A Trial of Gods

Chapter Three: Strength

"Haaa" Apollo exhaled. For the first time in his life he had used the internet. He had stayed up almost the entire night searching for information on his opponents. Turns out not only is it suspected that there will be a large clash between Leth and Teio, but they had both reached level 8. However the most surprising news was that it wouldn't even be the main event. 2 other geniuses from the other 2 academies had reached the peak of the Heavens Decent Realm: level 9. The Battle Academy and Vex Academy were always competing to be the number 1 academy. 

The Feinn Family is only included for their embarrassment. The Vex Family really is ruthless.

He could hear the high winds pass outside the window of his new room. The team and a couple elders had left yesterday for the Regional Tournament. The Elemental Vehicle they were in now was the size of a small house allowing for each member to have a small room. Grabbing the doorknob, Apollo noted it was hot. Opening the door to the common room, he saw Sera cross legged; practicing. It was important for one to observe their own power after all. 

Apollo took a seat next to her. He felt the heat and could only think of how hot his body felt.

Ghost, with my body shouldn't I be immune to this heat. My body should at least be at level 5. 

"Not quite. Your disposition is great but it won't level up at the same rate as your core. It helps to have a stronger core but you need to refine your body." 

Hmmm how do I go about that?

"Do what she's doing."

Apollo's eyes quickly turned gold. He could see Sera's own Flame melting away at her body. In a matter of an hour it had already healed. Looking at the newly healed tissue he could see a dense amount of Myth Energy was infused with it. 

So I break down my own body in order to reform it and infuse it with Myth Energy?

"Yes. This is also why it is incredibly hard to refine the body. You can only refine it as high to as high as your own Myth Energy. For example if you were a regular level 4, your body would never contain power above that unless it is refined with some type of treasure or high level energy." Ghost explained.

So if I refine my body with my maximum power will my body reach that level?

"I don't know. I have no clue what your highest strength is anymore. There is also your composition. You might even be able to level your body past your highest strength. Also as a warning, you can use your higher level energy but depending on how high you go, it will hurt much more."

Okay. Apollo continued to think. He didn't want it to hurt so bad he couldn't handle it.

I will only use one gate for now. Lightning rings started to crawl up and down him as he started to break down his own body. He gritted his teeth. Each time the Lightning made a full lap, the pain seemed to double.

"Hey!" Ghost yelled. "You better stay awake. Also if you don't want to be mediocre, use all your powers!" 

In pain, Apollo laughed. Of course Ghost wanted him to use his other two abilities. He seemed to like to torture him. He continued to only use Lightning. It was almost as painful as when the second gate appeared. 

Stay awake! He yelled to himself. This could not continue to be his limit. If he ever wanted to make it to the pinnacle it would require dealing with pain much greater than this.

An hour passed. The sweat on Apollo was starting to withdraw as he grew more comfortable with the destruction of his own body. 

"Good. Your pain tolerance is going up. It'll be much more arduous from now on." 

My body is already at the peak of level 6. He was amazed at himself. In one hour Sera had completed one cycle. She had completely broken down and healed her body once. In that same time Apollo was able to do it almost 10 times. Enough to break through twice.

"Don't get too cocky. It's obviously harder to refine your body to your peak. It's equivalent to hitting yourself with your own attack at full power. But do it on every inch of your body."

Always the pessimist. 

"You mean realist." Ghost said, going quiet again. 

He took a deep breath. This time not only did lightning crawl on his skin, but flames and shards of a mysterious origin did too. Each power did a different type of damage to him. Lightning caused a small explosion that separated the tissues from each other, Fire Energy tried to dissolve his body, and the Illusion Energy sliced it apart. 

Apollo winced. Once again the pain had almost doubled. He immediately wanted to stop using the other two energies.

"Don't you dare! Each different type of energy you use will make you more immune to various energies. Endure it…pussy." Ghost cursed his thought. 

Apollo's lips started to bleed as the pain became nearly unbearable. Another hour passed. This time he had once again made 10 cycles. However, his body had only barely reached the peak of the 6th level. 

As he was ending his session, the other 4 and the elders had entered the common room. Their senses were immediately assaulted by the torrential pressure the level 6 energy Apollo was using gave off. The news of his breakthrough had spread quickly amongst the Feinn family. Common members only knew that there was a new talent that joined the Feinn family and he did not hold the bloodline, earning disdain from some. However, the highest ranking members knew not even the Family Head could defeat him. 

Gaia and Poitras were the peak talents of the Feinn family Wei branch and had heard the rumor of Apollos' strength. Until now they did not believe it. 

Kern and Ishi had also arrived. Unlike the kids of the Tournament team, they could see through the storm of energy. Both their eyes were disbelieving. Kern leaned towards Ishi, "Sir you saw that right?"

"Mm. He has powers, one being our Will Seed of Illusion." 

Irene and Tia also arrived. 

Sera suddenly awoke. "Let's get started." she continued after everyone was seated, "As a team we must be on the same page. You won't hold anything back. Reveal everything."

"You want us to reveal our secrets?" Gaia asked. 

Sera nodded. " Only if we are completely on the same page can we win. I also invite anyone to make a plan."

Paitras was the first to speak up. "I guess I'll go first. My main element is fire but I mostly rely on my body. My most obvious weakness is ranged attackers."

Everyone's gaze shifted to Gaia who was beside Paitras.

Gaia sighed. "My main element is Metal. It has very little use outside of the body however it allows me to harden any part of my body on command. I can also change the hardening to be defensive and sturdy or light and sharp."

Apollo silently complimented Gaia. The power of Metal seemed quite mighty in his eyes. 

Irene was next. "I have two elements: Water and Ice. I can freely change between the two and I fight at range mostly. My biggest weakness is fire and lightning as fire disrupts the change and lightning is not blocked by defenses made of water."

Tia frowned. "Just because you have two elements doesn't make you cool. Hmph. At least mine is a Will Seed, not just a simple element!" Her high pitched voice had no one taking her seriously. At least everyone except Apollo.

"What are the attributes of Wood?" He asked.

Tia's face was smug. "It's the most amazing! Not only can I manipulate it, but I can take the natural energy of trees and heal!" 

Apollo was surprised. "Can you heal others too?"

"If they are close to me–I guess." Tia said, somewhat disappointed at the others downplay of her abilities. 

"Fantastic!" Tia's face lit up at Apollo's exclamation. "The ability to heal others is unbelievably rare outside of alchemy. Tia you will be the core of our team." It was evident Tia was enjoying the flattery as she couldn't stop smiling.

"I know right? Isn't wood power amazing?" Her eyes sparkling looking at Apollo. 

"Tia your abilities will be very useful." Sera said, patting the little girl's head. "As for me–there is something you must know: I'm not level 4. And I don't only wield flames." She tapped the cross shaped necklace around her neck. It seemed as if the air turned thick as a stifling pressure slammed down onto the entire room. Everyone except Apollo and the elders were surprised. "My real level is the 6th level of the Heavens Decent Realm. As for abilities, I can use flames as you know, and I wield the bloodline ability of the Feinn Family: The Eyes of Feinn. With this I was born with a Will Seed of Illusion."

Everyone couldn't believe what they were hearing. It was common knowledge that no one in the Feinn Family could break through. But now a prodigy had been born that not only reached the 6th level, but also wielded the bloodline technique?

Tia was starstruck. "When you say it like that it makes me feel useless!" She whined. The others continued to be speechless. 

"Alright enough of those faces. We still have one more to go." Sera said, causing the others to regain their calm. Everyone looked at Apollo. Paitras was especially eager to hear Apollos secrets. He had been made fun of by Irene and Gaia after admitting how easily Apollo had subdued him. He could finally explain to the others that something about Apollo was not normal. 

"I use lightning and train my body." 

"..." Paitras's face sank. Gaia almost let out a laugh and Irene gave him a look of pity. 

Sera looked at Apollo. She hadn't thought of it until now, but she really didn't know much about Apollo. He was still a complete mystery to her. "How can he fight so many levels above his own? And how can he use Illusions without our bloodline? Kern mentioned that even with his understanding of the soul, he couldn't see through him."

Apollo felt Sera's gaze. He gave a gentle smile and shook his head. He felt a closeness with Sera that he didn't with the others. He couldn't believe the others wouldn't tell anyone about him for their own gain. As for Ishi, Kern and Viem, they were the top brass of the Feinn Family. As long as Apollo could bring benefits to their family, they would never talk about him to others. 

Ghost could feel Apollo's desire to trust Sera with his secrets. "It's better this way. If there is one thing I've inherited from your parents, it's the desire to see you safe. That being said, never show all your cards. Unless there are no other options, that is the best way to ensure no one becomes too interested in your abilities." Ghost spoke in a rare tone. It was honest and deep unlike the often mocking tone he used when schooling Apollo. 

Apollo's gentle smile continued as he left towards his room. Ghost, do you ever picture yourself in the outside world? 

"Of course. You may not have known but I've been here your whole life. All I have to my existence is your experiences. For that I curse and thank your parents. If it weren't for them I wouldn't exist but at least I wouldn't be tortured by confinement." 

There was a silence between the two. Hours passed and there was none of the usual banter. The two sat in their thoughts.

"Ghost." Apollo suddenly said, "I don't know how long it will take or how strong I will have to be, but one day you will be free." 

There was a long pause before Ghost spoke. "Thank you."

***