Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1223: Final Transformation!

The students' strategy turned out to be rather solid. Yet Eryn's branches lifted high, while his roots began to stir. He halted Amaya's slashing claws, diverted Vin's plunging attack along with the wind blade, sloped the terrain under Brannic, and seized the mole right as it emerged. Once again, the massive boulder crashed against his trunk, but it was simply shoved off to the side.

"Coordination has improved... though it's still not enough," Eryn remarked.

Still, he sensed that these students were holding back some trick. From the look in their eyes, it was clear they were biding their time for something. Up until now, it felt like they had only been probing his defenses.

'They've probably never battled a Treant before and aren't fully committed yet,' Eryn thought to himself as he pondered ways to push them further...

Before long, he ramped up the intensity, with his branches whipping out quicker and with greater force...

Amaya let out a hiss. "We have to push harder... I believe this approach will pay off!"

Vin gave a nod. "The mole can draw the roots away. The boulder will provide us elevation."

Brannic flashed a grin. "Then let's scale it."

The mole dove underground once more, clawing at the roots and compelling Eryn to shift his focus below. On this occasion, though, the mole appeared to have built up extra power...

Moreover, the boulder maneuvered into place, firm and steadfast.

He attempted to shift it, yet it refused to budge... Since it caused no real damage, Eryn chose to leave the boulder right there. Surely, they had some scheme brewing...

As anticipated, Amaya's lynx shape bounded onto the rock, launching herself even higher from that vantage. Vin soared in, seizing the airspace overhead!

Then, while Eryn concentrated on those two, Brannic rushed forward, his claws digging into the boulder's edge as he shoved it ahead with raw power.

In unison, they unleashed their assault.

Bang!

Amaya's claws tore through a branch, Vin's fangs nearly grazed Eryn's shoulder, Brannic's blow bent the treant over, the mole slashed at the roots from underneath, and the boulder pounded the trunk under Brannic's drive.

For the first time, Eryn found himself purely on the defensive. This marked the initial moment when all five struck together.

The onlookers drew in sharp breaths, but Eryn's leaves fluttered with a hint of amusement at their tactic.

"Much improved. You're starting to act like a real team."

Next, he once more hoisted the mole with care, steered the boulder's path away, intercepted Amaya in mid-air, altered Vin's trajectory, and deflected Brannic's lunge.

Needless to say, pulling it off wasn't straightforward... This round, the trio of students had somehow compelled him to expend additional Arcane Energy.

Were his master Sreas observing, he'd no doubt chuckle at how a group of 12- or 13-year-olds had cornered him like this.

"Hmm... If you're worn out already, we can wrap this up..." He offered at last.

Amaya breathed heavily yet shook her head. Her Morpher State could hold for 20 minutes. Vin and Brannic shared the same limit. The remaining pair might need to bow out shortly.

"We're good to keep going," she answered.

She lunged once more, syncing her attack perfectly with Vin's descent. Brannic secured the boulder, rolling it into position as the mole tunneled below, bursting up precisely when needed to rake the roots. Sure, it was a repeat tactic, but that was okay!

The three shared a deeper strategy, and repeating this would set up their ultimate play!

Besides, now their actions flowed in perfect harmony. Amaya slashed while Vin occupied the branches, Brannic drove the boulder onward, and the mole severed yet another root section!

A faint crack appeared in Eryn's bark from the synchronized barrage.

"You've created a gap. Well done... But if that's your full effort, don't feel let down. You've performed admirably," Eryn stated.

His roots then erupted, raising the boulder, curving Amaya's jump into a harmless path, rerouting Vin's plunge, and gently disengaging Brannic's claws. He set the mole down softly for the final time...

"Gaps aren't doorways," he declared. "They're opportunities. You choose if you step through. You've done well." Eryn concluded, convinced the exercise was over.

***

Amaya stayed quiet while Eryn's branches descended, his roots easing back into the arena's ground.

The glow in the man's green eyes softened a bit, the light dimming as he assumed the training session had concluded.

"That was a solid effort," Eryn commented.

Murmurs rose from the crowd, with some offering light applause and others buzzing about the impressive coordination on display.

But a fiercer spark lit Amaya's silver eyes. Vin's wings tucked in, though his scales still shimmered subtly. Brannic's claws twitched, his bear shape quivering as if restraining a surge...

This was the instant they'd been anticipating.

Eryn had let his defenses slip. His vigilance had waned.

Amaya murmured softly. "Now."

Vin nodded. "No other option left."

Brannic grinned. "Time to reveal it."

Their forms shimmered, fur and feathers melting into wisps of smoke. Gasps echoed through the crowd as the three young talents triggered a shift that caught everyone off guard.

Dark lines crawled over Amaya's skin, her lynx shape folding into a sleek humanoid with horns arching backward from her forehead.

Her claws extended into jet-black talons, her gaze shifting to red. She had transformed into a Demon Huntress!

Vin's wings quivered as his plumage darkened and scales crept over his torso. He took on a humanoid stance too, but now featured a forked serpent tail, his features sharpening into a pointed face. His eyes gleamed violet as he became a Winged Serpent Demon!

Brannic bellowed, his bear form crumbling into a massive humanoid demon. His bulk expanded, his hide turned shadowy, and bony spikes burst from his shoulders. His claws morphed into enormous bone gauntlets!

Within mere moments, he had evolved into a Demon Juggernaut!

And without a hint of hesitation, the trio launched their assault, shattering numerous treant branches and roots! The whole thing unfolded in a blur!

Silence gripped the arena.

"Demons..." a voice whispered in dread.

"No way... they've absorbed Demon Blood?" another voice choked out.

Professor Paterson's gaze sharpened, yet he held back from stepping in. He understood the reality: For Transformation Artists, every shape was merely a technique to wield. Demons, though dreaded and shunned, were just one more form to emulate. No true bonds, no loyalties... It boiled down to pure skill.

Eryn's treant eyes flared wide as he hastily assembled a barrier from his surviving branches...

"So... you've taken this route."

Amaya answered with a grin... "We aim to test our limits against the Asura's disciple."