Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1202: Psychic's Missions

A sudden swarm of countless bats caught the group of students off guard. Never before had they witnessed such a massive migration of these creatures.

It didn't take long, however, for them to observe that the winged cloud was surging toward the Dark Arts Tower!

"Hmm? Is there some kind of event taking place?"

"I heard rumors that the Dark Arts Tower was experiencing some technical malfunctions or something similar…"

"Well, it isn't our problem. The Psychic Arts Tower remains perfectly safe for all students to use. I'm certain they will manage the situation just fine."

While the three students felt a flicker of curiosity, they knew better than to get entangled in matters involving the Dark Arts Tower.

Their primary concern was the acquisition of wealth…

To truly sharpen their mental faculties, they required rare stimulants, focus talismans, and specialized meals prepared with spirit-calming herbs. The Academy simply could not provide such luxuries for every single student…

The financial burden would be astronomical. Even the prestigious Farrel Academy only provided basic Meditation Chambers and monthly special elixirs to their highest-ranking pupils.

"Forget about it! Right now, we need to secure enough funds, starting with this mission!" Zhang Wei reminded them.

Though the three had pooled their allowances together, the total was barely sufficient to purchase a few low-grade focus stones.

Consequently, missions were more than just a way to gain experience; they were the vital lifeline needed to earn the money to sustain their Cultivation…

This was exactly the outcome the Academy intended. Through these tasks, students gained practical experience, currency, and Academic Points, which could be traded to learn specific Psychic Spells or for training time within the Psychic Arts Tower…

Professor Jamie understood this reality perfectly. It was for this reason that he permitted Zhang Wei, Mica, and Liang Chen to begin taking on missions immediately after they mastered the foundational spells required for such work.

They had demonstrated their discipline, and now they possessed the opportunity to earn their keep.

As they strolled through the streets of Clovis City, Liang Chen took in the scenery with enjoyment…

After all, it had been quite a while since they had stepped outside the Academy grounds.

"If we complete this mission successfully, we’ll finally have the funds for a proper set of Resonance Crystals. My Metaphysical State will last twice as long with those."

"Nah… that’s an exaggeration. Doubling the duration is impossible," Mica remarked.

The Metaphysical State was the specialized condition of a Psychic Arts Practitioner when activating their Magic Zone, functioning similarly to the Phantasm State utilized by Dark Arts Practitioners.

"But we will be able to afford more Clairvoyant Incense. Our Magic Zone should expand with its assistance."

Zhang Wei gave a simple nod. "Money is just a tool. Once we earn it, we reinvest it into our Cultivation. That is how we will rise above the rest."

For the trio, this mission represented more than a mere test of their skills. It was their first stride toward independence…

***

Before long, the three students were on the move…

The eastern district of Clovis City was uncharacteristically quiet when Zhang Wei, Mica Sato, and Liang Chen arrived.

Modest townhouses lined the streets, their lanterns already flickering to life in the evening air…

The merchant who had requested assistance stood outside his shop, looking anxious. He was wringing his hands nervously as he spotted the three students approaching.

"Are you… from the Academy?" he asked the moment he saw their uniforms.

Zhang Wei stepped forward, presenting the mission scroll bearing the Marshall Academy's official seal. "Yes. We are first-year students from the Psychic Arts Branch, dispatched by Professor Jamie. We are here to investigate the disturbances you reported."

The merchant’s shoulders slumped with visible relief.

"Arcanists… thank the heavens. I was worried the Academy wouldn't take this matter seriously. The guards came, but they were unable to find anything. People are fleeing the district, claiming the area is cursed by Evil Spirits… My business is suffering."

Mica offered a reassuring nod. "We will look into it. Describe exactly what happened."

The merchant pointed toward the row of townhouses.

"It began a week ago. Strange noises, flickering lights, and… terrifying whispers were heard. Some neighbors swore they saw figures darting through the alleys, but nothing was there when they gave chase. A few people even collapsed… I saw them clutching their heads as if their minds were being invaded."

Liang Chen frowned. "That does sound like the work of Evil Spirits we are trained to handle. However, if the guards found no traces, it might be something else."

Zhang Wei nodded, his tone remaining calm.

"We will investigate the townhouses. You stay here. If anything occurs, we will handle it."

The merchant nodded rapidly, clearly glad to leave the situation in their hands.

The three students stepped into the narrow alleys between the townhouses.

The air seemed normal at first… However, as they moved deeper, they immediately sensed the faint traces of Arcane Energy being utilized.

Mica closed her eyes, activating her Clairvoyant Echo. Her senses expanded outward, probing for any hidden presences.

"…Nothing," she whispered.

"There is no trace of Evil Spirits. The aura is weak, but it isn't spiritual in nature… Wait. It feels… human."

She muttered to herself. It appeared the merchant had failed to mention this person, or perhaps this human was the actual source of the trouble. Unfortunately, detecting a human presence and pinpointing their exact location were two very different things.

She had no method of accurately tracking a person yet, unless they stepped directly into her Magic Zone…

Still, this lead was sufficient.

Liang Chen smiled, silently admitting that Mica’s Clairvoyant Echo was truly impressive. He had wanted to learn the Spell himself, but it was an exclusive technique of the Sato Family. Because of its heritage, obtaining the Spell Model was no easy task.

"So the guards were mistaken. This isn't a haunting."

Soon, they followed the man's lingering traces and located the townhouse where he was staying…

Zhang Wei crouched near a doorway, scrutinizing faint scorch marks on the timber.

"Spell residue. Someone activated a defensive talisman here. Look… fragments of a talisman." He retrieved a torn piece of parchment; its ink was smudged, yet it still emitted a faint glow.

"These aren't Spirit-banishing talismans. They are deterrents… designed to keep people away. I believe we now know exactly who we are looking for…"