----


    While engulfed in the sea of darkness, Apollo''s eyes gleamed with a dark yet radiant light. Even whenpared to his surroundings, it was on another level. On one hand, the environment was just teaching him how to attune with the darkness required to elevate his technique to the next form.??


    Meanwhile, Apollo''s aura was morphing to surround him. Thus, even though it came from the same source, the difference could immediately be spotted. For one, Apollo''s darkness possessed a faint tinge of purple whereas the one presented by this area was pure ck.


    However, if Apollo had to choose, he would always im his own. The reason behind this was the fact the technique he was utilizingbined darkness and traces of wind. In other words, his darkness wasn''t a suspended enigma like what he witnessed.


    ''This is it, I can feel it. The barrier that has been prohibiting me is weakening by the second,'' Apollo thought. At the same time, his body inside the Tethered Shadows Origin Room began to leak the same aura and wrapped his body like a capable.


    Unlike the Partial Shade Silhouette, this version didn''t originate from his feet. It originated from the space all around him. To put it differently, the Partial Shade Silhouette was a technique that focused on him, but the second step seemed to depend on the atmosphere.


    Naturally, this happened because of hisprehension. As he submitted his mind to the darkness, the silhouette became more of a mantle. However, even though the technique evolved, it didn''t appear that he was unable to use the other one.


    More importantly, a string of system messages sounded in Apollo''s ear as his amethyst eyes opened. And, as he did so, like the previous attempts, this cleared information showed a technique that surprised him.


    [Umbra''s Embrace. Rank A Spiritual Art. Partial Elementary Fragment Inheritance of the True Umbra Orb. Comprehension gained from the Art can empower all techniques.]


    Upon reading this information, Apollo then nced at the information given by the system.


    ?System Alert! The conditions have been met. The Dark Elementprehension has reached Level 9. The current Agility suffices as a foundation for the mantle. The current state of your internals suffices, however, please continue to advance the Tainted Temple. Any further advancement will require furtherpletion of it.?


    ?System Alert! The Second Baleful Step: Umbra''s Phantom Mantle has been unlocked. Under the cloak of the true night, the monarch is encased in the shadows. All those who wish to seek him shall not discern and those who discern shall not understand.?


    After closing the notifications, Apollo slowly waved his hand back and forth. Every movement seemed to be mimicked by threeyers of an obstructive film. Additionally, even he found it hard to tell which one of theyers was his actual hand.


    ''This is slightly different than what I expected. Compared to what Fuhrer did, this second step seems abnormal. Perhaps it is due to my unfamiliarity with it. Now that I think about it, his technique was indeed just a nket of darkness that was transformed at his whim.


    ''Then, he should also be able to condense theyers into one. Maybe when they return to a fixed point, that''s when the second step will be mastered. Unfortunately, that doesn''t seem to be something possible in the immediate future,'' Apollo thought to himself.


    Regardless of the spiritual energy, he sacrificed to control the mantle, beyond the initial execution of the technique, he couldn''t get the shadows to move the way he wanted to. Furthermore, the more he tried to do so forcefully, the more the mantle sapped his energy until he turned pale.


    Luckily, he knew his limits and ceased his actions before it entered dangerous territories. ording to Lance''s information, fainting in this room was potentially fatal. If one''s consciousness wasn''t active, the whirlpool above would make a move on them


    Inparison to looking inside, it was much worse. Since the cultivator would be defenseless, the whirlpool was free to devour as much innate energy as it saw fit. If too much was sapped, then damage would happen to the temple. Naturally, this meant one''sprehension and even future may bepromised.


    As stated before, healing the Soul was a cumbersome task. Those who failed to reach the prerequisite needed to im sovereignty over their soul would never be able toplete such a task on their own. In other words, their road woulde to a premature end.


    Beyond this, another matter happened. Over half of the present students opened their eyes inside the Tethered Shadow Origin Room. When Apolloprehended the fragment, the orb gave a reaction. Even though it was subtle, since they had be used to the aura of this ce, even the smallest changes would be noticed by everyone.


    Thus, they abided by the ground rule and didn''t interrupt Apollo''sprehension until it was done. Anyone who didn''t follow this rule would have at least 50% of their Academic Credits transferred to the one interrupted.


    And, second-years and above possessed quite a number of it. Needless to say, they wouldn''t sacrifice that for a simple first-year, one they knew nothing about for that matter.


    Once Apollo was finished, a few of the people approached him, "It seems you haveprehended the first fragment. And, because of that, allow me to wee you the contenders. If you''re unaware what that is, it is those who haveprehended at least one of elementary fragments of this orb."


    In response, Apollo looked at the neer. Based on his posture and how everyone stood behind him and in a certain subservient manner, Apollo was sure this individual had to be well-known. But, what baffled him was why he approached him. Even ifprehending this fragment was amendable task, it sounded like quite a few others had done so.


    However, the neer''s next introduction surprised Apollo even further, "I can tell by your reaction you''re unaware who we are, even though you bare our symbol. Very well, I am Lucas Ambrose, the 2nd Seat of the disciplinarymittee and also the 4th Child of War. If it isn''t too much, do you mind introducing yourself?"


    Before answering, Apollo examined Lucas silently. As he failed to find and ulterior motives, he introduced himself, "Apollo Kaiser; First year of this institute, and I am the 9th Seat.


    "Ah, so you''re the one who has taken Ephraim''s seat and in a record time no less. Then you should have already imed the bonus package. That must be why you''re here right now," Lucas responded.


    However, the rest of his conversation entered directly into Apollo''s mind, "Was it the headmaster that allowed you toe inside also? Tell me, how many times more do you have to pay to use this?"


    "The way you worded that, has this also happened to you? Then, that means preferential treatment does exist? Also, I have to pay 3 times the normal person," Apollo responded in a simr fashion.


    Unlike Lucas, however, he was inexperienced in using this type ofmunication. So, his message was choppy at best. Fortunately, Lucas deciphered the message with ease.


    "Of course, if you are presented the diamond offer, sooner orter, the benefits in the shadows would begin to surface. Since they''re already giving you treatment of that standard, your potential must be on par with me and Xavi. It''s a shame that his presence is sparse these days. Since he is not only the 1st Seat but the First Child of War, the expectations surrounding him are immense. By the way, do you mind telling me which fragment youprehended?" Lucas questioned.


    At first, Apollo thought he wanted to steal the information he possessed but when he thought about his identity, he was such there was nothing beneficial that woulde out of doing so. Not to mention, the door wasn''t locked. That meant a number of people should be aware of that fragment.


    Thus, Apollo answered, "It''s called the Umbra''s Embrace. But, if you don''t mind telling me, why do you ask?"


    "The answer is simple, it''s because you have onlyprehended a mere partial fragment. Allow me to rify for you, the elementary level consists of 16 partial fragments and each 4pletes an entire fragment. In short, there are only 4 fragments. Moreover, each of them are S Ranked Spiritual Arts," Lucas answered.


    At the same time, he waved his hand, signaling for the others to disperse and return to what they were doing. Soon enough, it was just him and Apollo. He then led him back to the special area he always imed.


    "I''ll be truthful, I havee to you to ask you a question; do you want to join my alliance? Once ites out that you haveprehended a partial on your first visit and all while being a freshman, you''ll be coveted by all. Simrly, you''ll also be targeted by thepulsive degenerates. So, before that happens, I havee," Lucas answered.


    His cerulean eyes didn''t falter in the slightest. After all, what he was doing was the leading task of a Child of War, he was establishing a faction. If one was strong enough, they could even form a Great Family in the future!


    On the other hand, Apollo pondered the situation. In truth, he didn''t intend on staying in Astarast. Whenever the chance arose, he wanted to venture to Ashiraem.