Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1247 1247: Holy Arts and the Homunculus

After Cecilia's triumph, Vale departed from the duel hall, his thoughts already drifting to the next Arcane Arts Competition he ought to observe.

'Ahh… Right… I should check on those three.'

Knights Arts, Combat Arts, and Summoning Arts had all dazzled impressively. But the Holy Arts Competition truly piqued his interest.

Differing from the rest, Vale figured this event wouldn't revolve around fights or duels. Holy Arts stood apart.

These focused on purity, devotion, and harmony with holy energy or faith energy.

To conquer the Valor Realm, he likely required an ally versed deeply in such matters…

Before long, he discovered the event split into three segments.

The initial segment was the Purity Test.

Every student would cast their finest Holy Art upon a huge crystal. The crystal would then react…

Next, it began to shine and emit threads of light.

The purer the spell, the greater the number of threads that emerged. These threads measured a practitioner's profound connection and alignment to Holy Arts.

Upon Vale's arrival, a pupil from Kaiser Holy Academy, the gem of a modest kingdom, was midway through the test.

He lifted his staff and chanted Blessing Dew, his spell honed to perfection.

Chilly droplets materialized in mid-air, descending softly over the crystal. It illuminated, threads manifesting sequentially.

Hope flickered in the student's eyes, yet the tally halted abruptly.

Merely 24 threads.

"What?! Why? I'm sure the crystal in the Academy gave me at least 30 strands…"

Disappointment gripped the student. This result paled against his prior Academy trials...

As though the Holy Energy present had been subtly altered.

Regrettably, his protests fell on deaf ears.

In truth, the crystal functioned perfectly… It was the student's holy energy struggling to coalesce swiftly amid the competition hall's atmosphere.

Still, 24 threads hardly dazzled, particularly against Jamielyn from Larkinson Holy Academy, who had unleashed Sacred Flame for 32 threads earlier.

The spectators, though, craved dazzling Spells above all…

Vale's gaze sharpened on the students beneath…

'So even perfected spells falter like that when purity runs shallow.'

Up next stepped a student from Trinity Holy Academy, famed for their rigid loyalty to an eccentric church…

She summoned Radiant Hymn this round… A spell that bathed the hall in gentle chanting.

The crystal warmed with glow, threads weaving until 28 emerged. Admirable, yet shy of Jamielyn's mark.

"Ugh… Can I at least try one last time? I think I can do better." She pleaded.

Alas, each participant got only one attempt, as this was merely the first of three trials. Completion was mandatory.

Denied by the officials, the test pressed on.

Presently, Silverlight Holy Academy's contender advanced.

His choice was Healing Bloom, conjuring a luminous flower to heal injuries.

"Beautiful Spell!"

"Healing Spells are always cool to see…"

"There are flowers everywhere… Awesome!"

The audience naturally adored such spectacles on stage…

Thereupon, the crystal throbbed softly, threads ascending to 23. Polite cheers rang out, praising its potential to heal crowds… yet Vale sensed no true brilliance.

From Aurora Holy Academy came a student casting Holy Barrier. The crystal blazed, threads surging to 31. Gasps filled the air… second place trailed only Jamielyn's 32.

Vale inclined forward a touch.

'Interesting. Blending defense and purity outshines flame.'

Another entrant, from Sunspire Holy Academy, deployed Blessed Chant. The crystal yielded 29 threads. Strong, but eclipsed by Aurora's feat.

The event rolled onward. Vale observed intently, cataloging every spell and outcome. Witnessing these novel spells proved thrilling…

The announcer's call boomed through the hall, summoning the following academy.

Marshall Academy's turn had arrived.

"Finally… Why did that even take long?" Vale whispered, eyeing his Academy's student.

Though Marshall Academy was novice in Holy Arts, Vale trusted they'd shine… He simply needed to concentrate now.

First up was Galatea. Defying Vale's anticipation, she skipped the Church's core spell. Raising her hand, she called forth a basic one… Holy Hand.

Incredibly, she opted for the Academy's foundational spell. One accessible to all!

Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"A common spell?"

"Why would she use that?"

"Surely she has stronger techniques."

"That's true… They have a literal immortal as their principal…"

"It must be tested by the Immortal or something."

A subtle smile tugged at Vale's lips. He grasped her strategy perfectly... True purity often shone through in simplicity.

Galatea's holy hand radiated a gentle glow as she placed it on the crystal. The light extended outward, causing the crystal to throb just like with previous strikes…

Her Strands soon emerged. One, two, three… and then even more. Spectators leaned in eagerly, tallying them up.

Ten… fifteen… twenty…

The strands continued climbing.

Twenty‑five… twenty‑eight… thirty…

The crystal kept gleaming brightly.

At last, the strands halted at 34.

Gasps of astonishment filled the hall.

"Impossible!"

"She used a basic spell!"

"How can Holy Hand outdo Sacred Flame and Holy Barrier?"

The announcer's voice quivered with thrill. "Marshall Academy's Galatea… 34 strands!"

Vale's eyes sparkled brightly…

'Yes… she made the smart choice. The academy's core spell remains pure and unblemished… Being basic, it connected far more profoundly than the Church's methods. This is exactly what I hoped for.'

Galatea then bowed with composure, her face staying tranquil. She demonstrated that purity stemmed not from intricacy, but from harmony with Holy Arts' core.

A mere Holy Hand yielding thirty‑four strands had stunned everyone…

Yet Marshall Academy had more in store.

Irene stepped up next.

Like Galatea, she selected an elementary spell from the Academy's teachings…

Holy Light.

A ray of dazzling light beamed down, hitting the crystal…

The radiance expanded rapidly, and strands began manifesting.

Twenty… twenty‑five… thirty… thirty‑five.

The crystal throbbed once more before ceasing. Thirty‑five strands.

Cheers exploded from the crowd.

"She topped Galatea!"

"Marshall Academy strikes again!"

"Incredible!"

Still, the show wasn't done… the Homunculus awaited, and they remained clueless!