Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1205 1205: The Test

Most who traversed the Psychic Path were dreaded not for their destructive spells, but for the chilling nature of their minds.

Unlike other cultivation branches, mastering Psychic Arts necessitated a constant intrusion into the sanctity of thoughts, emotions, and memories.

From the beginning of their journey, practitioners were trained to manipulate, deceive, and bend the wills of others to their own.

This process gradually eroded their empathy, transforming many into detached manipulators… This was precisely why Odessa referred to them as Psychopaths.

The more potent their Mental Energy became, the more effortless it was to dominate others… and the more difficult it became to resist such a dark temptation.

What started as a path of discipline often spiraled into obsession. This explained why over ninety percent of Psychic Arts practitioners eventually succumbed to cruelty or madness, their brilliance twisting into psychopathy.

Odessa was well aware of this grim reality.

Consequently, Vale's fascination with Cielo was quite predictable…

Cielo possessed a firm set of principles, appearing as though no external force could warp his internal compass of justice or righteousness.

Furthermore, despite being raw and lacking formal training until his arrival at the Academy, his Mental Energy remained remarkably pure.

Shane also appreciated that he was untainted by the complex techniques of powerful families or the corruption of various factions. If he could navigate this path without being swallowed by its inherent darkness, he might evolve into something truly rare.

That night, Odessa made the decision to keep a close eye on him.

She intended to observe from a distance rather than interfering directly.

Tomorrow’s mission would serve as the ultimate test of whether Cielo’s heart could endure the heavy burden of the Psychic Path.

***

The following morning, Cielo met with Zhang Wei, Mica, and Liang at the designated square near the guard post.

The trio offered him a warm greeting, their smiles bright and their voices full of friendly energy, just as they had been before.

“Cielo!” Mica exclaimed with a cheerful air. “We are thrilled to accompany you. A mission like this isn't something we get to witness every day.”

Liang Chen gave him a supportive clap on the shoulder. “Don’t stress about it; we’re just here to watch. You’ll do a great job.”

Zhang Wei’s voice was calm and equally reassuring... “We are here for support. If things get difficult, just let us know if you require our assistance.”

Cielo offered a grateful smile, appreciating their presence. He failed to catch the subtle looks they swapped behind his back—the faint smirks and the malicious glints in their eyes…

To his eyes, they were merely classmates driven by curiosity.

To them, however, he was nothing more than prey—a rival whose downfall they intended to orchestrate.

They soon reached the destination… a humble residence situated on the outskirts of the district, watched over by two exhausted guards.

A caretaker approached them, bowing with a nervous disposition.

“You must be the Arcanist sent by the Academy…” the caretaker remarked.

After the initial introductions, the man’s tension visibly eased.

“I’m grateful you’ve come. The patient… he is inside. His name is Daren. He was once a respected scholar, but his mind shattered following an accident involving forbidden runes. Since that day, he has suffered from episodes… They can be violent, nonsensical, and occasionally dangerous, so I urge you to be cautious.”

Cielo gave a serious nod.

“I need more information. How frequently do these episodes occur? What are the triggers?”

The caretaker clasped his hands together, trying to steady his nerves.

“Every few days. Sometimes it's triggered by symbols, other times by specific words. He rambles about voices and shadows—things invisible to everyone else. We’ve attempted herbs, restraints, even prayers… but nothing provides lasting relief.”

That was a vital piece of information.

Cielo listened intently, recording notes on a small sheet of parchment. He inquired about Daren’s diet, sleep patterns, and any history of injuries. Every minor detail was significant.

Eventually, he entered the dimly lit room. The patient was slumped in a chair, his eyes wide as he muttered incessantly to himself.

His fingers twitched, tracing invisible characters in the air as if he were writing.

Closing his eyes, Cielo entered his Metaphysical State… Shortly after, he manifested his Spell Model, the Thought Link, to probe the fractured remnants of Daren’s mind.

It didn't take long for him to sense the internal turmoil…

He encountered a jumble of scattered imagery, shattered memories, and a cacophony of overlapping voices. This wasn't a case of possession or Spirit influence. It was a broken psyche—a mind drowning in its own echoes.

While he wasn't entirely certain, Cielo suspected the condition stemmed from the excessive use of the man’s Special State.

Dark Arts Practitioners were required to enter the Phantasm State to cast their spells, just as a Psychic Arts Practitioner like himself had to enter the Metaphysical State…

The man before him was a Rune Arts Practitioner. To utilize his runic magic, he had to enter a Special State known as Chrono Shift.

It was likely that the man had exceeded the safe duration of Chrono Shift, exhausting his soul to the point of insanity…

Usually, Dark Arts Practitioners were the most prone to madness during spellcasting. However, the development of improved Darkness Possession Potions to fortify their minds had changed that reality.

Regrettably, there had been no such advancements in the tools, artifacts, or potions available to Runemasters.

“Haa~” Cielo let out a sigh once his preliminary assessment was complete.

“This madness isn't the work of Spirits. It is human insanity… but there may be a way to soothe it.”

Behind him, Zhang Wei, Mica, and Liang observed with feigned interest, their faces acting as masks of kindness.

In reality, their minds were already busy plotting how to sabotage the situation… perhaps through a misplaced talisman, a quiet interference, or a whispered doubt.

Meanwhile, hidden outside, Odessa watched from afar with an amused expression... She chose not to intervene for now.

She wanted to witness how Cielo would handle both the suffering patient… and the concealed malice of his companions.

***

Suddenly, Daren bolted upright, his quiet muttering escalating into a frantic, rhythmic chant. His eyes darted around erratically, as if he were deciphering invisible runes carved into the very air.

“Chrono… shift… the symbols… they are everywhere…!” His voice broke, shaking with pure panic.

The caretaker winced at the sight. “Oh no… It is happening again…”

Cielo raised his hand with a calm focus, his Thought Link still active. He concentrated on the shards of Daren's consciousness, hunting for the root of the chaos. He could sense the man's soul fraying, with threads of memory snapping under the weight of repeated Spellcasting.

“His mind is trapped in a loop,” Cielo whispered.

He realized that Daren was still attempting to complete the Forbidden Rune that had caused his downfall, even after overusing his Chrono Shift…

“He is re-enacting the accident repeatedly. If I can anchor him to the present moment, he might stabilize.”

He pulled a small talisman from his bag, one inscribed with a rune of clarity he had purchased the day before.

Once he confirmed it was drawing in his Arcane Energy, Cielo placed it softly on the table near Daren.

Then, he whispered, “Focus on this. This is reality. The voices in your head are not real; they do not speak the truth.”

For a brief moment, Daren’s twitching subsided. His eyes moved toward the talisman, and his breathing began to level out.

Behind him, a faint smile touched Zhang Wei’s lips.

‘So earnest… and so incredibly naïve.’

He traded a look with Mica and Liang. A single, subtle disruption at this moment could shatter all of Cielo’s hard work.

Mica leaned in, her voice soft but dripping with hidden malice.

“Cielo, are you certain that talisman is potent enough? Maybe you should utilize a stronger one… something more commanding.”

Liang Chen added with a mask of worry, “He’s right. If he snaps, he might hurt you. perhaps it's best to restrain him first.”

Cielo shook his head resolutely. “No. Force will only aggravate his state. He requires peace, not more fear.”

Odessa, watching from the shadows outside, followed the dialogue with keen interest…

The words from the three students seemed harmless on the surface, but she could detect the underlying venom. They were trying to make him doubt himself, hoping he would falter while the Thought Link was engaged.

Nevertheless, Cielo blocked them out, keeping his focus entirely on Daren.

He continued to question the caretaker in a steady tone. “When did these episodes start? Did they begin right after the accident, or did they intensify over time?”

The caretaker nodded frantically. “They were mild at first. He would just mutter or be forgetful. But after a few months, they turned violent.

He began seeing things that weren't there. He even attacked another scholar once, convinced the man was a shadow.”

Cielo frowned as he finished his notes…

He spoke quietly to himself, searching for a solution.

“So the deterioration is progressive. His soul is slowly giving up. If I can reinforce his mental threads, he might find clarity… or perhaps I can try this…”

He rested his hand gently on Daren’s shoulder, sending a soft pulse of Mental Energy through him.

The goal wasn't to dominate, but to offer comfort to the man’s mind…

His Thought Link resonated as he carefully merged with the patient’s consciousness.

For a fleeting second, Daren’s muttering stopped. His eyes cleared, and he let out a whisper…

“The voices… they are fading away…”

Cielo exhaled, feeling a wave of relief at those words.

“Good. Stay with me. You aren't alone in this.”

But behind him, Zhang Wei’s fingers brushed against a talisman concealed within his sleeve.

A single misplaced rune or a minor disruption could hurl Daren straight back into his madness.

Odessa narrowed her eyes, watching the flow of Arcane Energy with precision.

Still, she remained a silent observer, waiting to see if Cielo’s resolve could withstand both the fractured mind of the patient… and the betrayal of his peers.