----


    As she held out her hand, Geneva requested Apollo''s identification card. To bestow the dual admission pass to him, she needed to tweak a few features inside his card. Not to mention, she also needed to put the restrictions in ce that she talked about earlier. Besides that, she also gave a smallpensation.??


    "As a small gift, I''ll return two-thirds of the Academic Credits you used inside the Tethered Shadow Origin Room. Since you achieved the hidden requirement, I have given back the extra. You''re not the first to do so, it just rarely happens. In fact, there was a time where I gave an exorbitant demand yet the individual still managed to do what you''ve done," Geneva stated.


    At the same time, Apollo''s formerly obsidian card now possessed a blend of crimson and obsidian. As he looked at the card, Apollo raised his eyebrow. Truth be told, the current state of the card was eye-catching. If he was to ever retrieve it, there was no doubt that he would be the main focus.


    "Unlike the Umbra Night Institute, your position in the Vermillion me Institute will be partially underwhelming. When you receive a dual admission, it is usually once some of the graduating ss has chosen to stay behind as instructors. But, right now, there''s ack of them, so you''ll have to make do with the regr ss for now," Geneva revealed while handing Apollo back his card.


    After exchanging more information rted to the Vermillion me Institute, Geneva had Sapphyr lead Apollo out of the building. Unlike the rest of the building, the top of the Administration Hall required a certain cultivation base to maneuver through.


    It was designed this way so wandering students didn''t end up where they weren''t supposed to be. Additionally, the second set of security measures existed that would turn this ce into abyrinth upon invasion.


    Meanwhile, Irauk sat next to Geneva and smiled at her, "So, what do you think Ms. Dark Phoenix. It''s as I said right? Those mes go beyond that of True Beasts. I''ve never seen anything like it. Although they aren''t too strong, it took a substantial amount of energy to suppress its tyrannical nature."


    "Yes, it''s as you say. But, there''s also something odd about it. Even though my battle state arouses emotions from men, the me itself roused that feeling in me. There''s something off about the techniques in the possession of that boy. Watch this," Geneva said while waving her hand.


    A recording of the fight between Apollo and Salem appeared but it was zoomed in on them. While watching the battle, Irauk picked up on numerous small explosions taking ce on Apollo''s knuckles the moment before each collision.


    Furthermore, the smile on his face looked evil yet satisfied, "Those dark tendencies of his seem to be growing. If you pay attention here, you can see that each of his blows is bing more violent than thest. I wonder what malevolent thoughts were passing through his mind," Irauk muttered.


    "Oh, I can help you understand that as well. Listen," Genevamented before moving her finger in a circle. The audio of the fight then entered Irauk''s ears. More specifically, it was the moment Apollo caught the strike of Salem.


    "Interesting, this is the pinnacle of strike with a vengeance. He sought to return all damage dealt to him and more. He would make a perfect weapon for massacre on the battlefield. The only problem is I fear he may be the first to die. Look at how he neglects defense," Irauk stated while pointing out ring inadequacies in Apollo''s fighting style.


    "While that may be true, look closely, you of all people should realize what is happening in that fight. Most of the blow is being turned into force by his body, but it doesn''t appear to be a conscious decision. It must have something to do with that movement technique," Geneva said.


    Once again, the two continued to discuss the matters of Apollo. Due to their simr abilities, they experienced firsthand the possibilities that existed with Apollo''s Hellfire. However, little did they know they both nted seeds of despair. Hellfire was not meant toe in contact with anything besides a Demon.


    ----


    "Once again, the odds y in your favor. Sometimes, I think you are blessed by the gods above. There''s no other exnation that covers how you''re able to get things to work out for you," Sapphyr muttered while ncing in Apollo''s direction.


    In response, Apollo shrugged while clenching his fist. Due to her words, a small bout of pain coursed through his body, "Please refrain from saying that," he responded.


    "Hm? Saying what? That you''re lucky? Is that not the truth? Are you ashamed that things seem to work out for you?" Sapphyr responded with a small smirk.


    "Not that. Actually, never mind," Apollo said in return. As they exited the Administration Hall, Apollo covered his eyes. Due to the dark atmosphere and the fact he wasn''t walking under Geneva''s cloaking ability, the light of the sun interfered with his eyes.


    "When was thest time you slept?" Sapphyr asked all of a sudden.


    "I couldn''t tell you," Apollo shrugged. With his full schedule, sleep was thest of his worries. From going back and forth to Ashiraem to practicing with the Anima Crystals and Robyn, there wasn''t a recent time where he was worried about getting sleep.


    On the other hand, Sapphyr frowned and pulled his cheek, "As you instructor, it is imperative that I monitor you. You haven''t reached the level yet where you can sacrifice sleep by rejuvenating yourself with essence. For now, make you get sufficient sleep!"


    In light of her nagging, Apollo frowned, "Yes, mom."


    "What?! How dare you," Sapphyr scoffed while rolling her eyes. For some odd reason, this boy seemed to get under her skin more than others. Soon enough, they arrived before the living quarters in the outer barracks. "Do as you see fit. There''s still slightly over a full day until we meet inside the Institute."


    "But, I must warn you, based on how mentally resilient you are, there will be a wave of fatigue that will pass over you. That orb doesn''t actually rejuvenate, it just covers up what''s inside. After you leave the room long enough, all the fatigue will hit you at once," Sapphyr added before vanishing.


    With this information, Apollo didn''t dawdle. Even though there was high student traffic, Apollo ignored them all and simply walked to his residence. Once inside, he saw an awkward sight.


    In the bed that he barely used, he saw a small kid the size a 5-year old and ia snuggled up together. To make sure he wasn''t hallucinating, he rubbed his eyes repeatedly, "What the…"


    As came close, he leaned over them and caught wind of a familiar scent, "Ouroboros?"


    "Master?" Ouroboros immediately replied, opening his eyes.


    "How did you take on this form?" Apollo asked while touching a clump of Ouroboros'' violet hair. Although his features were childish, his handsome appearance was on par with Apollo''s current features. His curious and partially exhausted silver eyes stared at Apollo.


    "It just felt right. After I absorbed some energy from this world and all the yummies you gave me, this happened! And, guess what. I don''t use as much energy anymore," Ouroboros responded.


    After listening to everything, Apollo nodded. Although he wanted to ask more, a wave of tiredness washed over him. Along with the others, he fell asleep in mere seconds. In fact, he fell into such a deep sleep, he didn''t even notice the shadow that was seeping out of him and enveloping his body.


    Fortunately, like with the Teaching Hall sses, an obnoxious bell tolled that jumped Apollo out of his sleep a dayter. Nevertheless, he was already rejuvenated.


    Had not for the bell, he was sure he would have slept even longer. However, the bell seemed to only affect those who held an academy identification card. Unlike him, ia and Ouroboros were still fast asleep.


    Before leaving, he left resources for the day on his training mat. Then, slipping outside, he moved to gather at the gates of the Institute. It was time to learn the matters pertaining to dark more closely. For example, something about the Temple felt iplete to him.


    On top of engraving the temple, he felt he also needed to do something else with it but couldn''te to a correct assumption.


    Soon enough, he stood before the gates with his respective group.