Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1251: The Enemies

"What is going on there?" Vale muttered as he felt the energy being gathered.

He could tell right now that it was only starting... It was unlike before, when he could only notice the summoning circle once the ritual was completed.

After some time, he realized that the amount of Arcane Energy being gathered wasn’t actually that strong.

Perhaps, they were only summoning a creature with a strength close to Half-Immortal.

Vale mused.

Although they could be doing something evil, it wasn’t a threat that he had to intervene just yet. The officials or the organizers should be able to handle this kind of small setback.

For now, he turned his attention to the competition that was still going on.

The announcer called out, "Skye of Marshall Academy!"

The hall fell silent. Everyone remembered her devastating strike against the Imp. Now they wondered... could she excel in a test that demanded endurance and care rather than destruction?

Skye walked calmly into the circle.

Just like how she acted before, her steps were unhurried...

She looked around the circle and the effigies before nodding her head.

After the test was triggered, numerous wraiths materialized around her, shrieking and clawing at her first line of defense.

Then, she closed her eyes and raised her hand slowly...

Her aura was subtle like always, but as soon as she released her spell, everyone understood why she was taking her time!

She invoked !

It was a Holy Art Spell, but it was close to a Celestial Spell as it requires Divinity to release it!

This was really something unexpected.

Immediately, the circle burst in brilliance, far brighter than any before.

The wraiths shrieked as they tried to enter, but the sanctuary repelled them effortlessly. The effigies glowed with renewed vitality, their cracks or vanished completely.

Seconds passed. Ten... twenty... thirty... forty...

The sanctuary did not falter at all...

Fifty... sixty... seventy...

The crowd rose to their feet, shouting in disbelief.

"She’s holding them back without effort!"

"The effigies are completely healed!"

"This is beyond student level!"

The wraiths clawed desperately, but the sanctuary’s light was absolute. The effigies shone as if reborn, their glow brighter than when they had first been placed inside the circle.

Finally, after eighty seconds, the sanctuary dimmed.

The wraiths dissolved into smoke, unable to breach her light.

The judges exchanged stunned glances. "Extraordinary... her sanctification is unmatched. This is the highest score recorded."

The hall erupted in chaos once more.

Vale’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Although it wasn’t really the Academy’s professors who had taught her this Spell, it was still the Academy’s achievement since Skye was representing them.

Soon, Professors from rival academies whispered urgently as they needed something or someone who could stop their domination for the next day of the competition.

Of course, all of this wasn’t missed by the Journalists around who were trying to capture every detail of the event.

Meanwhile, Skye lowered her hand, and she didn’t even look tired at all. Her expression was unchanged. She just bowed lightly, then stepped back...

Then, a few more students tried the test, but they were lackluster compared to the first batch...

Soon, the announcer raised his voice once more.

"The Sanctification Test is complete! The first day of the Holy Arts Competition has ended!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the hall. Marshall Academy had dominated every trial, leaving no doubt about their strength.

However, there were more events to come...

***

"It’s finally done..." Skye muttered.

After the announcement, the crowd slowly dispersed. Many people were still buzzing about the Marshall Academy’s dominance.

However, Skye just left the stage and joined Irene and Galatea in the waiting area. The three of them exchanged quick smiles, though Irene looked more excited while Galatea kept her usual calm expression.

Skye, on the other hand, remained quiet.

Still, they didn’t have to wait long before one of the Marshall Academy’s officers or coordinator arrived.

He was carrying a tray with food and drinks, setting them down on the table prepared for the students.

"You did well today," the officer said with a nod. "This is for you. Eat, drink, and rest. You have free time now. You can watch the other competitions if you want, but remember... you must return to your accommodation before six."

Irene immediately reached for the juice, laughing softly. "Finally, something refreshing. I thought I’d faint after that last spell."

Galatea picked up a sandwich and nodded. "We should pace ourselves. Tomorrow will be harder."

Skye took a seat with them, accepting a cup of water. She listened attentively, offering nods when appropriate. Internally, she made a mental note of her predicament. Crucially, no one present was to discover her true nature as a Homunculus.

Her objective was to blend in seamlessly, acting as a typical student and fellow Arcanist. This meant engaging in the common acts of eating, drinking, and casual conversation, even though her biological needs differed from those of her classmates.

With deliberate care to maintain an air of normalcy, she took a small bite of bread.

Irene then shifted closer, her voice filled with admiration. "You were truly incredible, Skye. That Divine Sanctuary... I've never witnessed anything quite like it."

Skye offered a slight smile in response. "It was simply the most suitable spell for the challenge. The fragment of Divinity I acquired wasn't even my own."

Galatea chimed in, adding, "Nevertheless, you made it appear effortless. The other participants struggled to maintain their composure for even twenty seconds."

The observing officer overheard this and let out a soft chuckle. "That's precisely why Marshall Academy is destined for the headlines. The journalists are already composing their articles about the three of you. You should savor this moment of recognition while it lasts."

"Naturally!"

And just like that, the trio spent the subsequent hour engaged in lighthearted conversation, observing the ongoing competitions from the spectator's area.

As the time for their next engagement approached, they gathered their belongings and returned together to their designated living quarters.

Just as Skye anticipated a moment of repose after a demanding day, the instant she stepped into her room, a violent tremor violently rattled the earth...

"Hm? An earthquake?" she wondered aloud....

However, her eyes quickly widened as an unsettling sensation washed over her... Malevolent entities were being conjured in the vicinity!

While less perceptive Arcanists might have overlooked it, she recognized the unmistakable signature of sinister machinations, achievable only by clandestine Rogue Dark Arcanists!