Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1240 1240: The Queen's Secrets

The following morning, Dravemont buzzed instantly with chatter about the looming tournament…

Vendors on the streets bellowed headlines, thrusting newspapers high over the throngs.

Folks gathered tightly near notice boards, their gazes devouring the striking print. Nobles stayed in their coaches too, dispatching aides to grab the latest papers…

Taverns naturally swung open at dawn, their tables laden with assorted dailies.

Mentions of demon blood or dragon lineage stirred no unease. This event allowed forbidden arts, a reality the populace embraced fully.

Details like intel, competitors' names, powers, lineages, and skills were key. Any scrap could sway the betting lines.

Absolutely! They aimed to profit big from this tourney! Fortunes could flip overnight!

"Caught the Crimson Gazette?" a trader burst out, smacking the sheet on his hand. "Dragon blood in Combat Arts! If real, Sora's odds will explode. That guy will win! Your thoughts?"

"Bah," a second dismissed, clutching the Azure Herald. "Dragons? No way a 13-year-old masters it… I back the Langhorne kid… His dad earned the Martial King title, clashing evenly against the Thunder Emperor… Impressive, right? Plus, check Azure Sky's crew. Spells born from headmasters' miracles. Smart money rides there."

Nearby at another stand, folks hashed over the Millton Times piece.

"Queen Sabrina's miracles! Should she favor the event, her picked school will soar."

"Don't be silly. Her changes are politics. This tests raw power. Anyway, hear her speech soon… Might hint at the academy worth backing."

Betting dens boomed accordingly. Queues snaked along roads as people laid bets. Odds fluctuated hourly, fueled by newsprint not clashes.

Sora's whispered dragon blood elevated him among Combat Arts frontrunners.

Farrel Academy's Corvane pulled eyes too, alongside Magrath's Liza… Yet Rune Arts' Mathias, Mariel, and Ruth drew scant notice…

In truth, Transformation Arts' Amaya, Vin, and Brannic slipped from buzz. Their demon blood scandalized yet excited, though they posed chancy wagers—risk of turning demonic could spell trouble for backers.

Still, bookies grinned wide; each tale fattened their coffers.

Tavern arguments blazed fiercer.

Coins rang out over surfaces amid impromptu stakes.

Crimson Gazette's Selric observed the chaos gleefully. His story had ignited the streets, naturally boosting their sales past competitors.

Still, he realized he wasn't solo in the stir. All rags contributed. United, they morphed interest into mania.

Scandal meant nothing to the masses. Spectacle ruled!

Demon blood? No hex to them… pure thrill.

No mere academy clash now—this tourney was an odds bazaar promising years of wealth!

Only the kickoff rite lingered!

***

Fortune smiled; the opener dawned swiftly, packing Dravemont's mighty coliseum with spectators worldwide.

Sixty Arcane Academies continent-wide converged. Banners aloft fluttered wildly… Students trailed in neat formations.

The arena sprawled enormously, designed for multitudes.

Commoners jammed the tiers, elites claimed gilded perches, scribes swarmed media zones…

Obviously, enchanted lenses shimmered, seizing each instant.

Wagering spots flashed lines at entrances; bets flowed as rites commenced.

Students held the arena's heart…

Academy robes clad them all, painting the field in vibrant chaos…

Most schools specialized in one Arcane Path…

Thus Langhorne, pure Combat Arts, dressed its lot like warriors.

Rune Arts schools styled pupils as rune-scribed sages; Psychic Arts mirrored that.

Transformation Arts groups donned freer garb than peers…

Hence Marshall Academy's 36 drew massive stares.

Indeed, Marshall stood alone, mastering all twelve Arcane Arts!

***

Hush swept in as Queen Sabrina emerged.

From the regal overlook she glided, silver garments billowing, crown ablaze in dawn light.

Thud…

All surged upright, staring at the sovereign who forged national wealth.

"Welcome," she intoned, tone booming flawlessly over the expanse.

"Today, sixty academies unite in heart, rival in strife. You embody your realms' glory, our land's tomorrow, the torch for ages ahead."

Her speech echoed deep; students stiffened, gazes aflame with resolve.

"This competition," she pressed on, "spans beyond single fields. Dravemont entire will challenge you. Coliseum hosts might and prowess duels. Grand arena pits spellweavers… Open plains summon clashes…"

Roars exploded from the masses. Such epic scale demanded spread-out trials…

Anticipation peaked: prizes!

"Champions claim incalculable riches. Victor's academy gains Crown's Grace—funds, territories, royal boons…"

Queen Sabrina droned on prizes… Vale, however, iced over at her sight!

"Sabrina Hoffman?!" Vale reeled, blindsided by her presence!