I forgot to ask. What do the other stats do?’

[Ah, for now, Agility increases attack and movement speed. Intelligence increases the matters related to the mind. Strength increases Zuls. Vitality increases Health. However, Strength and Vitality combine together to increase Stamina.]

‘Oh, so that’s how it works, wait… for now? Does that imply the aspects affected can change?’ Apollo paused his actions.

[Well, not the way you’re thinking. The thing susceptible to change is your conversion ratios. The system is only Level 1 right now. On top of that, your body will also determine the rate, so improve yourself.]

After he heard this, Apollo returned to training with improved vigor. Muffled thuds were heard as Apollo continuously struck the training post. Once again, his hands and bones began aching but he bore with it until the end without complaints this time.

Shortly after, he began performing his daily squats. Once done, he moved directly into the run. His legs burned but yesterday’s experience played in his mind.

The looks of ridicule from the elders and the condescending looks from the other children remained. Not only did these negative images drive him to seek strength, but vengeance also started to bud in his heart.

Soon enough, after stance training, his daily mission was over.

«System Alert! Daily Mission COMPLETE!»

«You have been rewarded 25 Experience, .1 Strength, and .1 Agility.»

«Experience: 150/200.»

After finishing his daily training, Apollo didn’t linger around the training but rather headed back to his living quarters. Once there, he examined the Foundation Strengthening pill.

Its aroma was faint, almost nonexistent leading Apollo to understand why the grading was poor.

«Item Note: Over 70% of the efficacy of the spiritual herbs used to concoct this was lost.»

“Azridan…I have a question.”

[What is it?]

“I see that examining this pill gave me information, but how come I can’t see when I will reach the next rank of the Mortal Realm?”

[Oh, that. Well, it is because this realm isn’t too special. It’s simply a body training realm if you will.]

“Hmm, what does that mean? Will it change when my body is ready?”

[Yes and No. Each rank just needs you to acquire additional Zuls. The only number that truly matters is 1600 Zuls, you will then possess the requirement to enter the Zul Warrior Realm. But I will help you, here.]

〈System Alert! Status Update: Body Cultivation: Rank 1 Mortal [2/10]〉

“What do I do now Azridan?” asked Apollo.

[You need more knowledge. What you know now simply isn’t enough.]

‘Ding!’

«System Alert! New Mission»

Quest Name: New Knowledge

Quest Information: As with any endeavor, possessing background information is vital. In order to gain power, you must understand the road you need to take. As such, it is time you begin to seek the knowledge of cultivation. The body isn’t the only thing in need of strengthening

Objectives-

-Visit the family library. (0/1)

-Uncover more vital information about the entire history and process of cultivation. (0/1)

Reward-

– 120 Experience

– .5 Intelligence.