Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1246: Vale's Decision

The audience gasped in shock watching Neja's Sentient Sword enveloped in blazing fire… The scorching heat even began impacting those in the spectator stands!

Nevertheless, Cecilia reacted swiftly by lifting her grimoire… Its pages flipped as she realized her water wolf couldn't endure that blade anymore.

"Return," she whispered.

In an instant, the wolf melted into flowing streams, vanishing back into the grimoire. The hall plunged into silence momentarily, baffled by her decision…

Neja laughed mockingly. "You recalled your beast? Then you're finished!"

Yet Cecilia's eyes stayed resolute. She slammed her palm onto the grimoire, prying its pages apart. A dark aura burst forth abruptly, shaping a new circle under her feet.

From within emerged yet another Spirit Beast!

This summon differed greatly. Its form was humanoid. Yet it bore horns arching backward like a demon's crown. Moreover, red light gleamed in its eyes, while its claws gouged the floor, cracking it!

"What?!" Shock rippled through the crowd as they noticed the subtle shroud of shadow and fire encircling it!

"That's a humanoid summon?!"

"Another Sentient Beast… It has to be a Forbidden Summon."

"But wait… Isn't that a Demon?!"

"How can she summon such a thing?!"

"Impossible… that's no ordinary grimoire summon!"

"I've never heard of a grimoire summoning a Demon."

"This news will explode if it spreads."

Journalists rushed to record the scene, their cameras flashing wildly as the demonic entity towered imposingly. Some onlookers grew uneasy and edged backward, while others leaned in closer, mesmerized and unable to avert their gaze.

They craved a better view, for Demons were rare sights!

Thus, the duel hall buzzed with whispers, incredulity, and wonder intertwined.

Cecilia's stare intensified. Memories flooded back of the day she gained this summon.

Vale hadn't handed it to her personally. Denise had recognized Cecilia's aptitude to control this demon.

Naturally, she knew Denise aided numerous students too, yet she'd gained much from her… Denise taught her to infuse her spirit into the grimoire, to bear the agony of binding what few summoners would risk.

Denise's words echoed vividly in her mind…

"This summon will test you. It will not obey weakness. But if you stand firm, it will become your greatest ally."

That recollection fueled Cecilia's resolve now.

The demonic beast bowed its head briefly before its gaze fixed on the forbidden sword.

The sword then uttered, "So… you bring me a beast of shadow. Do you think this will subdue me?"

The demon snarled, claws sinking deeper into the floor. Then it lunged ahead.

Bam!

Claw met steel as the forbidden sword struck first with blinding speed! Yet the demon intercepted it just in time, shoving it downward forcefully.

The crowd bellowed in astonishment.

"It's holding the sword back!"

"Unbelievable!"

"That's definitely a Forbidden Summon!"

Cecilia's grimoire shimmered softly while she murmured a new incantation. Though her voice faltered, it held no importance.

"Blessing of Strength…"

Suddenly, power flooded the beast's frame… Its claws bore down fiercer, driving the sword rearward.

The sword shrieked. "You dare resist me?!"

Flames erupted brighter around its edge. The demonic entity bellowed as its horns ignited with light, then smashed the sword into the ground.

Boom!

The collision rattled the entire hall, fissures racing across the floor.

Neja stumbled, his face ashen and drenched in sweat. He attempted to direct the sword, yet it disregarded him utterly.

The clash turned into a brutal test of might. The sword surged upward, hacking ferociously, but the beast parried every blow, forcing it back inch by inch.

Cecilia kept casting spells… A healing incantation mended the demon's slashed arm, a protective barrier thwarted the sword's breakthroughs, an enhancement renewed its waning vigor.

Each utterance drained her voice further… Still, she persisted.

The beast roared anew and unleashed a mighty blow, slamming the sword flat against the floor. The forbidden blade wailed in defiance as it struggled!

"No… I will not be bound!"

Yet the beast intensified its pressure! At last, with one tremendous burst of power, it crushed the sword until fractures spiderwebbed its form.

Moments later, the blade exploded into shards that evaporated into wisps of smoke!

Silence enveloped the hall.

Cecilia nearly collapsed, her legs buckling beneath her.

"Finally…" she murmured, gripping her grimoire tightly.

Suddenly, the demonic creature materialized next to Neja!

"Stop!"

Fortunately, Cecilia swiftly dismissed the summon!

Awareness dawning of the outcome, the announcer's voice boomed…

"Victory! Cecilia of Marshall Academy!"

Cheers exploded from the crowd, stunned by her victory.

Vale breathed out steadily, a subtle smile curving his lips.

'Excellent work, Cecilia… Neja counts as one of the fiercest rivals around… Yes, that clinches another victory for our side.'

Cecilia lifted her gaze then, scanning for the professors and her fellow classmates.

Her victory had left her body utterly spent… Nevertheless, she stood firm and shot them a confident thumbs up!

This sight drew a chuckle from Vale…

'Perfect. A summoner makes for an ideal pick. Cecilia joins the three I'm dispatching to Valor Realm.'

Valor Realm held no spot for average students. It served as a frontier, a human territory poised for conquest.

Founding a base in that place required Vale to gather strength, discipline, and a range of talents.

Securing a Summoner like Cecilia stood out as a wise decision…

Those who practiced Summoning Arts brought unmatched versatility… They adjusted effortlessly to any challenge, summoning beasts or spirits into battle as circumstances demanded. Cecilia showed she could stay composed amid intense pressure, while her defeat of Neja's forbidden sword proved her grit against sudden twists.

Still, Vale understood that dispatching three summoners wouldn't be optimal.

At present, he eyed the Knights Path, as they blended seamlessly with natives—their Arcane Energy proving nearly impossible to detect.

On top of that, an Alchemist entered his thoughts for the mission. Alchemists weren't conventional combatants, yet their skills proved essential. Pills, potions, and concoctions mended injuries, revived spirit, and amplified power during desperate straits.

In an unknown realm with dubious resources, an alchemist secured the group's endurance. Their expertise converted crude materials into arms or provisions, granting the team a vital advantage no standard warrior could match…

"This ought to be a solid setup, right?" Vale murmured to himself.