Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1 Application

"Are you here for the trials? You're behind schedule..."

A voice, both serene and daunting, forced Kyle to halt.

Instead of being gripped by fear, however, Kyle let out a long breath of relief, feeling a sudden sense of security. He had reached the mountain's base, and the recruitment grounds lay just ahead.

Kyle was unfamiliar with the sentry at the gate, but he knew those pursuing him would hesitate to strike in this vicinity.

"Y-yes... I am an applicant. I have my token right here." Kyle’s voice wavered as he produced the wooden badge he had protected throughout his journey.

He had kept the item tucked inside his inner coat; despite being drenched, filthy, and bruised, the token remained pristine. Even the heavy rains of the previous night had failed to dampen the wood.

The guard inspected the token and gave a brief nod. He could easily surmise the hardships the boy had faced on the road. Casting a glance toward the long path behind the youth, he sensed the lingering presence of several individuals who were likely hunting him.

If this young man failed to secure a place in an academy today, he would undoubtedly fall into the hands of those with ill intent.

Regardless, it wasn't the guard's place to interfere. As long as those pursuers didn't cross the line, he would remain at his post. Since it was the final day of the recruitment period, he hoped to avoid any unnecessary drama.

"I believe only four Academies are still accepting students... I wish you luck." With that warning, the guard allowed the disheveled youth to pass.

Most Academies were indifferent to a student's background; as long as one possessed the necessary Cultivation potential or skill, their appearance mattered little. What truly counted was whether their talent aligned with the Academy's specific standards.

Furthermore, an ordinary boy wouldn't possess an applicant's token. Though he looked wretched now, there was clearly a story behind his current state.

"Thank you very much," Kyle replied, his voice thick with appreciation.

"Mhmm..." The guard dismissed him with a wave of his hand, eager for him to move on. To be honest, Kyle’s scent was quite pungent.

Still, Kyle felt nothing but gratitude. He had fully expected the guard to be difficult due to his beggar-like appearance after fleeing his pursuers for three days and two nights.

He wouldn't have been shocked if he were turned away, and he had even prepared to hand over his entire life savings of five hundred zen to bribe his way in.

Since he had been granted entry without trouble, he felt a deep respect for the diligent sentry.

Kyle took a moment to steady himself as he looked up at the long staircase leading to the mountain peak.

The discomfort of his wet socks and the chafing of his damp clothes were bothersome, but he pushed the feeling aside. The only thing that mattered was being recruited before the day ended.

It took him twenty minutes of climbing to reach the summit. Upon entering the recruitment area, he noticed that the crowd of applicants had thinned significantly. Those remaining were clustered in only three specific locations.

The grounds featured twelve grand buildings, each representing one of the regional academies. It appeared the others had already filled their quotas and ceased operations.

'Wait, I thought there were four Academies left. Why are people only queuing for three?' Kyle wondered as he scanned the area.

He eventually spotted the fourth open building, which lacked any line of applicants. It resembled a large, traditional manor, with dark smoke billowing from its chimney. It looked similar to the other structures, save for the banner hanging outside.

Vermont, Academy of Dark Arts.

Kyle immediately understood the lack of interest. According to the memories of this body's previous host, the Dark Arts had only been legalized a decade ago following the Treaty of Keslore.

However, legality did not equal social acceptance.

Most people still looked down upon those who practiced such ominous arts with disdain.

Naturally, he had no desire to join them either, so he turned his attention to the other three active sites.

Lakrine, Academy of Summoning Arts.Dorelts, Academy of Mystic Arts.Rakmiths, Academy of Elemental Arts.

Kyle could only offer a helpless smile. He had originally hoped to join the Knights Academy, but he had arrived far too late.

His backup plan was the Academy of Alchemy Arts due to its flexible entry requirements, but that too was closed. They were likely among the first to fill their seats.

'The village chief told me I lacked talent aside from my physical build, but I have to try...' With no other options, Kyle chose a line and prayed for a miracle.

He approached the Rakmiths Academy first.

Rakmiths was a prestigious institution, famous not just in the eastern region but throughout the nation. Unlike specialized schools, they taught every variety of Elemental Arts.

It was already five in the evening on the final day. Recruitment would conclude at eight, so he still had a narrow window of opportunity.

While waiting, no one bothered him, likely due to his stench and tattered clothes. People merely cast him looks of pure condescension, which he ignored.

While others socialized and built connections, Kyle stood in silence, waiting for his name to be called.

Internally, however, he was cursing his misfortune.

In his previous life, he had simply been walking his dog, trying to use the animal to strike up a conversation with some girls. It was a "wingman" tactic his friend had suggested. But before he could meet anyone, he had been stabbed after trying to stop a fleeing thief.

'I should have minded my own business... I was too busy trying to look like a hero in front of those girls—'

Kyle shook his head to clear the intrusive thoughts. Regret was useless now; he could only learn from the past.

He had been reincarnated into a younger version of himself in a world that felt like an alternate Victorian Era, complete with a massive industrial revolution.

His father in this world was a steam engine driver. Kyle was well-acquainted with the life of a commoner in this era.

The primary difference was the existence of Arcane Studies. Though only a tiny minority could master them, it set this world apart from Earth in a profound way.

"Next..."

The voice of the recruiter at the door snapped him back to reality.

It was finally his turn.

The twenty people ahead of him had either been accepted or sent away in disappointment.

The moment he stepped inside, the facilitator performed a quick water spell with a flick of his wrist, washing the grime from Kyle's body.

Clearly, the smell had been too much for the man to handle.

"Thank you..." Kyle said, finally feeling a bit more human.

The middle-aged man, sporting thick sideburns, nodded silently and pointed to a chair. He then began to outline the testing process.

A series of evaluations would determine if he was a fit for the Academy.

In this realm, magic was the essence of life. Every creature possessed magical energy, but only a few could harness it. This energy had reshaped the world, and its true potential remained a mystery.

"I am going to channel my Qi into you to awaken your latent potential... Do not fight it. Simply remain open," the man instructed.

Once Kyle signaled he was ready, the test began.

The recruiter first checked the boy's vitality, confirming he was a blank slate regarding Arcane Studies. He then began testing elemental affinities, starting with water, the most common trait found in new students.

Three minutes passed with no reaction. He moved on to other elements.

After nearly twenty minutes of silence, the man’s brow furrowed in annoyance.

"This is a waste of my time... You may leave."

Kyle had failed the very first test. Since he couldn't pass the fundamental check, there was no point in attempting the subsequent stages.

Though he had braced himself for failure, the blunt rejection still stung.

He didn't waste time on self-pity and immediately hurried to the other two recruitment buildings.

The results were identical. He possessed zero talent. He failed the initial assessments everywhere, and at the Lakrine Academy, the facilitator had even openly mocked him.

Finally, he stood before the Academy of Dark Arts. This was his final hope; he couldn't go back down the mountain, or his pursuers would kill him.

As he moved toward the entrance, a voice called out from behind.

"Hey, you there... Are you really going in there? I wouldn't recommend it." A blond youth in a coat that was far too large for him was watching Kyle.

He looked like a typical city newsie.

"And why is that?" Kyle asked shortly.

The blond youth shrugged and explained.

"Their trials aren't like the others. If you couldn't pass the standard academies, you won't survive there. Just a bit of friendly advice: don't risk it."

Before the boy could finish his warning, Kyle walked through the doors without a second thought.

Kyle wasn't seeking death; he was seeking survival. If he wasn't a student by tonight, he was a dead man anyway.

"Welcome... My name is Lesley, and I'll be handling your enrollment process."

"Wait, what?"

Kyle was stunned to see a beautiful young woman, roughly eighteen years old, greeting him. He had expected another stern Elder, but this was a pleasant surprise.

"Am I being enrolled immediately?" Kyle asked, confused. Did he not need to pass an assessment first?

"Ah... We've been observing you since you arrived. Even without natural talent, the Dark Arts remain accessible to you."

Hope flared in Kyle's eyes at her words. He couldn't hide his excitement.

"Is that true?"

"Of course. You just need to finalize the paperwork. Our methods for judging potential are quite unique, after all."

'At last!' Kyle felt a surge of joy that he had ignored the warning outside. He hadn't realized he might have a hidden affinity for the Dark Arts.

He quickly filled out the documents and paid the fee. The cost was 1,000 zen, and since he was short, he was allowed to owe the academy 500 zen. Lesley explained he could sign a promissory note. The Vermont Academy seemed incredibly accommodating.

"Excellent... Now, Student Kyle Marshall, we just need to fully wake your talent. Drink this potion, and you will be ready for the Academy by the time we arrive," Lesley said, her smile warm and inviting.

Kyle didn't suspect a thing, as he’d heard of similar rituals in other sects. Usually, such potions left a mark on the body to identify one as a student of a specific school.

Without such a mark, entry into the Academy grounds was impossible.

Kyle took the vial of black liquid and downed it as Lesley watched.

Gulp... Gulp...

He finished the potion in two swallows. Immediately, a searing heat spread through his veins.

Moments later, blood began to leak from his nose and ears. The agony was indescribable. He couldn't even manage a scream as he felt his life force slipping away... for the second time.

Gasping, he grabbed his chest and looked at Lesley, realizing the depth of her betrayal.

He tried to strike out at her, but his strength failed him. In the end, he collapsed and died.