----

"Your time left in this place is waning. Therefore, allow me to show you a strike that will serve as the foundation of your comprehension," Fuhrer uttered. Immediately after, he took a stance that caused the surroundings to still. In fact, even Apollo's breath halted.

The stifling aura emanating split in the three. The first aura Apollo sensed was a mastered source of Ira. The immense Wrath it produced caused Apollo to marveled silently. Its reddish color continued to deepen until it was the color of blood.

Then, a second aura, one Apollo wasn't quite familiar with appeared. Nevertheless, this was known as Superbia or the one that produces Pride. A faint silver aura appeared around both Fuhrer in his sword. As the crimson and silver aura collided, they both yielded. Due to Fuhrer's mastery, neither one could overcome the other.

Still, the collision caused the surface around Fuhrer's feet to splinter and break apart. From there, he injected the third aura. It was mostly violet with faint traces of black interspersed throughout. Once all three auras interacted, Fuhrer gazed upon Apollo.

"As I told you before, the Sins need a medium to be seamlessly blended. Their primal sources never seek to meld as one. Thus, there is a collision when trying to do so. However, if you inject a similarly strong power to act as a catalyst, this issue can be bypassed. Take a look," Fuhrer instructed.

While moving his sword before his chest, the aurae all gathered on the blade of his weapon. Soon enough, an additional layer formed around his sword. "This is the first strike of my specialty. It melds not only the First and Second Annihilations, it is empowered by the Baleful Step Second Step. Watch closely, don't avert your gaze. Even if it becomes overwhelming, do not look away."

In response, Apollo nodded, "Very well. I won't look away. I am ready." after he spoke, Apollo's expression grew solemn. He used every morsel of energy still inside him to conjure a rough shield of Hellfire around him. Although similar to the Essence Aegis technique of Astarat. This version was much stronger due to the fact it could also attack.

Of course, this was in the event that Apollo wasn't completely on the defensive. If so, he could launch pieces of the shield as an attack. While training with Fuhrer, he became privy to a few other abilities surrounding the Iraym's who dominate the Hellfire. In light of this, Apollo then wondered if Fuhrer was also an Iraym from his extensive knowledge.

Soon enough, these matters were pushed to the back of his mind, the strike was ready. From a two-handed stance, Fuhrer switched to utilizing one hand. In this way, he seemed to be free. It appeared his swordplay wasn't a two-handed one. After all, although long, his sword didn't have to be one of great weight.

"Once you reach my level, your technique is engraved on your body. To put it differently, you become your technique. Thus, I am Fuhrer, the Master of the Tenebrous Way and Embodiment of Infernal Pride. Now, bare ware to the first strike.

As he took a step, everything slowed down. Even as he did so, his arm remained outstretched. The shadow of the Baleful Steps soon encased his entire figure.

"Infernal Tenebrous Swordplay: First Strike," Fuhrer muttered. Afterward, he executed a simple upward slash. Yet, as the follow-up of the strike hurtled forward, a chasm spanning farther than Apollo could see opened up.

When the aura of strike subsided, the same chasm began crumbling and collapsing in on itself. At the same time, Apollo gaped at what he saw. Not only did a simple slash caused astonishing amounts of destruction, but all the ambient Ira also seemed to be gone.

In other words, Fuhrer's one strike turned this area into a dead zone. For it to refill once again, it would most likely tame some time. Needless to say, this was the reason Fuhrer asked him before if he wanted to witness that strike that early.

After he launched it, Apollo's connection with the world weakened further. Concurrently, his Iraym form also subsided. Now that he once again turned into his human form, Fuhrer raised his eyebrow.

"I see, you're a human turned demon. No, even that is incorrect. I'm not exactly sure how to characterize what you are. Your predicament is extremely special. Fortunately, it's the uniqueness of your situation that makes me look forward to what you accomplish. Now, tell me, did you witness the strike?" Fuhrer questioned.

Apollo then fell silent as he pondered what he witnessed. He was sure he witnessed the two Annihilations amplifying each other. But, that also caused the consumption of the strike to increase drastically. Then, the strike became undetectable.

Only after the damage was done did Apollo realize what Fuhrer had done, "That strike.. it wasn't done by your body. All of the ambient Sin was wrest away by you. The lack of a faltering aura tells me not an iota of your energy was utilized," Apollo commented. He was amazed by this. If there was one thing he wished to learn, it was how to use the world to attack.

"Correct, once your will is strong enough, you can make anything your weapon. This includes the world's power as well. When it steps into the boundary of Manifestation, you'll know more about your own will. Before you go," Fuhrer held out his hand and flicked his finger.

A slab of stone moved aside and revealed a storage space containing both Crystallized Chaos, Fragments of Sin as well as another unknown material.

"I'm sure you're familiar with two of these items. As for the last one, they're known as Anima Crystal. Unlike the others that can grow in grade, these don't. Just the energy inside fluctuates as it absorbs more. I can tell where you come from doesn't have any anima; thus your rate of training is labored," Fuhrer said.

"True, and my conversion ability wastes too much time. Since I'm a Lesser Demon, it's not very strong," Apollo responded.

"I'm aware. You should take these materials. And, when you come back, I expect to see great improvements in your abilities. Also, I hope to hear information about you finding me one capable of wielding the Tenebrous Sword. I will teach you three Noble Practice at the time you complete this task," Fuhrer announced.historical

Upon hearing this, Apollo grew interested. He was sure the Tenebrous Sword wasn't an actual sword and was in fact a practice. The only question was, was it beyond a Noble Practice? After all, this was the technique from a Daemos and he only seemed to be a guardian of it.

"Does the successor have to be a demon as well?" Apollo questioned.

"I would prefer for it to come from your Household. The holder of the Tenebrous Sword is to be the liaison of the Demon Monarch," Fuhrer answered with pride laced in his tone.

Shortly after, Apollo was rendered speechless. Based on his words, then that meant, "Are you...the liaison of the past Demon Monarch, Fuhrer?"

As a response, Fuhrer simply smiled, "Find your own path. When you retrace the steps of the Monarch, the answers will align before you. Should you show promise, then I give my word that I will follow you. Thus, go peacefully," Fuhrer uttered before crossing his arms across his chest.

Afterward, he closed his eyes and the obsidian helmet surrounded his visage once again. He then took a few steps back and took a seat on a stone seat in the background.

On the other hand, Apollo claimed the entire contents of the storage area.

?System Alert! ?Fragments of Sin? x300 ?Crystallized Chaos? x200 ?Anima Crystals? x500 has been added to your Interdimensional Inventory.?

?System Alert! Brace yourself, the connection between the Ashiraem Ring has elapsed. The doorway to your world is opening once again to claim you.?

Shortly after, before Apollo could respond the portal opened and swallowed him inside. As that happened, Fuhrer opened his eyes and looked at the down closing portal.

"Interesting, that world on the other side is rather weak. I am surprised he can grow so strong. Perhaps there are other forces at play that are helping him grow. I wonder, just who or what it is," Fuhrer whispered to himself.

----

Back in the world of Astarat,

Apollo and Ouroboros fell through the portal causing clamor. When he returned, pains originating from his demonic organs shot through his body.

"Ugh, what the fuck," Apollo groaned. The return was different from the journey there. It seemed the different states of the world affected his body differently than his soul. Nevertheless, his body soon acclimated to the changes it experienced.

As he glanced over to his bed, he saw Elaia meditating quietly. Small fluctuations appeared around her body. It appeared she was on the cusp of a breakthrough. Even his loud interruption didn't wake her from her state.

Thus, Apollo didn't interfere with her actions. First, he did the calculations in his mind but when he looked at the date on his wall, only 30 days had passed.

"Huh? Wasn't the ratio 1:100? Then perhaps that had something to do with the Temporal Dissonance," Apollo mumbled.

Meanwhile, a knock was heard on Apollo's door shortly after his return.