Chapter 97: Entering the Lessers

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The sky darkened and then once again returned with the luminance brought about by the day's radiant sun. Standing under this ubiquitous heat, youths gathered in the courtyard of the Kaisers in preparation for their departures. One by one they approached. However, as they gathered, there was no sign of Apollo.

Furrowing his brow, Kayn looked into the distance, "I have told that lad we are departing today and not to get too caught up in cultivation. If he delays any longer, there is a chance of us missing the deadline and that is unacceptable."

Turning towards the Grand Elder, Aaron coughed, "I'll go fetch him. Don't fret Grand Elder. I'll return shortly with him."

In return, Grand Elder Kayn nodded, "Very well. Lucky for him, we don't have to leave at this exact moment. Fetch him before the bell tolls." After stating his piece, he turned towards the 8 other youths beside him. Excluding Lily and Aaron, there were 7 other youths who were priorly unknown.

As their talent was "artificially" created, they weren't the previous focus of the family—save one; a youthful girl named Xineen. Her features were vibrant especially her crystalline blue eyes that seemed to carry an ever-present curious gleam. She was the 4th most talented youth of this generation based on the past assessment.

Nevertheless, even though they were created with the use of Natural Blessings, they weren't at a disadvantage to those of similar talents. This was the beauty and reason those items were so sought after; they rectified all issues present from artificial creation. This was especially true for those which have reached a mature state.

Rushing off from the courtyard, Aaron closed in on Apollo's small courtyard with a worried expression, 'I hope I'm not interrupting a crucial moment in his cultivation. From what I remember, he was infinitesimally close to reaching this realm. If so, there could be dire effects if my worries are to be true.'

Soon enough, he reached Apollo's front door. However, rather than the calm nature birthed by the state of cultivation, Aaron felt an odd feeling. 'What is this eerie silence and unsettling sensation creeping through my body? Something's wrong!'

Aaron's eye widened with fright as he burst through the doors without a second thought. However, what he saw confounded him. To put it in simple terms, he didn't understand what he was looking at. He had a feeling it was Apollo he was looking at as he wore those black and crimson robes but then again he wasn't sure.

Although clues pointed to it be Apollo, at the same time, it also felt like something else entirely. He didn't know how to describe it. However, if he were to put it in a simple word then the only one that fit the description was...demonic.

Apollo's eyes burst open as he sprang to his feet except he underestimated the amount of power he put into his feet and jumped over 10 meters into the air. One must take note, the tap he performed seemed no different than one executed to do a small backstep.

Airborne, Apollo's widened eyes in disbelief. 'W-what is this power?' Looking down at his hands, he was surprised to find they were nearly twice as large when compared to their prior state. Moreover, his nails appeared metallic and exceedingly sharp.

Rubbing them against each other, sparks flew. A short moment later, he landed before the tiny pond leaning over it. He took in the sight of his new appearance. It was shocking, to say the least. His previous violet eyes possessed a tint of crimson overlapped on top of it.

The most apparent feature was two horns the size of a finger jutting out from his forehead. Additionally, his physique swelled over twice what it was. That wasn't all, his previous black hair shifted to a burnt silver color and reached beyond his waist.

If this is what it meant to be a demon, he was shocked. How would he appear in public with this state?

'Azridan, what's going on?'

[You have become a Lesser Demon. I know you must have questions about your current appearance. However, I can't answer them yet save one; your current state isn't permanent. In three minutes, you'll revert to your previous state. The reasoning being the lack of Demonic Anima in the air. As such, it can't sustain your state. You'll have to learn the abilities to allow that.]

'Ah… Demonic Anima? What is that?'

[The leading resource a Demon uses to power themselves. Of course, this is for those who have yet to encounter a Sin to draw power from. Needless to say, you fall into this current category.]

Just like Azridan said, Apollo's transformation receded albeit slowly. His physique shrunk returning back to his old one. Although that may be true, not entirely. If one were to look closer, they'd realize a tinge of bronze on Apollo's skin as well as an increase in muscularity.

Throughout all of this, Aaron stared at the unraveling events incredulously. He couldn't believe his eyes. These events gave rise to even more questions in his mind, 'W-what is going on? Is this really Apollo before me? What was that state? He looked like a monster!'

Only when the transformation settled did Apollo turn around taking notice of Aaron standing there wordlessly. A small frown appeared on his face. What he didn't want to happen, happened. He wasn't sure how to explain these events to him.

His mouth opened yet words didn't come out. 'Azridan… how do I handle this situation? I wasn't expecting the change to take so long. It appears he has come looking for me due to the departure.'

Apollo looked at the state of the sky making his assumption. When he had begun evolution, the sky wasn't bright and was instead darkening symbolizing the incoming night. Hence, this process had taken a night to complete.

[Don't fret. I don't sense any intent to disclose information coming from him. However, to be sure…]

Aaron's eyes glowed violet, the same color as Apollo. He felt as if he had lost control of his body for a moment; his world becoming blank. Luckily, this was only for an instant, as Aaron's sight returned soon after. But as it did, he felt something irregular about himself but couldn't pin his finger on it.

'What did you do to him?' Apollo questioned in a wary tone. He didn't want anything untoward Aaron happening.

[It's better if I don't disclose it. This is for both yours as well as his sakes. In the future though, when you're stronger, you'll be able to immediately sense what I have done. At that point, it should be safe to take matters into your own hands.]

'Okay… as long as he doesn't come in contact with any danger originating from me, then I won't harbor any anger towards whatever you've done,' Apollo responded.

"A-Apollo… I know this may be your secret, but what was that earlier? It didn't look human. Are you… still human?" Aaron fired a stream of questions birthed by his piqued interest as well as immense worry. He thought Apollo to be in some type of trouble.

Although he wanted to answer, become Apollo could, two notifications appeared stripping his attention away from the situation.

〈System Alert! You have evolved into an incomplete Lesser Demon. Your harnessed Sin is not found. WARNING: Until you have harnessed one, you will be determined an incomplete Lesser Demon. Your form will revert in 100 days if one doesn't form their Sin stigmata.〉

〈System Alert! Reversal of evolution will result in one's lifespan being reduced to 3 years. In other words, your death will come at 18.〉

'My death... Why is becoming a demon laced with such extreme stipulations? While the power it offers is immense, so are the dangers. I guess this is what one calls equivalent exchange.' Apollo was left ruminating over the matters at hand.

"Apollo?" Aaron muttered, snapping his fingers before the dazed Apollo.

"Oh! In short, I'm not. Will you keep this secret from everyone? Even I am unaware just what I am," Apollo didn't beg, however, he looked into Aaron's eyes with an imploring gaze. Moreover, there also seemed to be fear present within his eyes. It was just unknown what the fear was directed towards.

"I'll keep your secret. Do you really think I'll do something like that to put you in harm's way. But… we have to go now! The Grand Elder is awaiting our arrival," Aaron nodded, assuring Apollo. Immediately after, he gestured for Apollo to follow along.

The two then ventured towards the estate gates unknowing that their destinies from this point forward would be nothing short of a tragedy.

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"There you are. We must depart now. You can continue to cultivate on the journey," Kayn stated as he pressed his hands on the estate gate. On the other hand, there was a new face on the journey smiling at Apollo.