Chapter 318: Restless Individual

----

"Someone is getting restless? Do you mean the individual waiting outside these doors for me?" Apollo questioned, glancing behind himself. While the ability to look outside this special world was blocked, he could more or less tell what Destrys meant. After all, there was only one person who had accompanied him here.

"Correct. Based on their mental fluctuation, it would seem they're growing rather impatient," Destroys chuckled in response. Whenever he witnessed someone growing agitated, feelings of delight welled inside him.

As Apollo witnessed this, a thought arose in his mind, 'Is it me, or is this giddy attitude similar to Azridan's response when I used to cause trouble in his presence.' When comparing one another, there were indeed similarities in their behavior, but there was also some stark contrast.

Unlike Destrys who was delighted to see people agitated and flustered, Azridan was more so interested in Apollo causing mayhem and exacting revenge. After all, the way he was killed cause unresolved malice to fester inside him. As a result, in some situations, his judgment could only be seen as flawed.

"I see. It wouldn't hurt to stay here longer. I'll just deal with the confusion when I leave this place," Apollo responded, attempting to take a seat and properly digest what he comprehended. Unfortunately for him, it seemed his desire wouldn't be fulfilled as Destrys presented a dark smile. 

----

Outside of the orb within the Tethered Shadow Origin Room, Geneva continued to grow impatient as he looked at Apollo's lifeless body in a lotus position. The longer Apollo stayed inside, the more she fidgeted about.

"How long will you stay in there? It's been days! I've never seen anyone's consciousness last this long in there," Geneva groaned, tapping her heel against the ground. 

Typically, a person wouldn't stay longer than 24 hours at a time within the orb's space. This was because the accumulated fatigue could impact cognizance after a prolonged period of time. Not to mention, admittance usually exhausted Academic Credits.

Yet, in Apollo's case, he didn't have such worries. The unique situation brought about by the changes in the orb allowed him to enter this place free of charge. This was another reason he intended to take advantage of this freebie. 

Sadly, Destrys was a whimsical individual. Not too long after Geneva's complaints reached a new height, Apollo's eyes opened. However, before moving, he allowed his body time to adapt to the resurgence of his consciousness. After all, a prolonged separation produced delayed responses.

Despite his intentions, the fluctuations that accompanied his return didn't elude Geneva's sharp senses. She was aware of the moment he returned. Hence, the rhythmic clicking of heels approaching entered Apollo's ears.

"Apollo…~" Geneva lulled, glaring at Apollo from behind. Not only did her impatience reach a peak, but she was also peeved about another thing that happened while they were here.

In response to her call, Apollo turned around slowly, "Yes?"

Unsurprisingly, there was a frown on Apollo's face. Due to Destrys' actions, he was disgruntled. Despite his pleads to stay longer, he still rejected him from the space.

More importantly, the reason behind his expulsion was related to Geneva. Thus, Apollo's a large part of Apollo's consternation was directed towards Geneva.

"Just what are you frowning for? I should be the one unhappy! Do you know how long I've been here? 11 days! I had to delegate so many tasks within these couple of days to ensure your safety," Geneva barked, glaring at Apollo.

When Apollo heard 10 days, his eyes widened, 'Ten days? I was in there for that long? It felt like no more than that 1 or 2 days at most. It seems comprehension is a whole other monster. No wonder Destrys criticized me for taking too long,' Apollo marveled silently.

The time flow within that space followed the same rules as Astarat. The reason Apollo became unaware of the passage of time was due to how deeply the comprehension engrossed him.

In that state, let alone noticing the time, even one's thoughts became hard to locate. 

"I didn't realize I was gone for that long," Apollo responded with a wry smile. At most, he wanted to be absent for 3 days. This was because of Valac's tendency to misbehave coupled with the fact he had drawn Fuhrer's consciousness to this place.

Without Fuhrer present, there was a chance Valac would escape the confines of the residence. Needless to say, that was an ordeal with a single conclusion—mind-boggling mayhem.

Should that happen, Apollo was sure he would have a headache on his hands. Luckily, since Geneva failed to mention any abnormal occurrences taking place, he pushed this worry to the back of his mind.

On the other hand, judging by Geneva's current expression, she was far from done. "That's not all. You need to explain yourself! Where did you disappear to 8 days ago? One day you were sitting before me and the next, poof! You're gone," Geneva scolded with a glare.

'8 days ago? Ah, she must be talking about when I fetched Sapphyr. That's right. Since I used the inscription, she wouldn't have sensed Sapphyr. Unlike me, she was drawn to the created space entirely. Not to mention, the Legacy Gate seemed to swallow her body as well,' Apollo recalled. 

Apollo then shrugged nonchalantly, brushing aside Geneva's fervent questioning, "I just needed to fetch someone. No big deal." 

"What? Who? Ever since it called out to you, there hasn't been a single person who's been able to enter," Geneva exclaimed with an animated expression. If Apollo was able to bring someone inside, then perhaps the restriction on the usage had been lifted.

Sadly, Apollo's next words dampened her excitement, "Sapphyr, but I don't suggest you reveal this information. When she returns, she may longer be the same. Also, this is all I know so I'm in the dark about any further questions."

"Then, does that mean entry is still restricted? You haven't resolved the issue?" Geneva inquired with a growing frown.

As he saw her expression, Apollo could only shake his head, "I'm not sure. You can always experiment. Reopen the doors and see if anyone can enter."

Now that Apollo had met Destrys, the orb should have fulfilled its task. What's more, since it had Sapphyr absorbing the inheritance in the special space. It should possess enough energy to return to its prior operation.

"I guess that's right. Anyway, you need to return and prepare for the excursion into the sub-realm. I expect you to act upon your side of the deal," Geneva voiced, giving Apollo a meaningful look.

Afterward, Geneva took Apollo and exited the Origin Room. However, right before they left, Apollo glanced back through the closing door and witnessed the orb's reinvigorated luminance. A small smile crept upon his lips as this happened.

'That wily old fox, he knows he won't be able to sustain the proximal space for long. If he wishes for that to happen, then it'll require a large energy source. And, what better of a source than to use to those who use you,' Apollo internalized. 

----

A few moments after leaving the Night Institute, Apollo glanced in the direction of the Outer Barracks. For now, his utmost concern was policing Valac. If that headache got on the loose, his intention of keeping his demonic identity under wraps would be foiled. 

Activating the Umbra Phantom Mantle, he disappeared from where he stood and advanced forward.

Once again, as she witnessed this, Geneva was stupefied by this technique, 'No matter how I look at it, the complexity of this technique rivals the practices found inside that orb. Although he denies it, he must possess some type of connection with the Spirit Race,' Geneva assumed, drawing conclusions based on what he felt.

All of a sudden, she grasped her head as a short bout of powerlessness washed over her, "U-urgh..."

Right before she stumbled, an aged hand caught her side.

"Headmaster Geneva, your condition seems to be worsening and plaguing you more often these days," Robyn uttered, examining her closely. Since he was aware of her gruesome wound, he always kept a close eye on her when in public.

"I'm fine," Geneva said weakly, in a voice akin to a whisper. An enrapturing gleam flashed in her eyes before subsiding as he looked in his direction. As proof of her claim, she regained control over herself.

Be that as it may, Robyn felt as if she was merely putting up a facade, "Are you sure? The frequency of your sequelae seems to be on par with the initial time period."

"I'm sure," Geneva affirmed, standing straight. 

Since she refused to admit anything, Robyn decided not to press the matter. Instead, he turned his attention towards the Resource Hall, "If you need me, you know where to find me."

A breeze accompanied his exit as his presence was no more.

Meanwhile, Geneva was left frowning. "This is all your fault. I'll pay you back for this. I finally understand what you were saying in the room."

Amidst her grumbling, Geneva placed her hand on her torso.

----

Meanwhile, inside the Outer Barracks,

Apollo placed his hand on the door of his residence but he stopped suddenly. His eyes narrowed before turning around abruptly.

A white-haired beauty stood behind him with a disgruntled expression, staring daggers at him. Based on her expression, could tell something was up, "What happened Odessa?"

"Tch…" The click of her tongue echoed. "That's all you have to say. When's the last time you checked in with me? You say you're on my side but you don't act like it. How can I trust you?"

As she unloaded her troubles, her displeased expression deepened. In fact, it bordered on the edge of her exploding. However, to Apollo, this all just seemed sudden.