Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1181: Foundational Spells

Meanwhile, the students of the Holy Arts had just arrived at their next lecture hall...

The room stood out from the others, boasting a spacious layout that resembled a cathedral, complete with a prominent podium at the front.

Sixty freshmen were seated in disciplined rows, each dressed in the indigo Academy uniform featuring the golden sun insignia embroidered on their sleeves.

Sitting together near the center were Galatea and Irene. Both had been recruited by the Order of the Untainted Sentinels, a prestigious faction celebrated for its rigorous discipline and absolute commitment to purity.

Naturally, their backgrounds were no secret, and their presence sparked a wave of hushed conversations.

"Those two are the younger sisters of Claire and Teresa..." one student whispered.

"They must have been raised with every resource imaginable. It’s no surprise they made it in."

By now, the names of the two Saintesses, Claire and Teresa, were known to everyone. They were the idols of every aspiring Holy Arts Practitioner.

Consequently, a sense of jealousy permeated the room, but Galatea and Irene remained indifferent. They had long ago grown accustomed to being measured against their legendary elder siblings.

In this Academy, however, their goal wasn't to highlight their bloodline, but to demonstrate their own worth.

Their introductory course, Elementary Spirit Law, had already showcased their talent. Each girl possessed nine Spirit Strands, representing a formidable foundation for any twelve-year-old.

The professor had commended their focus, even though several classmates had achieved similar results. At this stage, while nine Spirit Strands was notable, it was no longer considered miraculous. This shift was largely due to the Philosopher’s Elixir in Maya’s possession.

Nevertheless, a massive gap could still emerge depending on the specific spells they managed to record.

Given their connection to such illustrious sisters, the general assumption was that the duo had already recorded the highest-tier beginner spells available.

The second period now commenced: Fundamentals of Holy Arts.

Professor Yena, a statuesque woman with silver hair pulled back in a tidy bun, stepped into the spotlight.

She bypassed the usual lecture, instead posing a question that caught the students off guard.

"Answer me this... If a man of evil intent wields the Holy Arts, can that power still be considered Holy?"

Silence gripped the classroom. The students had anticipated a technical breakdown of spells, their history, or the composition of Holy Energy. Instead, they were met with a philosophical puzzle.

A boy tentatively raised his hand. "Professor... Holy Arts are defined by purity. If an evil person utilizes them, wouldn't that holiness be nullified?"

A girl countered, shaking her head. "But the essence of the energy doesn't change. Holy Energy remains Holy Energy regardless of the user's corruption. Doesn't the outcome depend on the intent?"

Debates began to ripple through the hall.

Some insisted the arts were inherently sacred and immune to taint. Others argued that the practitioner's heart dictated the spell's true nature.

The concept of Corrupted Holy Energy was simply beyond their imagination; to them, such a thing would merely be Evil Energy.

Galatea listened in silence, weighing the different perspectives...

However, Irene had reached her own conclusion on this topic long ago.

"Holy Arts are more than just instruments..." she declared with conviction. "They mirror the soul. If a wicked man uses them, the energy might still glow, but the underlying purpose is distorted. It transforms into something else... a parody of holiness."

Galatea nodded in agreement, reflecting on the tenets of the Untainted Sentinels before adding quietly, "But that doesn't imply the Arts themselves are defiled. It means the practitioner has failed to truly represent them. Holy Arts require a synchronization of spirit and intent. Without that bond, they are hollow."

A small smile touched Professor Yena’s lips. "Correct. You are starting to grasp it. Holy Arts are defined neither by the spell alone nor the wielder alone. They are defined by the marriage of purity and purpose. A dark soul might coerce Holy Energy into submission, but it will never achieve true resonance. That very resonance is what grants the Arts their holiness."

Yena needed to instill this principle in them early on...

After all, pursuing this Arcane Path was not without its own perils.

It was common knowledge that Dark Arts practitioners risked falling into depravity if they could not withstand the madness inherent in their spells.

However, the same danger applied to Holy Arts practitioners and others. If they wavered in their convictions, they too could succumb to madness. Every Arcanist required an iron will to master their Arcane Path and must never allow doubt to take root.

The class fell into a contemplative hush.

Observing their reactions, Yena continued.

"Keep this lesson in mind. Holy Arts are not about raw power; they are about alignment. If you pursue strength while abandoning purity, you will find nothing but a void. But if you foster harmony, even a basic spell will outshine the most complex weapon. That is the secret to possessing a superior Spell even when compared to those at the same rank."

The students began taking frantic notes, surprised by the unexpected depth of the curriculum.

***

Professor Yena smiled at their engagement.

She had rattled them with her opening question, but she didn't push the philosophical angle any further for now. Instead, she outlined the roadmap for the coming weeks. After all, this was only their first session.

"In this course, we will go beyond mere spellcasting. You will study the core principles of the Holy Arts. We will examine the Nature of Holy Energy—how it differs from other forms of Arcane Energy and why it reacts to purity and intent."

"We will also explore the science of Blessings, learning to channel Holy Energy for protection, healing, and sanctification."

"Naturally, there will be extensive lessons on Harmony—how your Spirit Strands synchronize with your soul, and how internal discord can rot even the brightest light."

She added that while the Philosophy of Purity would be touched upon, it wouldn't be the primary focus. It would serve more as a study of ethics and whether holiness could exist in the absence of virtue.

Regarding Practical Applications—such as mending wounds, resisting corruption, or buffing allies—those would be handled in separate classes.

Everything taught in this room would be focused on theoretical mastery.

"These are the pillars of your journey. Do not expect to perform miracles immediately. The Holy Arts require patience, self-control, and deep thought."

The students nodded, though a few appeared impatient.

They had come expecting to cast blinding blessings or summon radiant shields. Instead, they were being told to brace for philosophy, cultivation, and a slow, steady grind.

Eventually, a student raised his hand. "Professor... what are the foundational spells taught here at the Academy? What will we be using?"

Yena’s smile widened slightly, as if she had been anticipating the query. "Before I answer that, tell me: what are the foundational spells of the Order of the Untainted Sentinels?"

The room turned to Irene. She sat up straight and provided a prompt response.

It wasn't exactly classified information.

"The Sentinels focus on three primary spells: Blessing Light, Purity Dome, and Sacred Chant. Blessing Light serves to heal, Purity Dome provides a shield, and Sacred Chant bolsters the spirit against the influence of corruption."

Yena nodded in approval. "Precisely. The Sentinels prioritize discipline and defense. Theirs is a path of the guardian."

She then addressed the rest of the group. "But the Sentinels aren't the only ones who walk this path. What about the Church?"

A boy signaled for attention. "Their three basic spells are Healing Prayer, Radiant Protection, and Guiding Hymn. Healing Prayer mends injuries, Radiant Protection guards allies, and Guiding Hymn instills bravery."

"Correct," Yena said. "The Church emphasizes faith and community. Their spells are designed to unite people."

She continued her inquiry. "And the Paladins of the Sacred Flame?"

While this group wasn't well-known within the Milton Kingdom, they held significant influence in the Pallham Empire.

A girl answered quickly. "They utilize Flame of Benediction, Shield of Virtue, and Oath of Light. Their repertoire is more martial. These are blessings that enhance weaponry, shields that protect comrades, and oaths that physically empower the caster."

"Exactly," Yena confirmed. "The Paladins walk a warrior's path, using holiness as both a shield and a blade."

Finally, she asked, "And what of the Sanctum of the White Star?"

This was another organization obscure to those in Milton, yet it was a household name in the Ruri Kingdom.

This time, Galatea spoke up. "Their foundational spells are Star’s Blessing, Brilliant Barrier, and Echo of Grace..."

Professor Yena looked genuinely pleased. "Excellent. As you can see, every organization has its own unique philosophy and its own method of molding Holy Energy. The spells may look similar—healing, shielding, blessing—but the intent behind them alters their essence. This is why the same spell can feel entirely different depending on the caster."

Yena finished by saying, "As for the Academy... would anyone care to guess? I'm sure you recognize these spells as well."

She smiled knowingly. Hearing this, the students suddenly realized that the Academy wasn't going to provide them with exclusive, secret Spell Models!

It was a bit of a letdown, and it left them wondering why such a decision had been made.

'Immortal Vale was originally a Dark Arts Practitioner... Does he harbor a grudge against the Holy Arts?' Galatea thought, a slight frown crossing her face.