17 Survival (I)

    ''----''

    ''Apollo made a beeline through the training area. Since it was earlier than he usually got up

    the yard was vacant. Thus

    he continued forward and made a detour to Cynthia''s home.''

    ''When he reached

    he knocked on the door. Shortly after

    the ring of his aunt''s velvety voice sounded

    "Who is it?''

    ''"Apollo

    " he answered.''

    ''Not long after

    the door opened revealing Cynthia''s matured smile. "Apollo

    how are you? I''m sorry for yesterday."''

    ''"Don''t worry about it

    Aunty. It''s not your fault. I understand that Kayn''s word is final. I just wanted to know if Aaron is up?" Apollo responded

    brushing the matter aside.''

    ''"Yes

    he is still here. If you want to see him. He''s in his room. If he isn''t up

    then wake him

    " Cynthia replied with a smile. But

    her expression turned into one of surprise.''

    ''With the changes that took place last night

    although his appearance didn''t alter greatly

    for someone like Cynthia

    they were apparent.''

    ''''A spitting image

    he looks just like him. Why is that? Compared to just yesterday

    he looking more and more like his father. The resemblance is uncanny

    '' Cynthia thought while Apollo entered Aaron''s room.''

    ''"Aaron

    are you awake?"''

    ''In response

    Aaron moved. He turned over and looked at Apollo. However

    his expression was glum as he looked at Apollo. "Yeah

    I''m up. Yesterday was my fault

    I shouldn''t have agreed. Now look what happened

    you were the only one punished!"''

    ''"Don''t worry about that

    I think it''s better this way. But

    before I go

    I thought I should come to tell you goodbye

    " Apollo shook his head.''

    ''At first

    Aaron was frozen in shock but then he jumped out of bed

    "G-goodbye? You''re leaving? Where will you go?"''

    ''"I don''t know

    but I can''t stay in this family any longer. Don''t worry though

    I''ll just take my own path

    " Apollo smiled.''

    ''On the other hand

    Aaron sulked

    "I understand. I just want you to know

    I''ll miss you."''

    ''A silence was shared before the two gave each other a brotherly hug

    "I''ll see you in the future Aaron. Perhaps

    by then

    I''ll be much stronger."''

    ''With these last words

    he grabbed his belongings as he left the room.''

    ''Amid his departure

    he waved to Cynthia

    "Bye Aunty."''

    ''She waved back but she remained perplexed by something. She felt this bye sounded odd. It was only when he was a notable distance away that she noticed the small bag on his shoulder.''

    ''At that instant

    Aaron ran out of his room.''

    ''Aaron flung the door open and screamed at the top of his lungs looking at the departing figure of Apollo.''

    ''"I swear to you Apollo

    even if you continue to be unable to... then I will become strong and right every wrong! This is unfair and their words and behavior don''t justify their actions."''

    ''Lifting his hand

    Apollo turned and waved with a smile. He would also miss this fellow that was prominent in his memories. However

    in his eyes

    remained a gaze that meant: "Don''t worry

    I will be someone who doesn''t need protection. I promise you."''

    ''Cynthia walked up behind Aaron

    placing her hand on his shoulder. As he gazed as his small yet distancing she was overwhelmed with curiosity

    "Where is Apollo going?"''

    ''"I don''t know...but he said he is leaving. Even if he was lacking in talent

    why couldn''t they just treat him like a normal person?" asked Aaron as he turned to his mother.''

    ''However she sighed and shook her head

    "It''s not that Apollo is lacking in talent. It''s because of that event that happened that his body is that way. If not for that

    I believe his talent would have been even stronger than Lily''s.''

    ''"Although there are some infrequent aberrants

    talent of the body is something more so inherited. Lily''s father had a Top Tier Spirit-Grade Inner Talent

    however

    Apollo''s father possessed a Middle Tier Heaven-Grade Inner Talent. What I''m trying to say

    even though they were the top two talents of their generation-..."''

    ''Cutting her words short

    a melancholic sigh escaped her lips. She missed both her younger and older brother yet

    she was unable to see either of them.''

    ''"If Uncle was so talented

    why did they treat Apollo in such a way?"''

    ''"Well

    you see sweetie

    not everything can be explained simply by what you see. They treat Aaron that way because of the backstory. But

    that is wrong

    it isn''t his fault that the family''s rising stars perished. The blame should be placed upon those Terrors. But the family is too scared. As a result

    he became the subject of their scorn."''

    ''"Tch...cowards looking for someone else to blame

    " scoffed Aaron as the look in his eyes changed. They were slightly cold.''

    ''"Mom

    I promise...I will be stronger than anyone present in the family."''

    ''"I believe in you. After all

    after my brother''s death we need someone suitable to fill the Patriarch position. The person next in line... well let''s just say they aren''t situated for the task. I see our downfall in the future."''

    ''----''

    ''Passing through the gates of the Kaiser Family residence

    Apollo looked into the distance. Ignoring the populated sidewalks

    he was fascinated by the scenery before him for a moment. In truth

    outside of the times he was bullied

    this was the first real experience he had outside of the family estate. Intaking his surroundings

    he began muttering to him.''

    ''"Wow

    it seems so... expansive. Based on the books that I''ve read

    the continent I''m on is the damaged Western Continent—Zephus. However

    it isn''t called that anymore. Instead

    it is split in two now namely the Endless Death Domain and Zephus Domain which sandwich the Ruination Boundary."''

    ''"I should learn more about the breakdown of society. That way

    I''ll be able to prepare myself in the future. After all

    I''ll need to possess some knowledge to blend into the selection and enter a War Academy."''

    ''As he talked to himself in a low voice

    Apollo wandered aimlessly. Taking note of this he paused. His knowledge of his surroundings were all one-dimensional and from the books. He didn''t necessarily understand where to go. Hence

    his only choice was to seek help.''

    ''"Azridan...uh where exactly am I headed?"''

    ''[Hmm

    based on the information you possess

    there should be a large forest nearby concentrated with both Spirit and Mortal Beast. However

    it also seems from what I can sense to be explored frequently. Are you prepared to face challenges? We might not return here for a while.]''

    ''"Ah

    I made my choice already Azridan. I''m ready to face what you deem fit

    " answered Apollo before following Azridan''s directions. Turning east

    he began his trek into uncharted areas for him. Although it was a new sensation for him—traveling; he couldn''t say he hated it. The constantly changing scenery was refreshing.''

    ''It wasn''t long before Apollo reached the forest. The forest had a simple name: The Shadowy Forest. All types of things could be found inside ranging from Spirit Beast to Spiritual Herbs to people. But at night the towering tree cast shadows among each other giving it an ominous atmosphere.''

    ''[Rememeber to avoid Rank 1 Spirit Beasts at all costs. Seek Mortal Beasts which are just extremely weak versions of Rank 1 Spirit.]''

    ''"Okay

    " nodded Apollo as he attentively inspected his surroundings. However

    contrary to his directions

    the area which he entered from was littered with nothing but Rank 1 Spirit Beast.''

    ''Making his presence as sparse as possible

    Apollo crept past this area

    heading towards another part of the forest outskirts.''

    ''[Although it isn''t advised to engage in combat training with these monsters until you reach the level of a 5th Rank Mortal

    we will be doing things differently.]''

    ''"Ok."''

    ''[For now

    let''s hone your hand to hand combat. Once you complete this mission you will be rewarded.]''

    ''?System Alert! New Mission?''

    ''Quest Name: Initial Step to Superiority''

    ''Information: Strength means everything; so this is what you need to gain. Reach a suitable standard to travel deeper into the embrace of Azridan''s succession.''

    ''Task-''

    ''-Kill 5

    000 Rank 0 Mortal Beast or above monsters. (0/5

    000)''

    ''-Reach the Rank 5 Mortal Level. (Incomplete)''

    ''Time Limit: 3 years''

    ''[?Bonus Task?]-''

    ''- Complete within 2 years 6 months = 100% Experience reward increase.''

    ''- Complete within 2 years = 200% Experience reward increase.''

    ''- Complete within 1 year = Experience reward increased to 500%''

    ''Reward:''

    ''- 50

    000 Experience''

    ''- ????

    ????''

    ''"So... I have to kill something. Erm

    Azridan this will be my first time. I might have died but I have never killed. What does it feel like?"''

    ''[At first

    it is a sensation that is wholly unsettling

    however

    when you are put in the correct situation you will understand. In a moment

    it could be your death or theirs. What would you choose then? Being merciful to your enemies is to be heartless to yourself.]''

    ''"I understand." exhaled Apollo.''

    ''Settling his belongings under a large tree

    Apollo marked it. With that

    he returned to searching for monsters. Soon enough

    he found a small fox type monster. However

    unlike normal ones; this one wasn''t timid.''

    ''Upon Apollo''s appearance

    it pounced.''

    ''?System Alert! Battle Mode activated.?''

    ''?Body is in prime battle state.?''

    ''Monster Name: Red Fox''

    ''Cultivation: Rank 0 Mortal Beast (On par with Rank 3 Mortal Cultivator)''

    ''Health: 50/50''

    ''Chance of Defeat: 49%''

    ''Widening his feet into a horse stance

    Apollo shifted to the side as the fox dashed past him. It was hard for him to keep track of the foxes'' movements. After all

    it was an agility-type beast.''

    ''''This little red fox is quick. It may take a lot to deal with it...''''