Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1195: The Weakest Immortal

"Our scholars will be tasked with publishing 'expert analyses' regarding the event. We will assert that the Academy's defensive formations are fundamentally broken, and that Vale's dependence on such a flawed system proves his inability to protect his students personally."

Dorian spoke in a low voice, already mentally drafting instructions for his media outlets.

Nelia gave a firm nod. "Furthermore, we shall offer incentives to the smaller academies to align with our agenda… If a sufficient number of voices rise to challenge Vale, not even his formidable reputation will be enough to quell the dissent."

In that moment, the two competing headmasters found themselves united by a single goal. Their shared animosity toward Vale had been forged into a sharp weapon under the subtle influence of the Void Immortal.

Sinking back into his seat, Dorian felt a sense of grim contentment. "Let the public believe the Marshall Academy is on the verge of collapse. Once the seeds of doubt are planted, they will proliferate more rapidly than any Evil Spirit."

Nelia concurred. "Vale may have taken our students, but we shall strip him of his future. This is merely the opening move."

***

Following the assault, the Marshall Academy acted with urgency to re-establish stability.

A tireless effort was put forth by professors and medical staff, who guided students into specialized recovery circles while reinforcing the various Formation Circles and Barriers that had been taxed during the skirmish.

Despite being rattled, several students stepped forward to offer their assistance.

Galatea and Irene, still shielded by their Sovereign Artifacts, supported the medical teams by utilizing other Artifacts powered by holy energy to bolster the healing formations. Elsewhere, students of the Dark Arts who had successfully fought off possession volunteered for patrol duty, scouring the corridors for any remaining spirits.

The Academy Council met without delay to formulate a strategy for enhanced security.

Fresh layers of barrier formations were integrated into the existing structure, and the Dragon Guardians were called upon to maintain a constant watch over the Academy skies.

Wards from the Shadow Immortal were stationed at every entrance, while Asura battle formations were organized in anticipation of a potential second siege.

Even amidst the turmoil, the Academy remained resolute and standing…

However, Vale understood that raw power was insufficient; the public required reassurance.

After a period of reflection, Vale's Avatar decided to seek out Jody Lombarde.

That night, one of Vale's Avatars slipped out of the Academy, veiled by the darkness…

He traveled to a different city within the Shadow Domain, arriving at the towering headquarters of The New Era Chronicle.

On the highest floor, within a room filled with ancient tomes and radiant crystals, sat the editor-in-chief, Jody Lombarde. She was a woman of keen intellect, her quill darting across parchment as she analyzed various intelligence reports.

As the Avatar materialized, she looked up with only a brief flash of surprise before a look of recognition crossed her face.

"Vale… or at least, a version of you. It has been many weeks. What brings you to my office in the dead of night?"

She questioned him, though she had a fair intuition regarding his motives…

The Avatar offered a small smile. "Jody, I have come to ask a favor. I would not disturb you if the matter were not critical."

Jody was already prepared to help, yet she found a certain satisfaction in having an Immortal being personally request her aid.

Such an occurrence would have been unthinkable in the past.

Recognizing the gravity of the moment, she decided to play her part.

"Is the situation so dire that the Shadow Immortal must dispatch an Avatar? That is indeed a rarity. Please, continue."

The Avatar moved closer, carefully suppressing his Divinity so his presence would not overwhelm her.

"The Academy was besieged. Evil Spirits managed to penetrate our perimeter… We repelled them without any loss of life, yet the damage to our image is significant. I am certain that rumors will circulate and confidence will waver. Various factions will doubt the Academy's safety. I need your assistance to manage the narrative."

Jody arched an eyebrow. "You want me to publish a story? Vale, you are well aware that my reach extends far beyond this realm. What specific message do you wish for me to convey?"

A faint light flickered in the Avatar's eyes.

"Report the truth… but frame it in a way that rebuilds confidence. State that the Academy survived the onslaught without a single casualty. Proclaim that our defenses have been fortified like never before, backed by Dragons, Shadow Immortals, Asura Warriors, Angels, and even those who command Time. Inform the world that the Academy is not merely protected—it is an impregnable fortress representing every path of power."

Jody pondered the information, tapping her quill against the wood of her desk.

While she was aware of the other entities, the mention of Time Manipulators was a revelation.

"That is a bold strategy. You are prepared to disclose all of that… you want me to depict the Academy as a hub of unity, shielded by every conceivable force. Dragons in the air, Angels in the corridors, Asura on the front lines, and Time Manipulators observing the threads of destiny… It creates a formidable image."

She murmured, already visualizing the words on the page.

The Avatar gave a nod of confirmation.

"Precisely. People must be convinced that enrolling their children here is a distinct privilege rather than a gamble. They need to perceive the Academy as an entity more powerful than any single faction or kingdom. If we fail to act, we surrender the initiative to our enemies, who will surely propagate falsehoods. They will claim that Vale is a magnet for disaster and that Divinity only invites peril. We cannot permit that."

The Avatar had realized that the purpose of the Evil Spirits' raid was not to destroy them, but to expose a perceived vulnerability.

The attackers had chosen their timing well, as many of the Academy's Immortals were preoccupied with research, secluded within Arcane Towers, or bound by ongoing rituals.

Jody nodded slowly, finding his logic sound…

"I understand… You intend to fight their fire with light. I will publish accounts of endurance, unity, and the protection of Immortals. This will reach not just the neighboring lands, but the entire continent."

"Yes," the Avatar replied with conviction. "Utilize the Chronicle to influence the nobility, the guilds, the merchants, and even the foreign academies. Let them read that the Marshall Academy continues its ascent… and that the perpetrator has been identified, ensuring such an event will never happen again."

Jody let out a soft laugh. "You have always had a knack for asking for the impossible. However… I find the idea compelling. it is inspiring without being overly dramatic, and it will effectively muzzle the critics. I suspect this edition will be a bestseller… Regardless, I will handle the writing myself. The first copies will be ready by sunrise. Within a week, every prominent city will know that Vale's Academy remains unshakeable."

The Avatar's gaze softened. "My thanks, Jody. I knew you were the right person to turn to. Even though our journeys have taken different turns, I place more trust in your quill than in any blade."

***

Earlier, while the Academy was under siege and the majority of the Immortals were absent, one was actually sequestered deep within the Dark Arts Tower. This was Lisa, the Vampire Immortal…

Lisa frequently harbored the belief that she was among the least powerful in Vale's inner circle of Immortals, perhaps only surpassing Magnus, the Human Immortal. While her vampiric lineage granted her incredible speed, durability, and the instincts of a predator, her abilities seemed modest when compared to the draconic strength of Chad, the ferocity of the Asura, the celestial light of the Angels, or the fate-altering powers of the Time Manipulators.

This sense of inadequacy had led her to this place.

The Dark Arts Tower served as a brutal proving ground.

The initial six levels were intended for student training, spanning from the rank of novice to Grandmaster. However, the floors beyond were reserved solely for Immortals. Each level acted as a crucible, challenging not only one's physical power but the core of their soul.

Lisa had recently triumphed over the 7th floor.

She currently sat in a meditative posture at the center of a room shrouded in crimson mist, working to regain her vitality…

Hours of deep meditation had allowed her to integrate the essence of the challenges she had faced—illusions of hopelessness, curses designed to shatter her lineage, and shadow creatures that thrived on terror. She had overcome every obstacle.

After several more hours, her breath steadied, and she opened her eyes.

"It is finished… I have conquered the 7th floor."

Rest, however, was a luxury the Tower did not permit. It demanded constant advancement.

Shortly after, she stood before her next challenge.

The entrance to the 8th floor materialized in front of her…

Lisa approached it, her cloak brushing the floor behind her. As she touched the surface, the locking mechanism began to turn.

A sudden shiver passed through her.

She sensed immediately that the danger here was of a different magnitude…

"I cannot predict what awaits me within…" she murmured under her breath.

While the 7th floor had been a test of her stamina, she suspected the 8th would probe something more profound—perhaps the strength of her bloodline or her resolve to maintain her status as an Immortal despite her self-doubt.

The door swung open with a heavy groan, exposing a dark, winding staircase that ascended into the gloom.

Initially, she assumed the stairs were a simple path forward.

Yet, with every step, the weight pressing down on her seemed to intensify… by the time she reached the fifth step, she felt her very vampiric essence beginning to churn.

She did not feel a surge of power; rather, she realized that both her Divinity and her Vampiric Essence were being subjected to a rigorous trial!

The sensation was brief, however…

Upon taking her sixth step, the world around her underwent a sudden and total transformation!