Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1191: The Arcana and the Attack

A heavy silence filled the Imperial Arcane Council's grand hall following Vale's appeal. Although an Immortal's request demanded serious consideration, the members of the Council were hesitant to provide an immediate response.

Natasha, who held the title of the youngest Grand Arcanist, was the first to speak. "Leader Seraphis… if the Arcana is to be put at risk, we cannot simply give it away. Regardless of Lord Vale’s status as an Immortal, this Council requires something in exchange."

Her voice remained steady, yet her gaze was piercing. The presence of an Immortal did not seem to daunt her.

Seraphis Dorne, the Half-Immortal presiding over the group, leaned back into his seat. He understood that negotiations with such powerful beings required extreme caution.

History suggested that Immortals rarely viewed mortals with much favor.

After observing Vale for a moment, Seraphis gave a slow nod. "Your point is valid. The Arcana is far too significant to be treated as a common tool. Should we agree, the security of the Empire and this Council must be guaranteed. After all, hunting for a Void Immortal is a perilous endeavor… they might perceive our assistance as an act of war and hold us accountable."

Calvus Ren sat with his arms crossed, quickly grasping the strategy Natasha and Seraphis were employing.

"Immortal Vale, you are asking us to utilize an artifact that consumes soul energy—the very essence of life. If we consent, we require certain assurances. Our most talented prodigies must be granted priority admission to your Marshall Academy, receiving the same elite treatment as your personal disciples."

Upon seeing that the rest of the group had caught on to their plan, Natasha and Seraphis shared a subtle smile.

Helena chimed in as well. "Furthermore, you must pledge to defend the Empire if it falls under threat. We lack the power to face Void Immortals on our own. If you desire our Arcana, you must provide your protection when the need arises."

Nathaniel, a veteran marked by many battles, finally understood the direction of the conversation and clapped his hands together. "We aren't asking for territory or riches. We are bargaining for our continued existence… surely that is a reasonable request."

Vale remained silent as he weighed their conditions, recognizing the logic behind their stance.

He realized that their demands were actually quite fair.

These were mortals tasked with the heavy burden of guarding humanity's most powerful empire. Their requests weren't born of greed, but of survival.

Eventually, he answered. "Very well. I accept your terms. Your elite students will be prioritized at the Academy, provided they possess the necessary talent. And should the Empire face a threat, I shall stand as your ally. You have my word as an Immortal."

The Council members looked at one another.

Seraphis searched Vale’s expression for any sign of dishonesty. Seeing only sincerity, he nodded. "The agreement is made, then."

Vale moved closer. "Now… let me see the Arcana. My knowledge of it comes only from the Bureau; I have never seen it with my own eyes."

'So the Arcane Bureau told him… do they have an informant hidden among us?'

'It is shocking that the Bureau obtained information kept secret even from some Council members.'

The realization of the Bureau's true reach dawned on them. It was clear why the organization was respected across the entire continent.

Natasha stood up. "Then look upon it."

With a wave of her hand, she signaled the attendants to bring forward an object that had been sitting in the corner of the room.

She had disguised it with several layers of concealment to make it look ordinary. In truth, the Arcana had been right there in the chamber, visible to everyone every single day.

A few Council members watched in quiet anticipation as the object was revealed.

Vale’s eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn't a staff, a gemstone, or a blade.

It was a Mirror.

When he had first entered, he hadn't sensed anything strange about it. Now that he focused his perception, however, he could see the complex web of seals woven into it.

"Intriguing…" Vale whispered.

He didn't immediately recognize it as a world-born Arcana; rather, he identified it as a powerful Artifact. Judging by the sheer number of seals, he suspected it might be a highly dangerous cursed object.

When Natasha finally released the seals, the true power of the item was felt by everyone. It emitted a subtle but immense aura that felt strangely refreshing rather than heavy.

This was undoubtedly an Arcana forged by the laws of the world itself.

"Behold the Arcana," Natasha stated quietly.

"The Mirror of Origins. It reflects not what stands before it, but what is concealed from view. It can find the Void Immortals for us, though every activation consumes the soul energy of the user."

Seraphis nodded, thinking back on the Mirror’s history.

"This Mirror has saved the Empire in the past. During the invasion of the Chaos Immortals, it uncovered their plans and movements, giving us the chance to prepare."

"You now understand why it is so heavily guarded. If you intend to use it, Vale, be ready. The Mirror never deceives… but its price in soul energy is absolute, depending on the magnitude of the request."

Vale looked deeply into the Mirror. "I have no other way to track a Void Immortal given their skill at hiding… I can only hope this succeeds."

He felt a flicker of genuine curiosity toward the object.

'So this is a world-born item… Magnus claimed it could even affect me…' Vale thought. According to the Bureau’s files, even a Shadow Immortal could be found by this Arcana if the user was willing to pay the price.

Nevertheless, the Artifact wasn't inherently lethal; its power was limited to tracking and eavesdropping, not direct combat.

Natasha walked toward it.

"If the Mirror is to be used to find the Void Immortals, I will provide the sacrifice. I am willing to use my Soul Energy, but only for a single attempt. If further uses are required, I will demand more, or you will have to provide the energy yourself."

Vale gave a faint, wry smile.

As an Avatar, his Soul Energy was strictly limited. While he possessed vast amounts of Force and Divinity, those resources were too precious to waste while his true body was still recovering.

He had no desire to drain his own essence if it could be avoided.

"Agreed. Please locate the Void Immortal who rescued Lust, the entity of the Seven Sins, in Harake City."

***

While Vale was occupied with the Council and the Mirror of Origins, disaster struck the Marshall Academy—the institution that represented his legacy.

"What is happening?!" Chad shouted, activating his Draconic Sense to scan the area in a panic.

The crisis arrived without any warning.

Sudden black clouds swirled over the Academy, turning day into night.

The atmosphere turned cold and thick, accompanied by a freezing wind that howled across the grounds.

Then, despite the lack of any visible ritual or summoning circles, a tide of Evil Spirits flooded the Academy.

They appeared as if from thin air.

"Evil Spirits!"

"An invasion!"

"Everyone, retreat to the Holy Grounds!"

Panic erupted as students fled from the dark shadows darting through the hallways.

The defenseless were the first to suffer. Malicious whispers invaded their minds, warping their sanity. Within seconds, dozens of students collapsed, their eyes turning a void-like black as they were possessed.

"This shouldn't be possible…" Chad muttered, his mind racing. The Academy was protected by layers of barriers and formation circles created by Magnus, Constance, Vale, and the newly arrived Dragons.

There shouldn't have been a single weakness in the perimeter.

Yet, the defenses remained completely dormant.

"Professor, save me!" a fourth-class student cried out. He was a talented Alchemist who should have been able to shield his soul with his Flame, but his lack of combat experience betrayed him. His body began to twitch as a spirit seized his soul.

Second and Third-Class Arcanists were being overwhelmed one by one.

The oppressive aura weakened their concentration, making them easy prey for the sudden onslaught.

Even professors below the Grandmaster rank were struggling. Students watched in horror as their teachers' bodies shook, fighting to keep the invading spirits at bay.

Under normal circumstances, they could repel such entities, but facing hundreds of spirits at once was an impossible task.

The elite members of the faculty fought back. Grandmasters and First-Class Professors ignited their soul energy to create protective zones, but the damage was already catastrophic.

In just a few minutes, half the population of the Academy had fallen under possession.

Chad quickly reached for his communication talisman to alert the other Immortals.

"The Marshall Academy is under siege! Evil Spirits are possessing everyone!"

The responses he received were devastating.

Magnus was at a critical point in his cultivation and could not stop. Lisa was in the middle of a dangerous, forbidden Vampiric Ritual. The other high-level allies were away on various tasks.

No one was available to help.

Chad tightened his grip on his weapon. "So, I'm the only one left…"