4 Mean Children


    ''----''


    ''As he stood in front of the ivory gate of the mansion before him


    Apollo remembered this place. It was "home"


    but it never felt like it. Although the previous owner of his body grew up here


    the lack of pleasant memories was jarring.''


    ''This town he grew up in was known as Verdacre; filled with towering vibrant trees that provided copious amounts of shade for miles to come.''


    ''Additionally


    his family—the Kaiser family—had a reputable name in this town; they were one of the two small ruling noble families of the area. While nothing compared to the true powers of this world


    they could hold their own with other bordering town nobles.''


    ''"The Kaiser Family...my old life had magic and spells


    knights and mages


    but here


    I don''t think that is what exists."''


    ''It wasn''t before long that he entered the gates. Upon doing so


    Apollo was immediately given odd looks as he limped through the courtyard. His clothes were torn and his hair was matted. At a glance


    it seemed he had been through a tough battle


    but upon closer inspection


    the dirt that covered his clothes didn''t appear to originate from battle.''


    ''"Little child


    is staying out all night long all you know how to do? Just because your parents are dead and you have no one to look after you doesn''t mean you can go off and do your own thing


    " reprimanded a slightly stern-looking man.''


    ''Apollo paused


    glancing at the man with a foul look "Uncle


    I did not stay out all night! You know deep down how I am treated! Don''t act like you know nothing."''


    ''The hate Apollo fostered ran deep and as such


    an outburst came quick.''


    ''"You disrespectful brat...you dare talk back?!"''


    ''In light of Apollo''s retort


    the stern-looking man raised his hand to deliver a smack. However


    his wrist was grabbed by a male looking to be of equal age. Shaking his head


    he stopped him.''


    ''"You see the state of his body


    just drop it. He is only speaking out of anger. It''ll do you good to pay him no mind


    as you are now


    you look silly


    " the newcomer said as he glanced at Apollo.''


    ''"Hurry along to your living quarters and attend to your body unless you want to lose that leg of yours. With your current body


    your weak bone structure can barely support training


    " continued the newcomer as he dejectedly sighed.''


    ''"Danyul...if we don''t punish this little eyesore then he will feel it is alright to talk back! How is it right to let him go like this? Where is the proper home training?!" argued the stern-looking man.''


    ''"Oh? So tell me then


    Ashur...how exactly do you want to punish him?"''


    ''At the question the slightly irritated Ashur stumbled


    glancing at Apollo. Now that he gave him a proper look


    he was unable to think of a proper answer.''


    ''''Any type of beating would probably kill this kid and I don''t want that type of incident on my hands


    '' Ashur inwardly determined before waving his hand.''


    ''"Bah! Never mind… but that little brat should never talk back again!" Ashur succinctly yelled.''


    ''Apollo limped forward


    gritting his teeth and clenching his fist en route to his room. However


    as he limped


    Danyul''s face shifted to a downcast expression as he sighed. Within his eyes lingered a heavy melancholy.''


    ''As he turned to leave


    he muttered to himself


    "If only you had the talent your parents did…"''


    ''Shortly after


    Apollo reached his courtyard. Compared to the rest of the mansion


    Apollo''s living space was on the tiny side. It was a room unable to fit more than 3 people. It had a simple plush mat as a bed


    a counter


    and a lamp.''


    ''When he turned his head


    Apollo saw a small container of cream prompting him to claim it. When he did


    the system granted him even more information on the item.''


    ''Item Name: Healing Ointment''


    ''Rank: Rank 1 Medicine''


    ''Grade: Poor''


    ''Effect: When smeared on open wounds


    restores 2 Health.''


    ''Sub-effect: Closes minor wounds in 2 hours.''


    ''Uses: 10/10''


    ''"Oh


    the system provides information like this...neat. Hey Azridan


    if I use this 4 times will I be all healed?"''


    ''[Well


    it''s an ointment. You can use it that way


    but I don''t advise you to rely on this poor thing in the future. You should find better alternatives. Of course


    when you grow properly that will all present itself.]''


    ''While listening to Azridan


    Apollo applied the ointment on the bruises of his body and the gash on his leg. After several uses


    Apollo''s Health increased from 2 to 8 in an instant.''


    ''"It feels better


    I have to wait for this gash to close before moving too much. If I don''t


    I''m not sure what would happen."''


    ''[Oh...you''ll bleed and start losing Health again.]''


    ''"Heh heh...yeah that would happen right."''


    ''[Yes it would. What else would happen?]''


    ''Soon


    in 2 hours


    Apollo''s Health restored to it full value as he stood up from his bed.''


    ''"Azridan…what is a Zul?"''


    ''[Oh


    that will be taught in your mission. Speaking of which


    didn''t you forget about that?]''


    ''"No


    I don''t think it''s time yet I didn''t he-"''


    ''As he spoke


    a loud bell chimed throughout the mansion as Apollo stood up leaving the room.''


    ''"That...I think it''s the bell for daily training sessions and teaching classes."''


    ''[Ah


    yes yes..]''


    ''Upon hearing the bell


    Apollo approached the training field. In due time


    he saw both Danyul as well as a group of children kneeling before them. Based on their appearances


    they all seemed to be between the ages of 9-11.''


    ''"Oh? Haha


    look


    Axel! That sleeping boy finally woke up and came along


    " chided a young boy elbowing another in his side. He had a chubby face


    squinted eyes


    and light brown hair. Although not handsome


    he was above average but he looked mischievous. His name was Dylon.''


    ''On the other hand


    the boy he nudged was slightly taller than the rest. He had clear yet slightly overbearing red eyes with olive hair and a sharp jawline. He was one of the top talents of the family—Axel Kaiser.''


    ''"Eh


    I see. The imp has come out haha


    " Axel chuckled.''


    ''However


    little did they know last night when they abandoned the boy


    he had died. Instantly


    feelings of hatred belonging to the previous owner of the body seethed. Apollo exhaled heavily


    trembling with fury; the overflowing indignance inside him was threatening to explode forth.''


    ''''It''s them


    they are the ones who caused you to die Apollo. Although I was thinking of minding my business. It seems even after becoming the cause of his death


    they won''t let him be. But that is their mistake


    I will get power and I will make you kneel


    '' Apollo thought as he clenched his fist.''


    ''"What are you doing? Haha. Do you want to fight? Heh


    fighting against a little shrimp like you will be fun. Come on


    let''s go


    " Axel chuckled


    attempting to stand up. However


    an authoritative voice sounded.''


    ''"Silence and sit down! The lessons will begin shortly


    so shut up


    " Danyul reprimanded


    sparing them all stern looks.''


    ''In response


    Axel grumbled and glanced at Apollo who took a seat in the back. Similarly


    Danyul''s eyebrows rose in shock as well. ''This boy doesn''t usually attend these lessons


    what''s different today?''''


    ''Amidst taking his seat


    Apollo looked intently at Danyul. The hate he felt for the group of boys present was still there but he had to complete his mission.''


    ''"It is time you all learn about the practicality of society. All of you are either 10 years old or approaching that age. Therefore


    the time for cultivation is near."''