Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1180: Spirit Energy
Previously on Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy...
A heavy silence filled the hall for a moment after Professor Halvar finished announcing the three spells: Mystic Hands, Spirit Whisper, and Arcane Shield.
Shortly after, waves of whispers began to spread among the seated students.
"Mystic Hands? Isn’t that a bit too basic?" one boy hissed, his voice thick with skepticism.
"I’ve heard it’s incredibly common... Obtaining that spell model isn't even a challenge," another student remarked, shaking his head in disapproval.
Excluding Spirit Whisper, he was confident he could simply buy the Spell Models for Mystic Hands and Arcane Shield on the open market. Like many others, he had arrived expecting to receive rare, foundational spells that were exclusive to this institution.
"Why would the Academy select those? I was under the impression we’d be mastering something far more impressive, like Traceless Seal or Spirit Prison," a girl murmured to her companion, her tone laced with letdown.
Doubtful looks were exchanged between several students. Having journeyed from distant clans and kingdoms, they expected to be initiated into powerful techniques befitting true geniuses. Instead, they were being instructed to learn spells that seemed like mere parlor tricks compared to the legendary arts they had read about in ancient texts.
One student let out a soft scoff. "Spirit Whisper? That’s nothing more than sending a mental note to someone nearby. The elders in my village teach that to apprentices before they even hit twelve. There shouldn't be anything special about it."
However, another student felt a flicker of curiosity. There had to be a logical reason for the Academy to choose these specific three. Perhaps they served as a vital synergy for more advanced spells they would eventually encounter.
Despite that thought, the student remained puzzled by the choice.
"Arcane Shield? That’s just a flimsy barrier. It won’t hold up against a real strike. Why aren't they teaching us something more resilient?"
The murmurs of dissatisfaction grew more audible, though they remained hushed enough to avoid being perceived as a direct insult to the faculty.
Listening to the surrounding complaints, Cassian knit his brows. He could sense the collective disappointment, yet he also noticed that Professor Halvar remained perfectly composed.
The man seemed entirely unruffled by the students' skepticism.
Selene, who was sitting next to him, leaned in and whispered, "They’re failing to see the bigger picture. I don't believe these spells are about raw power. They are about precision... It’s actually a way to engage with various branches of the Mystic Arts."
Cassian shifted his gaze to her, intrigued. Selene’s insight was as sharp as ever. Her knack for analyzing people, spells, and even complex formation circles was consistently remarkable.
"Think about it," she continued in a low voice.
"Mystic Hands demands meticulous control. Spirit Whisper requires intense focus. Arcane Shield builds stability. They may be simple, but they provide a superior foundation for novices. Though, they still aren't exactly what I was hoping for."
"That sounds like a logical perspective. Without mastering these, advanced spells would likely be much harder to grasp," Cassian whispered back.
While he hadn't given it much thought initially, Selene’s reasoning made perfect sense to him.
Nevertheless, he couldn't completely shake his own sense of disappointment. Given that the Church’s spells were already quite dull, he had been looking forward to learning something flashy.
Instead, he was being told to practice summoning invisible hands and dim shields.
At that moment, the Professor let out a soft chuckle.
"You find them underwhelming?" he asked with a light laugh.
"We... we are just a bit confused. Is this truly why prodigies from all over the world gather here?"
"We’ve heard so much about the Academy’s prestige, but this is quite perplexing, Professor..."
"Or is this a test? Are you making sure we can handle the basics before you reveal the real spells?"
Professor Halvar gave a nod and raised his hand, bringing the hall back to order. His expression remained calm and wise.
"I hear your concerns," he stated.
"And I understand them. But always remember... the tallest towers are constructed upon simple stones. If you cannot master these three, the higher mysteries of the Mystic Path will forever remain out of your reach. Never disregard simplicity. It is often the most difficult lesson to truly learn."
The students fell silent, even if a lingering unease remained.
While some still looked skeptical, others began to look thoughtful.
Cassian and Selene traded a look, believing that the Academy definitely intended to grant them something extraordinary for their subsequent spells.
For the time being, however, it wasn't actually Professor Halvar’s role to instruct them on the specifics of these three spells.
Yet, every student in the room was now eager to learn more about them.
"Professor! There are still forty-five minutes left in the session. That's plenty of time... Please tell us more about them."
"Yes, Professor Halvar... It’s still early. Is there something unique about these specific Spell Models?"
"Perhaps they have been modified? Did the Immortal Vale alter these Models?"
"Whoa! Is that even possible?!"
The eyes of the students lit up with excitement. Even if it wasn't Vale himself who had done the work, it would be incredible if any Immortals had seen fit to refine these common Models.
Naturally, the Professor wasn't going to disclose such significant secrets so easily.
However, he decided to satisfy their curiosity regarding these three foundational spells.
Professor Halvar turned toward the board and began to elaborate on the spells.
[ 1. Mystic Hands A fundamental spell that manifests an invisible hand composed of spirit energy. It has the capacity to push, pull, or hoist small objects across short distances. It is vital for honing precision and control. It provides a minor boost to the development of Spirit Strands. ]
[ 2. Spirit Whisper A spell designed to transmit a faint thought or message to a nearby individual. The range is limited and the message must remain basic, but it trains students to funnel spirit energy into communication. It offers a slight benefit to the duration and range of one's Magic Zone. ]
[ 3. Arcane Shield A novice defensive spell that generates a faint glimmer of spirit energy around the user. While it won't stop powerful strikes, it can mitigate impact or resist minor magical disruptions. Crucially, it teaches the caster how to stabilize their soul under intense pressure. ]
The moment they read these descriptions, the atmosphere in the room turned serious.
As suspected, these Spell Models had indeed been enhanced.
They never imagined that Mystic Hands could assist in developing Spirit Strands—the most critical factor for those wishing to etch high-level spells into their Spell Lights.
Spirit Whisper was even more shocking. Improving the Mystic State, where one enters their Magic Zone for a set time, was notoriously difficult. The revelation that it could extend both the duration and range of their spells left them speechless.
Finally, they looked at Arcane Shield. They had no inkling that it could also assist in resisting Soul Pressure!
This was truly remarkable!
They all stared at the professor, wondering if he was being entirely serious.
"Incredible spells..." Cassian whispered, quickly scribbling the details into his notes. He was genuinely impressed.
"Very well... that is all for that," Professor Halvar said.
The board faded, and the information regarding Mystic Hands, Spirit Whisper, and Arcane Shield dissolved into shimmering particles of light.
"Now then," he continued, his voice regaining its serious edge, "that is enough talk about spells. Keep in mind that spells are not my area of expertise. My course is Elementary Spirit Law. If you fail to cultivate your Spirit Energy correctly, no spell—regardless of its rarity or power—will ever be etched into your Spell Lights."
The students sat up straighter, finally grasping the true importance of his words.
Halvar picked up a crystal orb, its surface covered in delicate runes.
"Recall the Spirit Strands you possessed today... I will ensure that every one of you sees improvement within a single month."
He paused briefly, scanning the hopeful faces of his class.
"Spirit Energy flows in a different manner than Arcane Energy. Arcane Energy is the power of your specific path... It can be sharp, fierce, and easily shaped into magic. Spirit Energy, however, is distinct. It sustains your body, aligns with spell models, and assists in the regulation of those spells. To cultivate it, you must practice patience."
He made a gesture, and the crystal began to pulse with a soft light.
"Your Spirit Strand is not merely a measure of your Spirit's power. It is the very thread linking your soul to the world. The more strands you possess, the more robust your foundation becomes. For now, I will guide you on how to sense and fortify those threads."
Curiosity replaced the students' earlier frustration as they leaned in closer.
"Close your eyes," Halvar commanded. "Take deep breaths. Do not try to hunt the energy. Simply let it circulate. Spirit Energy is like water; if you try to squeeze it, it will slip through your fingers. If you open your palm, it will fill you."
Cassian followed the instructions, shutting his eyes.
Initially, he sensed nothing but his own steady heartbeat.
However, Halvar triggered the room's Arcane Circle, significantly boosting the density of Spirit Energy in the air.
Then, faintly, everyone began to feel it—a warmth radiating through their chests, branching out like glowing filaments. Many felt confused as they tried to seize the energy, only for it to vanish.
Beside him, Selene remained composed. She had sensed the energy almost instantly. Soon, she opened her eyes and let out a soft breath, already having grasped the essence of the exercise.
Halvar began to walk between the rows of desks.
"Do not be discouraged if you struggle to keep hold of this energy. Spirit Energy is stubborn. It will defy you until you understand its nature. Cultivation isn't about brute force; it is about achieving internal harmony."
A few students groaned, clearly frustrated by the difficulty.
Halvar shook his head. "No. You must relax. The more you push, the further it retreats. Remember this law: Spirit Energy flows only where the soul is at peace."
As he finished his sentence, the bell chimed, marking the end of the class.