Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Vale's eyes widened as he didn't expect the involvement of the Abyss Realm… However, now that he thinks about it, the Spirit Realm was also having a headache about this Abyss Realm trying to invade them.

Seeing Vale's reaction, Sterling smiled and continued.

"You don't have to be shocked. It is a realm of great peril and mystery… I'm not aware of the reason they invaded that Realm, but the Immortals sought answers and power beyond mortal comprehension. Alas, their fate remains unknown."

Vale nodded at this and asked more questions about the Celestials.

One thing that the old man confirmed was that the Arcane Arts was already here before the appearance of the Celestials. At most, these Celestials assisted their ancestors in dividing the Arcane Arts into twelve different paths in order to lower the standards needed to become an Arcanist.

'This is not included in our history class…' Vale silently thought. After all, the history they studied was basically after the division of the Arcane Arts and when the prominent families obtained the "blessing" in order to practice their chosen Path.

As for the story before that, it was probably not adequately recorded, so it would be difficult to teach in the class.

"I didn't expect that all we'll talk about is related to Celestials. The previous ones who had reached here asked me about the method to quickly increase their Spell Mastery or to give them advice regarding their Spells… Someone also asked me about the Tier 4 Spells that no one outside can cast anymore." Sterling muttered as he finished his cup of tea.

Vale gently nodded at this since he already had a method to increase his Spell Mastery effectively. He also believed that he had a bit too many Spells and that asking advice for them would be a bit too tough.

"Senior Sterling, I also want to ask about the Tier 4 Spells--No, I don't even know anything about Tier 3 Spells since our Academy will only help us reach the Tier 2 Spells. Can you tell me where I can learn them?" Vale asked as he dared not assume that this old man could teach him.

"Oh? So you're telling me that even Tier 3 Spells are rare now?" Sterling asked.

"Yes, Senior Sterling… Are they not rare in the past, Senior?" Vale answered.

Sterling nodded as he sighed... "Finding their Spell Models isn't that rare, but Recording them in your Spell Light is a different matter. You still require some talent… Ahh, the reason I can think of is that it can result in the death of the Arcanists, so the government has restricted it."

"Mhmm? Recording Tier 3 Spells can result in death?" Vale was confused by this.

After all, recording Tier 1 Spells might be difficult and require months to be successful, but they can be repeated any time as long as you have the energy to do so.

It was quite the same with the Tier 2 Spells but a bit more complicated to record.

He didn't expect that Tier 3 Spell Recording could actually kill.

"That's right… As for your question about the place where you can learn them, I can only suggest you go to the families that have received the blessings of the Arcane Path. This family must be someone you can trust since the Tier 3 Spell Models they might give you are modified and even turn you into a slave." The old man warned, which made Vale pause for a moment.

He didn't think that he could be sabotaged with this method.

Thankfully, he learned this early, so he wouldn't just learn a Spell Model he acquired and have them appropriately appraised first.

"I will keep that in mind, Senior Sterling..." Vale answered as he considered whether to just extract someone with Tier 3 Spells and hopefully get a suitable one for him or learn them on his own so he could have his own choice.

"Mhmm… As for the Tier 4 Spells, you are lucky since you have the essence of Immortals—Ah, the time's up…" The old man said as the Pavilion started shaking.

Vale wanted to ask more, but it seemed that he really had to move now.

"If you find the Path leading to the ninth floor, then you can consider yourself to have cleared this Tower. Good luck."

As the old man's words echoed in the now empty Pavilion, Vale felt a surge of urgency.

The shaking of the hall intensified, and the cracks on the pillars grew wider. Time was running out, and he knew he had to act swiftly if he wanted to survive and continue his Ascension.

Vale focused and entered his Phantasm State and spread his Magic Zone. He immediately went into the state of heightened perception. He scoured the surroundings, desperately searching for any sign of the elusive stairs that would lead him to the next floor.

However, despite his efforts, the stairs remained hidden from his sight.

Realizing the need for a different approach, Vale summoned his loyal companion, Yvaine, and called upon his Moonlight Fairy for assistance.

Their combined efforts would surely yield better results. Vale also utilized his Spirit Vision, allowing him to perceive the ethereal energies that permeated the Tower.

"Tsk… I'm not skilled in this type of game… You have to check the Grimoire, so you'll know my limitations…" The Fairy suggested before retreating back into her page.

Vale had no time to waste on complaints or frustrations.

He pressed on, determined to find the stairs.

Crash… Crash…

The Pavilion continued to crumble around him, and Vale felt that it could collapse any minute now.

Desperate for any clue or hint, Vale resorted to using his Shadow Soldiers and Ghost Hands, employing their spectral forms to trigger any hidden mechanisms or reveal concealed pathways.

Yet, despite his efforts, the stairs eluded him, and Yvaine's response confirmed the disheartening truth. "I can't find the stairs…" She spoke gently.

Feeling the weight of the crumbling Pavilion and the urgency of the situation, Vale knew he had to take matters into his own hands.

"Whatever… I hope this works."

Drawing upon his Divinity Points, he unleashed his Celestial Art, Aurora's Embrace!

"Make way!"

The beautiful Aurora Energy enveloped him as he aimed at the ceiling!

Boom!

In just a few seconds, Vale created a hole leading to the upper floor!