Chapter 208: Visiting the Resource Hall

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Not long after Glaive instructed everyone to cultivate, class ended. However, Geneva told a select few students to stay behind. When it was only her, Glaive, and a few other students remaining, she approached the students with a gentle aura.

"Before you all leave, I would like to tell you that there are only a select number of seats this year. In fact, there are only 50 seats between both of the Institutes. But, there are also seed positions. These seed positions are allotted thrice the determined time with facilities when compared to regular students," Geneva announced while glancing around at the other students.

Before she continued, she verified any change in expression of the students. A few of them understood what this meeting was about.

"Headmaster Geneva, are you insinuating that you are the one who chooses the seed positions and that we stand a chance at obtaining one of them?" Nadida asked while looking straight at her.

"Correct, but it goes far deeper than that. Anything that goes on in this academy runs through my opinion. This means, I also control the number of seats. This year's number is based on the favored list. Due to some circumstances passed down through the chain of information, we'll have to go through something called condensed studies.

"You all are on my favored list. Adeon, Apollo, Nadida, Odessa, Typhir, Leone, and others. You all possess some type of ability pertaining to the two Institutes. So, I'll like to ask you right now, which Institute would you all like to attend. Based on your decision, in two days, you'll cease your visits here and head inside the Institute walls," Geneva stated while looking at the students with inquisitive gazes.

Although she pried into their abilities and knew what would benefit them the most, she was a teacher before anything. It was her duty to test her student's capabilities and discern whether or not their decision-making abilities were up to par. 

In turn, the group of students fell silent. Similar to Apollo, there were other students with numerous affinities. While this school offered everything, its legacy presided within its mastery of Fire and Darkness. If they could capitalize on the techniques here, it wouldn't be a loss.

Even if they stopped training their other affinities, as long as they trained one of these main practices to the peak, then various students were sure they'd garner an exceptional position in the World Reclamation Task Force.

The only prerequisite was that they needed to have the foresight to pick a technique to agree with their future Spirit. If there was a conflict of the practice and Spirit, they would have to abolish their entire cultivation. Should they refrain from doing so, they'll reach a permanent bottleneck.

After ample deliberation, one by one, the students confronted Geneva and stated their answers. However, as she guessed, some of them made the incorrect decision. Naturally, with the Vermillion Night Academy's reputation on the line, she wouldn't allow the star pupils to make the wrong decision.

"Well, while most of you have made adequate choices, those of you who haven't, this is for you," Geneva stated before vanishing on the spot. As she left, numerous slips with 3 names flew towards their respective parties.

As Apollo grabbed his slip, he glanced at the information on it. Until now, he was the only one who was incapable of deciding the Institute to enter. Although he knew he would enter both in the long run, he still wanted to choose the most beneficial decision from the start.

Thus, he led himself to overthink. Since he was unable to make the decision, Geneva made the decision based on what she assessed. Not only was he a freshman who joined the disciplinary committee, but he also possessed the ability to combat a Spirit. Furthermore, he was the only person to enter the committee as a freshman without some type of inherited Spirit and claim a 9th or higher seat.

[Determined Institute: Institute of Umbra Night]

[Seeded Position]

[Instructor: Sapphyr Braum]

As he looked at this information, Apollo started to wonder if Sapphyr was the instructor of seeded positions or if she was just the instructor in general. However, since everyone dispersed, there was no one else to ask. In light of this, Apollo pushed the matters to the back of his mind.

'It looks like it's the Institute of Umbra Night it is. However, before I worry about that, there's somewhere else I need to visit,' Apollo inwardly thought while pushing the matters to the back of his mind. 

As he left the teaching hall, he caught wind of a ragged silhouette. In fact, if he didn't pay close attention, this person would have eluded his attention, 'Why is his aura so thin? What has he been putting himself through?'

"Aaron," Apollo called out as he closed in on him.

"Apollo? What is it?" Aaron questioned, turning around towards Apollo.

Compared to before, Aaron's body was noticeably thinner. Furthermore, an increased number of scars appeared on his single arm. While there wasn't much change in his aura, his appearance was extremely haggard.

"What happened to you? Why are you in this state? Are the cultivation resources I gave you not enough? If so, then I can give you more. Don't beat yourself up like this. What if you collapse?" Apollo stated while inspected Aaron's figure closely.

In response, Aaron shook his head, "That's wrong. My appearance isn't due to overworking myself. I don't know where Irauk got it, but that training manual is hard to master. Without guidance, it is dangerous to practice. But, I'll have to make due because there is no one to seek out," Aaron answered.

In exchange, Apollo fell silent, 'Is there some way I can help him? If I can awaken that eye ability again, then I may be able to dissect his technique and give him pointers. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Since the trial, I haven't been able to invoke that state properly. I don't think it has anything to do with Ira. I should ask Fuhrer about this.'

When he fought with Fuhrer, it felt like all of his moves were known before he executed them. So, when he attacked, it didn't feel like he was attacking but rather being lead on. It was like each of his strikes were being sucked into Fuhrer's grasp. To him, the timing was too coincidental to make sense. 

Even if he left it to coincidence, a coincidence that repeated itself was then called a pattern. At that point, it could no longer be chalked up to mere happenstance. It was a situation birthed by specific actions and predictions.

'It was like he was anticipating my movements while also telling me just how I would attacks. Now that I look back on it, perhaps he was trying to show me that I could take a moment to dissect my own attacks. I need to learn new patterns. If I become predictable, that leaves the ability for my opponent to counter,' Apollo surmised.

On the other hand, he gave Aaron a nod, "I'll see if I can find a way to help you out. In the meantime, there's somewhere I need to visit."

After saying his goodbye, Apollo disappeared under the shade of his technique. Several moments later, he arrived before the Resource hall. Since he joined the committee, he needed to claim his rewards. Moreover, he wanted to see if Robyn could fulfill his promise. 

He needed more resources to experiment with certain matters. Once that was done, he could once again visit Ashiraem, and this time, he was certain he would make much more worthwhile advancements. After all, for some odd reason, an ominous sensation kept appearing in his mind. A voice kept urging him to get stronger and fast. It was as if something was aware of his very existence.

At the same time, Ouroboros asked him to return. Ever since he came back from Ashiraem, his appetite had amplified. Unbeknownst to him, a part of his bloodline was stimulated by the environment. Not only him, but even Apollo was on the verge of change. 

The moment he entered the Resource Hall, Apollo's expression changed. Additionally, he concealed his aura. When he stepped inside, he felt an odd presence, as if someone was watching him. Just when he was about to retaliate, he eased his tense shoulders.

"Ahahaha, lad, relax! I'm just checking to see who it is that has come. It's my dear friend. By all means, come inside, what brings you here today? Have you exhausted all your resources?" Robyn's energized voice reverberated throughout the halls.

Apollo then saw him sitting behind his desk with a cheeky grin as he continued forward, "No, I have joined the disciplinary committee. I need you to fulfill this order," he replied while tossing Robyn the slip.

While reading, Robyn's expression became colorful, "Oh? The 9th seat, huh? I knew my eyes didn't fail me. Not even your second year yet you're already advancing with this pace. Ah, in light of this, let me give you an extra present. Wait here while I fetch it."

Without delay, Robyn scurried to the back of the Resource Hall. In the meantime, Apollo glanced around while thinking about a few of Robyn's earlier words.