The Demon Monarch System

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"Are you telling me that you're aware that you're the cause of this corruption and you consciously continue whatever actions that are contributing to it?" Geneva exclaimed with a dumbfounded expression. While she knew Apollo was different, she didn't expect him to be this ruthless.

As a result of her thoughts, she fell deeper into misconceived words, 'Could this be how he acquired power? At the sacrifice of others? What kind of heartlessness and blatant disregard for life is required to accomplish something like this?' Geneva questioned internally. 

On the other hand, Apollo's following answers caused even more misunderstanding, "Precisely, and I'll continue to do so because I want you. You will end up becoming mine. Based on what I see, you're far from your full potential, this world is holding you back."

In light of his words, Geneva's eyes widened. For a moment, she was shocked wordless. She didn't know how to respond to Apollo's words. Furthermore, as the beginning of his words continued to float around her mind, a light blush appeared on her face. 

Although she was quite used to others coveting her since her days of youth due to her beguiling appearance, when it came to Apollo, a natural weakness was awakening in her soul. Needless to say, this was the result of ingesting his Hellfire and allowing it to enter the core of her being. 

Thus, even though this thought had never crossed her mind, a small part of her entertained the idea of this. Fortunately, she was able to shake the thought and get back to the more important matters at hand. "So, because you want me, you are willing to damage the planet in the process?! What kind of insane reasoning is that?"

Apollo's expression started to change as he listened to her words, "Damage the planet? I have done no such thing. Are we not talking about you?" Apollo rubbed his chin in thought, 'Am I missing something here?"

"Yes, you have! Take a look at this," Geneva exclaimed in response before swiping her hand aggressively. A screen generated from Natural Essence appeared that then switched focus and revealed numerous images as well as a brief recording of a small change.

As Apollo watched the recording and examined the images, he noticed something amiss with them, "You think I'm the cause of this? It just seems like the planet is experiencing the presence of darkness and weakening because of it. After all, I have been told that it is truly weak. If we compare it to where the Spirits originate from, it is not worth mentioning."

"I-... I mean that isn't wrong, but you're missing the point here. Feel the image; tell me this aura isn't something that you're quite familiar to," Geneva responded, urging Apollo to spare more attention towards the information. 

When Apollo looked closer, he started to understand just why Geneva was so bothered by the current situation, 'It seems like a mixture of my aura, Fuhrer's, Typhir's as well as a faint addition of Demonic Anima. However, even though the planet will be weakened, what's the issue?'

"Mm, I understand what you're trying to make me aware of, but you haven't told me. What's the issue with this corrupting energy? At most, it just seems like it'll corrupt all of the resources inside those caves. That can't be all of them, right?"

At this moment, Geneva was becoming exasperated. "At most? No, you misunderstand! These caves are located in the core of Pangea Island. Moreover, they are directly linked to the defenses of the area. In other words, you're potentially making everyone vulnerable!"

After a short pause, Geneva continued with an even more worried tone, "And, we have received reports that this energy is causing the Terrors to become restless. A substantial clash is imminent. As of now, it's just a matter of whether or not we can prepare you students and turn you into soldiers with the remaining time."

As soon as Apollo heard this, a gleam flashed within his eyes. However, he soon hid his intentions as he feigned worry, "D-do you mean that the Terrors find the aura enjoyable?"

For some time, Geneva frowned and pondered whether or not it was right to disclose this information to Apollo. But, as she realized he was one of the most promising, if not the most promising individual of his generation, she stopped biting her tongue.

"Yes. To sum it up, they find the energy appetizing. In fact, there has already been an event wherein they seemed to absorb a type of nefarious foreign energy. Albeit short, they were able to cause a substantial amount of mayhem at the Catastrophe Line," Geneva revealed.

Within Apollo's mind, he was already formulating theories as to the origin of the Terrors. Be that as it may, he couldn't verify any of them until he acquired more thorough information, "Tell me, around when did this incident occur? Was it recent?' Apollo questioned with an intention in mind.

Before she answered, she first recollected how much time had passed, "If I'm not mistaken, it should have been no more than 3 months ago."

"If you can recall, can you tell me the source of the energy?" Apollo continued to request. While he had an idea as to the cause of the Terror's incite, he also didn't know if he was the direct cause of it. At odd times, the memory of within the Dark Labyrinth would flash within his mind.

Even though he wasn't quite familiar with that voice, when it resounded in his mind, he felt compelled to locate that voice. Unfortunately, in the next moment, reality came crashing down and he was deluged by thoughts that denounced his desires. 

"It hasn't been proven, but it seems to be the result of some type of clash. Truth be told, we had a meeting about this. We've come to a temporary conclusion that it should be related to a Spirit that brought an anomaly along with it," Geneva said. At the same time, she also paid close attention to Apollo for any change in expression.

Outside of the usual look of shock that anyone would give when such information was presented, there weren't any definite signs that Apollo was related to the root cause. Nevertheless, after witnessing his flames of obscure nature, Geneva had already drawn her conclusion. 

For the sake of appearances, Apollo nodded, "It must be true. I'm sure there are some people who have awakened to odd Spirits this time around. In fact, I've gone up against one of such people," Apollo voiced with a small chuckle. Meanwhile, his inner thought covered a much different topic.

'A clash she said. Then it is confirmed, the root cause of the Terror's increased activity is Fuhrer. When I return, I should acquire more information about this,' Apollo determined silently.

Subsequently, Geneva cleared her throat when she noticed he had fallen silent, "Since you have been made aware of this, there is another pressing matter. While I don't know where you disappeared to, there is barely another 2 weeks before all of you freshmen are to enter the Isolated Subrealm."

"I'll be prepared," Apollo nodded, giving Geneva confirmation. Yet, despite his confirmation, there still seemed to be something weighing on Geneva's mind. It just appeared that she didn't want to voice it. Of course, Apollo still picked up on her reluctance nonetheless.

"There's something else, isn't there," Apollo smirked while taking a short seat on the side of her desk.

"There are actually two things. Let's start with the first. The Umbra Night Institute's Tethered Shadows Origin Room had been showing an odd reaction. It was almost as if it was beckoning to something. Then, just 3 days ago, it changed. It presented an energy silhouette of a being. Can you guess who?"

"Me," Apollo replied without pause. Since he was called here, this was the only viable answer.

"Correct, but that is odd. In the many years of this academy's establishment, such an event has never happened. Thus, I need you to take a look as to why it is calling upon you. Your entry will be free and based on the information you report back, I'll reward additional Academic Credits," Geneva stated.

Apollo merely shrugged, "What's the other thing?"

"Your flame, may I have some more? If I'm to become a proper Headmaster, I'll need to recover to my peak state. To do so, I need to deal with this. Will you help me?" Geneva pleaded after great difficulty. While she asked, she also pressed her hand on her torso.

Yet, before answering, Apollo chuckled, "You're playing with fire, don't expect not to be burned. If you think you'll become a proper Headmaster…" Apollo stopped his words short and conjured multiple clusters of Hellfire upon each of his fingers, "I'm afraid that won't happen.

Apollo didn't wait for her response, before pressing his hand against her stomach. A euphoric gasp sounded as Geneva's body trembled, "That's right, absorb every last bit. While you fall, you'll also reach new heights."

Now that Apollo had tasted the sensation of siphoning strength, he couldn't resist the urge to do so. Moments later, he also turned his head in another direction and squinted. After sniffing for a moment, he was sure his senses were correct, "I sense another sample of my Hellfire. It seems someone else will fall to her current state."

Unbeknownst to the people within this room, two large changes were taking place courtesy of Apollo's actions. Be it indirectly or directly, Apollo was causing the downfall of this planet as they knew it. 

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A powerful being exited the border of the Endless Death Domain while releasing a frightening aura that far surpassed any Terror currently engaged in combat on the Catastrophe Line. 

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