The Demon Monarch System

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While everyone gathered before the Sky Appraisal Tower, a familiar face appeared. Gabriel Astarte, doubling as the steward for their guidance glanced over all of the youths.

"All of you are to enter and based on your numbers, enter one of the designated paths. Each door will have a marking to indicate which column you belong to. If you fail to follow directions, you will be immediately disqualified. As we are training you for the task force, you will need to possess the discipline and the apt ability to follow directions."

After giving them a warning, the two grand doors behind him opened, revealing an extensive corridor spanning for an uncountable distance. However, on each side was a staircase. But, located at various odd steps were doorways marked with strange symbols. 

"Flip over your identification cards. The symbol on the back should match the step you must exit the staircase. Obviously, this is to promote fairness. After all, these cards will also play a role in the course of your future tests," Gabriel informed.

In accordance with this information, all the youths reversed their cards, revealing their own symbol. Without hesitation, every single youth stepped forth with the Paragons, Scions, Glories, and Elites leading the way. 

However, something odd took place. Unlike the rest who branched off into a staircase including the Glories and below, the Paragons and Scions ignored their existences, continuing to walk forward in the tower, embraced by the distant darkness. By their actions, it seemed they retained special rights.

A spatial door opened before them, enveloping them before disappearing without a sign. This scene surprised many, but when they remembered their illustrious status, they disregarded the earlier scene.

Unbeknownst to the rest, those individuals arrived before their respective family heads and higher personage. While the others underwent their tests, these few sat in wait.

'Hmm, as I thought, the treatment between different levels is great. This only serves to further cements my claim about grasping a good starting point. Otherwise, my everyday routine will most likely be filled with trivial annoyances,' Apollo thought before climbing the stairs but not before feeling a tug on his shirt.

He paused for a moment, followed by a glance over his shoulder. Surprisingly, he was shocked to see a crimson-haired beauty with a proud smile on her face, staring back at him.

"I knew it was you! What was your name again...ah ahh… it's on the tip of my tongue. Don't tell me, I'll remember it, hold on!" she quipped, trying her darnedest to recall this fellow's name. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, she failed to remember his name.

"Apollo, Nadida. It's Apollo," he shook his head, with an amused chuckle. It seemed her personality went through zero changes in their absence.

"Dang! I told you, I had it! You suck! Ahem, but you did get stronger, look how tall you've gotten!" Nadida exclaimed, holding her hand to Apollo's forehead, measuring the distance from hers. Additionally, she squeezed his arm, approving his physique with a pleased nod.

"Even Adeon isn't this robust, this is cool. Just wait until he sees you. Oh, I can see it now, that grumpy guy is going to lose his top! Oh yeah, and you're years younger than him," Nadida giggled, seemingly excited to see Adeon's dismay.

"Wow...you haven't changed. You still talk so much," Apollo blinked, continuing to climb the stairs. 

"W-what?! I'll have you know, I've gotten stronger as well," Nadida harrumphed, stupefied by Apollo's words. However, in response, he just waved his hand as if saying 'Yeah, yeah, sure I hear you already.'

While continuing to climb the stairs, the two caught up, exchanging their experiences. Surprisingly, not only did they advance, but they did so by leaps and bounds. All 5 of the youths had attained at least the peak of the Zul Warrior Realm. This was true, even for the unmotivated Rhett.

Soon enough, they reached the top of their respective staircase. When they did, their eyes were met with a marvelous sight. Upon reaching this place, the scenery changed becoming an expansive room.

Large ivory stone walls expanded up to 100 meters on both sides. Furthermore, stalagmites of similar colors hung from the wall engraved with awe-inspiring runes. From them, leaked a comfortable aura. 

Equally important, there were numerous yet identical sets of equipment of varying value, all capable of testing different aspects of cultivation. Located in sets of 2, they were divvied for what appeared to be 1000 people. After everyone who was to appear here arrived, the instructor appeared.

"I am Nivel, the instructor of you all from the 1113th batch. For those of you who don't know, I hail from the Victorious Sword Academy. While I don't sense sword intent from any of you, I am still responsible for administering your comprehensive exam. Allow me to explain what will take place," a dignified man spoke.

Coupled with the marvelous sword hanging at his waist, his sharp countenance and piercing eyes magnetized the room, everyone falling silent. Due to his atmosphere, there was no doubt in their mind that if they misspoke, something untoward them would happen.

Even Apollo was uncharacteristically silent.

"First and foremost, I'll test your potential. Before you say you've already been tested; you haven't. Unless you hail from at least a Great Family, then you've yet to experience a proper test. In fact, can any of you tell me what a Natural Root is?" Nivel questioned, his eyes sweeping across the mass of youths.

Just as he expected, the room was silent. In this batch, not one offspring of a Great Family could be found. This meant within 1000 youths, not one member of a Great Family could be found. In other words, the majority of numbers were made up of youths from small noble children seeking to grasp a notable future.

"Very well, a Natural Root is the result of your Dantian and Meridians merging as one. Although you may not have felt it, when you opened your Dantian, you created a mystical thing. This is known as the Natural Root. It determines the potential of your body. Furthermore, unlike your meridians, it can't be trained. Hence, why we test for it; it marks the latent potential hidden within you. We'll now bring it out.

"Located before each of you is a colorless fist-sized orb. Pick that up and hold it in your palms. There is no need for any other actions, the orb will do the rest of the work," Nivel instructed, pointing his finger at the feet of everyone present.

One by one, the orbs were picked up. When Apollo picked his up, Nadida looked over to him, winking her clear golden eyes, whispering, "I hope you don't have anything below a crimson grade or you'll hear my mouth."

"Quiet and do as your told!" Nivel barked, glaring in Nadida's direction causing her silence. 

Meanwhile, Apollo was overwhelmed with curiosity, 'Crimson grade? I don't even know what this is, much less the lowest or highest grades. What the hell does that color indicate?' 

Fortunately, his worries were soon dispelled. As the youths waited for the occurrence to happen, Nivel disclosed more information related to the Natural Root. 

"Those of you unfamiliar with the ranking, allow me to enlighten you and expand your incompetent minds. The Natural Root exists in 5 differentiations; Mortal, King, Emperor, Saint, and Empyrean Grade. Each of which is further divided into 9 levels. Your ranking is determined by the vibrancy of your color."

As Nivel spoke, the numerous orbs started to emit various colors.

"If you receive the grey color, you're worthless; you've attained the Mortal Root. If you achieve the green color, meh, you're subpar, possessing the King Root. Should you acquire the violet color, congratulations, you're above the masses with an Emperor Root. Lastly, Crimson, you've reached the Saint Root and Diamond, the Empyrean Root. Now, will you all be worthless or not? Don't disgrace your families," Nivel chuckled, glancing at the colors appearing in the room. 

At the moment, it was too early to tell, but based on the momentum, he could estimate exactly where everyone would end up. With his current estimations, he was disappointed in this generation.

Typically, most youths who were born to small noble families would harbor talents in the range of high Mortal Roots to extremely low Emperor Roots but this meant their potential was only average. Even the most useless offspring of a Great Family was born with a low Emperor Root. This was, of course, due to superior births.

This type of talent was both hereditary as well as granted by fate. Thus, it was something that couldn't be tampered with. Be that as it may, Apollo's expression became colorful. The range of his fluctuations was far too great, it was like witnessing a jackpot spin with the ultimate outcome full of uncertainty.

After 5 minutes, the results were determined and Nivel was surprised. He just didn't know whether he should laugh or cry.