Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 7 Temporary

"Has this happened to you as well?" Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the elderly man's revelation.

Even though their circumstances were likely different—given that Kyle possessed a system—he felt a surge of relief knowing he had a predecessor. It gave him hope that he truly had a path forward to survive.

His excitement was palpable as he pressed the senior for more information.

Mr. Heinz offered a thin smile and gave a slow nod.

"Indeed. It has been about fifty-three years since I first encountered my master."

"Fifty-three years?"

'And you are still employed here? Shouldn’t you be retired by now? Besides, the Dark Arts were only legalized a decade ago... that implies—' Kyle’s thoughts raced as he processed this shocking piece of history.

A wave of anxiety washed over him. Was this his future? While staying alive was the priority, he wondered if this life would ultimately feel like a gilded cage.

Reading the concern on the boy's face, Mr. Heinz began to explain in a steady voice. "My master was tasked with pioneering a brand-new branch of the Dark Arts. Half a century ago, practitioners of the Dark Arts were hunted and suppressed by the other Arcane Paths. We didn't possess a sanctuary like this back then. We lived in the shadows, focused entirely on survival..."

Gurgle... Gurgle...

Just as Heinz was drifting into memories of a past defined by blood and chaos, Kyle’s stomach let out a loud protest.

Up until this moment, he had been too consumed by fear and survival instincts to notice his hunger. He had faced a terrifying Variant, encountered a mysterious vice headmaster who had claimed a portion of his shadow, and feared he would become a lab rat after miraculously returning from the brink of death.

Now that the immediate threat to his life seemed to have passed, his body finally reminded him that he was famished.

Heinz glanced at the clean plate on his desk, confirming he had no leftovers to offer the hungry youth.

"You will have to endure it for a bit longer. Tell me, what is your age?"

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Kyle answered softly, "I am 13, Sir Heinz. I turn 14 on the 10th of September."

Recalling the memories that had merged with his soul, Kyle knew that Arcane Academies generally took in students between 13 and 16 years old. Graduation typically occurred after a ten-year term, leading to a stable career.

This prospect was exactly what had drawn the original Kyle to this path, leading him to seize the opportunity offered by the old watchmaker immediately.

Furthermore, he knew the Academy of Knights required only six years of study, with the following four years dedicated to gaining worldly experience before one became a full-fledged knight. The watchmaker had also mentioned that graduates from that institution earned ten times the salary of standard mercenaries or security guards.

For Kyle, the financial incentive was impossible to ignore.

His father struggled to earn 40 zen a week and was currently bogged down by debts after being swindled by a former colleague. With only 20 zen remaining each week, they could barely cover rent and basic necessities. Sending Kyle to a traditional secondary school or college was out of the question, making the Arcane Academy—which covered daily costs—his only viable option. The watchmaker had even hinted at ways to earn extra money within the school walls.

Without the watchmaker's assistance, Kyle wouldn't have even been able to afford half of the entrance fee.

Mr. Heinz went silent for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood of his desk. "Mhmm... Do you recall the name of the facilitator who administered your potion?"

Kyle blinked, the image of the woman instantly appearing in his mind. "It was Lesley."

A flicker of anger crossed his face. He remembered her cold, indifferent gaze as he writhed in agony. Even if she was just following protocol, the process felt unnecessarily barbaric.

He couldn't entirely blame her, as he was the one who sought entry into Vermont Academy. If their selection process was lethal, he could only curse his own misfortune. Perhaps he could complain to the Association governing the twelve academies regarding Vermont's brutal methods.

Kyle clenched his jaw at the thought of the young woman.

He felt completely deceived. She had led him to believe the concoction was a standard, safe procedure!

She had promised it would merely awaken his latent potential and that he would arrive at the academy as a gifted student.

In reality, he had no hidden talent. Even if the exam was meant to be a trial of life and death, she should have been transparent. Had he not been a transmigrator equipped with a system, he would be a corpse right now.

Seeing the fire in Kyle’s eyes, Mr. Heinz chuckled softly, sensing the boy's resentment.

"Since Lesley was involved, it is unwise for you to join this year's intake. Instead, you can work here as my assistant for a year. She is set to graduate at the end of this academic term, so you can enroll safely once she is gone. During this time, I can teach you a few things."

Kyle was puzzled. He didn't mind the prospect of apprenticing under Mr. Heinz, who seemed like a reasonable mentor.

However, he didn't understand why Lesley was such a threat. If she was a student, how could she be so dangerous? And how old was she, really?

"I will follow your lead, Mr. Heinz. But I don't understand why I must avoid Miss Lesley. If she is also a student, wouldn't the academy protect me? Why would she target me when I haven't done anything to her?"

'Shouldn't she be the one avoiding me after lying to my face?' Kyle thought bitterly. He kept his tongue in check, remembering that Heinz seemed to know the woman personally.

Mr. Heinz sighed, a weary smile playing on his lips as he addressed Kyle's confusion.

"Lesley comes from a powerful family and is a brilliant student within the Dark Alchemy Department. Because your physique is now unique, she would view you as the perfect specimen for her research. She would likely try to use you as a catalyst to evolve her Tier 2 Variant into a Tier 3."