The Demon Monarch System

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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.

"That pretty much covers up what you need to understand about both cultivation and the history of this world for now. Oh right, the stage after the Mortal Realm is the Zul Warrior Realm. This realm is where most of the family presides, you all should aim for this.

"For now, you may practice on your own with the wooden weapons over there until I seek you once again. We will greet the Grand Elder and perform the Talent Assessment," Danyul said as he walked into the distance heading deeper into the courtyard.

«System Alert! Mission COMPLETE!»

«You have been rewarded 100 Experience and .5 Intelligence.»

«Congratulations, you have leveled up and reached Level 2.»

[You now have a vague understanding of this world. Your Intelligence should be sufficient to allow you to see the vague memories now.]

"Okay, how do I pull up the system?" Apollo asked, failing to bring up the interface from before.

[Merely utter "System Interface" or in the future, just will it with your mind. After all, who wants to look like a blubbering idiot talking to themself?]

"System Interface," Apollo whispered.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Human

Age: 10

Level: 2

Experience: 0/200.

Health: 12/12

Stamina: 13/13

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Mortal

Physique: Mortal (Middle)

Zuls: 1

Strength: 1.1

Agility: 1.1

Intelligence: 8.6

Vitality: 1.1

Stat Points: 2

"Oh, just leveling up once increased my physique to the Middle Tier. I don't understand how it works, I need a little more information," Apollo determined.

"Azridan, how does leveling work? And can you explain what is rewarded per level?"

[Sure, I will do you one better. First, let's start with your levels. Currently, every level will result in stats. Your level is largely related to your physique. Starting from level 2, after certain milestones, your physique will increase which will also give rewards depending on the immensity of the increase.]

[Right now your physique is Mortal Grade. Hence, you get 2 free stat points per level and .1 additional stats to every stat. Additionally, each stat point is equal to a .1 value increase in a stat.]

"How long before I reach the Top Tier Mortal-Grade physique?"

[Unfortunately, that is undetermined. It isn't based on a set increment and instead, each advancement appears to be arbitrary, or at least it seems that way until you unlock your Foundational Chart.]

"Oh, I think this is my last question, Zuls. They are what indicate my cultivation level...how does the system calculate it?" Apollo questioned.

[That's only for the duration of the Mortal Rank. Zuls, as a whole, could be seen as the strength of your body. And, to determine that, your conversion rate is currently .6 Strength is equal to 1 Zul. For the most part, the number will round if below a certain threshold.]

'I see. You say currently, that means that it can change!' I understand now,' Apollo responded.

[Yes. Now, about that Talent Assessment, it would be appropriate for you to go in order to understand a few things. It'll be a vital experience in order to begin your journey and broaden your view of this world.]

«System Alert! Mission Alert!»

Quest Name: Talent Assessment Appearance

Quest Information: Although there is bad blood between you and your family, your growth comes first. Attending the talent assessment will reward you with something you need.

Objectives:

-Attend the Talent Assessment. (0/1)

-Participate in the Talent Assessment. (0/1)

Reward-

- 100 Experience

- 2 Stat Points.

"Ugh...Do I have to go anyway? The system already told me what I needed to know. If I do have to, I hope there are others just as bad as me...that would be less embarrassing," Apollo grumbled.

[You need not worry about others' opinions. There are more pressing matters. You have a grander purpose, didn't a voice talk to you.]

[Nevermind, since you are at the training field already, we might as well capitalize on it.]

«System Alert! Daily Mission»

Quest Name: Arduous Training (Beginner Level)

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 100 staff strikes. (0/100)

-Execute 50 squats. (0/50)

-Run 1km. (0/1)

-30 minutes of stance training. (0/30)

Reward:

- 25 Experience

- .1 Strength

- .1 Agility.

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

"Um...what? Azridan, why do I have to do so much training? And that Beginner level tag...does this mean this gets harder?" Apollo stammered. Until now, in both lives, he had yet to partake in any type of training.

[You call this minuscule amount of training a lot? It is merely what I believe your body can handle. In my eyes, even an infant demon can easily complete this.]

In response, Apollo sighed with a bitter smile. He wanted strength but all this just sounded like torture to his unsuitable body.

"Wait, infant demon?" Apollo blinked, "What is that?"

[Ah, never mind that. Don't worry about such questions right now.]

"Okay…" Apollo nodded, walking over to the weapon's barrack. Due to the task at hand, Apollo picked up a wooden bo staff taller than him. Frankly speaking, his small frame was no larger than 4'5 due to the presence of his prior illness; compared to others his age, he was a pipsqueak.

When he raised the staff, he found it slightly heavy. Although etched on the side was a note that read "training staff", the system gave a further evaluation.

Item Name: Training Staff

Rank: Rank 0 Weapon

Grade: It's a stick.

Attack: 1

Weight: 2 Zuls.

Requirement: 1.2 Strength, 1.2 Agility.

«System Alert! Strength is insufficient, stamina will be reduced 50% faster.»

"What?" Apollo frowned before continuing with a low, strained grumble, "Increase Strength and Agility by 1 point."

«System Alert! Strength and Agility have both been raised to 1.2»

«Stamina penalty has been lifted.»

«Zuls: 1 → 2»

"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 from the obscene laughter.

Similarly, Axel turned his head presenting 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?"

[Do not follow his directions, the sword is not allowed. While it is a marvelous weapon, it is not your weapon. Do not train in it exclusively; take up the staff.]

"Uh, it's ok Aaron...thank you. It may not seem like it but I will be fine with this. Although I'm weak, it won't be like that forever. I would like to achieve my own strength as well. I will find my way," Apollo resolutely declined.

After, maneuvering the staff, he approached 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."

Upon leaving this message, he departed in the direction of Apollo causing Axel and Dylon to narrow their eyes. They couldn't see how that scenario could ever come about and quite frankly, they didn't really much care.

"1...2...3...5...10," Apollo struck the staff against the training post, groaning each time he did so. Every successive strike caused his bones to vibrate inducing him to clench his jawn. On the other hand, Aaron appeared next to him with a training sword in his hand.

"May I train next to you?" Aaron asked.

"Yes," Apollo glanced at Aaron, offering a small nod. In his memories, he realized Aaron was one of the select few who tended to him. Oftentimes, he would even share the excess of his meal with Apollo.

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 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.