Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1137: Noticing the Truth

’Lotus should be enough to handle this matter...’ Vale mused as he had already decided that the Dark Spirit would just continue to watch over Armin.

She was more than capable of protecting him, and for now, his attention was needed elsewhere.

The Academy’s expansion demanded professors for Combat Arts, and today was the day he would meet the applicants for the said Arcane Path...

Unlike the other Arcane disciplines, Combat Arts revolved around mastery of Aura...

It was the life force and battle spirit cultivated through discipline, training, and sheer willpower. It was quite different from the Arcane Energy.

Aura was not as versatile as Arcane Energy, but in battle, it was unmatched for raw strength, resilience, and killing intent... especially killing intent.

It was something that other Arcanists couldn’t easily copy. The killing intent of the Combat Arts Practitioners felt more solid or tangible, and deadly...

The Academy had long taught the basics of Aura manipulation since Magnus was also capable of using it... But now, Vale intended to elevate Combat Arts into a full discipline, worthy of its own halls and masters.

Twelve candidates had gathered in the Academy’s training hall, each one a seasoned warrior.

They were all invited by some recruiters from the Arcane Bureau.

This time, Vale could just hire them all, but he must test their skills and replace them if necessary. After all, even with the background check of the Bureau, he must see their true strength and personalities since they would be handling precious young Arcanists that would shape the realm’s future.

"Hmm... They look impressive at the very least." Vale mused.

They stood confidently with their weapons at their sides. They were not bored waiting, and they even seemed excited to be here...

Vale’s gaze swept over them... At first, he thought that only a handful would be worthy of shaping the next generation. However, as he recalled his past experience, he felt that it must be better to just test them...

As soon as they saw Vale, they immediately tensed and bowed at his presence.

Then, after a quick greeting, Vale told them to introduce themselves.

The first to step forward was wearing plain armor, but his bearing was like that of a noble. He bowed slightly again before speaking.

"My name is Roland Greaves. They call me the Iron Wall. My Aura is defense itself. At the battle within Euphemia City, I held the line alone against 14 Chaos Beasts, and not a single enemy broke through." As he spoke, his Aura shimmered faintly, forming a barrier that seemed to radiate stability.

Another man followed, with twin sabers hanging at his waist.

"Darius Kane. You might’ve heard about me as the Crimson Fang. My Aura cuts through defenses, especially those Elemental ones... One strike is all I need. Ask anyone who has faced me... they bled before they realized they had lost."

Then, a woman stepped forward next. She looked at Vale for a few seconds before she nodded.

"Aileen Cross... Once commander of the northern duchies. They call me the Silver Tempest. My Aura leans toward fluidity... It flows like wind, swift and unpredictable. For those at the same level, I can be faster than the eye can follow."

She then revealed her aura and unlike the solid or defensive Aura of the others, her Aura was indeed flowing around her. It was a strange sensation.

The fourth was a broad-shouldered warrior with a greatsword resting easily on one arm...

"I’m Yoru. The Lion of Ashbourne." As he said this, he released his Aura and it was felt by everyone.

Unlike the others, his Aura felt more primal as it was filled with raw power.

"My people named me their Lion, for I led them against raiders and broke them with strength alone."

The other eight candidates introduced themselves in turn, each boasting their own feats, but Vale’s attention lingered on these four. They were not only powerful, but their reputations carried weight across the continent.

Vale stepped forward, silencing the hall. "You have all come here to prove yourselves worthy of teaching the next generation. Combat Arts are not merely about strength... I learned from someone that they are about discipline, control, and the ability to pass on what you know. Today, I will see if you are fit for that task."

He raised his hand, and the Formation Circle was activated across the training hall.

A barrier formed and it started sealing the space.

"You will fight me. Not to win, but to show me your mastery of Aura. Show me your control, your resilience, and your ability to adapt."

The candidates stiffened. To fight Vale was no small challenge, but none dared refuse...

It was their only chance to become Professors of this prestigious Academy. They already heard the benefits of being a Professor or even an Assistant Professor here, so they knew that they must do their best.

"Who wants to go first?" Vale asked.

"I’ll try..." Roland Greaves stepped forward first...

As he did so, his full Aura was released and turned into a shield that protected his body...

Then, he raised his weapon and braced himself...

"Right... You’re called Iron Wall. I guess I’ll test your Aura Defense..." Vale said as he recalled that Roland’s Combat Arts leaned towards defense.

"Here I go..." Vale announced as he moved with a slower-than-normal pace, and he attacked once with a wave of Arcane force.

Whom~

Roland’s barrier held, but Vale pressed harder, forcing him to reinforce his Aura until cracks appeared in his defenses...

Vale wasn’t using his Divinity, but Roland gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.

Seeing how he was still struggling, Vale nodded...

"Enough. Your defense is steady, but it strains under pressure. Still, you have shown me resilience. Step back."

Roland wanted to show more of his skills, but he had no choice but to comply.

However, at this point, Vale had already used his Divine Sense and confirmed a lot of things about Roland...

To be exact, it revealed a lot of things to him as the Divine Sense’s feedback gave him the truth about Roland.

[ Combat Arts Practitioner and Void Arts Practitioner with 24 filled Spell Lights. ]