Chapter 243 - Under The Veil Of Night
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'That's it? That's all the punishment that has been administered? There's a chance Typhir will never recover again and all we do is get a substitute of their academic credits?" Although displeased, Apollo kept his comments to himself. After all, even if he voiced his opinion, it wouldn't do anything to change the situation. He was too closely involved in it.
As a result, he stood the side quietly and feigned acceptance. On the other hand, Odessa spoke. While Typhir may be rather annoying in her eyes, she was sure that he was a good individual. This verdict was quite unfair to her,
"Miss Headmaster, I don't think the punishment matches the crime. There is a chance that Typhir might lose some of his potential; shouldn't this account for something? Injuries to the Dantian and Natural Root rarely heal to their initial state," Odessa commented while placing her hand above Typhir's torso.
As she tried to use her family's special arts, she found that her attainments were too lacking to make a change. This was another reason why she didn't want to make a move earlier. If she made an attempt before the other and failed beautifully, there was a chance of her reputation as a Paragon being affected.
Unlike regular people, a Paragon was supposed to be capable of mystifying acts. Unfortunately, Odessa was nowhere near a full-grown Paragon. The abilities she possessed were infantile at best. Compared to her aunt, her capability to support was not worth mentioning.
Meanwhile, even her aunt Valerie wasn't capable of regenerating potential. Unlike the rest of the body, the Natural Root was too much of an intricate and enigmatic existence. The slightest mishap and there was a chance of rendering the entire thing useless. To put it differently, the subject would end up a cripple.
"It might not seem to fit the bill, but you must all remember something extremely important, this is just the first stop on your journey. It would go against my position as the Headmaster to perform detrimental actions towards the potential of the World Reclamation Task Force.
"The interest of an individual doesn't supersede that of the entire world. It might be a difficult decision to call, but this is a stipulation of taking a position at the forefront; you'll always be met with difficult decisions," Geneva answered.
She then silently turned towards Typhir and shook her head, "However, we'll do everything in our ability to nurse him back to the best condition possible. But, you all need to focus on advancing your cultivation. Apollo, you stay behind for a bit."
While Odessa and Nadida left, Apollo remained in the same spot. He continued to shift his gaze between Geneva, Robyn, and the others. At a glance, he was sure he was about to experience some blame, however, rather than blame, Geneva was much more interested in something else.
"Can you call out you Spirit? According to both Nadida, Odessa as well as the rest, you have successfully contracted a Spirit, care to show us?" Geneva asked while extending her hand towards a clear spot.
"Hoh? This looker wants me to appear? I'm sure she suspects you. The timing of my appearance and the raucous in the area is too coincidental. Unless someone comes forward that they have formed a contract as well, I'm sure the heat will be shifted towards you," Fuhrer commented while peering at Geneva.
"I know," Apollo answered before switching to Geneva, "I can summon him, but I won't guarantee that he will appear. Additionally, I'm not sure what you're expecting but he isn't some grand Spirit.'
He muttered under his breath, "He's a demon."
"That doesn't matter, we'd just like to verify the strength of your Spirit as well as its elements. If you fulfill the qualifications, then I'd like to allow you to sit in for the Vermillion Flames Institute seeded seminar," Geneva answered. Despite the harrowing events, Geneva's main focus was to cultivate the supreme talents of the academy.
All of sudden, Apollo's shadow burst, and Fuhrer appeared from within. Different from earlier, he was in his smaller form. However, small was still an understatement, while standing behind Apollo, he was the size of two of him.
'That's one dark Spirit,' Geneva inwardly thought while taking a step forward. But, the moment she did so, Fuhrer put his hand on his blade. The atmosphere grew tense as fuhrer smirked under his helmet. On the surface, it may seem he was hostile, but he was well aware of her injury. In fact, that's all he saw as he looked at her.
"Ahem, I bear no malicious intent. I would just like sense your elements," Geneva stated. Similar to Apollo, a dark black shadowy flame burst from Geneva. As her Spirit appeared, the room was left stunned. Her Spirit was the humanoid form of a Dark Phoenix.
Long cascading amethyst hair and sharp eyes on a stunningly gorgeous figure appeared before everyone, "Embreia, can you tell me if this Spirit has a high affinity for Fire?"
As Embreia looked at Fuhrer, she blinked then showed an alluring smile before inhaling deeply. About 3 seconds later, she showed an expression of horror, "T-this… I can't tell. I sense a flame but it's dreadful. At the very least, the potential of this being's flame is on par with mine but that is just an estimate, don't take my word for it."
Fuhrer turned towards and winked. When Embria inhaled, he flared an obscenely pure Hellfire. Anyone outside of demonkind who came in contact with a flame of that purity would fear it. At the level Fuhrer displayed, it burned through both foreign sin and physical matter.
"Very well, I'll get this matter sorted. You may return to your previous actions," Geneva stated before recalling Embreia. As Apollo left, Geneva was almost certain, 'He is undoubtedly linked to that decrepit feeling early. For now, I'll keep this matter to myself, it isn't in the best interest of Apollo if I disclose this matter. Plus, I don't know how strong that Spirit is. It must use some unknown method of practice."
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Several moments later, Apollo arrived at his residence. The moment he entered, Fuhrer conjured a dark chair and took a seat, "I can tell you're unhappy with your current situation. You feel that this development is unfair, correct?"
"Yes, but I know I lack the power to change anything. Thus, I must get power. It's time; I need you to familiarize me with the Second Annihilation and Umbra Phantom Mantle. I don't want to stop training until both of those techniques are beaten into my very existence," Apollo replied.
"Very well, but this area won't suffice. Follow me," Fuhrer stated before snapping his finger. In mere moments, the two entered what seemed like a dark void, but it was in fact just an independent space created by the Fuhrer's utilization of Demonic Anima.
"Place some Anima Crystals around. When you reach the point of exhaustion, use the to refill yourself. Once your body has reached the brink of being broken, that is when it is time to truly learn. Anything learned at the point of near-death is something comprehended almost perfectly," Fuhrer stated.
Instantly, Apollo complied. After planting the crystals, the two began to train in two techniques. Just as Fuhrer mentioned, when Apollo struggled to go on, Fuhrer pushed him and Apollo began to understand his techniques on a deeper level. For example, he understood the purpose behind the second annihilation was to split everything apart. Once split, everything would head toward death.
It was similar to the Demonic Massacre Wave except this one existed to cut all ties. For Apollo, he wasn't sure how long he had been attempting to learn these techniques properly, but one this was for sure. As a result, his familiarity with Monarch's Tenebrosity and his Dominance Intent increased.
In the middle of training, Fuhrer stopped him. "You have advanced fairly well. How about we engage in some entertaining activities?"
Naturally, Apollo agreed with him. But, when he looked at the message he received from the system, he completely forgot to explore the new features further.
〈System Alert! Due to your actions, you have received a total of 50 Demonic Achievement Points. Furthermore, the first Lucky Draw will be available in 3 days. At that time, you'll possess the chance to obtain vital material to assist your journey.〉
As Fuhrer explained his desires, Apollo disappeared under the veil of night. Due to the special effects of the Umbra Phantom Mantle, when used at night, it bolstered the effects nearly three times over. As he moved, there wasn't a single person in the Outer Barracks who could sense him.