Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1197: Secrets of the Towers

Lisa tried to resist, but her body grew heavier, and her limbs even went numb. In just a few moments, the shadows wrapped around her like silk threads, binding her in place.

She gasped, but no sound escaped her lips as she felt like she was cocooned or something…

Her life force suddenly weakened, but it also condensed, forming a crimson shell around her body. In just a few moments, this aura hardened, until she was encased in a cocoon of blood and shadow as she had initially thought…

”This…”

As she guessed what was about to happen, she fell into unconsciousness.

Lisa wasnʼt sure of it yet, but the Tower had begun a metamorphosis-like process for her…

Her essence was being rewritten, and her bloodline was also being refined. The Dark Arts Tower itself was feeding her power, reshaping her into something greater.

Inside the cocoon, her heartbeat slowed, then pulsed with a rhythm that matched the Towerʼs own.

Lisa the Vampire Immortal was becoming something new, something born of the Towerʼs core.

***

Meanwhile, outside, the expelled students gathered in confusion.

”This isnʼt just a shutdown… the Tower forced us out!” one senior student exclaimed, clutching his Staff.

”Iʼve been here for years. The Tower never rejects anyone unless they fail. But we didnʼt fail!” another argued.

A younger apprentice looked terrified. ”Does this mean… someone inside triggered it? Maybe the Tower has consciousness?”

”No way… But if someone triggered it… It probably means someone broke it.” A First-Class Dark Mage muttered.

”Still, this should be impossible. I heard that even the Immortals canʼt destroy this tower...”

The crowd grew restless, voices overlapping.

But beneath the frustration was fear.

”Wait… what if somethingʼs wrong inside?”

”Could it be collapsing?”

”No… look at it. The auraʼs gone. Itʼs like the Tower itself is asleep.”

The crowd grew louder and just like that, panic started spreading.

”Call the professors!” someone shouted.

”Yes, get the Student Council too! Theyʼll know whatʼs happening.”

”If the Tower is broken, weʼre all doomed. Itʼs the foundation of Dark Arts training!”

Soon, professors arrived, robes flowing as they approached the sealed Tower. They examined the Tower, tried to activate the entrance with the authority given to them, but nothing worked.

”This… this is unprecedented,” Professor Dalton, who had arrived first, muttered.

”The Tower has never expelled all students at once,” Professor Zeno said while frowning.

”Something inside has changed. Wait… How about Lady Lisa? She shouldʼve entered this tower a few days ago. I never heard anything about her getting out.”

This time, it was said by Professor Lenora of the Elementary Spirit Law class.

As expected, no one was able to answer.

It means that perhaps Lisa was still inside the Tower, or she had already left without anyone noticing…

Nonetheless, the students pressed closer, demanding answers from the Professors.

”Professor, whatʼs going on?”

”Why canʼt we go back in?”

”Is it dangerous?”

”How about the Academic Points weʼve used?”

”Yes! We havenʼt used all our time yet!”

The professors exchanged uneasy glances.

”We donʼt know whatʼs going on yet…” Professor Zeno admitted. ”But whatever happened… it wasnʼt random. The Tower chose this moment…”

The crowd fell silent at those words.

”As for the points youʼve used. That will all be refunded. Do not worry about it. For now, have to get away from here in case something unexpected happens. The Shadow Pillars will guard this place.” Professor Dalton said.

The Shadow Pillars were composed of Dark Arts Practitioners. It was an organization within the Shadow Domain created by Vale himself to protect his territory… They would normally act in the shadows away from the people, and would rarely act in the open.

Even right now, Professor Dalton and the others could feel their presence as they observe the Dark Arts tower.

Furthermore, they also heard about the existence of Shadow Sentinels. They were beings that came from the Shadow Realm itself and had been imprisoned within the Dark Arts Tower. They shouldʼve been freed already and observing this situation from afar.

If there was really a problem, they shouldʼve reported this situation to Vale already. The only place that was out of their jurisdiction was the Academy, after all.

Just like that, everyone listened…

They could only stare at the Dark Arts Tower and its sealed doors…

Inside, Lisa remained in her cocoon, unaware of the chaos outside.

***

A few minutes later, when the students evacuated and only a few professors were left, one of Valeʼs Avatars had finally arrived. His presence silenced the crowd of professors instantly.

The Avatarʼs eyes scanned the sealed Tower, as if trying to see through it...

He had felt the disturbance from afar and rushed here, but even he did not know what had happened.

”The Tower… has shut itself. This is interesting…”

The professors bowed slightly, acknowledging his authority.

Professor Dalton stepped forward. ”Lord Vale… we were expelled without warning. The Tower sealed itself, and none of our methods worked to reopen it.”

The Avatar nodded slowly. He knew the truth that few others did. This Dark Arts Tower was introduced as a training ground but it was more than that. It was one of the sixteen Towers Vale had obtained from the Prison Realm, each with mysterious functions that even Vale himself had yet to fully uncover.

The Avatarʼs gaze lingered on the runes etched into the Towerʼs surface. ”Perhaps… this is the first time one has chosen to reveal its true nature.”

Vale muttered, and the Professors heard it clearly.

They couldnʼt help but whisper nervously.

”Reveal its nature?”

”Does that mean itʼs alive?”

”Or… is it choosing someone?”

Since it was meant for trial, they couldnʼt help but connect that someone managed to pass its test or something similar.

The Avatar did not answer. Since he was only guessing as well. However, it wouldnʼt be surprising if that really was the case.

Perhaps, the Tower had acknowledged one or some of the trial-takers inside…

”Wait… Lisa shouldʼve entered this tower a few days ago…”