The Demon Monarch System

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By utilizing the completely mastered form of the Umbra Phantom Mantle, Fuhrer attacked Apollo with a strike that carried six mirages. As Apollo tried to defend against them, he realized numerous searing cuts appeared on his skin.

In response, his expression became even more comical, 'Is each one of these shadows empowered by Hellfire? This is insane, not only is he using this technique to make his attached immutable, he's added a second layer that makes it even more lethal? Yet, all of this seems to be an effortless action for him.'

Despite blocking what he thought to be the actual weapon, another laceration appeared on Apollo's chest that caused him to suck in a cool breath. If it continued like this, let alone rematch, this could barely count for a teaching session.

"Lad, is this all you've got? Comprehend what you need from me! Unlike the last time, I won't be withdrawing my strikes. Your body is stronger than it was and should be able to heal on its own. So," Fuhrer smiled menacingly, before adding, "Welcome to my torturous training montage."

Immediately, the six mirages condensed into one lifelike dark sword that mimicked the movement of Fuhrer's sword. In other words, Apollo now had to dodge simultaneous attacks from two swords that moved faster than he did.

Furthermore, Fuhrer seemed to have a plan in mind. Every attack made Apollo retreat towards the wall and closer towards the wall, "What can you do when all paths of escape are cut off? How will you cope when you MUST deal with what is in front of you?"

As Fuhrer continually increased the pressure, Apollo continued to be backed into the wall. At this point, he had discarded all thoughts of utilizing that strike currently unnamed strike. On the contrary, his stimulated Ira was awakening another ability. 

〈System Alert! Due to your current condition, the first Incomplete Sin Armament can be utilized. With the proper requirements fulfilled, there will be no drawbacks to activating it.〉

Upon reading this message, Apollo finally saw a ray of light. With his body as the point of origin, it emitted a large wave of infernal power. A cloud of Ira surrounded Apollo's body as he disappeared from sight. 

On the other hand, Fuhrer raised his eyebrow in surprise, "Hoh? You can use Armaments? You must truly be the Monarch's descendants. That's a long-lost ability that only a select few Daemos were able to activate and send down our lineage. Now show me, what does your armament look like," Fuhrer said.

At the same time, he slashed his sword downward. The wave that hurtled towards him was then cut in half and collided with the wall behind him. Patiently, he waited for the cloud of corporeal Ira to subside. Although it took a while, it happened.

But, when Apollo's appearance came into full display, Fuhrer froze for a moment, 'It couldn't be. Isn't that the Tartarean Regalia? How could that appear here? Didn't he take that with him? Only a few answers can explain the existence of this. Hoh? It also seems to be incomplete. His mastery of Ira isn't enough to fabricate the entire armor.'

As Apollo appeared, his upper body and horns were encased in a terrible armor seemingly made out of pure magma. The sweltering heat that emanated from it gave Fuhrer a feeling of nostalgia. He recalled being on the battlefield with the First Monarch where they culled countless foes. 

Ultimately, their actions lead to the union of the Nihilistic Rings. Unfortunately, this was something all in the past. With the disappearance of a Monarch, the solidity of the Nihilistic Rings' bond was in tatters.

On the other hand, Apollo clenched his fist. While marveling at his own transformation, he remembered bits and pieces of the events that happened during the selection trial. He had invoked this state once before but it was when his body was incapable of wielding it in the slightest.

Fortunately, someone outside of his knowledge thwarted him from making a potentially asinine move. However, the hatred in his heart was still present. In fact, it had been laid bare by the invocation of this technique. Left with no other choice, Apollo attempted to deal with it as soon as possible. Naturally, he did so through the most basic of means.

"This seems to be a more even playing field. Now show me, what has that incomplete Sin Armament done for your combat ability?" Fuhrer questioned while taking a single step forward. But, once his leg flexed, his propulsion shattered the ground beneath his feet.

In an instant, he accelerated to nonsensical speeds. However, there was a reason for doing so. As Apollo looked at Fuhrer's movements in his current state, he felt that while Fuhrer was faster than ever before, he could sense what he was doing to a certain extent.

With adequate timing, Apollo retracted his right foot. A moment later, Fuhrer's sword pierced through the ground. He then lifted his head with an emotionless gaze as he used the butt of his sword to send a focused shockwave towards Apollo's chest.

Yet, before his attack could land, the Ira in Apollo bubbled. He released a bestial roar that caused a shockwave of his own to collide with the force birthed from Fuhrer's actions.

After the collision, Fuhrer retreated from the dust cloud with a pleased expression, "Good, the Regalia is honing your Flickering Insight. Let's take this up to another level," Fuhrer stated. By now, he was starting to enjoy the battle. At first, he still retained a shred of caution towards utilizing the utmost power he could draw in his Lesser Demon state.

However, the appearance of Apollo's Incomplete Sin Armament changed the playing field. This time, when Fuhrer executed the Umbra Phantom Mantle, it was like the entire cave was blanketed by darkness, "Full State Second Form: Absolute Umbra Zone,"

Subsequently, the entire area fell under Fuhrer's immediate control. It went without saying, the difficulty of the training skyrocketed for Apollo as he raised his guard to the peak. Even though part of him was excited to see the different variations of the Second Step, what he truly wanted was to overpower Fuhrer at least once.

It wasn't a matter of proving that he was better than him, but a matter of pride. As Azridan told him once before, he sensed high levels of Superbia within Apollo's mind. There was a large chance that it could be his next Sin to master.

Be that as it may, Apollo closed his eyes and increased the focus he put on his Tainted Temple. Since his eyes were useless in this darkness, he had to rely on the only organ that could see without seeing.

Once again, the two collided. Except, with each following collision, Apollo's body was becoming bruised and battered. Not to mention, Fuhrer didn't allow him time to conjure his Annihilation. Thus, he was left attacking with plain strikes that were faintly strengthened by small amounts of Demonic Anima.

"Faster, conjure your energy faster. When you strike, you must always possess the upper hand. Also, don't look for your opponent. Feel them, train your demonic sense to pick up on the signs of life. Since we are beings of destruction, we are sensitive to such things. Use it to your advantage," Fuhrer instructed between each of his blows.

Although battering Apollo was quite fun, his true intention was to make Apollo stronger as quickly as possible while making him privy to basic principles. Hence, he made him privy to everything regarding a demon. There wasn't a topic left untouched.

Yet, Apollo still felt like he was making no progress. However, that was understandable since Fuhrer increased the intensity of his strikes whenever Apollo presented signs of countering. While a counter was good, what Fuhrer sought didn't happen yet.

'Come on kid, don't tell me you haven't awoken it yet. To be able to use an Incomplete Sin Armament but not awaken that is baffling. Is there some missing piece I'm overlooking? Now that I think about it, how was this youth born,' Fuhrer started to question while stabbing his sword into the ground.

Metallic shadow blades pierced the ground and shot towards Apollo. Narrowly, he dodged them until finally, one of the blades eluded his attention and pierced Apollo's right shoulder.

"Your armament is faulty, such a strike should have never penetrated your defenses with that regalia active. Tell me, do you truly wish to overcome me?" Fuhrer inquired while looking at Apollo with a partially disappointed expression.

"I do!" Apollo exclaimed.

"Then show me! I want actions, not words," Fuhrer bellowed back. In response, Apollo gritted his teeth. Feelings of frustration well inside him as his eyes flickered with an amethyst light.