Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1210: Spirit Queen's Hidden Motive

Once the chaos had subsided, Yvaine's gentle voice resonated quietly within Armin's thoughts.

"Armin... you ought to realize. The Dark Arts Tower is already taken. Lisa, Vale's longtime vampire companion, pushed through her ordeals and got selected. She's the Tower Master now."

Armin blinked in shock. "Miss Lisa? She... she really managed to claim it?"

Yvaine affirmed the news.

"Indeed. They figured the Tower acknowledged her power and potential. She's in charge of it, and because of her, those studying Dark Arts will get stronger support within the tower."

Armin gave a nod. He had dreamed of becoming a Tower Master himself... It made sense, as every Arcanist likely yearns for their own Tower to delve deeper into their Arcane Path and Spells.

"So that shuts me out of the Dark Arts Tower... I wonder about attempting the others."

Even though it wasn't his strongest suit, he had picked up Transformation Arts and various other Arcane Arts, so it could be worth the effort...

Yet, his whole journey revolved around Dark Arts. He had sharpened his spells, perfected shadow control, and battled endlessly using that force.

The idea that the Tower best matching him was now off-limits filled him with regret.

"Consider trying the Mystic Arts Tower," Yvaine suggested.

"Huh? I'm no specialist in Mystic Arts," he grumbled. "How on earth could I seize the Mystic Arts Tower? That's far from my forte. I should've gone for the Dark Arts Tower... but it's far too late now."

Yvaine observed him closely, her gaze shimmering softly with Divinity.

"Don't sell yourself short. The Towers don't judge solely by Vale's standards of mastery. They evaluate determination, flexibility, and destiny..."

"Lisa wasn't the mightiest of Vale's supporters, but she triumphed. You can do the same, even in a Tower beyond your usual domain."

Armin wavered. Doubts about his skills crept in, yet Yvaine's advice held real influence.

Even so, he figured it was deserving of an attempt...

"Okay... alright. Let's go for it. We've wrapped up the mission regardless. Time to return to Clovis City. If the Mystic Arts Tower is meant for me, I'll confront it head-on."

Yvaine's shape flickered, retreating into his shadow. "Excellent. I can whisk you there right away, skipping any delays... Handle your business first."

"Ahh? Sure..." Armin replied, sensing he had no choice but to agree.

In short order, the trio informed the Arcanist Guild of the cult's downfall, presenting proof and wrapping up the investigation.

The Guildmaster commended their work, though Armin's focus had shifted to the Tower, Lisa's victory, and the ordeal awaiting him.

A bit later, Armin shared his circumstances with Ely and Rehan, trusting they'd grasp his intentions...

"What? You're ditching us already?" Rehan questioned, though he wasn't truly bothered. It clearly mattered a great deal.

"If it's so crucial... Then proceed without hesitation," Ely chimed in.

"Thanks, you two... Should I claim a Tower Master spot, I'll support you both!" Armin declared.

With that, he observed their carriage departing the city...

Next, Armin faced Yvaine, who appeared unusually thrilled for whatever reason.

'Hmm? Is something off?'

***

While Armin lingered in stillness, Yvaine finally composed herself...

The Dark Spirit lifted her hand, causing the surrounding shadows to undulate like ripples from a tossed pebble. Out of that gloom, ten additional spirits materialized.

These were vague, amorphous beings, nothing like Yvaine's elegant form. They resembled hazy outlines of fog and darkness, yet they possessed voices comprehensible only to fellow Spirits.

"They're allies from the Spirit Realm and on our side..." Yvaine clarified. "They'll slip into your shadow to aid you through the trials. Their power doesn't match mine, but they'll offer guidance, safeguard you, and boost your essence as required. For some unknown reason, I can't join you there."

Armin scowled, feeling uneasy. "Doesn't this count as... cheating? The Tower's meant to challenge me alone, not me plus ten spirits."

Yvaine's eyes gleamed subtly with Divinity. "View it not as cheating. The Towers assess resolve and destiny. These spirits belong to your essence. Vale tasked me with leading you, and I'll exert every effort to help. Take them in."

Armin paused, but Yvaine's command proved irresistible. Gradually, he agreed. "Fine... if that's Master Vale's wish, I'll put my faith in you."

The ten spirits melted into vapor and flowed into Armin's shadow, blending without a trace.

Their existence hit him at once, bringing an odd serenity that calmed his nerves.

"Well done," Yvaine noted. "Now, I'll step aside for them. I've got duties elsewhere..." She whispered.

Armin had no time to reply before Yvaine's figure wavered and disappeared, stranding him with the ten quiet allies.

Soon after, the shadows stirred once more, and Armin was relocated.

His surroundings warped, and as stability returned, he stood before the Mystic Arts Tower in the Shadow Domain.

This particular Mystic Arts Tower lay outside Clovis City, but location held no importance.

The area buzzed with energy...

"Whoa~ It's been ages." He murmured upon spotting the massive tower. Truth be told, Yvaine's actions struck him as odd, but she'd always aided him, so doubting her felt impossible...

Thus, he chose to follow along and believe in her.

"It hasn't changed much, has it..."

Back in his Academy years, he'd ventured into this tower and barely made the second floor... Truthfully, he struggled with this discipline, so it didn't faze him.

He was simply glad to have attempted it...

Still, it gleamed with ever-shifting crystal motifs that altered at every look.

At its foundation, scores of Arcanists clustered. Students mingled with practitioners and veteran specialists, all eager for their shot at the challenge. The vibe hummed with excitement, anticipation thick in the air, as they swapped tales of their trial experiences...

A cluster of young students bunched up, fresh from their attempt.

"I barely hit the third floor," one confessed.

"Those illusions... they showed my family pleading for me to quit. I nearly crumbled."

Another shook his head. "I couldn't keep the orbs steady on the second floor. My energy kept fading. The Tower demands more than skill... it probes your command of Mystic Energy at an elite level."

Close by, two experienced practitioners chatted assuredly.

"The fourth floor kicks off the true test," one remarked.

"Brute strength won't cut it... Insight is key. That's beyond me."

His partner laughed. "I cracked a few of its Formation Arrays, but after five, it messed with my head. I could swear the Tower was mocking me."

A short distance away, a Master-Class Arcanist bragged to his colleagues.

"I pushed to the fifth floor... A giant shape wrapped in haze. It brandished a crystal staff, and it was overwhelmingly strong... Perhaps with divinity, I'd stand a chance."

"Haha... Nothing novel there... I clashed with it for hours, but ultimately... I got booted out."

"Fifth floor? Impressive. Few surpass the fourth."

Still, some vented their defeats with resentment.

"The Tower dismissed me flat-out," one grumbled. "Didn't even clear the first floor."

"It's unjust. I've devoted my life to Mystic Arts, but a novice might prevail. Does the Tower pick by fate over skill? Or a mix?"

Armin's attention sharpened at that final comment.

'Fate over skill... Yvaine mentioned the same. Yet, it's surely a blend of both.'

He stayed quiet, eavesdropping, taking in all the info. The accounts sketched a vivid scene... the Mystic Arts Tower proved capricious. It didn't merely favor expertise.

As the throng kept chattering, Armin sensed the ten spirits in his shadow twitch lightly, as though signaling their readiness.

'Miss Lisa conquered the Dark Arts Tower. Now it's my shot. Mystic Arts may not suit me, but I'll tackle it.'

With resolve in mind, Armin advanced toward the Tower's entrance.

***

In the meantime, Yvaine had reached a fortified spot, buried deep in Vale's Immortal Tower. It served as a haven concealed from mortal and Immortal gazes alike.

Within, the Spirit Queen rested on a platform of ebony crystal. Her aura remained splintered from the brutal clash with the Demon Lord.

Thud.

Yvaine dropped to her knees nearby and addressed her deferentially...

"I've directed Armin to the Mystic Arts Tower, per your orders. He's taken on the ten spirits. By now, he's undergoing the trials."

The Spirit Queen's eyes fluttered open gradually... She appeared frail, yet beneath that vulnerability lurked shrewdness.

"Splendid... Vale's pupil must ascend. May those ten spirits suffice to earn the Tower's favor. Keep a sharp eye, Yvaine. His destiny will bind with ours."

Yvaine inclined her head. "As you decree, my Queen."

Yet the Spirit Queen's mind delved further than her spoken words.

All this unfolded beyond Vale's awareness.

After all, Vale saw her stay in his Tower as mere fulfillment of their pact, a brief setup for her recovery...

But she harbored different designs.