Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1239: The Headlines

The prominent media firm had dispatched one of its most astute minds to Dravemont, a man known as Selric Dorn.

As a veteran journalist, his reputation was forged through scandal and explosive revelations. Where others chased surface-level scoops, Selric hunted for truths buried deep beneath layers of gossip and concealment.

He had previously exposed corrupt dukes, brought forbidden experiments to light, and dismantled entire guilds with nothing but his wit and ink. Now, he turned his penetrating gaze toward Vale’s Marshall Academy.

In Selric’s view, Vale was more than a mere competitor; it was a looming threat. A nation reputed to harbor Immortals, dragons, vampires, angels, and entities that scoffed at the laws of nature was bound to ignite intense debate.

If their academy genuinely nurtured prodigies beyond human reach, the prestige of every other nation would surely shatter. Selric realized the world demanded answers, and he was determined to be the one to deliver them.

Fortunately, several nations had already deployed agents to probe the Marshall Academy. He had confirmed that many students who had infiltrated the school six months prior had a singular objective: to document their pedagogical methods, resources, the Immortals present, and the nature of their enigmatic Arcane Towers.

Currently, he arrived at a tavern frequented by his peers—fellow information brokers.

Selric understood that intelligence regarding the Shadow Country was not his specialty, necessitating his reliance on others for the most recent updates.

In exchange, he would share exclusive intelligence that only he possessed.

"Have you heard rumors about Sora?" one informant muttered inside the tavern.

"They say the Combat Arts youth possesses dragon blood. Legend goes that his fists possess the raw might of a young dragon, crushing steel as if it were soft clay... or perhaps that is just a wild exaggeration."

Selric noted the name down, his quill scratching violently against the parchment.

Dragon blood was a claim that, if verified, could unsettle entire kingdoms.

Dragons were considered largely mythical beings; yet for Vale and their Shadow Immortal, such a creature was merely a guardian beast of their realm!

Then, darker whispers surfaced.

"Amaya, Vin, and Brannic," another source confided over a frothing mug of ale.

"Those three transformation students at Marshall Academy are far from ordinary. They carry demon blood within them. I’ve heard they can manifest shadows that consume one's very aura. Given that Forbidden Spells are permitted in this competition, I would hardly be shocked if they summoned actual demons."

Selric narrowed his eyes. Demon blood was generally a forbidden, shameful stain upon one’s lineage in most kingdoms.

However, since the competition imposed no such restrictions, it was unlikely to be a barrier.

Perhaps in years past, the mere presence of such students in Vale would have caused a massive scandal, but times had changed.

Regardless, Selric recorded every detail.

Additional names eventually emerged with greater clarity.

Cielo, a prodigy of the Psychic Arts, was rumored to manipulate dreams with terrifying precision.

Mathias, Mariel, and Ruth, the confirmed participants in Rune Arts, were each said to wield sequences capable of boosting spells to unprecedented levels. Not only that, but whispers suggested they utilized Original Rune Arts!

While being original didn't inherently imply power, the fact that these Original Rune Arts were reportedly crafted by dragons was impossible to ignore!

There was even an enduring legend claiming the Rune Arts themselves were the creation of Dragons.

Without question, that trio would prove to be formidable combatants!

Despite these revelations, the remainder of Vale’s team stayed shrouded in shadow. Professors remained tight-lipped, and students from rival academies feigned ignorance. Even registration officials provided nothing more than vague, non-committal descriptions.

Selric’s frustration began to boil.

"Why is it," he whispered to himself, "that while every other academy parades their prodigies before the public, Vale keeps theirs concealed in darkness?"

He suspected a strategy of calculated deception.

Vale likely wanted the world to underestimate them, dismissing their strength as mere legend until the tournament revealed the brutal reality.

Though uncertain, Selric refused to let that happen.

He bribed tavern owners, interrogated dock workers, and slipped gold into the palms of registration guards. Every scrap of intel uncovered a more unsettling narrative than the last.

Vale’s students weren't just prodigies; they were enigmas. They appeared to carry the bloodlines of dragons, demons, angels, and asura, and were reportedly blessed by spirits, as if the Spirit King himself had granted them divine favor!

And yet, concrete proof remained elusive.

Selric’s quill hovered over his notes, which now consisted of a blend of confirmed fact and unverified speculation.

He was well aware of the dangers of publishing rumors, but the insatiable hunger of his readers was equally clear. Scandal sold papers. Mystery kept readers hooked. And Vale was the greatest mystery of this age.

The moment Marshall Academy’s students began to explore the city, Selric positioned himself within the throng.

Reporters from various rival outlets jostled for position, all desperate to snap a photo or catch a glimpse of the visitors. Cici and her team from the media firm loitered nearby, their enchanted lenses prepared to record everything.

Selric ignored his rivals, fixing his focus entirely on the newcomers.

Soon, he identified students who perfectly matched the descriptions of the prodigies he had researched.

A tall youth with the posture of a warrior—Sora, surely. A silver-eyed figure, likely Cielo. The three robed individuals marked with rune sigils—Mathias, Mariel, and Ruth. The rest remained hidden beneath heavy cloaks.

He gritted his teeth. "This will be a difficult hunt, but if Vale truly harbors warriors with dragon blood and demon-touched prodigies, the public deserves to know."

Back in a dim tavern that evening, Selric weighed his options. He contemplated approaching Cici’s team to trade information, though he doubted their willingness to assist.

He considered breaking into the registration hall, despite the severe risk of incarceration. Alternatively, he could attempt to confront the students of Vale directly, a thought that sent a shiver of nervous excitement down his spine.

Regardless, tomorrow's edition had to be a bestseller, and he was determined to secure that victory.

"Indeed," he muttered to himself. "I shall uncover the truth personally."

He would not rest until he had written the exposé he envisioned.

The following morning, Dravemont awoke to a frenzy of headlines.

Every firm had chosen a unique angle to capture public interest.

Crimson Gazette:

Azure Herald:

New Era Chronicle:

Lovell Daily:

Millton Times: "