Chapter 218: Curious Evaluation

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Even though it didn't seem like she was trying to do so, Geneva's stride has an allure to it for some reason. It was like her movements put Apollo in a small trance. However, what baffled him, even more, was the fact she touched one of his flames directly.

Afterward, she sucked her finger with a pleased smile. It seemed as if she was tasting the most heavenly delicacy she had ever come across. For a while the room was silent, even though everyone else had all witnessed this, it was quite hard to get over.

That small look of intoxication as she digested the elements within the flames. While doing so, she closed her eyes. When the process was done, she opened them, "Quite the delicious flame you've conjured. It's...different, to say the least. Among others, it feels dangerous and it fits you."

Before Apollo could reply, she licked the last ember off her lip and examined Apollo up and down, "So that's why you presented that statement. Although the immensity is lacking, the flame has the ability to destroy at a foundational level. The kind of synergy between darkness and fire is hard to attain."

"Precisely, I recently came across this fact, so I refrain from using it in its entirety. If I don't then I wouldn't be surprised if my flame killed someone without me intending to," Apollo answered, his eyes still glued on Geneva. He couldn't understand why the flames failed to damage her.

Furthermore, as she did so, oddly, he felt a slight attraction towards her. He didn't know how it was possible, but he saw faint traces of silver flowing through her body and slowly being devoured. This made Apollo question; if they were alone, would she go further and try to consume more?

Unfortunately, this was a question he didn't possess the answer to. His current situation didn't allow him to make any guesses. Not to mention, Geneva had already returned to her seat and reclaimed her poised demeanor of a Headmaster.

"Tch, why is whenever you use your innate ability, your alluring side comes out? It never ceases to amaze me. Also, it made me rehash the days on the battlefield, watching the Abyss Phoenix storming across the field," Irauk chuckled in the corner while picking a reinforced toothpick off Geneva's desk.

"That is the past, I have long since abandoned the battlefield. What you saw from me as your commander is not something to dwell on. On a more important note, Apollo come sit down. Let's discuss your future here in the Vermillion Night Academy," Geneva answered, evading Irauk's reminiscing words.

Obviously, Apollo obliged and took a seat before Geneva who then turned towards Robyn, "Also, Robyn I would like for you to try containing that situation as much as possible. If you can't find a way to keep it under control, get in contact with the Crux's and seek their restorative practices. By any means necessary, we must prevent another one of those from being born. The current Paragons aren't strong enough."

In response, Robyn nodded with a solemn expression before disappearing from the spot. But, before doing so, he left a message for Apollo, "When you are done here, enter the Resource Hall's secret area with the same set of hand seals I showed you. I'm sure your memory is strong enough to have stored it if you've accepted this partial fragment."

While he thought about the seals and committed them to memory, Apollo also pondered the path he wished to take in these walls. He didn't want to learn any skills of the trade such as formation, alchemist, or anything of the sort, however, he was also aware that some methods presented supplemental benefits.

But, the biggest obstacle for him was finding the proper technique needed to complement his kind of energy. Any technique learned in this world that required him to utilize the Essence here would require him to mimic the energy's property to the best of his ability by using his Anima.

However, that was easier said than done. In his current state, it would take countless hours, and if he couldn't evoke that special state that allowed him to peer into the images hidden under the surface.

Nevertheless, Geneva interrupted his pensive state by tapping the back of his hand, "Before I present anything, can you infer why I have brought you here already?"

Initially, Apollo was about to reply with the first thing that came to mind, the Institutes, but then he thought about things on a deeper level. He recalled what Lucas said to him about her viewing him as being on the same level as Lucas and the others.

Thus, Apollo changed his answer before uttering it, "I'm guessing you want to talk to me about becoming a Child of War in the future?"

In light of his answer, Geneva's faint smile grew, "Partially correct. I want you to become a Child of War faster than anyone before and to do it through your own efforts. If you can do so, I will give you my star recommendation that has never been used before. But, I must warn you, it comes with stringent conditions."

"Such as?" Apollo inquired, leaning forward with intrigue.

"Firstly, while you can come under the wing of a Child of War, I'll be setting your identification card to be unable to receive credits from peers. Only those with Instructor and above authority will be able to grant you credits," Geneva stated.

Personally, Apollo didn't feel this stipulation too bad. In fact, he never intended to accept credits from others. Based on what he saw by Lance's actions, everyone was pretty tight-fisted when it came to the matters of credits. Even the second-years sought them and even resulted in extortion to use them.

"That's acceptable. Although, I feel like you're trying to force me to form relationships with your instructors," Apollo responded with a faintly amused smirk.

"Maybe," Geneva rebutted before continuing, "Secondly, the one who holds the record before you is the current 1st Seat and First Child of War, Xavi. He did so right before he became a third-year. I expect you to beat this. After all, I have yet to see someone combat a Spirit the way you have without suffering losses."

Again, Apollo nodded. In everything he did, there was always a deadline accompanied with it. Thus, it was something he became used to and in fact, looked forward to.

"Lastly, I want you to complete your inheritance fragment by the end of this year. Before you start going on missions, I would like for you to comprehend the S Rank Spiritual Art that is created by combining them all. If you can complete these 3 tasks, I will fulfill any wish you have," Geneva stated. 

This set of demands made Apollo curious. Immediately, his mind returned to those twin weapons that sat in the case inside the Resource Hall. although he knew they weren't actually there, just the residual presence it gave off was enough to make Apollo covet it.

He wished to use them and if possible, he wished to make them his own. Besides the occasional use of the scythe, daggers of that size were the weapon he was most familiar with. He held a small attachment towards them.

Since it was on his mind, he voiced it, "Does this hold true even if I wish to have those odd weapons inside the Resource Hall?"

"Yes," Geneva answered without hesitation. This made even Sapphyr and Irauk gape in shock. Her response came too lightly as if the heirloom of the Vermillion Night Academy was worth nothing.

However, her explanation made them understand that her mind was always working and looking past what others were currently looking at.

"Especially those. I can tell, the flame you use is something this world may need in the future. The Terrors carry an aura of certain death, however, you carry the aura of destruction. If these two were to collide and fuse, what would you become? What would you be able to accomplish? These are the things that I think about. The moment I tasted your flame, I knew. I had come across someone that could finally use my ancestor's legacy as he intended," Geneva stated.

In response, Apollo nodded. His view of her changed, during the orientation he thought her to be some unreachable existence. Luckily, that didn't seem to be the case.

"Now, let's talk about this admission of yours. I'm sure you're eager to go train so we'll make this very short," Geneva added before extending her hand.