The Demon Monarch System

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Apollo gazed into the distance with vacant eyes. His mind seemed to be elsewhere as he took in the environment. It felt surreal—being back where it all started, 'This place hasn't changed in the slight. But, from this moment forward, it'll never be the same.'

A silence followed as he shifted his gaze.

[You're ready, I see. Do you sense that?]

'I do,' Apollo responded while feeling a fast enclosing presence.

Whoosh!

It didn't take long for the aged visage of Kayn to appear before Apollo. However, there was no malice within Kayn's eyes, only curiosity. 'Why is there no reaction now that I'm here? What is this absence of response?'

The silence remained as Apollo stared into his eyes—the prior turbidity gone from existence. As his interest in the situation piqued, so did that of the youth's training. Everyone ceased their practice and focused on this small interaction between Apollo and Kayn.

"Who is that? Why is Grand Elder Kayn simply staring at him like that? I don't recall someone like that living here," a youth with amber hair looked at the two continuously with a baffled expression. The Grand Elder rarely appeared in the courtyard unless it was for an important matter.

Hence, they thought some notable figure had come to visit the family.

On the other hand, someone else squinted, "He looks...familiar. Why do I feel as if I've seen him before?" another youth rubbed his chin, trying to process this sense of familiarity.

'Not a flinch nor a fluctuation in emotion. Not to mention, is this… a faint murderous sensation I feel? That means… this boy has killed before or at the very least, harbored thoughts of murder,' Kayn silently observed Apollo's posture.

"You have gone through great change, Apollo. Your name has become the topic of conversation at the conference. I'm curious, why don't you come along and share with us how you came to perform those feats?" Kayn gestured his hand in the direction of the Council Hall, seemingly oblivious to the latent hostility Apollo possessed towards everyone.

"Sure," Apollo nodded with an indifferent expression. He followed behind Kayn while glancing towards the nosy youths surrounding them. One, in particular, blanked when he stared at Apollo.

"A-Apollo? That's Apollo? What happened to the scrawny kid? That guy seems to be on par with Aaron and Axel. What the hell… what did he eat? How is this fair? I may have slacked off before, but I've become diligent in my training this past year!"

Brendel's thoughts underwent turmoil.

….

After Kayn, Apollo entered the conference room with a calm expression. Immediately, he was greeted by nine people. Some were familiar, but others weren't, since most of his memories comprised his room or various other inconsequential places.

After entering the room, Apollo moved to a corner and quietly surveyed everyone.

'I can't gather information on them, meaning everyone here is at least on par with Cynthia,' Apollo thought after sensing everyone's general presence. Then, his gaze stopped on Rhyne, who looked awfully similar to Axel and Ashur, except he possessed a completely different aura.

'Hmm? He doesn't possess that nasty aura Axel does then why is he so corrupt?' Silently, Apollo started connecting the dots from the interaction between Ashur and Rhyne. 'So it is so;  Axel's personality is a byproduct of Ashur's ways. Then, why hasn't this person corrected his behavior? He seems too aloof in his offspring's life.'

"Ahem!" Kayn cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention. "If you all aren't aware, this person here is the aforementioned Apollo. As you can see, both his demeanor and strength have gone through great changes. The question I would like to ask is...what do you think we should do with him?'

"Hm? This lad here is that Apollo? Interestingly enough, he seems to be more like his father. However, my question is why has he been brought here?" a middle-aged woman with teal hair glanced in Kayn's direction. This was Sallaya, Axel's mother, who surprisingly enough, wasn't part of the original family—she had married into it.

"Well, that is because I would like to verify both Ashur's and Cynthia's claims. I can't base my decisions on their words alone. Now tell me, Apollo is it true you defeated a Rank 3 Spirit Beast and a wyvern no less?" Kayn leaned forward awaiting Apollo's answer.

Apollo first scanned everyone then shrugged, "That's partly true. Most of the efforts go to Aunty Cyn. It was her powerful attack that weakened the wyvern," Apollo answered yet also didn't. Glancing toward Cynthia, he showed a small smile.

"Be that as it may, the defenses of a wyvern isn't something that a Zul Warrior can penetrate. How do you explain this?" Kayn's gaze grew sharp as his question probed deeper into the situation at hand.

Apollo's expression changed for a moment, 'Do they really believe they're the ones in control here? After all, I'm only here for two reasons.' Still, Apollo chose to play the part for the time being.

"Well, while fending for yourself, you tend to pick up some techniques and experience some run-ins. Those experiences led to my current abilities. Nothing more, nothing less," Apollo replied.

Kayn didn't immediately respond. He took the time to examine Apollo's closely, looking for the slightest fluctuation in his expression. However, since this explanation was conjured from half-truths and Apollo's expertise in handling himself, Kayn found no flaw to leverage.

Of course, he wouldn't just take Apollo's words.

"And? Where is the carcass of that beast? Allow me to examine its state. Wyverns usually possess treasure trove bodies," Kayn stated. Since they were distant relative to dragons, most of their internals were top-quality for these low ranks.

A strange glint passed through Apollo's eyes as he heard this.

'Oh? He wants to see the wyvern's corpse? Very well,' Apollo paused for a moment, looking in Cynthia's direction. After sharing a meaningful gaze, Apollo released a small chuckle as he moved towards the center of the room, devoid of fear.

Surprisingly, Kayn didn't mind the smug chuckle. On the contrary, Kayn's eyebrow arched with interest, 'Why does it seem as if he has another plan in mind? Hmm… let's see what he has to say for himself then.'

Apollo stood in the center of the conference room with a posture unaffected by the leaking pressure of the elders. He locked sights with Kayn and grinned. "I'm guessing you want to inspect the carcass to ascertain whether or not it possesses the means to create a different type of talent in the family, right?"

"I suppose that inference wouldn't be incorrect," Kayn admitted.

"Well, allow me to tell you it does. But before we go over that matter. How about I ask you a question instead. How do you view the children in this family? Don't take this as me disrespecting your authority… I'm just curious about the thought process of our elders. All of you, how do you view them?"

Apollo turned, presenting his question to everyone. Another bout of pin-drop silence befell the occupied room as the wordless gazes collected on Apollo's body. A number of colorful expressions and stares flashed within the room until finally, the quietness was broken.

"It is easy to say. We view them as the gateway to a better future. They are the building blocks that'll pave the wave to the rise of the Kaiser name in the future." Kayn leaned forward, resting his chin upon the back of his palms. He was now thoroughly intrigued by Apollo's counter questioning.

A look of ridicule flashed in Apollo's eyes before offering his own opinion, "It may sound pleasant while using those flowery words, but let's debunk the mystery of the words you just spoke—they're tools in the illusion of your ambitious aspirations."

This time, the silence reached near palpable hostile levels with Apollo showing an amused smile, "Of course, that's the way of this world. So, Kayn, I have a proposition in both of our best interests." Ending his words with a playful chuckle, he performed an action thoroughly shocking the members of the conference.