Ascension: Demon Monarch System

6 Level Up
'----'

'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.'

'----'

'(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.'

''

'"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

"\xa0Dylon 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.'