Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1244: The Flames and Grimoire

Right after the announcement echoed, students surged toward the center, scrambling to collect ingredients.

Gazes darted across the heaps as they hustled about, scrutinizing every ingredient with utmost care. Indeed, securing the highest quality while confirming the right types was crucial!

Gus inspected a blade of grass, his Eternal Whiteflame flickering subtly to probe its aura. Recognizing it instantly, he set it aside...

Regrettably, his flame had detected the toxic aura of Ghost Grass.

Meanwhile, Nolan zeroed in on lotus petals, his Azure Frostfire shimmering gently to assess their purity. He effortlessly distinguished True Lotus from False Lotus, thanks to his flame unveiling the faint variances.

This approach was the quickest he could devise. Though he might analyze these without fire, it would consume precious time. With Azure Frostfire at his disposal, he intended to exploit it completely.

"This one..." Layla whispered, seizing the roots as her Crimson Pyre ignited to test their toughness. The Vitalroot shimmered under her flame, whereas the Ashroot disintegrated right away. No rule forbade such a technique anyway.

In that manner, the onlookers observed quietly, captivated by the alchemists' exacting precision and expertise.

Yet the trial was nowhere near finished.

With ingredients secured, students now refined them, merging herbs and minerals into a unified blend.

Coal supplied the heat source, yet genuine refinement stemmed from their personal flames.

Gus’s Eternal Whiteflame blazed steadily, maintaining perfect equilibrium in the mixture.

Nolan’s Azure Frostfire cleansed the concoction, purging impurities and boosting its lucidity.

Layla’s Crimson Pyre flared intensely, dismantling stubborn ingredients while injecting potent vigor into the pill.

In unison, their flames swirled harmoniously, enhancing each other seamlessly.

Nevertheless, Vale observed other academies faltering. Certain students confused Ghost Grass with Spirit Grass, spoiling their batches. Others lost control of their flames, charring ingredients to cinders. Some picked subpar materials, dooming their pills from the outset.

Vale pondered silently while observing.

He preferred this format since it emphasized discipline, knowledge, and mastery over combat. His pupils shone brightly, owing to the Fire Stones acquired via the Arcane Bureau's aid.

Crafting the Spirit Restoration Pill demanded precise balance, utmost purity, and adept flame control. Yet Gus, Nolan, and Layla progressed flawlessly...

At last, Vale grinned upon verifying that his three students neared completion of their pills.

He lingered a bit longer, and as the pills solidified, Vale felt assured of their success...

With that, he departed the venue.

Next, he headed to the majestic hall hosting the Summoning Arts contest.

Vale entered the hall undetected by mortals yet sensed by Immortals. His eyes roamed over the participants. Unlike raw power or martial rigor, this hinged on contracts, bonds, and grimoire mastery in summoning!

Like rival top academies, Marshall Academy dispatched three representatives.

Cecilia stood as the first, a young summoner Vale had aided...

Her initial grimoire proved lackluster, summoning only trivial creatures. Her clan had scorned her, refusing resources for what appeared a mediocre grimoire.

However, Vale discerned untapped potential others ignored. He performed a scarce Grimoire Reelection ritual, enabling her to discard the old grimoire and forge a new bond. Thanks to him, Cecilia gained a superior grimoire plus a formidable Spirit Beast linked to it... or rather, Vale linked to it.

Walrus was the second. His grimoire focused on elemental familiars such as fire sprites, water wisps, and stone guardians. Alone, they lacked dominance, but he mastered their synergy.

The third, Nel, wielded a grimoire tuned to avian summons, especially hawks and ravens. Lacking raw destruction of others, her summons dominated in scouting, velocity, and accurate assaults.

Cecilia, Walrus, and Nel thus comprised Marshall Academy’s summoning squad.

Presently, Vale’s attention fixed on Cecilia, eager to gauge her growth post-reelection.

Fortune smiled as he arrived just in time!

The announcer declared the upcoming bout featuring Cecilia!

"Next duel. Cecilia of Marshall Academy versus Neja of Lakrine Academy!"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lakrine Academy famed for quirky summoners, Neja embodied that notoriety.

Neja’s grimoire deviated from norms. Rather than beasts or spirits, it conjured flying swords!

Spectral blades floated midair, obeying his commands to dart and cleave.

’Interesting...’ Vale murmured, eyeing the flying swords emerging from the grimoire...

Rare indeed, though not overpowering by his measure. Its erratic nature rendered Neja a formidable foe.

Conversely, Cecilia’s grimoire unleashed a Spirit Beast...

The very Spirit Beast Vale bestowed upon her resembled a wolf...

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Spirit Beasts remained exceedingly scarce among students.

Undeterred, Neja sneered. His grimoire’s trio of spectral swords intensified, orbiting him protectively.

A hand gesture sent them lunging, carving through air toward Cecilia!

Yet her Spirit Beast bounded forth, blocking the blades.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

Though repelled, Neja conjured additional swords. His grimoire brimmed with myriad blades!

Quickly, eight varied blades encircled Cecilia, weaving erratic paths. Among them: scimitar, axe, sword, spear, and more.

Vale observed intently, uncertain of Cecilia’s battle prowess. He knew only her Grimoire Talent was exceptional...

Vale pondered as Cecilia at last unleashed the gifted Spirit Beast!