The Demon Monarch System

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"How could you allow him to follow through with those abominable desires?" Sallaya screeched in the conference room. After Apollo exited the conference room, their emotions seethed. After all, their children were of the utmost importance in their lives! Although this was the law of the world, Sallaya couldn't wrap her mind around potentially losing her son.

It was difficult to stomach their reality.

Kayn sighed in lament while shaking his head without end. A peculiar glint appeared in his eyes as he stared at her. "You know the price of being born into this world. It is the land of the wolves. He'll have to fend for himself; if he truly wants to survive, that is. My hands are tied in this matter."

Kayn vanished from the room as well, leaving the hateful elders alone. On the contrary, Cynthia and Danyul excused themselves as they wanted no parts in this somber atmosphere. Danyul was without a child whereas Cynthia's child had possessed a brotherly relationship from the beginning.

Therefore, they weren't affected in the slightest. Rhyne, on the other hand, remained petrified before shooting his brother a meaningful glare, "I delegated that child's future to you in light of me focusing on cultivating. Therefore, I blame these events on you. Should Axel perish, it'll be on your shoulders."

He soon stood and exited the room, leaving a distraught Ashur, 'W-what?! He won't seek revenge? What the fuck? Does he not possess any parental angst from this situation? What kind of father is this... Sure, his personality is partly my fault, but you're the second strongest in the family dammit… DO SOMETHING!'

Ashur clutched his head in madness while sitting at the table, except the was one person remaining. Before leaving, Sallaya spared him a departing glance, "Tch… I don't know why I had that moment of weakness. If only Axel was truly Rhyne's…"

For a moment, Ashur froze. After some time, those words hit him, except he couldn't believe his ears. 'W-wait… what did she just say? Could that be why Rhyne doesn't possess any warmth towards Axel? Then does that mean..." Ashur began biting his nails in panic, her words reminded him of that momentary weakness he experienced in the past.

Truthfully speaking, the only difference between Ashur and Rhyne were the color of their eyes—Ahsur's being black and Rhyne's being a faint cerulean color and their talent. Whereas Ashur possessed a Top Tier Earth-Grade inner physique, Rhyne possessed a Middle Tier Spirit-Grade one. Nevertheless, with everyone parting ways they could only prepare themselves for what was to come.

...

A few minutes later…

Apollo knocked on Aaron's door before entering inside, "Up for a spar? We might as well address the issues in your fighting style."

Aaron instantly sprang to his feet with excitement plastered across his face, "You betcha! Where do you want to do it? In the training area?"

"That'll do," Apollo replied before walking side by side with Aaron.

"So… where did you go?" Aaron asked while looking towards Apollo. He was curious about where Apollo vanished to for a few minutes. Although it wasn't long, the last he remembered was Apollo standing on the roof then vanishing.

"Nowhere special, just the Council Hall. You didn't sense Kayn outside of the residence?" Apollo inspected Aaron's skeptical eyes, 'If that's true, then their senses need sharpening as well. There is no chance of them surviving alone in an environment like the Shadowy Forest.'

After a short while, the two appeared on the family training ground. Due to the darkening sky, it was rather vacant, which Apollo was hoping for. Apollo loosened his body, tilting his neck to the side crackling with power.

"Ready?" Apollo asked Aaron as he widened his feet taking a preparatory stance. However, Aaron was surprised. He was barehanded! Due to Aaron training in the sword, he thought Apollo would use a weapon but that didn't seem to be the case.

"No weapon?"

"No, there's no need for it. Just come at me with genuine intent to battle. Besides, this spar is for you, not me. I don't need any handicaps," Apollo replied with a sharpening glint in his eyes. In response, Aaron's sharpened as well.

"Ready!" Aaron shouted.

Instantly, he dashed towards Apollo and thrust his sword forward. It was a sharp and quick attack, but it caused Apollo to frown. By the end of his strike, Aaron altered the path in fear of him damaging Apollo.

'This is what I meant earlier. They aren't trained to damage those they are familiar with. It'd be a horrible sight if they were ever betrayed; they'd barely be able to defend themselves.'

Apollo's expression turned grim, "What are you doing?"

A ferocious aura burst from Apollo as he hit the pit of Aaron's stomach with an open palm. A resounding bang was heard as Aaron slid back before coming to a halt. He wheezed while looking at the murderous aura emanating from Apollo's body.

"This is a battle! Never withdraw your weapon. Secure your life over the opponent. Failing to do so is how you lose your life," Apollo remarked in a severe tone.

Apollo then rushed forward while holding his hand in the shape of a sword.

"This is just a spar, right? Why is there a need to be so seri-" Aaron's widened in fright once Apollo appeared before him. He raised his sword in defense, only to be blown back by a terrifying force.

A soreness spread through his arms as he did so. Right before his chest, he blocked Apollo's attack aimed at his heart! In other words, Apollo was treating this as a real battle—he was attacking vitals!

"That mindset needs to be discarded. Didn't you hear Kayn's words years ago? This world will trample over us at every turn," Apollo answered with the same expression as earlier.

Aaron gave a resolute nod. "I understand! Ignore my blunder!"

This time, his sword glimmered with a silver light that emitted a sharp and dangerous feeling.

Meanwhile, Apollo used a small portion of the Partial Shade Silhouette to hasten his actions.

"Hyah!" Aaron cried out while slashing his sword three times all aimed at Apollo's vital areas—eyes, throat, and heart. Apollo reacted quickly, shattering the sword waves. A piercing screech was birthed from the collision of their energies.

Evidently, Apollo held back a large portion of his strength.

After creating some space, Apollo flicked his finger firing a tiny Demonic Massacre Wave, not even one-tenth of what he usually used. He had no intentions to injure Aaron, he simply wished to stimulate his dulled survival instincts.

As that wave hurtled towards him, a silver glint appeared in Aaron's eyes. "Break! Quicksilver Second Sword Form: Metal Threads!"

From the tip of his sword, numerous threads fire toward the incoming wave as his appearance paled. It seemed the consumption of this technique was by no means small. Even though it took a lot, he thwarted Apollo's attack.

Unfortunately, there was no time for celebration as Apollo followed up with his movement technique appearing right before him, "In battle, your opponent will not spare you a breather. Always remain prepared for a counterattack."

Bang!

Apollo's fist slammed into the wooden sword sending Aaron flying. A confrontational gleam appeared in Aaron's eyes as he rebounded coming to a sliding halt.

"Again!" Aaron roared, the aura around him sharpening.

[Oh? This kid has quite a focused aura.]

"With pleasure!" Apollo chuckled, dashing in once again. He had taken note of a small change within his body. With each exchange, it seemed the black wisp assimilated with him more thoroughly. Hence, he would surely continue these actions.

Within a short period of time, numerous exchanges took place.

Unbeknownst to them, Kayn stood on the council hall's rooftop, gazing at their battle with a profound luster in his eyes. 'It appears I have underestimated this boy. He shows no pressure in a fight and he is tempering Aaron's combat state...'

Praise appeared on Kayn's expression before his body began fading, 'If he can awaken even more power, it'll be helpful in his trial.'