Chapter 135: The Trials Begin! (I)

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"I-insane! While you aren't a Scion in strength, you already match them in potential! Not only do you have the highest body potential I've seen yet, but all of your affinities, save for Space and Earth, have reached Level 7!" Nivel bellowed, his eyes widened in shock.

The most confounding thing was the fact this was spontaneous comprehension. In other words, if he left Apollo to comprehend the elements for longer, there was a chance he could learn their even deeper forms. Of course, to comprehend and actually utilize were two different concepts.

To utilize, you'd need to enact the comprehension on your body. This was the part that stumped many youths. If the body were incapable of moving accordingly, then they'd have to wait until it reached the required level to utilize their comprehension.

Thus, the reason why the Academies urged all Spirit Cultivators to train their bodies as well. After all, the body was the vessel that everything flowed through. With an insufficient body came lackluster performance. 

Luckily, this wasn't an issue for Apollo. Firstly, he possessed the Demon Monarch System; this alone allowed him to bypass the issues typical cultivators would face. Naturally, this came with its own drawbacks that only he would face.

Additionally, as mentioned before, both his potentials were deemed sufficient. So, his body would most likely evolve at a race that would rival his spiritual acquisition. But, all this was under the pretenses of him being a normal "human" in Nivel's eyes.

After regulating his emotions, Nivel cleared his throat, "Ahem, well now that the basic examinations are over, the result will be tallied. Out of the 1,000 initial participants, 486 of you will pass onto the live combat and battle analysis stage. I wish you all luck there as I will not be the one to accompany you.

"However, Leone, Apollo, Nadida, and you other 3 with SS Rank Spirit Aptitudes, even if your battle results are subpar, there will, without a doubt, be a slot remaining for you all. While potential can't be trained, battle awareness and anything pertaining to combat can be. Therefore, this test isn't extremely crucial to you all as it is for the others. This concludes what I must disclose."

Upon leaving this small piece of information, Nivel vanished into thin air, or rather, he slashed his hand down, opening a spatial portal with sword energy alone. Needless to say, this feat left some of the students in awe.

On one hand, they speculated Nivel's cultivation realm and venerated him whereas, on another, they aspired to reach the height where they'd be able to perform those same actions. Apollo, on the other hand, was making much different comparisons.

'This feeling is much weaker than that Kraydin spirit but slightly stronger than Xezym. However, I wonder how he goes up against Irauk, I've never once witnessed his full strength. Usually, those who have such easygoing personalities hide tremendous strength. But, why do they do that?' Apollo pondered.

He, as well, kept a portion of his strength hidden but he had his reasons. If his entire arsenal was showcased for all to see, how could he become a dark horse in this trial? Not to mention, with the element of surprise, he'll control any battle he comes in contact with.

Naturally, this was only true against people he held a general advantage over. When compared to the Nine Glories he met before, victory in a bout against them was still unknown. By the virtue of Typhir's ever-growing aura, one could tell each of them acted within some sort of limitation.

Soon enough, another large spatial door opened on the other side of the examination floor. Inside, Gabriel Astarte stood, gazing upon all with a welcoming expression.

"So, you all are the ones who passed. This year's passing rate exceeds that of the prior year's, I wonder if this is something I should worry about," he chuckled, continuing, "Nonetheless, I have been alerted of 6 potential Glories and 3 potential Scions. The top 10 scorers, please step forward."

Slowly but surely, the top 10 including Apollo who was rather lackadaisical, stepped forward. When Gabriel noticed the familiar face of Apollo, his expression was mixed. While there was surprise, there also seemed to be another emotion laced within.

"Ah, young lad. It seems your words were justified. You aren't just outspoken but talented as well. But, do well to monitor who you mouth off to. The people of this world don't all follow the same mind, do you understand?" Gabriel warned, but didn't show any malice.

'Hmm? It appears he's trying to warn me. If I remember correctly, that boy from the group was named Lazaro Astarte. In other words, this is his family member. However, there doesn't seem to be any hostility in his voice or words, why is that so?' Apollo mused, looking into Gabriel's eyes silently.

After a short moment, he responded with a nod, "I understand your words, but sometimes the clashing of heads is how we determine our place and claim superiority," Apollo chuckled lightheartedly.

Unless he came before someone irrational, Apollo wouldn't change his attitude towards any. Only when faced with someone he was incapable of gaining the upper hand on, would he withdraw to prosper later. 

In light of this response, Gabriel smiled, "Very well. Hopefully, you two don't end in an irreconcilable position. It'd be a shame to lose any talent in this generation. After all, something tells me we'll require the presence of all of you. But, enough of that, follow me."

As such, the large group of youths followed Gabriel into the portal. Once all of them were inside, the doorway closed, darkness embracing all of them. Unsurprisingly, this was only for a moment as the scenery changed, astounding all of them. This was the first time they had seen such an expansive battle arena.

Unlike the rest though, Apollo's was drawn elsewhere. The new changes to his interface both surprised and confused him. In short, there were too many options. All the prior things he thought about were now turned into a menu!

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.3

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Lesser Demon [1.10%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 14

Level: 100 [Locked]

Experience: [Locked]

Health: 100%

Demonic Anima Reserves: 3,025 units.

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(Impermanent)

Body Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 4 Zul Warrior

Spirit Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 1 Spirit Apprentice

Meridians: Heaven-Grade (Top Tier)

Zuls: 5,000

Oz: 195

Strength: 250.0

Agility: 200.0

Intelligence: 195.0

Vitality: 121.0

Comprehension: 19.5

Willpower: 19.5

[«Traits»]- 4

«Infernal Demonic Body»

«Tainted Nebulous Mind»

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[«Techniques»]- 3

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[«Elemental Affinities»] 

Level 7: Fire, Darkness, Metal, Wind, and Lightning

Level 5: Earth

Level 3: Space 

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[«Demonic Servants»] [«Interdimensional Inventory»] 

Stat Points: 0

"All these changes…" Apollo muttered incredulously. Not only did many of the options possess the ability to collapse now, but his health indicator also turned into a percentage. Similarly, his stamina was exchanged for the Demonic Anima Reserve.

Moreover, there was also the new Willpower, Comprehension, and Oz options. To expound on the terms, Willpower and Comprehensions detailed his "Spirit Aptitude." As for Oz, this was the both mental pressure of his mind as well as the space of his Spiritual Conscience. 

Every increase in Oz was equal to an increase of 1 square meter of space in the Spiritual Conscience.

However, the thing that surprised him most of all was the addition of his "Interdimensional Inventory" and "Demonic Servants" tab. While he understood he would be capable of summoning demons, he wasn't aware they would be classified as his servants. 

To be a servant meant they would have to be loyal to him, in addition to him holding supreme authority over them. But, according to Azridan, even the weakest Demon should be stronger than him, due to him being born in this world.

Thus, he was left conflicted. How would he triumph over this issue? If his assumptions were correct, then he'd have to clash head-on with multiple demons before ever achieving a servant contract. This was something easier said than done.

'To take advantage of this summoning ability, I should refrain from attempting anything until I believe I'm suitably strong or Azridan reappears and I seek his guidance,' Apollo determined.

With his mind made up, he joined the rest in surveilling his surroundings. Initially, he didn't think much of what he was witnessing but when continued to peer around he was once again surprised.

First of all, every Academies administrative personnel was divided into sections high above these both divided and innumerable battle platforms. From what he could tell, there was at least 100 said platform and they were capable of housing at least 10 battles at the same time.

To put it differently, in one instance, 2,000 people could battle at most. This alone drastically reduced the time needed to conduct this part of the exams to a fraction of the time. 

Of course, it went without saying this was the purpose of the platform being designed this way. Just when they arrived, similar portals continued to open, revealing groups in either large or smaller amounts.