9 Pity
''----''
''A strong pale blue aura billowed from the stele as the "Mortal" and "Earth" inscriptions were fully illuminated. The first appearance of the "Spirit" inscription happened.''
''The light it emitted was very faint
however
it was present.''
''Grand Elder Kayn smiled for the first time
nodding with elation apparent in his eyes
"A Low Tier Spirit-Grade Talent. There is hope for you to mature even further
excellent indeed. We will be relying on you to shoulder and improve our family''s reputation. Cynthia
reward him 25 Foundation Strengthening pills."''
''As he heard this
Axel was filled with pride. To be praised meant his worth in the family would be further cemented. Giddy with over this matter
once he received his pouch
he descended from the platform to boast amongst his small circle.''
''Subsequently
while Axel descended
the petite girl looked up at the platform. Before moving
she looked over to Aaron for a short moment. Although she didn''t say anything
it appeared there was something on her mind. Nevertheless
she began ascending the stairs. Her steps were slow and steady whereas her eyes were clear
like two serene lakes.''
''Nearby Kayn
Cynthia gazed at the small girl growing closer. "Hmm
Lily is coming. I have faith in her talent. It shouldn''t be any weaker than Axel." Much like Apollo
Lily''s father perished in an awful incident. However
unlike Apollo
her birth wasn''t tragic.''
''While Lily continued to ascend the stairs
Kayn gave a silent nod
"Yeah
her talent should be strong indeed. Isn''t she only 3 months older than Aaron?"''
''"Oh yes
yes she is."''
''Reaching the platform
Lily quietly nodded her head as she stepped up to the platform. Pressing her hand against it
the same phenomenon happened. A burst of strong
vibrant energy caused her hair to flutter as the stele instantly lit up to the limit of the "Earth" inscription.''
''Although the momentum slowed
it was still stronger than Axel''s and stopped when it showed a slightly bright radiance.''
''"Hmm...between a Middle and Top Tier Spirit-Grade Physique...absolutely excellent! Another prime specimen has arrived from the family."''
''Unlike Axel
Grand Elder Kayn placed a hand on the little girl''s head as he knelt down. "Your father would be so proud of you."''
''Upon hearing these words
Lily''s lip trembled
running into Kayn''s embrace.''
''"Cynthia
reward Lily 35 Foundation Strengthening pills
" Kayn said
lifting his gaze towards Cynthia.''
''Once she received her pouch
Lily descended the stairs unhurriedly
looking in Apollo''s direction. He had a slightly vacant look on his face
as he hooked his fingers together nervously.''
''Meanwhile
Grand Elder Kayn looked over to Apollo. His gaze turned sympathetic but also crestfallen as he looked at this fellow. "Come up young one
you are the last one. Don''t be frightened."''
''Unable to avoid this situation any longer
Apollo nodded reluctantly. At the same time
low chatter amongst the kids ensued. There was no chatter amongst the older generation as they weren''t interested in the youth. In their eyes
the assessment had already finished.''
''[Remember boy
everything happens for a reason and everything is only for a single moment.]''
''Apollo nodded again
climbing the stairs. But
behind him
Danyul gazed at his back hopefully
''Please...seize your future.''''
''Reaching the top of the platform
Apollo stood before the 9 elders of the family. With a gesture
Kayn instructed him to touch the stele. There was a slight pause
but
ultimately Apollo lifted his left hand as he pressed it against the stele.''
''Initially
there was no reaction causing Apollo to frown. However
the stele soon emitted a weak pale blue glow. The extent of this light was fleeting as it flickered between the Low Tier and Middle Tier of the "Mortal" Inscription.''
''Finally
it settled on the Middle Tier.''
''"Not bad lad. You aren''t hopeless. However
the family can''t focus on you with this level of talent. I hope you understand this and don''t feel as if we have wronged you. I know what happened to you
but…" pausing his words
Grand Elder Kayn sighed.''
''There was a tinge of pity in his voice when he spoke again. "What''s done is done. Cynthia
please reward Apollo 2 Foundation Strengthening pills."''
''While accepting the pouch
Apollo saw the looks of ridicule that came from the Elders standing behind Kayn as his lips trembled and his head dropped.''
''''I didn''t want to come here…''''
''[Lad…]''
''In his mind
there were different thoughts playing. One set belonged to the torture of being a human training post whereas the belonged to the experiences of this body. Tears fell from his eyes nut he turned around
he slowly descended the steps in silence. However
Aaron clenched his fists in anger due to the situation.''
''When Apollo reached the bottom of the steps
he sprinted with his head down. Exiting the shrine
he continuously ran.''
''"Ap-"''
''Kayn stopped Ashur from talking with his palm raised in his direction
"Silence
leave the boy. Don''t antagonize him further. Instead
focus on nurturing the newly discovered young talents."''
''Ashur nodded
swallowing his words
"Yes
Grand Elder."''
''….''
''[Lad...don''t cry. From this experience
you have learned everything in this world is given to those who either have potential or possess strength. Without those
no one will look your way. However
you will be strong. You have I
Azridan standing behind you.]''
''"..."''
''[Lad…? Apollo..? Are you there?]''
''"This isn''t enough...I think I understand now. I have to become like everyone else in this world. Make me stronger
Azridan
" Apollo muttered
the light within his eyes dimming whereas a shred of cold entered his heart.''
''[We have work to do then.]''
''?System Alert! Mission COMPLETE!?''
''?You have been rewarded 100 Experience
2 Stat Points?''
''?You have received 2 Foundation Strengthening pills.?''
''?Experience: 125/200.?''
''----''
''Back inside the Family Shrine
Grand Elder Kayn continued to give a speech.''
''"There are many substantial talents amongst you lot. The lowest being of Peak Tier Mortal Grade Talents. The number of Foundation Strengthening pills you have received is the amount you will receive every week. Work hard
I want to see each and every one of you reach the Zul Warrior Realm by 13."''
''Aaron frowned at the Grand Elder''s words
looking at the exit behind him. Based on the way he worded his phrase
he was excluding Apollo from the bunch. He didn''t even mention Apollo''s Middle-grade Mortal Meridians.''
''"You are a fine generation of our Kaiser family. I hope you will serve to uplift our names helping our family travel through the ranks. It would please me greatly for our small family name to become one of the Great Families in the future
" stated Kayn with a dignified look in his eyes.''
''...''
''A knock on the door was heard causing Apollo to look up. Standing there was a saddened Aaron. However
even then
he aimed to encourage Apollo.''
''"Apollo
don''t be saddened. Talent doesn''t mean everything. I believe in you!"''
''After he encouraged Apollo
Aaron raised his hand. Laid on his palm were 3 circular pills. They were slightly small
no larger than a marble
and completely white in color. At a glance
one could mistake it for a small stone.''
''"What''s this for? You keep them. It will only slow down your progress
" Apollo refused.''
''In turn
Aaron''s expression fell
"No no no
come on
accept them. I saw your hard work today. You deserve at least what that stupid Dylon is getting. Take these right now!"''
''His expression remained adamant. It was clear he would not take no for an answer. Gazing at Aaron
Apollo muttered. "Why are you so nice to me…?"''
''"Because you''re family...and I love you like a little brother. So come
take these. I don''t like seeing you sad."''
''Left with no other choice
Apollo finally accepted the pills. Although Aaron was sacrificing part of his training resources
there wasn''t an ounce of hesitation present within him.''
''"Rest
we have to train tomorrow also
" Aaron reminded as he left.''
''Meanwhile
Apollo clutched the pills in his hand. Within his eyes
a speck of light returned
however
unbeknownst to him
it wouldn''t be that way forever.''