Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1248 1248: The Second Test

The announcer's voice resonated once more through the hall.

"Next to perform is Skye, representing Marshall Academy!"

A hush fell over the arena as the name of the Academy was called.

While the name Skye was unknown to most, the moment the young woman emerged, a collective gasp of admiration for her beauty swept through the crowd…

She displayed no trace of nervousness, a stark contrast to the other participants who had been agonizing over their spell selection.

Their primary concern was how to elicit the most holy strands, yet Skye exuded an air of complete mastery.

Despite this, no one suspected anything out of the ordinary about her.

Only Vale perceived the truth: Skye was not like the others.

She was a Homunculus, an artificial being, not one born naturally. Her true origin was a closely guarded secret, and fueled by his own curiosity regarding such entities, Vale had permitted them to study at his esteemed academy, all while discreetly gathering information.

Vale's gaze sharpened as he observed her deliberate walk towards the radiant crystal.

'Let's see your true capabilities, Skye. Astonish them all…'

Skye lifted her slender hand.

No arcane staff or lengthy incantations were employed…

Her presence radiated a subtle, profound aura, reminiscent of a seasoned Bishop.

Swiftly, she channeled a spell known as Sacred Pulse.

A luminous wave surged outward, impacting the crystal with an unprecedented force.

The crystal shuddered violently, emitting a blinding luminescence that compelled the onlookers to shield their eyes.

Moments later, the holy strands began to appear!

Ten… twenty… thirty… forty…

The count escalated with astonishing rapidity, far exceeding all expectations.

Forty-five… forty-eight… fifty.

With a final, resonant pulse, the crystal's intense glow gradually subsided, leaving behind an ethereal radiance that hung in the air like a sacred flame.

Fifty strands.

An immediate silence descended upon the hall. For a prolonged moment, not a sound could be heard. Then, the dam of astonishment broke.

"Fifty strands?!"

"That's impossible!"

"No one has ever achieved fifty!"

"Marshall Academy has done it again?!"

"Who is this prodigy?!"

Even the announcer's voice carried a distinct note of incredulity. "Skye of Marshall Academy… achieving fifty strands!"

The assembled crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers…

This was an outcome none had dared to anticipate.

Some celebrated with unbridled enthusiasm, while others struggled to fully grasp the magnitude of reaching such a high strand count.

Unsurprisingly, journalists swarmed forward, their recording devices clicking and flashing, desperately capturing every detail of the extraordinary event. Meanwhile, professors from competing academies exchanged uneasy glances.

Vale allowed a subtle smile to grace his lips.

'Indeed… this is the result I foresaw. A Homunculus demonstrating such exceptional purity… truly remarkable. Her name will undoubtedly be etched in their memories now…'

Skye inclined her head gracefully in a silent bow to the audience. Her demeanor remained imperturbably calm, as if achieving fifty strands was a commonplace occurrence.

She then gracefully retreated, leaving the hall abuzz with a mix of awe and disbelief.

Subsequent participants were called, but their performances seemed lackluster in comparison.

From Radiant Dawn Academy, a young man unleashed Sacred Light Wave. The crystal responded with a muted glow, yielding merely twenty-seven strands. The audience offered polite applause, but the earlier fervor had markedly diminished.

Celestine Holy Academy's champion employed Divine Prayer. The resulting luminescence was soft, and the strands ceased their climb at twenty-five.

Golden Cross Academy followed suit with Blessed Radiance, but the crystal only emitted a faint pulse, halting the strand count at twenty-three.

Each subsequent display appeared less impactful than the last, causing the audience to grow fidgety…

Following Skye's unprecedented fifty strands, all other results felt decidedly anticlimactic.

Vale observed the unfolding events with a knowing smile.

'Marshall Academy has unequivocally demonstrated its superiority.'

It was his firm objective to elevate the prestige of his institution, after all.

Finally, the announcer brought the first test to a close, the crystal's light fading into a serene dimness.

However, the competition was far from concluded.

"The first trial has now concluded," the announcer formally declared. "We shall now commence the second trial of the Holy Arts Competition!"

A palpable sense of anticipation rippled through the crowd, eager for the upcoming challenges.

Soon, the nature of the next test was unveiled…

This particular trial was designated as the Affinity Trial.

In contrast to the preceding purity assessment, which gauged alignment with sacred energy, this trial focused on the raw power and practical application of one's abilities.

The arbiters conjured forth Imps – formidable beings of shadow, renowned for their inherent resistance to curses and similar afflictions.

Moreover, these were no common Imps; they were of the Master-Rank, possessing a level of strength considerably exceeding that of the student combatants.

The objective, while simple in concept, presented a significant challenge in execution: each participant was tasked with unleashing their Holy Arts upon a summoned Imp. The ultimate goal was not outright defeat, an impossibility given the students' current cultivation levels, but rather to inflict substantial harm.

The greater the damage inflicted upon the Imp, the higher the resulting score.

The announcer elaborated on the rules with clarity: "Each practitioner will confront a conjured Imp. You are required to unleash your most potent Holy Art. The extent of the damage you inflict will directly determine your affinity score. This trial serves to ascertain the efficacy of your holy energy in combating and suppressing corruption and darkness."

With a visible tremor of apprehension, the initial student stepped forward to face the trial.

With a raised hand and a few chanted words, a judge summoned forth an Imp into existence…

"Whoa…"

"That creature looks frightening…"

"So that's the appearance of an Imp."

"Is it a powerful being?"

The student taking the test was momentarily taken aback, but there was no time for contemplation.

He activated Blessing Dew, causing droplets of light to descend upon the Imp. The creature hissed, its skin crackling and sizzling faintly, but the overall effect was minimal. The judges diligently recorded the score, noting only negligible damage.

The subsequent participant unleashed Sacred Flame. A torrent of fire engulfed the Imp, scorching its flesh. The creature bellowed in agony, registering the searing pain from the flames.

The spectators erupted in cheers, captivated by the visible injury inflicted. The judges marked down the score, reflecting moderate damage.

Student after student underwent the trial. A few managed to char the Imp's hide, while many others struggled to leave even the slightest mark.

The majority of the scores settled around the mark of moderate damage. The audience began to fidget, yearning for a truly astonishing display.

Then, it was once again the turn of Marshall Academy!

Anticipation filled the air, every eye turned towards them for well-understood reasons.

Galatea stepped forward initially.

"Just watch me…" she murmured softly.

Instead of raising her hand this time, she joined her palms together as if in prayer.

Her voice resonated as she invoked the Radiant Spear technique.

A beam of pure light materialized in the atmosphere, radiating holy energy. With a graceful sweep of her hand, she sent it hurtling towards the waiting Imp!

Boom!