Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1203 1203: The True Nature

The three Psychics looked at one another in silence.

"A rogue Arcanist…" Mica remarked in a low voice.

"He’s been lurking here, using spells to frighten people away..."

Despite the situation, they could sense that the quality of the talismans being utilized was subpar. The individual was likely a Fourth-Class Arcanist on the same level as them, though he appeared to be self-taught, unlike their formal training…

With that realization, they ventured further into the townhouse. The wooden floorboards groaned and creaked under their weight as they advanced.

"He's here…" Zhang Wei whispered the moment the target entered his Magic Zone…

They discovered him in the back room…

Slumped against the wall was a man wearing tattered, blood-stained robes. His breathing was ragged, and his fingers shook as they gripped a partially consumed talisman.

He was conscious and fully aware of their arrival.

Liang Chen approached with care. "He's wounded. Look at that item in his hand and the wards scattered around the room… I assume he set all this up as a deterrent while he tried to heal."

The man’s eyes flickered open… Upon seeing that his intruders were merely children, a wave of relief washed over him…

"Stay back… or you'll all get hurt." The man warned.

The three students shared a wry smile, knowing the man posed no real threat to them.

As Psychic Arts Practitioners, they had already deduced his physical state and his current train of thought.

Zhang Wei calmly lifted his hand. He understood exactly how to manage this situation like a professional Psychic.

"We're not here to harm you. We're Arcanists from the Academy. You've caused a panic in this district. Why are you here?"

The man let out a cough upon learning they were students… His voice was raspy from dehydration and hunger, yet he managed to respond...

"I… was ambushed by assassins. I barely escaped. Now go... I will leave once I recover. I don't want to hurt people like you."

Unfortunately, that answer wouldn't fulfill their mission. The three students needed a proper resolution. They could turn him over to the law, or they could facilitate his recovery just to send him on his way.

Regardless, they were certain that his wards hadn't claimed any lives. Their observations confirmed the man was simply attempting to scare off locals to avoid being discovered.

Mica knelt down beside him…

"You've terrified the whole district. People believed Evil Spirits were on the prowl. If you required assistance, you should have contacted the Authorities. Since you didn't, you're likely a criminal, aren't you? You must compensate the merchant who lost a fortune because of your little stunt…"

The man shook his head feebly. "I'm not a criminal… but my enemies will find me if I seek help from the law. I cannot involve the authorities."

He spoke with total sincerity.

Truthfully, he was puzzled as to why he was speaking so openly with these three young students.

He wasn't the sort of person to spill his secrets to strangers. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he felt a strong urge to explain his predicament!

'This… What's going on?'

He had intended to drive these students away, but it felt as though he were a patient receiving counseling from them instead.

Liang Chen folded his arms. "So instead of seeking help, you chose to terrorize civilians? That was reckless."

Zhang Wei sighed. "In any case, we can't just leave him here. He requires medical attention. Furthermore, the district needs the truth… that this wasn't the work of Evil Spirits, but a hiding, wounded Arcanist who was scaring people away."

The man looked down, feeling a sense of shame for his actions.

The three students soon finished their interrogation, during which he confessed everything he knew.

The man was named Keith, and he hailed from the Solstice Kingdom… He had come to Clovis City in the Shadow Domain for a simple purpose: to monitor the events of this small nation. He had no directives to sabotage Academy Supplies or Airships.

His only job was to report on the mundane daily life within the Shadow Domain… His reports were so trivial they could be found in local newspapers, making it difficult to even label him a spy.

"I suppose they just want to stay informed?"

"Hmm… That isn't very shocking. Information is always vital."

"But sharing local news with outsiders isn't exactly a crime."

"Mhmm… That's true."

The three students debated the matter. It was, after all, their first time managing such a situation.

"H-hey… You aren't going to turn me over to the Authorities, are you? I meant no harm. I just needed a place to heal. I don't have much money, but I can offer you something…"

Mica stood up and glanced at her teammates.

"Perhaps we should report this to Professor Jamie. He can decide his fate… but let's stabilize his injuries for now."

Liang Chen gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. At least we have an explanation for the disturbances."

However, Zhang Wei shook his head in disagreement.

"There is no need to complicate things. We should just make use of this person. Other than his mysterious enemies, no one in the city even knows he exists."

As he spoke, Mica and Liang began to smile… They had been suppressing their true characters for months. It appeared they could finally stop pretending.

In truth, the three of them had already begun subtly manipulating the man’s mind… He was unaware of it, but he would not be leaving this city until they permitted it.

This wasn't a specific Psychic Art; it was merely the raw power of their Mental Energy invading another's consciousness.

Seeing that the others agreed, Zhang Wei rested a hand on the man’s shoulder, sending a soft Mind Shock through him to clear any remaining confusion.

"Rest. You're safe now. But you'll have to answer for the panic you caused."

Zhang Wei spoke with a cold, cruel smile, and Keith’s eyes suddenly went vacant…

He would never be seen again.

***

Roughly thirty minutes later, the merchant waiting anxiously outside felt a wave of relief wash over him as they emerged…

He hurried forward to greet them. "Well? Did you find the Spirits?"