—-

While bits of information were continually disclosed between Danyul and the sitting kids, some looked awed, few looked on with intent and others like Dylon nodded drowsily, causing small pebbles to be flicked at their foreheads.

​​

“Yooowww! I’m sorry Uncle…I won’t fall asleep,” Dylon whimpered, rubbing the sore spot on his forehead.

In response, Danyul scoffed, shaking his head in disappointment. These youths didn’t understand the weight that would rest upon their shoulders in the future. It wasn’t before long that he summed up the session.

“Instead of nodding off, how about you look forward to preparing yourself to enter the next realm. The Mortal Realm is just a foundational stage, your real future starts the moment your attain the Zul Warrior Realm,” Danyul scolded with a stern expression.

A few moments later, he continued, “That is all. Now go practice until it is time for the examination. Once it’s time, we will greet the Grand Elder and perform the Talent Assessment,” Danyul instructed whilst exiting the training grounds in the direction of the Grand Elder’s residence.

Meanwhile, his closing statement marked the end of the lesson, thus fulfilling Apollo’s objectives to complete his quest.

«System Alert: First Mission COMPLETE!»

«System Alert: 100 Experience and 0.5 Intelligence Points rewarded.»

«System Alert: Congratulations, Lv.2 reached.»

[There you have it, a vague understanding of the world. If you need to assess your stat then access your stage page.]

“Okay, and I do so how?” Apollo asked, failing to bring up the interface despite making obscene gestures.

[Ah, simply mutter “System Interface”, or for future reference, will its appearance with your mind. After all, who wants to look like a blubbering idiot talking to themself?]

“System Interface,” Apollo parroted, albeit skeptically. Yet, Azridan’s advance unsurprisingly word, causing a window with black lettering to appear before his eyes.

—-

(Demon Monarch System) Lv.1

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Human

Age: 10

Level: 2

Experience: 0/200.

Health: 12/12

Stamina: 13/13

Strength: 1.1

Agility: 1.1

Intelligence: 8.6

Vitality: 1.1

Stat Points: 0.2

…

Immediately, a difference stood out to Apollo, inducing his apt questioning, “Azridan, how does leveling work? For example, the stat points given, how it affects me, etc.”

[Mm, that’s not hard to discern. First, at your current level, you’ll only be rewarded 0.2 stats point per level, but seeing as each point is capable of elevating your stats, it’s worth it.]

[As for your strength, well, in regards to the humans here, it’ll take at least 5.0 in each attribute to match a so-called Rank 2 Mortal. But, that’s only for now. Once you understand your purpose, we can begin the process.]

“5.0. That’ll take quite a few levels,” Apollo muttered before giving a faint nod.

[Unfortunately, but once you receive all the needed information, once you unlock your Foundational Chart.]

“Foundational Chart. It holds the comparative values, I presume?” Apollo asked, but Azridan’s answered left much to be desired. In fact, it was almost like he was avoiding answering this.

[Possibly, but that Talent Assessment. It sounds quite intriguing, so let’s attend. Perhaps it’ll be a vital catalyst to beginning your journey and broaden your view of this world.]

«System Alert: New supplemental mission given!»

「Quest Name: Talent Assessment Appearance

Quest Information: Bad blood need not be an issue as nothing should stop you from claiming power. Furthermore, learning the behavior of people is crucial to understanding how to control them.

Objectives:

-Attend and participate in the Talent Assessment. (0/1)

-Accept the ensuing verdict. (0/1)

Reward-

– 100 Experience

– 0.2 Stat Points.    」

…

“Ugh, this is going to be annoying based on how this objective is worded. A verdict usually precedes punishment,” Apollo grumbled.

[Indeed, you can see it as such. In the meantime, some basic assistance needs to be given if you seek to grow faster than what others believe you can.]

«System Alert: A daily mission has been generated!»

「Quest Name: Arduous Training (Beginner Level)

Information: Although you have been blessed with a gift in the form 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. Nothing is given, it can only be taken or obtained!

Objectives:

-Execute 100 staff strikes. (0/100)

-Execute 50 squats. (0/50)

-Run 1km. (0/1)

-Regulate your perception for 30 minutes. [Basic Meditation] (0/30)

Reward:

– 25 Experience

– 0.1 Strength

– 0.1 Agility.  」

*Note: Every aspect of the training must be completed within 1 sitting once it has been initiated.

…

“Training…? This counts as training? This seems more like basic exercise. Where’s the difficulty?” Apollo stated with a quizzical expression. Until now, in both lives, he had yet to partake in any type of training, but this seemed all too trivial.

[Yeah? How about you complete the training before complaining about its ease.]

Although he couldn’t see him, Apollo could basically touch the sass in Azridan’s tone. However, looking to prove him wrong, Apollo looked towards the weapon’s barrack. 

Since the task specified staff, Apollo chose a wooden bo staff which was even taller than him! But, truth be told, a majority of the weapons were taller than him with his small frame being no larger than 4’1.

Not only did his prior illness jeopardize his health, but his height paid the prices as well. Compared to others his age, he was a pipsqueak.

To Apollo’s shock, he found it to be overly heavy when trying to lift it, which also allowed Apollo to come to another understanding. ‘Damn, I might’ve just stuck my own foot in my mouth.’

Moreover, examining the words “training staff” etched on the side enabled the system to perform a further in-depth evaluation.

「Item Name: Training Staff

Rank: Rank 0 Weapon

Grade: It’s a stick.

Attack: 1

Weight: 10 kgs.

Requirement: 1.2 Strength, 1.2 Agility. 」

〈System Alert: Strength is insufficient. A penalty applied as a result〉

〈Penalty: Stamina exhaustion rate +50%.〉

“What?” Apollo frowned before continuing with a low, strained grumble. Then, he gave the system mental instructions. ‘Increase Strength and Agility by 0.1.’

〈System Alert: Both Strength and Agility raised to 1.2〉

〈Stamina penalty is alleviated.〉

“Haha, look at that idiot! The staff is bigger than him. I bet his wrist will snap within 2 minutes,”  Dylon cackled, clutching his stomach in a fit of obscene laughter.

Similarly, Axel turned his head to reveal a disgusted sneer and a light chuckle, “Yeah, there’s something wrong with him.”

However, unlike the others, Aaron ran up to Apollo, “Apollo, isn’t that staff slightly heavy? Why don’t we use the wooden sword instead?”

[If you take on the sword at this stage, despite the direction of the objective, you’ll receive punishment. If that’s what you’d like then, by all means, pick up the sword.]

Upon hearing this jarring revelation, Apollo decided against it.

“While appreciated, I’ll have to decline your kindness, Aaron. It’s time I’ve attempted to gain my own strength instead of hiding behind you,” Apollo resolutely declined.

Finally managing to lift the staff, Apollo rested it on his shoulder before approaching a vacant site of the training area.

Meanwhile, Aaron frowned at Apollo’s small, lonely figure, ‘Why does everyone treat him so badly? He didn’t do anything to deserve that!’

Filled with anger, Aaron glared at the group of the boys with clenched fists. Walking up to them, he muttered. “One day…you will regret how you treat Apollo.”

Yet, despite his threat, the other boys continued to laugh boisterly.

Since his words didn’t seem to bother them, Aaron left with a scoff before walking towards Apollo. But, both Axel and Dylon narrowed their eyes once he turned around. While they couldn’t see how that scenario could ever come about, it was annoying for Aaron to even voice it.

In the meantime, Apollo began his daily training.

“1, 2, 3…5…10,” Apollo struck the training post continuously. However, after the 5th hit, his strike was accompanied by a groan. Following that blow, every successive strike caused his bones to vibrate, producing an uncomfortable feeling.

“May I train next to you?” Aaron asked.

“Yes,” Apollo glanced at Aaron, offering a small nod. 

After receiving an answer, Aarron took a stance, chopping the wooden sword repeatedly. Along with each slash, he shifted his steps back and forward. He was well-practiced as well as one of the highly talented individuals in the family. However, unlike the rest, he didn’t possess a haughty attitude. He was simply a down-to-earth fellow.

After striking the staff so many times, Apollo’s hands began to suffer from unbearable aches. Sadly, he had only performed 70 strikes. His pain was far from over.