CHAPTER 523: NEW ABODE

"Oh Apollo, your new home is so... Clean..." Valerica said as she wanted to be the first to cross the threshold for some ancient noble tradition. She was clearly trying to be optimistic about the living space, having lived inside mansions her whole life, With Kathrine’s apartment being the smallest living space she had ever been living inside of, she couldn’t understand how one could live in such a small five bedroom home? It made no sense.

"Yeah, it is pretty white huh? We will have to fill up these walls and stuff and find some nice furniture, I think all our things combined won’t even fill up a single bedroom." I declared. Still, I very much enjoyed the layout.

The entire lower floor was mostly an open floor space, most likely due to the compound material used being able to take more load. ’Still, I will have to check the upstairs without my Gyrokinesis being applied for structural integrity...’

"Honestly Apollo, This is one of the nicest student accommodations you can buy, how are you affording this?" Hailey couldn’t help but ask as she began making her way upstairs, to scope out the master bedroom...

"Platinum." I stated, causing Orchid to nod her head in agreement. Like she had rehearsed. "Platinum?" An echo emerged in the empty house, but it turned out to be Gabrielle. "Yeah, my family found a planet full to the brim with the stuff in the outer rim. Free mining rights as it is not an official Spartari mining outpost." I said, while thinking to myself. ’Anymore.’

Hailey’s eyes suddenly glittered with excitement. While she didn’t care about her fathers opinions on her suitoring anymore. Apollo having mining resources instantly makes him wealthy. Further legitimising their future together.

Gabrielle felt an immediate connection and blurted out with a hastily applied filter. "You know Apollo, during my time researching your background, I dug up some information on your home planet. I think it’s fitting you are wealthy from platinum considering Apollo-minor was from geological surveys, very rich with it and natural gasses."

I feigned shock, which wasn’t hard as I was shocked for another reason, before replying. "Oh really? That is fascinating. Could it be that that region of the outer rim has a high platinum composition within its celestial bodies? That could be interesting to check out the next time I am out there."

It was Gabrielle’s turn to show shock as she held her shaking hand behind her back as worry began to shift into maximum overdrive. "You... Do you go back out there often? I-I could never imagine going back anywhere close to a place that caused so much devastation in my life."

’Ah shit... Right. Spartari. Bugs are bad. M’kay.’ In my Spartari ’history’ that place should be a source of pain, but to actual me it’s literally the best thing to ever happen to me. I managed to come up with something vague quickly and hope the matter dropped.

"Well, you are right, but my teacher has me go there for that exact reason to train. It’s dangerous and desolate, but because of that, it strengthens the mind, fortifies it as my rage for what happened to me pushes me to new heights."

It seemed my answer had piqued Gabrielle’s interest and she was about to open her mouth to speak again before a squeal came from the other side of the house. "Apollo! Come look!" With Valerica’s scream of excitement, I hastily followed her steps towards the back of the house.

"Oh Apollo, it’s perfect isn’t it!" She said as she fell into my chest, looking ahead into the room with a look of love on her face. The training room was the only room in the house that so far, wasn’t white and was a dull marble grey in colouration.

"Pure Tatamium. Can absorb Psionics attacks to a degree, though it’s not designed for actual assaults from powerful Psionic beings. The best part though, this room can withstand us going all out. I’ll be over all the time for constant Pankration sessions!"

Unlike most sane men who would run away at that declaration. I smiled and revelled in the fact that Valerica wanted to train with me so intimately. It meant a great deal to me and because of that, I had to hug her and show her some affection with a peck to the temple before whispering into her ear.

"Looking forward to it mommy."

Valerica shuddered in delight at the soft words permeating through her ear canal, but recovered quickly, especially since I moved on. "What do you think Nerissa? Will this be enough room for our spar? Or should we go into the wilderness or something for that?"

Before the praetorian had a chance to put forward her piece, Hailey had returned and asked, shocked. "So not only did you agree to sparring with Nerissa, but you have agreed to pankration with Valeica? Apollo, you are aware Valerica has a combat reputation of scaring Drakoshi right? She literally makes creatures double and triple her size flee from fist fights."

I looked at my hugging companion, whose face was only centimetres away from my own with some surprise. "Valerica? Are you secretly a badass?" I asked, causing her to snort before making some distance as she used her hand to wave up and down her body, emphasising.

"Since when have you been under the impression it was a secret, Apollo? I am a badass. You only ever see my sweet side because I love you so much." Valerica’s statement, I admit, set the scaroused meter quite high, but with company, I was able to compose myself, especially as I thought that if the scary personality switch she undergoes when fighting me is still her acting ’sweet’ I couldn’t begin to fathom just how scary she would actually be on a battlefield.

Nerissa nearby then tapped on one of the tatamium walls and shook her head. "Here will be no good for our spar, Apollo. Not only is it too enclosed for battlefield sparing, but the walls are too thin for my equipment. I could poke right through with the spear I usually summon." She said, causing me to gulp nervously.

"No, we will go out into the wilderness, you need advantages, not constraints. But not today, I predict you will want to explore the grounds. I have to make preparations to meet with my sibling anyway, so I shall allow you to explore on your own for the day, you will be less inconspicuous that way."

I didn’t let Nerissa’s words rattle me further as I was still going to enjoy our fight, even if I got my ass clapped... No wait...

Anyway, what she said was true. I did want to go explore for a bit. "Orchid!" I yelled, causing a series of bangs as the cutie sprinted from upstairs to my side. "Can you and Janine go and find out where our ship is now and begin bringing our stuff here? I am going to have a walk about."

Orchid to my surprise, agreed without even a facial twitch of disapproval due to the thought of us being separated. "Of course Apollo-L... Let’s do that. I have some things to discuss with Janine anyway." Orchid said before turning around catching me pleasantly off guard. ’When did they start getting on?’ I thought with a smile.

I then turned to everyone else. "So, I am not just shooing you guys away, you are free to join me if you like? I mean, you already know the place so the exploration won’t be as exciting for you."

Hailey had already played her whole deck at this point and didn’t want to seem too desperate for her man’s attention. She didn’t want to come across as one of those clingy women... Although she knew she was.

"Very sweet of you to offer, Apollo, but I have to go and do some class work prep. Valerica, do you want to grab a bite in the staff lounge first?" She offered amicably. She still despised the woman, but she got the news of the adoption... She and her would be related in a matter of time, so Hailey would take it upon herself to make some modicum of amnesty and reconciliation.

Valerica saw what Hailey was plotting from the next star system over and resisted the urge to narrow her eyes, willing to also play this game. "Very well Hailey, I am famished." She then reached over and kissed her son on the cheek.

"No talking to strange girls, you hear me? You are already a magnet for trouble, you don’t need more. Now, be safe, I will be checking back in later." Hailey then followed up. "Likewise. I still want to make sure you are healthy Apollo. Your Decay still haunts me."

I smiled at the caring of my friend and after a brief hug, the two then left, oblivious to what they had just done.

Turning to the last one without plans, I smiled. "So, hair twin. Fancy taking a walk? I know we just met yesterday, but I develop connections fast and can tell we are going to be good friends." I said earnestly, despite her questions.

Gabrielle took a moment to reply before she smiled prettily at me and said.

"Oh, why not? Sounds like a delight. I also think we are going to become close."