Chapter 571: Eyes of Disdain

Valerica began listing out names, she seemed to be going for last names first. The teachers, apart from Valerica, didn’t stay on the platform; they started to move to specific parts of the field.

The way she was going down the list saying a name followed by one then a name followed by two etcetera, I had to give Orchid some instructions for the day as we were most likely going to be separate.

"Excel, no need to pretend to be weak, but don’t show concerning amounts of strength ok? Be exceptional in their eyes, but let only me know the real you~" I spoke with a flirty undertone, forcing Orchid to gulp back audible desire.

"I understand Apollo, what you ask of me will not be difficult, though parting from you all day will be the greatest challenge." I gave Orchid a cuddle for her sap and kept her close while we listened to the names continue to be called out.

Once the L’s started we knew it would be us soon. " Lena Lanoor?" A voice responded "Here!" to which Valerica checked off a box. "Number one" She then paused, frowned for a moment before carrying on.

"Apollo Lambdason." She yelled. ’Ooh looks like I am going with Hecate first.’ I thought before yelling. "Here!"

"Number one." She stated as she scribbled something on the page. ’Or not.’ I thought. She then called out Orchid who got number two and growled as she began to walk away. I felt pity for anyone that annoyed her today, though I think she will be more mellow after last night. So she won’t outright kill anyone... I think.

Shortly after Orchids departure, I linked up with Mindy, she was in fact here and had been placed in my group. "You look nervous?" Mindy gave me the side eye while controlling her breathing.

"Thats because I am. I hate tests. Always have. Too much pressure. Send me on a mission with killer robots and the swarm any day, but quiz me on it in test conditions and I might as well have had my brain wiped."

I smiled and rested my hand on her lower back, comfortingly. "Mindy, relax. Think of this as just a formality." I seemed to grab her attention, her breathing fixed itself and she looked directly up at me. " A formality?"

I nodded my head. "Yes. Come on Mindy, you are a badass mercenary and that was before your eyes got that sexy change to them. You already know how to survive in combat zones, how they function and work. They will take all of that into consideration. All they will be doing here today is finding out ways to strengthen your shortcomings, remember that and you will be fine."

Mindy smiled and hugged me. " I keep on forgetting how comforting you are, thank you. And you can stop with the eye compliments Apollo, you don’t need to overcompensate." I wrapped an arm around Mindy before looking away slightly embarrassed. "Actually I think I have a genuine thing for eyes. It’s the one thing I lock into when interacting with people. I don’t think it’s a kink, but it’s definitely a point I look out for, so trust me when I say I like your eyes and not just for the Psionic element of them."

Mindy felt a warmth in her stomach, She missed how much Apollo’s praise hit just the right spot. She also wasn’t too fussed to hear about Apollo’s preference. ’Not the worst kink to have. Definitely tamer than some shit I’ve seen...’

Her mind naturally recalled the night Apollo was encouraged to compare his thing with the novelty bull thing and chuckled. ’Definitely tamer.’

...

It didn’t take too long for all names to be listed and split off into the respective groups. There were fifty and a handful of people in each group. Valerica wasted no time. "Allright, everyone over there, no lolligagging I expect running go!" She said and pointed over to a portion of the field with a series of obstacles and other oddities.

Everyone began running over and before I even attempted to place a foot forward, a hand was on my shoulder and a set of lips on my cheek. "Hello darling, what fortune you are in my grouping first! Shall we walk over together?" Valerica stated casually, like she hadn’t gripped my arm so tight that the only way of escape was to chew through it.

The two of us started walking and I teased. "Fortune? Mother, at least attempt to make it subtle when you had been going one, two, three, four the whole time. The sudden one, one was so obvious."

Valerica’s smile was radiant. It left her feeling all tingly whenever her baby called her that most special word. But she wouldn’t break. "I have no idea what you are talking about Apollo. The numbers were totally random. There was no foul play at hand whatsoever. You would have gotten round to me at some point today anyway, so why would I do something like that? I think you are just imagining things."

"Sure~" I said long and drawn out with a cheeky smile to which Valerica simply hugged my arm tighter.

Valerica loved this feeling. She could squeeze her baby so hard without him popping or breaking! He could almost take all her love! Almost all her love...

Thinking of weak things that broke easily, Valerica was suddenly reminded of something. "Oh! Apollo, Kitten has been trying to get in touch with you. She said she hasn’t been able to get into your ’whatever thingy’ where she goes comatose because of conflicting sleep schedules, but she has something to tell you so hop on that communicator of yours later. Ok?"

I was surprised to hear this. "Oh? Do you know if she is ok?" Valerica simply shrugged. "Not a clue, we didn’t speak much. Apparently I am on her ’shitlist’ for not letting her know I was coming here. And that’s the thanks I get for birthing her... ungrateful bitch. At least you are grateful and so respectful to me, my handsome boy." She then showered my face with kisses, forcing me to remind her that she didn’t birth me, which prompted her to look at me in surprise and go ’Oh yeah.’

By the time we arrived at the rest of the group, I was getting very odd looks as to why the teacher was practically slobbering over me, but I didn’t mind. Love wasn’t embarrassing to me. Valerica could do that to me for hours and I wouldn’t care in the slightest.

Valerica clapped her hands together to gather everyone’s attention. "Ok everyone. The first test is as simple as they come, you are going to fight me. Once you lose, by being placed on your back, you are to run this obstacle course through its entirety. Be warned, if you are not careful, this course can disembowel you at certain points, so use your brain. We have medics on the wings for such events, but be warned. Questions?"

The man I spotted earlier with green hair raised his hand, a smug expression on his face, Valerica then pointed to him. "You." The man then slicked his hair back and said with confidence. "And what if we beat you hmm? What then?"

Valerica snorted, amused. "If you beat me, you can pack your shit and be made a guardian today by my recommendation. Now, since you seem pretty confident, you can go first."

My hairs suddenly stood on end at the look Valerica just gave the man, even during our pankration’s, she had never shown such a look. She then took off her jacket she was wearing, revealing her abs as she wore a sports bra like usual.

The man with green hair walked forward with confidence, his hands casually in his pockets while two of the women he was previously with began cheering rather obnoxiously. " You got this Sigfried!" "Kick her ass Siggy wiggy woo woo!"

A murmur of laughs emerged as the pink haired one said that, but the murderous aura she let off towards those laughing was something Keyla would get wet over.

Sigfried ignored his companions, they meant well if a little embarrassing at times, he wasn’t worried about this little show. His raw talent and powers made it so he couldn’t lose against some clearly non Psionic wielding women.

He knew of the Hyllus’ of course, they had enhanced strength, but nothing more. There was a limit to their current abilities, only external help could help them get stronger at this point and they were a rather secretive bunch.

Sigfried copied the teacher and removed his shirt, revealing a well refined body underneath before placing his hands in his trouser pockets, nonchalantly.

Valerica looked the boy up and down confused. "You sure you want to start like that?" Sigried simply nodded his head and stayed relaxed, all the while activating his first ability. ’Hmm, let’s see how you open then? Being able to counter you will be-’

His mind was then overstimulated with thousands of opening attacks and although he found the true one and attempted to dodge, it was too late and he received a shin to the temple.

Valerica then stood over him and shook her head. "I could see in your eyes the disdain for my lack of Psionics, that will be your downfall if you ever fight the Drakoshi, but I can tell you have potential for attempting to dodge my attack, now get up and start running."

I watched impressed as the man staggered up, it looked like he failed hard, but I knew Valerica’s fighting strength well enough to know that the guy just tanked a serious blow, even if she was holding back. This left me excited.

’With powerful people my age, I can get a better understanding of how to grow and stimulate my origin at the same time. Brilliant!’