Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1205 1205: The Test
Previously on Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy...
Most individuals who trod the Psychic Path were dreaded not for the potency of their spells, but for the sharpness of their intellects.
In contrast to other disciplines, the cultivation of Psychic Arts necessitated a persistent intrusion into the realm of thoughts, sentiments, and private memories.
From the start of their journey, practitioners were trained to deceive, manipulate, and force others to submit to their desires.
This path eventually stripped away empathy, transforming many into frigid manipulators—a reality that led Odessa to label them as Psychopaths.
The more potent their Mental Energy grew, the more effortless it became to subjugate others, making the lure of power nearly impossible to fight.
What began as a disciplined study frequently spiraled into a dark fixation. This explains why over ninety percent of those practicing Psychic Arts eventually succumbed to insanity or malice, as their innate brilliance was warped into psychopathy.
Odessa understood this grim reality perfectly.
Consequently, Vale’s fascination with Cielo was quite predictable...
Cielo possessed a steadfast moral compass, appearing as though no external pressure could corrupt his commitment to righteousness or justice.
Moreover, despite being unrefined and lacking formal training before entering the Academy, his Mental Energy remained remarkably untainted.
Shane was also impressed by how he remained unaffected by the corruption of various factions or family techniques. If he could navigate this road without losing himself to the shadows, he might evolve into a rare specimen.
That evening, Odessa made the choice to keep a close eye on him.
She intended to watch from afar rather than stepping in directly.
The mission scheduled for the following day would serve as the ultimate test of whether Cielo’s spirit could endure the heavy burden of the Psychic Path.
***
The following morning, Cielo met with Liang, Mica, and Zhang Wei at the designated square situated near the guard station.
The trio offered him a warm reception, their voices friendly and their smiles appearing as bright as they had previously.
“Cielo!” Mica exclaimed with a cheerful air. “We are thrilled to accompany you. Opportunities to witness a mission like this don't come around often.”
Liang Chen gave his shoulder a supportive pat. “No need for nerves; we are just here to observe. You will perform excellently.”
Zhang Wei spoke in a composed, soothing tone to offer further encouragement... “We are here for support. Should any trouble arise, just inform us if you require our assistance.”
Cielo offered a grateful smile, enjoying their presence. He failed to catch the looks they traded when his back was turned—the faint, mocking grins and the cruel glint reflected in their eyes...
In his view, they were merely fellow students eager to learn.
To them, however, he was nothing more than a target and a competitor to be sabotaged.
They reached the destination shortly after... It was a humble residence located at the edge of the district, under the watch of two exhausted guards.
A caretaker approached them, offering a nervous bow.
“You must be the Arcanist dispatched by the Academy...” the man noted.
He seemed to relax immediately following their brief introduction.
“I appreciate you coming. The patient, Daren, is currently inside. He was a scholar until an incident involving forbidden runes shattered his mind. He has been plagued by episodes ever since... They can be incoherent, violent, and occasionally hazardous, so please exercise caution.”
Cielo gave a solemn nod, his face becoming grave.
“I require more information. What is the frequency of these episodes? What are the specific triggers?”
The caretaker clasped his hands tightly in an attempt to steady himself.
“They happen every few days. Sometimes they are sparked by symbols, or perhaps specific words. He rambles about shadows and voices that are invisible to everyone else. We have attempted prayers, restraints, and medicinal herbs, but nothing provides a lasting cure.”
This was a vital piece of information.
Cielo took diligent notes on a small piece of parchment as he listened. He inquired about Daren’s history of injuries, his sleeping habits, and his diet, knowing that every minor detail was significant.
Eventually, he entered the shadowed room. The patient was slumped in a chair, eyes wide and fixed, while he muttered incessantly to himself.
His fingers twitched rhythmically as if he were tracing invisible scripts in the air.
Cielo shut his eyes and triggered his Metaphysical State... Shortly after, he initiated his Spell Model, the Thought Link, to probe the shattered remnants of Daren’s consciousness.
It was not long before he detected the internal turmoil...
He sensed a background of overlapping voices, fractured memories, and disjointed images. This was not a case of Spirit influence or possession; it was a broken psyche, a mind lost in its own internal echoes.
While he wasn't entirely certain, Cielo suspected this was the result of the man overextending his Special State.
Practitioners of the Dark Arts were required to enter a Phantasm State to perform their spells, just as a Psychic Arts Practitioner like himself had to utilize the Metaphysical State...
The man before him was a master of Rune Arts, and to employ his runic magic, he had to enter a Special State known as Chrono Shift.
It was possible the man had remained in Chrono Shift for too long, exhausting his soul and descending into madness...
Typically, Dark Arts Practitioners were most susceptible to insanity when casting spells. However, that had changed with the development of superior Darkness Possession Potions designed to fortify the mind.
Regrettably, no such progress had been made regarding the potions, artifacts, or tools utilized by Runemasters.
“Haa~” Cielo let out a sigh once his preliminary check was finished.
“This insanity isn't the work of Spirits. It is purely human... but perhaps I can provide some relief.”
Behind him, Mica, Liang, and Zhang Wei watched with a display of polite curiosity, their faces serving as masks of benevolence.
In reality, they were already devising ways to sabotage the situation... a hidden whisper of doubt, a subtle interference, or a misplaced talisman.
Outside and out of sight, Odessa watched the scene unfold with a faint, amused smile... She chose not to step in yet.
She wished to see how Cielo would manage both the struggling patient and the concealed hostility of his companions.
***
Daren suddenly bolted upright, his quiet mumbling escalating into a chaotic chant. His eyes moved frantically, appearing to scan invisible runes carved into the empty air.
“Chrono... shift... the symbols... they are everywhere...!” His voice broke, shaking with intense fear.
The caretaker recoiled as he saw the change. “Oh no... the cycle is starting again...”
With his Thought Link still engaged, Cielo calmly raised a hand. He concentrated on the slivers of Daren’s mind, hunting for the root of the turmoil. He could sense the man's soul unraveling, with memories snapping under the weight of excessive Spellcasting.
“He is trapped in a mental loop,” Cielo whispered.
He realized that Daren was still attempting to decipher the Forbidden Rune that had caused his downfall, even after pushing his Chrono Shift past its limits...
“He is forced to relive the accident repeatedly. If I can ground him in the present, he might find stability.”
He pulled a small talisman from his pouch, one inscribed with a rune of clarity he had purchased the day before.
After ensuring it was fueled by his Arcane Energy, Cielo set it carefully on the table near Daren.
He then spoke in a low voice, “Concentrate on this. This is the reality. The voices in your mind are illusions; they are not the truth.”
Daren’s tremors slowed for a moment. His eyes shifted toward the talisman, and his breathing began to level out.
A slight smirk touched Zhang Wei’s lips from behind.
‘So sincere... and so incredibly naive.’
He traded looks with Liang and Mica. A small disruption now would be enough to destroy all of Cielo’s hard work.
Mica moved closer, her voice soft but dripping with hidden malice.
“Cielo, are you certain that talisman possesses enough power? You might need something stronger... something more aggressive.”
Liang Chen added, pretending to be worried, “Indeed, if he loses control again, he might attack you. It might be safer to restrain him first.”
Cielo shook his head resolutely. “No. Using force will only aggravate his state. He requires serenity, not terror.”
Watching from the shadows, Odessa observed the interaction with great interest...
The words of the three students seemed harmless at a glance, but she could sense the underlying spite. They were trying to make him doubt himself and falter while his Thought Link was active.
Nevertheless, Cielo tuned them out, keeping his focus entirely on Daren.
He continued to question the caretaker in a steady voice. “When did these episodes start? Did they begin right after the rune accident, or was it a gradual decline?”
The caretaker nodded quickly in response. “They were minor at first. He would just forget things or mumble. But after several months, the episodes turned violent.”
“He began seeing things that weren't there. He even attacked another scholar once, convinced the man was a shadow.”
Cielo frowned as he noted this down...
He then murmured to himself, trying to formulate a plan.
“The damage is worsening over time. His soul is slowly failing. If I can strengthen his mental connections, he might find clarity... or perhaps I can try this...”
He rested a hand gently on Daren’s shoulder, sending a soft pulse of Mental Energy through him.
His goal was not to overpower, but to provide comfort to the man's mind...
His Thought Link vibrated as he cautiously entered the patient’s consciousness.
For a fleeting second, Daren stopped his muttering. His eyes regained focus, and he breathed out a whisper...
“The voices... they are going away...”
Cielo let out a breath of relief at those words.
“Excellent. Stay with me. You are not alone in this.”
However, behind him, Zhang Wei’s hand moved toward a talisman concealed within his sleeve.
A single distorted rune or a minor disturbance could send Daren back into the depths of madness.
Odessa narrowed her eyes, watching the movement of Arcane Energy with precision.
Still, she held her peace, waiting to see if Cielo’s determination could survive both the patient’s broken mind and the betrayal of his classmates.