—-

After receiving his next mission, Apollo didn’t dawdle. In his usual worn clothing, Apollo walked unhurriedly toward the family library. To get there, he passed through the training area. As such, he caught a glimpse of the other kids’ training. Compared to him, their training didn’t seem so systematic.

​​

He also noticed a few of the kids popping their Foundation Strengthening pills like candy. For a moment, Apollo was skeptical and left with questions. Their actions didn’t seem to conform with what Azridan stated. ‘Azridan, I thought you said these aren’t the type of pills which can be ingested continuously.’

[That’s only the case for your current physique, even though the pill is of poor quality, the energy it holds is slightly too tyrannical to be ingested concurrently. You must remember, until recently, your meridians could be counted as broken.]

“Tch, this difference between us suck,” Apollo grumbled, forming a self-deprecating smile as he continued toward the library. At this point, he was starting to hate whatever or whoever causes his body’s condition. To him, broken meridians didn’t sound like a naturally occurring issue.

Several moments later, Apollo reached the library. For a moment, he paused and gazed at the exterior.

It was a simple stone building, with a few luxurious windows as well as rustic decor. While it wasn’t overly large, it was equivalent in size to a chapel. He pushed the doors, entering inside to examine the scenery.

To his surprise, there weren’t many bookshelves, instead, there was a rather large staircase located in the middle of the building that led upstairs. However, the entrance to the staircase was barred by a thin barrier.

In the corner, Danyul opened his eyes glancing at the newcomer. “Oh, it’s you, Apollo. What have you come for?”

“Hello Uncle, I’ve come to read.”

Silently, Danyul pondered, rubbing his cheek, “I see, well just a reminder, this level holds no techniques or training stances. Those are located on the next floor, but as you know, the next floor and beyond are off-limits unless your body is tested to have reached the 5th rank of the Mortal Realm. Other than that, you are free to browse.”

“Ah thank you, Uncle. I have a question, which section is background information on Cultivation?” Apollo inquired, glancing around on his own as well..

“Hmm, if I recall properly, then I believe it was located in the third row,” Danyul answered after some thought. However, not long after, he once again closed his eyes.

It didn’t take long for Apollo to scour the right section. He continued to browse, searching for books that fulfilled the criteria of his mission. After several minutes, he found what he was looking for.

There were a few; [Records of World Changing History: Part One], [Body Cultivation: Initial Familiarity with Natural Essence] & [Evolution of Cultivation: Book I].

With the books now in possession, Apollo picked a corner and sat. After reading a single page, he found himself becoming engrossed. In a single sitting, he read their entire contents while oblivious to the passing time.

While doing so he learned many new things. For example, he learned exactly what Natural Essence was and did. 

Before the arrival of the Terrors, Natural Essence wasn’t an obscure notion. It just wasn’t a forefront practice. While people understood that some type of energy existed in their world, they didn’t seek to actively harness it. However, when brought to dire straits, what they first ignored became a necessity. In light of this, the path of  Body Cultivation was born in the extremely distant past.

Now, it was what they said to be the basis of all small life. Every sentient thing possesses it at some level. It was a naturally occurring energy that subtly shifted the advancement of the planet. Natural Essence was absorbed through the orifices to refine one’s body. It could also be used to prepare one for the even newer cultivation practice—Spirit Cultivation.

Of course, the concentration of this energy wasn’t homogenous throughout. Depending on where one was, the density could move across the spectrum, growing far denser or thinning to obscurity.

Be that as it may, its true benefits didn’t appear until one approached the Zul Warrior Realm and opened their Dantian. When that happened, the intimacy with this energy deepens.

Unknown to Apollo, he spent the better part of the day swallowed by books. Although young, he was more fascinated by this information than he let on.

“Ah, so that’s why Azridan said the only number that really matters is 1600 Zuls. It’s because it is the minimum requirement for your body to withstand the clearing of the Dantian as well as the opening of the Soul Temple.”

Once he placed the books back on the shelves, Apollo digested the information as he pondered in deep thought.

‘If I think about it, the real beginning of cultivation isn’t until we reach the Zul Warrior Realm. However, the first milestone would be reaching the 5th Rank of the Mortal Realm, one’s physique would unlock the function of absorbing Natural Essence in its base form. Pills and beast meat wouldn’t be the only way to “cultivate” then.’

Due to all the reading, a prominent wave of mental exhaustion was over Apollo, but luckily, the system message sounded as he yawned. 

«System Alert! Mission COMPLETE!»

«You have been rewarded 120 Experience and .5 Intelligence Points.»

«Congratulations you have reached Level 3.»

«Experience: 70/300.»

«.1 to all Attributes and 2 Stat points have been rewarded.»

‘Tomorrow’s training will only get harder, it’s time to allocate the points. Add 1 point to Strength and 1 point to Vitality.’

Following the command, Apollo opened his status panel to take a look.

—-

(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Human

Age: 10

Level: 3

Experience: 70/300.

Health: 18/18

Stamina: 22/22

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Mortal [3/10]

Physique: Mortal (Middle)

Zuls: 3

Strength: 1.7

Agility: 1.5

Intelligence: 9.2

Vitality: 1.4

Stat Points: 0

‘My Intelligence grossly overshadows my other stats. I wonder, is that why I ask so many questions? I’m not sure. It could be a possibility.’

‘Hey Azridan, I’m curious, can stat combine to create other ones?’

[Yes, but that will present itself at a later time. Focus on the base stats you were given, especially Intelligence. Never neglect it, lest you end up falling victim to hateful schemes.]

There was a tinge of hate laced in his voice as the system uttered these words in response causing Apollo to raise his eyebrow in bewilderment.

‘I see.’

At that moment Apollo’s stomach began rumbling ferociously. Only then did it come to his attention that he had forgotten to eat all day.

‘I’m so hungry, I could eat anything,’ Apollo groaned internally. Almost instinctively, he dashed out of the library, in search of something to eat.

Meanwhile, Danyul opened his eyes, glancing in Apollo’s general direction, “Unlike the other kids…he’s seeking knowledge for himself. Alright, I think I should give my plan a shot.”

—-

While en route to the Dining Hall, Apollo looked up at the dark sky, amazed by how much time he spent in the library. Furthermore, in his mind, he was comparing it to his old world. Although the day was unfamiliar, the nights looked exactly the same.

There was only one moon with numerous small stars gracing the skies. Mesmerized, Apollo uttered one word, “Beautiful.”

However, amidst being lost in his daze, he didn’t look where he was going causing him to bump into the back of someone. Surprisingly, the following situation was quite comical—he was laid flat on his butt!

“Huh..?”