The Demon Monarch System

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Upon hearing Fuhrer's question, Apollo fell silent. He pondered this matter. Did he truly learn enough from his experience so far? Not to mention, there was still slightly over 1 day remaining for his stay duration. But, when he weighed this matter against the fact the last strike could offer copious amounts of inspiration, Apollo was conflicted. 

Although he didn't know exactly what Fuhrer intended to do with his last strike, he was sure it was something beyond his current knowledge. Yet, be that as it may, he still couldn't overcome this gnawing feeling that it wasn't time yet.

Thus, Apollo finally made his decision. "I'm not ready to witness what you intend to do, there are still things I want to know. For example, how there are two seamlessly blended powers in your body. Shouldn't there be a small conflict from them both being present?"

"Ah, you see that's a question I've been waiting for you to ask me. Simply put, this requires the utilization of Noble Practices at the very least. Once you acquire their essence, you then realize what is needed to use your power at the pinnacle. In truth, I only practice one method—the Tenebrous Way. However, it possesses a special quality, it blends in with both nothing and all," Fuhrer chuckled.

"Does this mean the Annihilations and Baleful Step can do the same?" Apollo questioned. If this was true, then rather than waste time on an obscene strike, he wanted guidance in this.

"Hold on lad, you must remember, this is a Noble Practice! Are you a Noblesse or even an Archdemon for that matter? Absolutely not. Additionally, can you use the 7th Annihilation and the 5th Baleful Step? If not, then you have no means of even coming close to your essence. However, you are not without luck," Fuhrer stated before tilting his blade at an odd angle.

"Truthfully speaking, I was going to combine the Nether Severance along with the Demonic Massacre Wave while permeating it with the Tenebrous Thread. But, it seems there is no point in that. Let's augment you to the highest degree possible. For the tenth strike, fight me."

After speaking, both Fuhrer's size and aura began deflating. From a peak Greater Demon, his aura fell until it barely grazed the cusp of an initial Greater Demon. In other words, he was a peak Lesser Demon.

Meanwhile, as Apollo heard the word "fight", he was stricken with apprehension. While to others it may seem to be more of a fair fight, that was by no means the case. One thing that couldn't be overlooked was Fuhrer's battle experience as well as the superlative control over his power. Even if he dropped his strength to such a level, his physique stilled retained the memory of his prior body.

Fortunately, the more Apollo thought about this, the more he realized he was overthinking things. One, Fuhrer wasn't hostile. Two, the main reason for this fight was to gauge his current strength and develop a suitable method to advance the grasp of his abilities.

"In our first spar, I will overwhelm you with speed. Ready yourself!" Fuhrer exclaimed. From the jump, Fuhrer utilized the advanced form of Apollo's Partial Shade Silhouette. While it looked similar, Fuhrer's entire body vanished. When he moved, he traveled in the impenetrable shadows. 

In Apollo's eyes, all he saw was a shadow zipping around. When a few moments passed and Fuhrer still didn't attack, embers of Hellfire flickered around Apollo's metallic claws. Yet, at that very moment, Fuhrer made his move.

The sonorous peal of high-quality metal scraped together as Fuhrer's explosive thrust connected with the back of Apollo's palm. "You have gotten faster, but your flicker is still terrible. Move faster, think faster, BE FASTER!"

Fwoosh!

An indiscernible strike from Fuhrer's elbow landed on Apollo causing him to take a few steps back. When he realized this, Apollo was surprised. It appeared Fuhrer was holding back far more than he estimated. However, in light of this revelation, Apollo's expression turned solemn.

'Just by using this stepping method, he's amplifying his spontaneous acceleration by at least 10 times. That elbow never moved, or at least I couldn't track it. This is harder than he makes it out to be but I think I understand,' Apollo thought to himself.

As Fuhrer took a step forward, Apollo inhaled and closed his eyes. He thought back to the training that took place within the Academy. Although it wasn't some extreme practice, the basis could be used now. Hence, Apollo stimulated both the Tainted Temple and the Diabolic Heart of Wrath concurrently.

His heart spewed Hellfire whereas his temple released a wave of mental energy. Once they collided, a pained expression appeared on Apollo's face, however, the results were amazing. For a split second, he could see a mirage of Fuhrer.

Thus, he titled his left shoulder back ever so slightly. Albeit small, the action was effective. Contrary to Fuhrer's expectations of stabbing through his shoulder, he was only able to form a small gash.

"Interesting, your flicker at that moment was sufficient for your current stand. But, we are priming you to become a Monarch! How can we allow you to merely conform within your standard?" Fuhrer retorted after giving slight praise.

This time, his attacks took a more violent approach. Each subsequent strike grew heavier as it compounded on the preceding attack. By the time Apollo defended against the 15th blow, up to his knees were embedded in the ground.

"I thought I told you, utilize your techniques! Fuel them with Sin and meld your mind with the strike. Half of these strikes should have been averted by you! Are you one of those fools who lose their wits under pressure? If so, you're in for a rude awakening, your journey itself is pressure!" Fuhrer snarled.

Although he said this, in truth, Apollo's release of his techniques took too long in respect to Fuhrer's strike. By the time he conjured enough to release a strike, Fuhrer was already delivering the next blow.

"It's not that! You said it yourself, you will overwhelm me with speed! In battle, the one who possesses the upper hand in speed controls the momentum of the following clashes!" Apollo retorted. Being thrashed in his forte was a frustrating thing. Not to mention, it was to the point where it was overwhelming.

"You must learn to deal with it. Your words may be correct in certain but what happens when I debunk this? Come at me with your fastest strike," Fuhrer commanded. Afterward, he changed his stance. He merely stood there awaiting APollo's confrontation.

Naturally, Apollo didn't shy away from this request. He dashed in with his Partial Shade Silhouette tuned to the maximum output. Once he reached Fuhrer, he thrust his hand forward in the form of a spear. Yet, contrary to what he expected, Fuhrer didn't as much as flinch!

Right before the blow landed, Fuhrer lifted his sword and guided Apollo's body away from him. Soon, Apollo found himself hurtling through the air. Oddly enough, his speed remained constant.

Due to this, when he landed, Apollo's eyes narrowed, 'That action generated no force whatsoever. And, I saw every movement of it. So how is this possible?' 

 In the meantime, Fuhrer commanded him to come at him again. Only, this time, when Fuhrer responded, Apollo found his face against the ground. Once again, his attack was parried effortlessly.

"Do you understand? It isn't the one with the superior speed that wins, it is the one with superior intellect and senses. In each of your strikes, I moved slower than you. Not only this, I used your own force to deal with you. Now, tell me, in a real battle, which opponent would have perished?" Fuhrer questioned.

"This one who possessed my role," Apollo answered.

"Correct, but incorrect. The one who would lose is the one who lost their wits. If you retained a sound mind while the other's patience whittled away, then an opening is bound to present itself. I shall train you to open these weaknesses. AGAIN!" Fuhrer bellowed before releasing a torrential aura.

In response, Apollo nodded. Their numerous exchanges commenced, and Fuhrer ridiculed each wrong movement. In fact, Fuhrer already determined Apollo's next Sin through certain means but he kept it under wraps. For now, he simply peered into Apollo's internal state.

As it was bathed in Sin, it was strengthened. Now, the Hellfire was incapable of causing him any discomfort. Unfortunately, the system alerted Apollo that his end was near.

〈System Alert! 35 minute(s) remain in your stay in Ashiraem.〉

"It seems my stay here will cease soon," Apollo muttered.

"I figured as much. Your connection is growing weaker. Nevertheless, before you go, allow me to show you that strike," Fuhrer said before taking a menacing stance.