Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1207: New Tower Master

Odessa went rigid as the serpent’s gaze flared, its voice slithering directly into the depths of her consciousness.

"Odessa… stay sharp. Chaos Immortals have infiltrated this city, walking among us in the guise of ordinary mortals."

'Chaos Immortals? Already?' She was stunned by the realization that they had already penetrated the city's defenses. Simultaneously, she found herself wondering why Vale had yet to take any action against them.

As if reading her mind, the snake hidden within Darlene's clothing continued its explanation.

"Vale has already been notified. Since they aren't currently causing trouble, we are simply observing them from the shadows. Vale has stationed several of his Avatars throughout Clovis City to keep watch. He is intrigued by the sudden appearance of these Chaos Immortals here."

Odessa’s heart hammered against her ribs. She was no stranger to battling Chaos Immortals, though she had always been part of a larger group of immortals during those encounters. Their magic was notoriously difficult to counter, fueled by corruption, disorder, and pure destruction.

The thought of such beings strolling through the streets disguised as commoners left her deeply unsettled.

However, the serpent had more to reveal.

"There is further news. The presence of Void Immortals has also been detected. They don't seem aggressive… merely wandering. Even so, caution is necessary. Their intentions are rarely straightforward."

Odessa’s eyes grew wide. Both Chaos Immortals and Void Immortals were present? Her absence from Clovis City had been brief, yet the landscape had shifted drastically.

The city was no longer just a center for trade and learning; it had transformed into a silent battleground of Immortal wills. While the full scope of the situation escaped her, she suspected Vale was weaving a grander scheme since these Immortals had suddenly converged on this location.

She squeezed her hands into fists, frustrated by her own helplessness.

'With Vale’s Avatars on-site, he is clearly monitoring everything. My duty remains unchanged. I must stay at the Academy. Protecting the students is my absolute priority.'

She convinced herself that this was her most vital role.

By remaining on the Academy grounds, she would ensure the young disciples remained safe from the brewing storm.

Just as she resolved to stay, a sudden ripple of power brushed against her perception.

It was a faint but distinct disturbance originating from the Dark Arts Tower.

Odessa pivoted toward the source of the chaotic Dark Qi she had just sensed.

'The Tower… something is happening there.'

She was aware that Lisa, another Immortal, remained trapped within that ominous structure. While the Dark Arts Tower was famous for its fluctuating energies, it had never exhibited a disturbance of this nature before.

This anomaly had drawn the focused attention of many observers.

Odessa immediately changed course and headed toward the Tower.

Sensing that a Vale Avatar was already on the scene to manage the situation, her anxiety eased slightly.

'Perhaps she finally overcame her bottleneck.' Odessa speculated that Lisa’s confinement in the Dark Arts Tower was actually a self-imposed trial to seek a breakthrough and grow stronger.

She hoped to find Lisa exiting the Tower shortly, radiating a new level of power.

***

Meanwhile, Lisa had completely lost track of time during her imprisonment within the Dark Arts Tower.

The concept of time vanished as the Tower preyed upon her psyche, dragging her through a gauntlet of illusions, trials, and absolute darkness. There were moments when she feared her soul would succumb to the crushing weight of the Phantasm State imposed by the structure.

Yet, she refused to break!

Her entry into the Tower was driven by her own feelings of inadequacy, believing herself to be the weakest Immortal serving Vale. She feared that failing to surpass her current Cultivation limits would leave her forever in the shadows of her peers. That singular drive had pushed her through the Tower’s deepest abysses.

When she finally opened her eyes, her tremors had ceased.

She found herself standing in a sprawling chamber overflowing with riches...

A formless silhouette then materialized before her.

"You have succeeded… Your vessel survived the trials. This Tower now belongs to you."

Before Lisa could utter a word, the shadow dissolved into a fine mist and fused with her own shadow. A torrential surge of power flooded her Meridians, and a massive influx of ancient knowledge filled her mind.

Lisa gasped as the realization hit her. The Dark Arts Tower—one of the sixteen legendary Towers Vale had brought from an alien realm—was now hers to command.

She was utterly stunned.

All of its primary functions remained active; it could still function as a trial ground for Academy students, elite Arcanists, and even those at the Half-Immortal stage. However, she now controlled the flow of its power, allowing her to accelerate the training of others and boost their growth. Every Cultivator who entered would leave behind traces of Qi, which she could now harvest for her own benefit.

"This… this is incredible," she murmured, her hands shaking with reverence.

This outcome was entirely unexpected. Even Vale might have been unaware that the Tower could be claimed in such a way.

A flicker of worry crossed her mind, fearing Vale might be angered that she had essentially seized his Dark Arts Tower.

'Well… I hope you can forgive me, considering I am the one the Tower chose,' Lisa thought, a small smile playing on her lips.

Driven by her new connection, Lisa began to scout her domain.

She traversed the familiar corridors, passing the illusion-filled trial rooms, the labyrinths teeming with shadow monsters, and the meditation halls where practitioners of the Dark Arts tested their Phantasm State.

While the layout remained the same, the essence of the place had changed.

Even the staircases, which once tested her mental fortitude and power, no longer offered any resistance.

The Tower now vibrated in harmony with her presence. Its very walls were actively purifying her internal energy!

Upon reaching what she assumed was the highest level, she sensed something unusual. A secret doorway manifested, revealing a set of stairs that spiraled deep into the darkness below.

Her pulse quickened. "There is more? A hidden floor..."

Quickly scanning the memories she had inherited, she confirmed that this was a secret feature of the Tower.

Following the descent, she discovered a hidden level. Unlike the upper floors, this chamber was vast, silent, and lined with black crystal pillars radiating ancient power.

Touching a pillar sent visions of forgotten Dark Arts techniques into her mind—forbidden spells that had been lost to the flow of time. This floor was a restricted vault intended solely for the Master of the Tower.

But the revelations continued. Another pulse of energy drew her even deeper. She descended once more to a second concealed floor.

There were two hidden levels!

Down here, the temperature plummeted.

In the center of the room lay a massive shadow beast, bound by heavy shadow chains!

The creature was held in check by the Tower itself. Lisa held her breath in awe.

She realized this was the Tower’s core guardian—a beast summoned from another world. Its presence explained the Tower’s legendary lethality.

As she drew near, the beast stirred, revealing a single, gargantuan eye.

Instead of an attack, she felt a sense of recognition. The shadow chains slackened, and a deep voice echoed in her mind.

"You are the new Master. My power is yours to wield."

Lisa recoiled slightly, overwhelmed by the scale of her new authority.

She had anticipated a brutal struggle for dominance to earn the guardian's respect, but it seemed her worries were for nothing.

She truly was the Mistress of the Tower!

She had not only inherited the structure but also gained control over its most powerful guardian.

Clenching her fists, she felt truly blessed. She knew she owed this fortune to Vale, for it was he who had brought the Tower into the Human Realm.

"I am no longer the weakest… I will ascend. With this Tower, I will prove my worth to Vale."

***

Outside, Vale’s avatar stood motionless, waiting for the next development.

The Dark Arts Tower began to vibrate, sending ripples of dark Qi across the city like waves on a pond.

For some reason, swarms of bats began to circle the structure in the sky.

After days of silence, the Tower’s energy had suddenly shifted.

'So… she has either met her end or achieved her goal. After all this time, the result is finally here.'

Curiosity stirred within the avatar, yet he remained still, maintaining his patient vigil.

Odessa soon arrived, her cloak fluttering as she approached the scene.

She offered a brief bow to the avatar, intending to speak.

"Lord Vale," she started, "I have to ask—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the great gates of the Tower groaned and swung open.

A torrent of shadow energy erupted from the entrance, and a figure stepped out into the light.

It was Lisa.

Her dark hair had a strange luster, and her aura had undergone a total transformation, radiating a strength far beyond her previous limits!

Scanning her surroundings, her eyes immediately locked onto Vale’s avatar.

She blurred across the distance in a sudden burst of speed.

"Vale!" she shouted, her voice thick with relief. she threw her arms around the avatar, holding him in a fierce embrace.

She was fully aware it was just an avatar—a mere shadow of his true self—but it didn't matter.

After the grueling trials, the psychological torture, and the darkness of the Tower, she had triumphed. Seeing even a fragment of Vale was enough to make her heart overflow.