The Demon Monarch System

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"Then I shall decline the option to do so for now. In the meantime, what do we do?" Apollo questioned while pondering the next step forward. Although he possessed a pact with Fuhrer, there was no way for him to use the ability of the system just yet. Thus, Fuhrer rubbed his chin for a moment.

"Well, if you're asking for my advice, you should become accustomed to the newfound power you have achieved. And, you should do so as soon as possible. The quicker it is done, the faster you can continue to grow. Not to mention, even I am unaware of just how my power has affected you. 

Be that as it may, while the other prompts subsided, one more appeared in their place. Furthermore, this information was directly related to something Fuhrer had mentioned to him not too long ago.

〈System Alert! Since you have rejoined with one of the Monarch's hidden pieces, a piece of you has been awakened. In 60 seconds, the ability to learn the «Monarch's Absolute Tenebrosity» will activate. At that time, the restrictions of a typical Lesser Demon will no longer plague you. However, the abilities you acquire thereafter will be weakened until you reach the proper baseline.〉

When Apollo read this, he wasn't sure how to react. While it sounded like it was good that he could escape the limitations of a Lesser Demon. It felt as if something was forcing him to acquire strength far too fast. More importantly, from what he understood, acquiring too much demonic power too soon wasn't a good thing.

If the vessel wasn't strong enough to support the sudden increase of power, detrimental effects would occur. Hence, why Azridan always urged Apollo to train his body before anything else. A fragile vessel containing immense power was a recipe for disaster. Should that power ever overwhelm the vessel, it would potentially spell the end for that individual.

"Fuhrer, are you familiar with the Monarch's Absolute Tenebrosity?" Apollo asked Fuhrer while looking at the disappearing window before his eyes. In return, Fuhrer was once again shocked by the information that shouldn't appear at this very moment.

"I'm very familiar with it. After all, what do you think the Tenebrous Way is? It's the path the Monarch introduced to both of us, he pioneered this practice. It appears it already time for me to brief you in the ways of the Tenebrous. However, before you can do so, there is a Noble Art that you must learn. If you don't, the Tenebrous particles will rip your vessel asunder," Fuhrer said.

Once again, he presented the aura of the Tenebrous Way to Apollo. At the same time, he began to impart vital information, "Alright. Fundamentally, our Tenebrosity is the same. Its purpose is to be used to overlook and always be present. However, the uniqueness lies in the way one is to utilize it.

"For me, I have weaponized it. But, I can also revert to the typical usage and use this to encase myself in undetectable darkness. Of course, I could also go a step further and veil a world or a ring. This is what the First Monarch did, that was how he was able to displace all of the rings simultaneously. However, as you should know, the power required to do so is immeasurable," Fuhrer informed.

As a result, Apollo became interested. Based on what Fuhrer was insinuating, the technique seemed to be a technique that the Baleful Steps were derived from. Moreover, it seems this Absolute Tenebrosity wasn't just limited to usage on himself.

"But, something seems to be missing. You said that it would require a Noble Art to use right? What's the basis of that Noble Art?" Apollo questioned while stretching his body to stand up.

On the other hand, Fuhrer showed him a faint smile, "Have you ever thought about never losing out in battle?"

"What do you mean by that? Never losing out? Do you mean to never lose in a battle?" Apollo questioned as he failed to understand just what Fuhrer was insinuating.

"Hmm, allow me to change the question because that isn't quite right. I think it is more fit to ask it like this, have you ever wanted to learn a way to sustain yourself while still in battle?" Fuhrer asked once again but differently.

This time, Apollo froze. 'Is he trying to say something about never depleting my Anima Reserves while in battle? But… isn't that impossible?' Apollo thought silently. At first, this seemed like a fairy tale. However, when Apollo started to piece things together, he soon realized the story may not be as far-fetched as it seems.

From the image in his head that taught him Intent, he recalled there was a presence around him that seemed to be always absorbing his surroundings for his own usage. As he thought about this, Apollo then became sure the use of this Noble Art or even a higher level technique was utilized to do so. Furthermore, Apollo also came to learn something.

"I have a question, have you mastered this technique?" Apollo asked all of a sudden.

"Hoh? Good question, I haven't. It is impossible for me to do so. In truth, the complete art is for those who travel the path of Gluttony. Only the former half could be learned as it isn't autonomous. It requires your Will to overpower your surroundings and draw the resources towards you. But, when you move, the difficulty of doing so increases exponentially. Additionally, every world's will is of varying strength," Fuhrer answered. 

Apollo nodded as he took in the information. Based on what he had learned, he could infer that all Noble Arts required the sustenance of a Sin. Beyond that, each of them could only be mastered once one acquired the correct Sin. Of course, as Fuhrer said earlier, Noble Art could still be learned without the related Sin, the essence of the technique would just be impossible to grasp.

Then again, there were also naturalized Noble Arts. These were techniques that didn't require anything outside of obscene amounts of Anima and Intent. At first, The Nine Annihilation Technique seemed to be like this, however, when Apollo started to use them more, he realized they used abstract variations of Ira. 

Every technique seemed to be named after something that could take place amid mindless rage. When one lost all reasoning, there was a chance they could commit a massacre. On the other hand, if something or someone were to make you angry enough, you would want to separate yourself from it. Ergo, severance.

"I see. I have another question, would learning this technique influence the next sin that I awaken?" Apollo questioned while looking at Fuhrer.

"It's a possibility but if you're truly who I think you are, once you realize your power, I'm sure you'll be able to accomplish a Complete Sin Awakening. If you aren't aware of what that is, it is when all 7 Sins are liberated at the same time. It has only happened twice in history, you'll have to make it happen again," Fuhrer answered.

In return, Apollo nodded. Then, he was curious, "Two? If the First Monarch was the first, who was the second?"

In response to this, Fuhrer smiled without an answer. However, the look in his eyes told Apollo that he would come to know the answer later on. As of right now, it wasn't of utmost importance. Nevertheless, as they breezed past this matter, Fuhrer prepped Apollo.

"What I want you to do is learn how to wrap your vessel in your will. Before you can use this Noble Art, you'll need to learn how to cocoon and protect yourself in Will. As you do so, your body will soon became to subconsciously emit your will without you intending to do this. Once it reaches the height of this ability, you will have touched upon the Noble Art.

Apollo then started to follow Fuhrer's directions without hesitation. Unfortunately, as time passed, his enthusiasm dwindled. Let alone wrap himself in his Will, he could even get it to mold into a shape. While it appeared strong enough, it seemed his Tainted Temple wasn't strong to make this happen. Or, so he thought.

"You're rushing. You must remember, the best progress is made when you take the time to digest the instructions given. I didn't say you need to grasp this all in one go. First, you must claim dominance over your bare will. It may seem simple on the surface, but in truth, it means you will need to go to war with yourself," Fuhrer announced while looking at Apollo's expression grow frustrated.

After exhaling his vexation with the issue at hand. His mind then focused on the issue at hand. Slowly but surely, the will seeped out of Apollo. At the same time, a blackish-blue aura activated as well. Fragments of the Monarch's Absolute Tenebrosity appeared on Apollo that tempered his mind. 

As Fuhrer said earlier, before Apollo could accomplish anything great, his vessel needed to be strong. To summarize, the state of a demon just indicated how much strength their vessel could contain. In other words, Fuhrer wished for Apollo to break out of the Lesser Demon standard as soon as possible.

Unlike Apollo, he wasn't aware that Apollo could shatter some of his current limitations. Thus, when the Tenebrosity appeared without the absorption ability, Fuhrer was pleasantly surprised.