Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1228 1228: Vale's Secret Disciple

In the midst of the first-year students studying Transformation Arts, one girl seldom caught anyone's eye.

With her slim figure, fair complexion, and hair of silver-white... Darlene Arkwright glided silently along the corridors of the academy.

Interactions with fellow students were rare for her. She preferred solitude and avoided the spotlight. For the majority, she blended in as just one more face in the crowd.

However, hidden beneath the surface lay a mystery unknown to all others.

Darlene served as Vale's disciple as well.

Wrapped around her arm or draped over her shoulders lingered Seven, the Black Serpent.

To those at the academy, Seven seemed like a typical arcane beast companion. But Darlene understood the serpent's true nature went far deeper.

A Spirit Beast he was, summoned by Vale from the Shadow Realm to mentor her in the ways of Transformation Arts.

This bond defined their connection.

"Don't worry about those three," Seven advised one night, its words resonating within her thoughts.

"Concentrate on your personal journey. Whether Vale chooses to include you in the competition or not, it won't make a difference. Your path stands apart."

A subtle smile crossed Darlene's lips. The serpent's guidance filled her with confidence.

***

Like her peers, Darlene's days began with the standard routine. She sat through Arcane History lessons in the rear seats, quietly taking in accounts of inter-realm conflicts and the emergence of the twelve Paths.

Questions never escaped her lips, yet Seven provided silent insights in her mind, pointing out flaws in the professors' explanations.

During Magic Language Class, she shone modestly. As classmates battled to learn the Oardic and Ievada tongues, Darlene's notes brimmed with precise script. With Seven's subtle direction, her hand captured nuances of the languages beyond even the teachers' grasp.

The Fundamentals of Magic Zone proved tougher. Expanding her own zone demanded more effort, despite Seven's assistance.

In reality, stabilizing a Magic Zone challenged those possessing greater Spirit Strands the most. Still, Seven shared clever methods to broaden it. Daily, she practiced rhythmic contractions and expansions to build control.

Gradually, without risking breakdown, she widened her zone into a steady realm that smoothed her spellcasting.

Yet Transformation Harmonization came effortlessly to her.

As peers labored to merge beast shapes with their human forms, Darlene's serpent essence coursed seamlessly. This gift stemmed from Seven, with Vale's full endorsement.

Additional courses rounded out her schedule, each forging key elements of her growth.

Basic Usage of Mystical Artifacts involved working with charms, talismans, and infused items under Seven's instruction. While others mishandled volatile objects, Darlene followed the serpent's lead...

She mastered directing energy via rings and pendants, rousing inactive relics safely, and infusing her arcane power into basic implements.

Elementary Spirit Law delved into the rules binding mortals and spirits in pacts.

The Transformation Path Class held special weight, introducing the three core spells...

Many pupils faltered at even a single one, but Darlene had conquered all three already.

Mystical Geography covered the continent's terrains as well.

This engaging subject broadened their understanding of the wider world.

Finally, Arcane Ethics emphasized control, duty, and the perils of moral decay. Darlene absorbed it all in silence, aware her chosen route had long transcended typical ethical lines.

These sessions molded her daily life.

***

Afternoons saw Darlene participating in the Herbal Studies Club, a modest circle focused on crafting ointments, infusions, and elixirs from enchanted flora.

The serene setting appealed to her. Amid scents of herbs and smoldering incense, she toiled undisturbed.

Her delicate hands ground foliage, blended dusts, and swirled mixtures skillfully. Words were scarce from her, but her creations always excelled.

"Miss Arkwright," the club head remarked in surprise once, "your elixirs balance Arcane Energy more effectively than any other's. What's your secret?"

Darlene offered only a soft smile. She kept hidden how Seven supplied formulas from the Shadow Realm, revealing plants unfamiliar to mortal healers.

The Herbal Studies Club turned into her refuge.

Just as Amaya relaxed with tea, Vin through making, and Brannic via scripting, Darlene discovered peace in the subtle craft of remedy-making.

***

Her evenings diverged sharply. As the three talents ventured into the Animus Haven, Darlene honed her skills solo alongside Seven.

The serpent wound itself about her...

"Concentrate," it urged with a sharp whisper. "The Ancient Snake's blood coursing in you differs from Demon Saint essence. It's ancient, profound. You need to harness it fully."

Darlene complied without hesitation.

She drilled Transformation Spells, though hers carried a distinctive twist...

Among them, the Serpent's Veil Spell enveloped her in darkness, rendering her steps noiseless and invisible.

Next came the Molting Renewal Spell, a restorative shift that sloughed off tainted essence like shed scales, renewing her equilibrium!

The Fang Manifestation Spell capped it, conjuring ghostly serpent teeth to lash out at foes...

Seven pushed for mastery of further incantations...

"Aid spells ensure survival," the serpent murmured.

Though unetched yet in her Spell Light, she had internalized the Spell Models for additional Spirit Arts!

Truly! These included two mobility arts and a boosting incantation!

Absent from the academy's curriculum, they formed Seven's private legacy, shared directly from mentor to pupil!

Night upon night, exertion soaked her fair skin in perspiration.

Seven refined her stance, her chants, her breaths.

"Once more," it demanded at every error.

"Once more!" She endured without protest!

Her unobtrusive existence masked no frailty. In fact, Darlene might surpass Amaya, Vin, and Brannic in power.

Demon Saint blood held immense might, yet it remained alien and tainting. The Ancient Snake blood from the Shadow Realm offered purity, laced with sacred essence, harmonizing flawlessly with her.

Before long, her eyes shifted to serpentine slits. No horns or wings emerged, but her incantations progressed to mid-tier proficiency, remarkable for her tender age of twelve.

Boasting never crossed her mind. Her prowess stayed concealed...

Even with the competition drawing near, to Marshall Academy's students and faculty alike, she remained merely a reserved pupil.