Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1220: Transformation Arts Lessons

At the arena's distant edge, the three disciples belonging to Sreas positioned themselves with serene composure.

A quick look revealed them as typical youngsters, aged no more than twenty. Their attire consisted of plain robes, their faces held steady expressions, and their overall demeanor seemed modest. However, the intensity of their aura pressed down on every onlooker...

Beneath that peaceful exterior lurked formidable Arcanists brimming with peril.

It was common knowledge that their genuine prowess stemmed from the Asura Form... This fearsome shift that birthed a third eye and two additional limbs, a mode whispered to match the fury of primordial creatures. Yet on this occasion, they chose to withhold that immense might.

Rather, they opted to clash in the guise of beasts.

Professor Paterson's announcement echoed through the space.

"We have three stages here... Each disciple will face five of you. Just transform, fight, and learn."

The initial disciple advanced. Known as Glen, he cut a slender silhouette with piercing gaze and a relaxed grin. He offered a slight nod to the gathered students ahead.

"Five of you. Come."

Five participants shifted to the forefront, comprising two beast-blooded talents and three standard practitioners of Transformation Arts. Tension etched their features, yet resolve flickered fiercely in their stares.

The remaining pair of disciples summoned another group of five each, readying their separate stages to commence.

For the moment, Amaya, Vin, and Brannic chose to observe and gauge the abilities on display.

In truth, they weren't alone in this... Numerous professors, pupils from different Arcane Paths, and even Denise had gathered to witness the confrontation!

Asuras remained exceedingly scarce, after all, and any insights gained about them proved invaluable.

Before long, Glen lifted his hand. His asura energy ignited, propelling the Transformation Arts into motion.

His frame undulated, skeletal structure realigning, sinews contorting.

Within moments, his shape stretched longer, his hide turned deeper in tone, and his physique slimmed further...

Nonetheless, his limbs sharpened into talons, his limbs angled oddly, and his visage elongated into that of a lupine beast...

Glen had assumed the Dire Wolf Form drawn from the Beast Realm... Renowned in Beast Arts for its velocity and savagery, whereas Transformation Arts emphasized raw aggression that often dulled the mind slightly.

That said, such a drawback appeared negligible for Asuras like Glen and his companions.

The quintet of students mirrored the change.

One morphed into a Scaled Serpent Form, his form sheathed in shimmering scales.

Another sprouted wings in a Falcon Form, plumage emerging as his limbs extended broadly.

The third bulked into a Stonehide Boar, his build thickening with protective plating.

The fourth took on a Dark Lynx Form, boasting a sleek and nimble frame, as the final one shifted into a Demonic Bear Cub Form, diminutive compared to Brannic’s heritage yet pulsing with untamed power.

"Those guys aren’t bad..." Amaya whispered upon witnessing the shifts.

"Yes... I’m sure they’re aiming to join the Gentle Shifters." Vin replied.

"What? Why would they join the Order? Aren’t they declining now?" Brannic questioned, puzzled.

The Order of the Gentle Shifters served as the secretive group within the Transformation Arts Faction. Their sway was minimal, given that beyond three exclusive Unique Transformations unique to them, they offered little else of note.

Financially strained, they typically depended on artifacts from the Rune Arts Faction and provisions from the Alchemist Arts Faction to function.

"That must be the reason why they wanted to join... They’re quite heroic, huh." Amaya murmured.

Brannic stood dumbfounded at the revelation. "Really? Then I must respect these guys."

"No, don’t... They just probably think that it’s easier to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon." Vin explained. He had once pondered leading the Order himself but ultimately reconsidered.

Brannic managed only a wry chuckle in response.

Meanwhile, the arena quaked as the shifts finalized.

Glen hunkered down, his lupine shape exuding an aura that put the five students on high alert...

Then his words resounded, traveling across the expanse.

"Remember... transformation is not about brute force. It is about control. Show me your instincts."

With that, the skirmish ignited.

The Falcon plunged ahead...

Its wings cleaved the breeze. Glen merely evaded, his talons whipping skyward.

"Too direct," he remarked evenly, raking the wing. "Speed means nothing without angles."

The Serpent lunged with venomous jaws exposed. Glen seized its neck in his grip, hurling the student earthward and holding firm. "Your scales are strong, but your center is weak. Protect it."

The Boar barreled forward, believing it could crush Glen amid his distraction with the serpent and falcon... Yet Glen seemed to possess rearward vision, as he vaulted clear...

Then he dropped onto the Boar’s spine, talons piercing the plating. "Defense without mobility is a cage. You must learn to move even when armored."

The Lynx struck simultaneously... Her talons targeted Glen’s neck. He bared his teeth, seizing her forelimb in mid-assault. "Good. You use speed and stealth. But your timing is too eager. Wait for the opening."

At last, the Bear Cub bellowed, lashing out with massive paws. Glen confronted the blow directly, his wolf talons colliding with the bear’s might.

Bam! The clash reverberated through the platform...

"Power is useful, but wasted without rhythm. Match your strikes to the heartbeat of battle."

The five students reeled away, breaths heaving. Their beast shapes bore no wounds, but realization dawned—they required true teamwork to stand any chance of victory!

Fortunately, Glen refrained from pursuing. He elevated his talons instead and addressed them once more...

In fact, he persisted with his guidance.

"Transformation is not just flesh. It is instinct. You must learn to blend your beast’s nature with your own mind. Do not fight like animals. Fight like warriors who wear the beast as armor."

The students shared looks...

Even spectators beyond the stage absorbed the disciple’s counsel... At this point, anticipation built for their own opportunities!

***

While Denise observed the spectacle, thoughts of her Automatons inevitably surfaced... Maybe Vale wouldn't object if she dispatched her creations to drill the Combat Arts or Knight Arts pupils as well.