Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1207: New Tower Master

Odessa stiffened when the serpent's eyes flashed brightly, its words creeping straight into her thoughts.

"Odessa… stay vigilant. Chaos Immortals lurk in this city, hidden among everyday people."

'Chaos Immortals? Right here?' She hadn't foreseen such deep infiltration. Still, wonder gripped her about why Vale held back from making a move.

Just as that idea crossed her mind, the serpent hidden in Darlene's top pressed on.

"I've already notified Vale. At the moment, they're not harming anyone, so we're observing from the shadows. Vale placed a few of his Avatars inside Clovis City. He's puzzled by the sudden arrival of these Chaos Immortals."

Odessa's pulse raced. She'd clashed with Chaos Immortals in the past, never solo, always aiding fellow immortals. Their magic proved overwhelmingly fierce and hard to counter, feeding on chaos, decay, and ruin.

The notion of them blending into crowds as regular citizens chilled her to the core.

Yet the serpent had more to reveal.

"That's not all. We've detected Void Immortals too. They're not aggressive… just scouting around. Even so, caution is key. Their intentions are always layered."

Odessa's gaze sharpened in shock. Chaos Immortals and Void Immortals… both present? She'd only stepped away from Clovis City briefly, but everything had shifted dramatically.

No longer merely a center for scholars and traders, the city now hosted an unseen clash of Immortal forces. She couldn't pinpoint the full picture, but Vale clearly schemed something with these Immortals popping up.

Her hands balled into fists, aware she held no power to intervene.

'With Vale's Avatars on site, he's monitoring everything. Still, I need to press on with my duties. Staying at the Academy is essential. Protecting the students comes first, no matter what.'

In her view, this path made the most sense.

She'd remain on Academy territory, guarding the young learners from any threat.

But right then, a subtle wave of power grazed her awareness.

Faint yet clear. Chaos stirred in the Dark Arts Tower.

Odessa whipped toward the source of that untamed Dark Energy she'd sensed.

'The Tower… it's different now.'

She recalled Lisa, another Immortal, still confined in that accursed structure. The Dark Arts Tower was infamous for its volatile powers, but it had never surged like this previously.

That kept many of them on high alert.

Without delay, Odessa headed straight for the Tower.

She sensed Vale's Avatar already present, managing things, so worry didn't grip her.

'I hope she's pushed past her limit or gained some boost.' Odessa pondered, convinced Lisa's entrapment in the Dark Arts Tower stemmed from a chance to evolve or grow stronger.

She wished that by the time she got there, Lisa would have emerged, brimming with fresh might.

***

Meanwhile, Lisa had lost track of time spent captive in the Dark Arts Tower.

Hours blurred as the Tower overwhelmed her senses, pulling her into ceaseless visions, ordeals, and gloom. Initially, she feared crumbling, her spirit fracturing beneath the Phantasm State the Tower imposed.

Yet she held firm!

She'd entered seeking strength, feeling like the frailest Immortal in Vale's service. Without surpassing her barrier, she'd linger in the others' wake forever. That drive alone propelled her further into the Tower's depths.

When her lids lifted at last, no shivers racked her frame.

Instead, she rose in a spacious hall brimming with riches...

Suddenly, a shape materialized. A formless outline...

"You've succeeded… Your form withstood every test. The Tower belongs to you now."

Before a reply escaped her, the shade melted into vapor and fused with her shadow. Power rushed through her blood, insights pouring into her consciousness.

Lisa inhaled sharply. It clicked at once… The Dark Arts Tower, among the sixteen structures Vale fetched from beyond, was hers to claim.

Shock rippled through her.

Its core abilities stayed whole, ready to challenge Arcane pupils, elite Arcanists, and Half-Immortals alike. But now, she commanded its rhythms, speeding up trainees' progress and boosting their development. Each visitor would deposit energy traces, enriching her too.

"This… this is unbelievable," she murmured, fingers quaking in wonder.

It caught her completely off guard. Vale might not even realize this twist.

Anxiety flickered that Vale would rage, seeing as she'd essentially claimed his Dark Arts Tower.

'Well… I hope you won't mind, since I'm the chosen one.' Lisa mused with a smile.

Curiosity pulled her onward.

She roamed the known levels, the illusion-packed trial rooms, the maze of shade creatures, the quiet chambers where Dark Arts users honed their Phantasm State.

All seemed familiar, but with a fresh edge.

Even the stairs no longer probed her will or strength.

The Tower now heeded her. Its barriers even cleansed her essence!

Then, nearing what she believed was the top, an odd pull hit her. A secret corridor unveiled, stairs plunging into greater darkness.

Her pulse quickened. "More below? Of course… A secret level."

She scanned the fresh recollections and verified this as a Tower trait.

Down she went, uncovering the concealed layer. Unlike the rest, this space sprawled wide and hushed, lined with ebony crystal spires humming with old power.

Upon contact with one, images of vanished Dark Arts methods flooded her thoughts… Banned incantations, erased by time. This level shunned common trainees. It served as a lore repository, for the Tower's ruler alone.

But wonders persisted. Another energy throb drew her lower. She climbed down once more, to an even more buried floor.

True enough, two secret levels existed!

The atmosphere grew icier here…

Suddenly, a huge shadow beast, bound in dark restraints, roused from slumber!

The Tower itself held its form captive. Lisa's breath hitched.

She grasped this as the Tower's heart protector, a being chained from afar. Its presence accounted for the Tower's peril.

As she neared, the creature shifted, cracking open a huge orb.

But rather than attack, familiarity washed over her. The dark bonds eased, and its tone boomed in her head.

"You rule now. My might bends to your will."

Lisa reeled, stunned.

She'd braced for a dominance duel to earn respect. Turns out, she'd overthought it.

She truly was the Tower Master!

Not just heir to the Tower, but sovereign over its secret sentinel.

Fists tightened as she sensed the Tower's favor upon her! Naturally, gratitude swelled for Vale, who'd transported this Tower to the Human Realm!

"No more the feeblest… I'll ascend. This Tower will show my worth to Vale."

***

Beyond the Dark Arts Tower, Vale's avatar lingered motionless, anticipating further shifts.

The structure began to throb softly, its shadowy force spreading like tides over the city.

Bats swarmed the Tower's vicinity oddly.

For days it'd lain still, but its beat altered abruptly…

'So… she's either fallen or triumphed. After all this time, change has come.'

Intrigue flickered in him, yet he stayed put. Patience ruled here.

Soon Odessa neared, her robe flowing as she drew close.

She dipped in respect to the avatar, eager to speak.

"Lord Vale," she started, "I need to inquire—"

Yet words halted as the Tower's doors creaked wide.

Shadow essence poured forth, then a form emerged into view.

Lisa.

Her raven locks gleamed subtly, her presence utterly renewed, mightier than before!

She scanned about, gaze fixing on Vale's avatar right away.

In a flash, she bounded near.

"Vale!" she called, tone cracking with feeling. Arms wrapped around the avatar in a fierce embrace.

She knew it was merely a projection, a sliver of his essence, but it mattered little.

After the Tower's relentless tests, deceptions, agonies, victory was hers. Survival achieved. Spotting even Vale's echo flooded her with joy.