Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1113: Dark Arts

After the final names were called and the Grand Hall emptied of guests, Vale remained seated in silence for a moment longer.

He still heard the others’ celebration as they left the Hall... He listened to how happy they were, and Vale himself also felt joyful for them...

Soon, their voices faded into the distance. It was at this point that he raised his hand, and the shadows near his seat moved.

Two figures emerged from the darkness. They were both graceful, ethereal, and unmistakably otherworldly.

They were Lotus and Yvaine.

They weren’t ordinary Dark Spirits. Unlike the lesser shades that served as scouts or assassins, these two had been shaped by something far greater. Their forms seemed a lot more solid or firm than other Spirits... If they wanted, they could even make their appearance seem like a human, and no one would be able to tell otherwise.

Still, they bore no flesh, no blood, and that was what separated them from the residents of this realm.

Both of them had already awakened to Shadow Divinity thanks to the bond he had with the two.

Furthermore, Constance, the Spirit Immortal, had guided them personally.

Under her tutelage, they had learned to wield the Spirit Realm itself as a weapon. During the siege, they had opened rifts during their battle, dragging Chaos Immortals into the Spirit Realm, where the laws of the material world no longer applied. There, even an Immortal’s body could be killed...

They bowed in unison as soon as they appeared...

"You summoned us, Master," Lotus said, and Vale could feel that she was happy that he was back.

Vale nodded. "You both fought well. I didn’t forget your contribution... Tell me... what do you want as a reward?"

He asked this question, hinting that if they wanted to, he could just erase their contract so they could live freely.

That was already something he could do since he really valued them.

The two exchanged a glance as they didn’t expect that they would also be asked such a question. After all, their relationship was quite different from the others. They were summoned beings, and there was really no need for Vale to go this far.

Still, they appreciated their master’s sincerity, so they might as well use this opportunity to help others...

Just like that, Yvaine stepped forward.

"We wish to summon more of our kind," she said. "There are others in the Spirit Realm... Many of them are lost, scattered, waiting. If we can bring them here, we can form a proper army of Dark Spirits that could help you and your city."

Vale paused for a moment as he hadn’t expected that. It was completely different from what he had in mind.

’They wanted me to get more Dark Spirits? I guess that’s not a bad idea.’ He mused.

But he didn’t hesitate.

"I’ll prepare the ritual," he said. "We’ll need to prepare a proper anchor to summon them since I plan to do it en masse. I’ll have the materials gathered."

The two Dark Spirits bowed again. Still, even if they had lowered their faces, Vale could tell how happy they were.

"Thank you, Master," Lotus said. "We will not disappoint you."

"I know," Vale replied. "You never have."

With that, the two faded back into the shadows...

Vale leaned back into his seat, finally allowing himself a moment of rest.

Soon, his thoughts drifted... It was not related to the cities, not to the dragons or the Immortals, but to someone else.

Armin, his disciple.

"I guess he can already take care of himself. But I should still give him something since I already returned." Vale mused as he considered what souvenir he should give to his disciple.

***

During the height of the invasion, Constance had actually made a difficult decision. Knowing that the Shadow Domain might fall if he didn’t arrive in time, he had sent Armin away. He was far from the front lines, and the eyes of the Chaos Immortals since they also didn’t want Armin to be used as a hostage or something similar...

Anyway, it was a contingency, a safeguard to preserve Vale’s legacy in case everything else was lost.

It had been a wise move.

Now, Armin was in the easternmost port city of the continent, Veldenport.

Veldenport was part of a small nation that was part of the Thalore Principality... It had long maintained neutrality and accepted all Arcane Arts Practitioners...

Still, no major factions operated here. No orthodox churches, and the Arcane Bureau had no formal presence. It was a place where people came to disappear... And that was exactly why Constance had chosen it.

Furthermore, the eastern port city bustled with life. Many airships were docking at the upper platforms, merchant vessels unloading crates of rare herbs and arcane ingredients, and even street performers were everywhere.

Of course, Armin wasn’t living in seclusion. He had a small house in the Lantern District, a place known for its proximity to the sea. The house wasn’t large, but it was well-protected and, more importantly, it was shared.

He wasn’t alone. Rehan and Ely lived with him.

Rehan, son of the most renowned Paranormal Investigator in the Millton Kingdom, had inherited more than just his father’s reputation. He had a natural affinity for the Psychic Arts aside from Dark Arts.

Ely, daughter of the first captain of the Order of the Evanescent Vessels, had been trained in both Dark Arts and Mystic Arts since childhood...

Together, the three of them weren’t just students of the Dark Arts... They were practitioners of a hybrid discipline.

Right now, they were working as exorcists.

It wasn’t just the identity that Constance left for them, but it was also a way to earn money and to keep their place safe...

Thankfully, their services were just in time.

They heard various reports about some whispers. Many residents reported voices in the fog, shadows that moved against the lantern light, and dreams that weren’t theirs.

Then came the disappearances. Three merchants had vanished near the eastern docks. A child had been found sleepwalking into the sea and other paranormal stuff...

The port city’s local wardens had no answers, so Armin and his team stepped in after realizing that they were experts in Dark Arts...

But as they were about to work, they finally heard the news related to the Chaos Immortals and Shadow Domain!

"Master’s back!" Armin shouted in joy.