Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1200: Celestial Being

"Precisely!"

Dalton struck the tabletop with his palm. It wasn't a gesture of rage, but one of pure resolve. "Our pupils must be readied at once. Everything needs to be ramped up—sparring sessions, tactical meetings, and training routines. Six months will pass in the blink of an eye."

Lenora chimed in, "We must be meticulous in choosing our representatives. Raw strength isn't enough; we need those who can withstand intense pressure. This contest will evaluate far more than just Arcane Power..."

Zeno nodded in agreement, "Consider the message this will broadcast… The Academy will demonstrate to the entire continent that our foundation is unshaken. We shall prove ourselves as the absolute zenith of Arcanist training."

A short laugh escaped Professor Dalton. "Just picture the expressions on those journalists' faces when our students emerge triumphant. They will have no choice but to report on our glory instead of our alleged shortcomings."

A smirk played on Lenora’s lips. "Let them print their stories. Let them circulate their skepticism. Once the tournament concludes, they will be forced to offer us nothing but praise. And those anxious parents will soon be bragging that their children attend the finest academy on the continent."

"However, we cannot afford to be arrogant regarding our rivals," Professor Perez cautioned.

"The schools from the desert realms, the northern kingdoms, and even the oceanic academies will be sending their elite. Achieving victory will be a grueling task."

Vale’s Avatar gave a subtle nod, clearly satisfied with the direction of the conversation.

The passion in their eyes was evident to him. Truly, the most effective way to settle this crisis wasn't through mere public statements or empty words… While such things were necessary, delivering concrete results was paramount… and they would achieve that at the Continent’s grandest Arcane Academy Competition!

"Then we are in accord. Preparation for the tournament begins now. We will prove to everyone that Marshall Academy is more than just the guardian of the Shadow Domain… it is the mightiest academy on the continent," Vale declared with poise.

With those words, Vale’s Avatar proceeded with the briefing, intent on ensuring the student body was prepared for what lay ahead.

They needed to guarantee that the Academy's top talents could display their full capabilities in the coming months… At the very least, they required immediate mastery of the three Foundational Spell Models of their respective Arcane Arts, and their Magic Zone or Special State had to be sustainable for a minimum of seven minutes!

While these plans were being forged, a mob of citizens had gathered outside the Academy’s entrance, loudly demanding an explanation.

Fresh rumors had surfaced claiming the Evil Spirits were merely held at bay rather than destroyed… To handle this disturbance, Vale’s Avatar decided to dispatch Aurion, one of the Immortals who had recently arrived, to manage the situation…

***

A few hours prior, despite Vale’s collaboration with Jody to stifle the rumors—insuring the public that the mastermind behind the Evil Spirit incursion was in custody and that the threat had vanished—a sense of dread remained.

Official reports notwithstanding, many parents were skeptical. Gossip ripped through the city like wildfire, and within a few days, clusters of frantic families had converged on the Academy gates.

"We demand an audience with the Headmaster!" shouted one father, gripping his child’s hand tightly.

"My daughter is here every day for her training. What guarantee do I have that she won't be targeted again?" a woman asked, her voice shaking with emotion.

"You claim the villain was caught, but we've heard the Evil Spirits are returning. How can we trust the Academy is secure?"

Aurion had not yet made his appearance at this stage.

Consequently, several of the newly appointed professors attempted to pacify the mob, but the shouting only intensified.

A Professor from the new Transformation Arts department stepped forward with a composed demeanor.

He even shifted his form into a charming and elegant persona to better influence the parents' temperaments.

"Please, remain calm… The Academy’s security is absolute. The Shadow Pillars are patrolling the city, and Vale himself has provided his personal word. Your children are in safe hands here."

The parents, however, would not be swayed so easily.

"Words are insufficient. We want a direct statement from the Headmaster himself."

"Indeed! If Lord Vale truly has the situation under control, let him come out and face us!"

They acted as though they had completely forgotten that Vale was the one who rescued the city from the Chaos Immortals.

Given their hostile behavior, it seemed highly likely that they had been bribed to incite this unrest.

From inside, Vale was already tracking the escalating tension. He used his telepathy to signal Aurion—who had just finished a training session—directing him to resolve the matter peacefully…

"They must be truly desperate…" Vale thought to himself, sensing that his mysterious enemies were rushing their schemes.

There was no chance such a clumsy plan would succeed.

Regardless, Jody had already cautioned him that suppressing information would only delay the inevitable rather than removing the doubt. The parents' current demands were proving her assessment correct.

Vale let out another sigh as he concluded the faculty meeting.

***

The assembly outside the Academy entrance grew increasingly agitated, their voices rising in a chorus of frustration.

However, the more observant professors noticed that while these parents were shouting for answers, they were also carefully patting the hidden coins in their pockets…

It was also visible that many were checking their watches frequently, as if they were simply waiting for a specific time to arrive…

Suddenly, the air above the city began to shimmer.

A glowing figure descended from the sky, draped in a white sash that accentuated a body so perfect it looked as if it were carved by gods.

His beauty was otherworldly and androgynous… He was neither strictly male nor female, but a transcendent being whose presence felt far beyond the reach of mortals.

Aurion had reached the scene.

Gasps erupted from the crowd as the Celestial Being landed softly before the gates. His bare feet touched the pavement with a faint light, and the shouting died down instantly as the crowd lost their nerve.

They were merely paid actors tasked with causing a scene until the end of the school day.

However, faced with such a divine entity… they knew they had to be extremely careful not to provoke his wrath.

None of them, not even the faculty, understood his true identity. They were unaware that this Celestial Being was actually one of Vale’s servants, a previously imprisoned Celestial from the ancient mausoleum…

"Be at peace. Your anxieties have been heard, and your worries are not being ignored. You may depart now."

The stunned parents listened as his voice seemed to wash away the stress in their souls.

"The Evil Spirits are vanquished. Their master is in our custody. Your children are protected within these walls."

With that, the spokesmen of the groups traded nervous looks and didn't dare to utter another word… They valued their lives far more than their bribes!