Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 7 Temporary

"Has a similar fate befallen you as well?" Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the elderly man's revelation.

Even if their situations weren't identical—given that Kyle possessed a system—he felt a surge of relief knowing a predecessor existed. It provided a glimmer of hope that survival was truly possible.

An uncontrollable excitement bubbled within him as he directed his gaze toward the senior.

Mr. Heinz offered a faint, knowing nod.

"Indeed. It was roughly fifty-three years ago when I first encountered my master."

"Fifty-three years?"

'And you are still employed here? Shouldn't you be retired by now? Besides, the Dark Arts were only legalized a decade ago... which means—' Kyle’s mind raced as he processed this startling information.

A wave of anxiety washed over him. Was this his future? While staying alive was the priority, he wondered if this life would ultimately feel like a gilded cage.

Reading the concern written on the boy's face, Mr. Heinz spoke calmly. "The mission my master undertook was the development of a fresh branch of the Dark Arts. Half a century ago, those who practiced the Dark Arts were ruthlessly suppressed by other Arcane Paths. We lacked sanctuaries like this academy. We existed in the shadows, merely trying to stay alive..."

Gurgle... Gurgle...

While Heinz reminisced about a past defined by bloodshed and chaos, Kyle’s stomach issued a loud protest.

Earlier, his mind had been consumed by the sheer terror of his circumstances. He had faced a horrific Variant, encountered a mysterious vice headmaster who had claimed a portion of his shadow, and feared he would be turned into a lab rat after miraculously returning from the dead.

Now that the immediate threat to his life seemed to have passed, his body finally remembered its desperate need for nourishment.

Heinz glanced at the barren plate on his desk, realizing he had no food left to offer the hungry youth.

"You must endure for the moment. Tell me, what is your age?"

Flushed with embarrassment, Kyle answered softly, "I am thirteen, Sir Heinz. My fourteenth birthday is on September 10th."

From the memories he had inherited, Kyle knew that Arcane Academies generally admitted students between thirteen and sixteen. Graduation typically occurred after a decade, leading to a career with a reliable salary.

This stability was exactly what had drawn the original Kyle to the path, prompting him to seize the chance offered by the old watchmaker.

Furthermore, the Academy of Knights—his initial choice—required only six years of study, with the remaining four dedicated to gaining worldly experience before one became a full knight. The watchmaker had claimed that graduates from that institution earned ten times the wages of standard mercenaries or security guards.

The prospect was incredibly tempting for Kyle.

He was acutely aware of his father’s financial struggles; funding secondary school or college was an impossible dream. The Arcane Academies were his only hope, as they covered daily living costs. Additionally, the watchmaker had mentioned various ways to earn extra income within the campus walls.

His father currently earned 40 zen a week, but half of that was siphoned off to pay debts incurred after being defrauded by a former colleague. Living on a mere 20 zen a week was a grueling struggle for the two of them.

Without the watchmaker's intervention, Kyle wouldn't have even been able to afford half of the entrance fee.

Mr. Heinz tapped his desk thoughtfully for a few moments before posing a question.

"Tell me... do you recall the facilitator who administered the potion to you?"

Kyle blinked, the image of the woman flashing instantly in his mind.

"Her name was Lesley."

Resentment flared within him. He remembered how she had watched him suffer and nearly die with cold, indifferent eyes. Even if she was simply performing her duties, the process felt unnecessarily brutal.

He couldn't entirely blame her, as he was the one who sought entry into Vermont Academy. If these lethal trials were their standard, he could only curse his own misfortune. He briefly considered reporting the academy’s methods to the Association governing the twelve institutions.

Kyle clenched his teeth as the memory of the young woman burned in his mind.

He felt completely betrayed; she had led him to believe the concoction was a standard, safe procedure.

She had explicitly stated it would merely awaken his latent talent so he could arrive at the academy as a gifted student.

In reality, he possessed no hidden talent. Even if the entrance exam was inherently dangerous, she should have been transparent. If he weren't a transmigrator aided by a system, he would be a corpse right now.

Observing the fury in Kyle’s eyes, Mr. Heinz gave a slight smile, having deduced the situation.

"Since Lesley was involved, it is unwise for you to join this year's intake. You shall work here as my assistant for one year. She is set to graduate at the end of this academic cycle, meaning you can enroll safely once she is gone. During this time, you can study under my guidance."

Kyle felt a wave of confusion. While he didn't object to learning from Mr. Heinz, who seemed like a respectable mentor, he didn't understand the danger.

Why was Lesley so significant? And how old was she if she was already graduating?

"I will follow your advice, Mr. Heinz. But I must ask—why should I fear Miss Lesley? You described her as a student. Wouldn't the academy protect me? Why would she target me when I've done nothing to offend her?"

'Shouldn't she be the one avoiding me after those lies?' Kyle thought bitterly. He suppressed the urge to curse, remembering he was speaking to a senior who clearly knew the woman.

Mr. Heinz didn't take offense at the questions, though his response was accompanied by a weary, bitter laugh.

"Lesley possesses a formidable background and is a star pupil within the Dark Alchemy Department. Because of your rare and unique physique, she would view you as the perfect specimen for her research. She would likely attempt to use you to evolve her Tier 2 Variant into a Tier 3."