Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1191: The Arcana and the Attack

A heavy silence filled the Imperial Arcane Council's grand hall following Vale's request. While an Immortal's words carried undeniable weight, the Council members were hesitant to provide an immediate response.

The youngest Grand Arcanist, Natasha, was the first to speak. "Leader Seraphis… if we are to put the Arcana at risk, we cannot simply give it away. Regardless of Lord Vale being an Immortal, this Council must receive something in return."

Her voice remained composed, yet her gaze was piercing. She showed no signs of being cowed by Vale's presence.

The Half‑Immortal leader, Seraphis Dorne, leaned back in his seat, fully aware that negotiating with an immortal required extreme caution.

He knew that, more often than not, such beings did not hold mortals in high regard.

After observing Vale intently, Seraphis gave a nod. "You speak the truth. The Arcana is not a device to be utilized carelessly. Should we consent, the future of the Empire and this Council must be guaranteed. Searching for a Void Immortal involves great peril… they may hold us accountable and interpret our actions as a declaration of war."

Calvus Ren crossed his arms, realizing the strategy Seraphis and Natasha were employing.

"Immortal Vale, you are asking us to activate an artifact that consumes soul energy… life itself. If we comply, we require certain assurances. Our most talented prodigies must be prioritized for entry into your Marshall Academy. They deserve the same status as your own personal disciples."

Natasha and Seraphis shared a subtle smile once they saw the others had caught on to the necessary course of action.

Helena chimed in as well... "Furthermore, should the Empire face a threat, you must stand as our ally. We lack the power to face Void Immortals on our own. If you desire our Arcana, you must pledge your strength to us in our time of need."

Nathaniel, the veteran marked by many battles, clapped his hands as he finally grasped the situation. "We aren't haggling over territory or gold. We are simply seeking survival… I believe such a request is quite reasonable."

Vale remained silent as he weighed their demands. He recognized the logic behind their stance...

It was clear that their conditions were far from outrageous.

These were merely mortals tasked with the heavy burden of safeguarding humanity's most powerful empire. Their requests were born of necessity, not greed.

He finally broke his silence. "Very well. I shall grant your request. Your prodigies will receive priority at the Academy… provided they possess the required talent. Should the Empire be endangered, I will stand by your side. You have my word as an Immortal."

The members of the Council traded looks.

Seraphis searched Vale's expression for any sign of dishonesty. Detecting none, he nodded. "Then the agreement is struck."

Vale took a step forward. "Now… reveal the Arcana. I have only heard reports of it from the Bureau. I am unfamiliar with its appearance."

'So he learned of it through the Arcane Bureau… Is there a mole within our ranks?'

'To think the Bureau managed to uncover information hidden even from certain Council members.'

The Council finally grasped the true reach of the Bureau. It was clear why their influence was recognized across the entire continent.

Natasha stood up. "Then you shall behold it."

With a wave of her hand, attendants brought forward an object that had been resting in the corner of the chamber.

It seemed she had used several layers of concealment to make the item look ordinary… In truth, the Arcana they held had been inside this room all along, visible every day…

A few Council members watched quietly as the object was unveiled.

Vale's eyes grew wide.

It was neither a staff, nor a gem, nor a weapon.

It was a Mirror.

He hadn't sensed anything unusual about it upon entering the hall… but now that he focused his perception, he could see the numerous seals placed upon it.

"Intriguing…" Vale whispered.

This did not mean he immediately recognized it as an Arcana. He simply realized it was a potent Artifact. Based on the sheer number of seals, he assumed it was likely a cursed object.

Soon, Natasha released the seals, and its true power became evident to all… it emitted a subtle but massive aura. It felt refreshing rather than suffocating.

This was truly an Arcana forged by the world itself.

"This is the Arcana," Natasha stated quietly.

"The Mirror of Origins. It does not reflect what stands before it… but what remains concealed. Through it, we can track the Void Immortals. However, each activation consumes the wielder's soul."

Seraphis nodded, recalling the legends of the Mirror.

"This Mirror has served as the Empire's shield before. When Chaos Immortals struck, it exposed their movements and even intercepted their words, allowing us to prepare."

"Now you see why it is so strictly guarded. If you intend to use it, Vale, prepare yourself. The Mirror never deceives… but it always exacts a price in soul energy based on the complexity of the task."

Vale looked into the Mirror… "I have no way of tracking a Void Immortal given their talent for hiding… I can only hope this succeeds."

He felt a flicker of curiosity regarding the artifact.

'So this is an item born of the world… Magnus claimed it could even affect me…' Vale pondered, remembering Bureau reports stating that even the Shadow Immortal could be found by this Arcana if the price was paid…

Nevertheless, the Artifact wasn't purely combat-oriented. Its function was limited to locating targets or eavesdropping.

It lacked the offensive power to kill such beings directly.

Natasha approached him…

"If you wish for the Mirror to find the Void Immortals, I am willing to pay the cost. I will expend my Soul Energy, but only for a single attempt… Should you require more, I will demand further conditions. Otherwise, you may operate it yourself..."

Vale gave a faint, wry smile.

He was currently just an Avatar with very limited Soul Energy. Though he possessed vast Force and Divinity, those resources were too precious to waste while the true Vale was recovering.

Simply put, he had no desire to use his own energy.

"Very well… Please locate the Void Immortal who rescued Lust, the entity of the Seven Sins, in Harake City."

***

Meanwhile, as Vale was occupied with the Imperial Arcane Council and the Mirror of Origins, the Marshall Academy—his greatest project—was suddenly plunged into turmoil.

"What is happening?!" Chad exclaimed in shock, activating his Draconic Sense to survey the area.

The crisis began without warning.

Ink-black clouds swirled over the Academy, obscuring the sun.

The atmosphere turned heavy, and a freezing wind tore through the training grounds.

Then, without the presence of a ritual or summoning circle, Evil Spirits began to flood the Academy.

They appeared out of thin air.

"Evil Spirits?!"

"An invasion!"

"Retreat to the Holy Grounds!"

Students shrieked as dark shapes darted through the hallways…

Those without defenses were the first to suffer. Whispers invaded their minds, warping their sanity. Within moments, dozens of students collapsed, their eyes turning solid black as possession took root.

"This makes no sense…" Chad muttered, confused. The Marshall Academy was protected by countless barriers and formation circles established by Magnus, Constance, Vale, and the newly arrived Dragons.

There should have been no gaps in their perimeter!

Yet, none of the defensive systems had triggered.

"Help me! Professor!" a third-year student, a Fourth‑Class Arcanist, screamed before his body began to shake as a spirit seized his soul.

As an Alchemist, he should have been able to resist the possession by using his Flame to shield his soul.

But his lack of practical experience led to his downfall.

Second‑Class and Third‑Class Arcanists were being overwhelmed one by one.

The suffocating aura and oppressive air weakened their resolve, making them easy prey for the sudden onslaught.

Even certain professors below the Grandmaster Class were struggling… Students watched in horror as their teachers' bodies convulsed under the assault of invading spirits.

Normally, they could repel such entities, but facing hundreds of spirits vying for control of a single body was an impossible task!

The more powerful individuals held their ground. First‑Class Professors and Grandmasters immediately flared their soul energy and activated barriers to drive the spirits back. But the damage had already been dealt.

In mere minutes, half of the Academy's population had been possessed.

Chad quickly reached for his communication talisman to alert the other Immortals.

"The Marshall Academy is under siege! Evil Spirits are possessing everyone!"

The responses he received were devastating.

Magnus was in deep meditation, trying to overcome a cultivation bottleneck. Lisa was occupied with a forbidden Vampiric Ritual experiment. The others were away on various missions...

No one could provide immediate assistance.

Chad tightened his grip. "Then I am the only one…"