I created my own system

Chapter 261 A fragmented projection

Apollo's demonic mana and aura combine, creating a barrier that stops all the strikes that relentlessly attack him. All the lightning attacks and mana molded weapons that could penetrate Apollo's armor were immediately blocked by his aura shield. This gave him a chance to reform his stance and change his attack; he had never used this before, though he hoped he could control it. He doesn't even know if this could work since he is against something corrupted. However, Apollo wanted to give it a try.

"Right, let's give it a try" he said so.

Under the authority that governs the four fundamental forces of nature, Apollo finally gave his command.

"Weak force," he whispered as he envisioned the action he wished to do. Immediately, the command took over, and the power to alter matter came and surrounded the demon.

In the boy's eyes, an image of his prey appears, no corrupting mana could hinder his view now, and every fiber of his enemy is under his mercy.

The strong bonds holding the corrupted mana together began to weaken. Apollo used the weak force to destabilize the molecules inside mana, changing its structure and removing its corruptive state. Mana is an energy that is flexible to manipulate, so after manipulating its state, Apollo uses them to cast the cleansing spell, and the blasting dark energy changes into a purifying one. The once-impervious dark mana armor that provides protection now became the knife that began to stab the demon.

After successfully penetrating his enemy's shield he then quickly shifted his focus to the demon's body. From the surrounding mana, he accelerated the effects within the demon's cells, and the purifying spell seeped deep within the demon's body system. The flesh that once radiated with dark energy began to crack and collapse in on itself.

The purification was unexpectedly destructive; an explosion transpired. As molecules broke apart, energy surged outward in bursts, leaving the demon writhing in agony as its body was torn from within.

After the successful elimination of his enemy, Apollo then retracted the authority fearing his novice control could not stop the weak force from attacking other objects.

"Sigh, despite all the upgrades I have God's authorities are still complicated for me. I still can't use it like how I cast spells," he mutters as he cancels the other authorities that are still active.

"Jeremiah you can now cancel the barrier from the authority of space" he commanded and so the barrier covering the entire ground of the temple disappeared

After eliminating one little obstacle, Apollo continued his previous stroll around the temple until he found something interesting. Inside the tower, something is faintly glowing. Curiosity filled him, so with great caution and expectations, he moved toward the room that held the mysterious light.

"Jeremiah," he called while he continued walking inside the room. Read new chapters at empire

[Analyzing…] Jeremiah immediately answered, though his tone was cautious, appearing worried about whatever was on the other side of the room. [It appears to be a core artificially created based on a magical beast's, but its composition is different from the data from the tower's library, it's a bit unfamiliar to me. Its energy is ancient yet incredibly potent despite the time after its creation. I advise extreme caution, my Creator]

Apollo stepped closer, and as he did so, the air grew heavier with each step. Due to this feeling, he felt excited as he approached, then the core's glow intensified, and the faint hum escalated into a repeated sound that almost sounded melodic resonance that seemed to be in sync with Apollo's excited beat of heart. Finally, he arrived in front of the core; for a moment, he hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, he reached out towards the core.

The moment his fingers brushed the surface, a surge of energy shot through him, and the world around him shifted once more. The decrepit chamber dissolved into a vivid memory—a bustling temple filled with robed mages channeling mana into the very crystal now in his hand.

He saw them clearly: their faces, their determination, their fear. He felt their desperation as they fought against the encroaching corruption, pouring their very life force into the spell that would save the temple. The strongest mage was struggling against the demon he had just fought. And then… darkness. Looking at them Apollo even felt like he was one of the mages that fought at that time. He felt their courage and their will to stop the calamity that is about to transpire.

Apollo stumbled back, the vision leaving him breathless. The core now hovered above the pedestal, glowing brighter than ever.

[Creator, are you alright?] Jeremiah's voice cut through his disorientation. [Your vitals spiked significantly for a moment.]

"I… I saw them," Apollo said, his voice shaking. "The mages of Elias. They—" He paused, his gaze locking onto the crystal. "They sacrificed themselves to cast the spell that protected this place, and sealed the demon from leaving."

[That would explain the immense power the spells contain. Their spell wasn't just to protect the temple—it was to prevent that monster from leaving]

Apollo touches the surface of the core again, hoping to see if he can see something again; he is filled with curiosity at the same time, respect for the mages who put their life on the line to make sure the destruction won't spread throughout the empire. Knowing this fact, his resolve hardened. "If this core holds their memories, their knowledge, then I'll make sure it's not lost. Whatever it takes," he whispered as he sent a tingle amount of mana to survey its contents.

"I should take this" he then opened his inventory and stored the core inside.

"Let's study it later once we have time"

[It looks like it will take a while since the core had layers of protective barrier]

"Really? Then how did I manage to take a glimpse of the memory inside?"

[Maybe due to the residual mana, perhaps when you touch it some kind of resonance happened?]

"Maybe"

Apollo was about to continue his tour around the tower; however, before he could take another step, the ground beneath him trembled. The air grew colder, and a chilling voice echoed through the chamber.

"Who dares disturb this peaceful ruins?"

A shadowy figure began to materialize behind the pillar, which used to have the core, its form shifting and unstable, yet radiating an overwhelming aura of power. Apollo readied his bracelets, his heart pounding with excitement.

"Well, Jeremiah," he muttered, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Looks like our tour just got interesting"

He thought another enemy like the demon before would emerge; however, opposite to his wishes, it wasn't. The figure in front of him took the form of one of the mages Apollo saw from the core. He now wonders what this thing is, a projection or a spell left behind to convey a message. He doesn't know which is it, but the previous desire he had for battle faded, and now what he wants is to know what the figure is.

"It is I, a mage from a place quite similar here," the boy said, sounding respectful towards the wizard projection in front of him.

"You are from outside?"

"I am"

The wizard's projection suddenly wavers as if those very words affected it.

"How is the outside?" It asked to which Apollo immediately answered.

"It's chaotic, though very pleasing at the same time"

A light chuckle was then heard as if the owner of the voice found the situation amusing, for Apollo it was a good sign since this thing he was talking to seemed to have lost its hostility, though he still needed to be cautious; things could change even if he no longer wishes to fight.

"If it isn't too much may I ask who and what are you?" The boy said politely as he kept his distance.

"Hmm... I am a resident of this place," it spoke, though this time, the voice sounded a bit melancholy.

Apollo wanted to ask more, though he wasn't able to when the figure spoke again, "Why did someone from the outside come here? Who are you and what is your objective here?"

"Oh, I actually came here to rob this place" he bluntly answers while his expression remain still, on the other hand his answer made the figure in front of him baffled.

"I did expect that is the reason however I never anticipated you would honestly answer me"

"Well, my intention was already obvious, so there is no hiding it.....ARHHH!!!" cried Apollo as he felt the shearing pain brought by his sudden deaths.

"Lad, are you alright?"

"No, I just died"

"What?" The figure was suddenly confused, seeing how he was very much alive in front of him.

"Did the outside world change that much that I can't seem to comprehend his words?" The deceased wizard continued to wonder until the boy was able to explain himself.

"I made clones of myself, so um...one of them dies and..."

"Let me guess interconnected thoughts or hivemind type"

"Wow... Yes, it is!"

"Thought so, our master Elias is famous for using such spell before, by the way what is your name?"

"Apollo," he said honestly, then he proceeded to dissolve his disguise and reveal his true appearance.

"Hmm... A bit younger than I anticipated" the wizard projection just said after seeing Apollo's appearance.