Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1200: Celestial Being

"Exactly!"

Dalton struck the table with his palm, his gesture fueled by resolve rather than rage. "Our pupils require immediate preparation. We must intensify everything—training routines, tactical briefings, and combat drills. A six-month window is remarkably short."

Lenora chimed in, "Our choice of representatives must be meticulous. Strength alone isn't enough; we need those with the fortitude to withstand immense stress. This tournament will evaluate far more than just Arcane Power..."

Zeno nodded in concurrence, "Consider the reputation we will project. The Academy will demonstrate to the entire continent that our foundation is unshakable. We shall prove ourselves as the absolute peak of Arcanist training."

Professor Dalton let out a soft laugh. "I can already see the expressions on those journalists' faces when our students emerge as victors. They will be forced to document our glory instead of dwelling on our alleged shortcomings."

Lenora wore a confident smirk. "Let them write whatever they wish for now. Let them propagate their skepticism. Once the competition concludes, they will have no choice but to sing our praises. The same parents currently consumed by worry will soon be bragging that their children attend the finest academy on the continent."

"However, we cannot afford to be complacent regarding our rivals," Professor Perez cautioned.

"The institutions from the northern realms, the desert clans, and even the maritime academies will be sending their elite. Achieving victory will be an arduous task."

Vale’s Avatar nodded subtly, pleased with the direction of the conversation.

He could sense the burning ambition in their eyes. Truly, the most effective way to handle this crisis wasn't through mere public statements or empty words. While communication was necessary, the ultimate solution was to deliver undeniable results... and they would achieve that at the grandest Arcane Academy Competition on the Continent!

"It is decided, then. We focus all efforts on the tournament. We will prove to everyone that Marshall Academy is more than just a guardian of the Shadow Domain—it is the premier academy in existence," Vale declared with absolute certainty.

With those words, Vale’s Avatar proceeded with the briefing, intent on ensuring every student reached peak readiness.

They needed to make sure the Academy’s top talents could showcase their maximum potential in the coming months. At the very least, these students had to master the three Foundational Spell Models of their respective Arcane Arts and maintain their Special State or Magic Zone for a minimum of seven minutes!

While these plans were being forged, a restless mob of citizens had gathered outside the Academy gates, loudly demanding answers.

Fresh rumors had surfaced claiming the Evil Spirits were merely delayed rather than destroyed. To handle this, Vale’s Avatar decided to dispatch Aurion—one of the Immortals who had recently arrived—to resolve the disturbance.

***

Earlier that day, despite Vale working alongside Jody to suppress the headlines and reassure the public that the mastermind behind the Evil Spirit incursion was in custody, a sense of dread persisted.

Official reports failed to appease certain parents. Gossip traveled through the city like wildfire, and within a few days, clusters of anxious families began congregating at the Academy’s entrance.

"We demand an audience with the Headmaster!" one father shouted, gripping his child’s hand tightly.

"My daughter comes here for training every single day. How can you promise she won't be targeted again?" another woman asked, her voice trembling with fear.

"You claim the villain was caught, but we hear the Evil Spirits are eternal. How can we trust the safety of this Academy?"

At this moment, Aurion had not yet reached the scene.

Consequently, several of the newly appointed professors attempted to pacify the crowd, but the shouting only intensified.

A Professor from the new Transformation Arts department stepped forward with a composed demeanor.

He even shifted his form into a stunningly charismatic figure to better influence the parents' emotions.

"Please, remain calm... The Academy is fully protected. The Shadow Pillars are patrolling the city, and Vale himself has provided his personal guarantee. Your children are in safe hands here."

The parents, however, would not be swayed so easily.

"Words are not enough. We want to hear the truth from the Headmaster's own mouth."

"Indeed! If Lord Vale truly has everything under control, why won't he face us?"

They spoke as if they had completely forgotten that Vale was the one who rescued the city from the Chaos Immortals.

Given their hostile behavior, it seemed highly likely that these people had been bribed to cause a scene.

Inside the walls, Vale was already conscious of the escalating tension. He used his telepathy to contact Aurion, who had just finished his training, instructing him to settle the matter peacefully without causing any injuries.

"They must be getting desperate..." Vale thought to himself, sensing that his unseen enemies were rushing their schemes.

There was no way such a clumsy plan would succeed.

Regardless, Jody had already cautioned him that silencing the news would only delay the inevitable rather than removing the doubt. The parents' current outcry proved she was right.

Vale exhaled a sigh as he brought the faculty meeting to a close.

***

The assembly outside the Academy gates grew increasingly rowdy, their voices rising in a chorus of frustration.

However, the more observant professors noticed that while these parents were shouting for accountability, they were also carefully patting the money hidden in their pockets.

It was also clear that many were checking their watches frequently, as if they were simply waiting for a designated time to pass.

Suddenly, the sky above the city began to glow.

A magnificent figure drifted downward, draped in a white sash that highlighted a physique so perfect it appeared to be carved by the gods themselves.

His beauty was androgynous and overwhelming. He was neither strictly male nor female but something transcendent—a being that seemed to exist beyond the realm of humans.

Aurion had arrived.

Audible gasps filled the air as the Celestial Being landed in front of the gates. His bare feet touched the pavement with a faint radiance, and the shouting died down instantly as the crowd lost their nerve.

They had only been paid to cause a disturbance and wait until classes ended before departing.

However, in the presence of such a divine entity, they knew they had to be extremely careful not to provoke his wrath.

Even so, no one understood his true identity, not even the faculty members. They were unaware that this Celestial Being was actually one of Vale’s servants—a previously imprisoned Celestial from the ancient mausoleum.

"Be at peace. Your cries have been heard, and your worries are recognized. You may depart now."

The parents stood frozen, listening as his melodic voice seemed to wash away the anxiety in their souls.

"The Evil Spirits are vanquished. Their leader is imprisoned. Your children are perfectly safe within these grounds."

Without another word, the leaders of the protest swapped nervous glances and didn't dare utter another complaint. They still valued their lives above all else!