Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1198: Prison or Not

It didnʼt take that long before Valeʼs avatar confirmed that Lisa was still inside the Dark Arts Tower…

Perhaps, she had truly uncovered something about this Tower, and whatever she learned inside, he could easily connect it with the other 15 Arcane Towers.

After all, if the Dark Arts Tower could do this, then it wouldnʼt be surprising if the rest of the Towers could also shut down.

In any case, it was still a good thing that the Tower would send out people instead of trapping everyone inside during this phase. It already means that the Tower wasnʼt really aiming to kill people… Perhaps, it could be interpreted that it was only waiting for the perfect person.

”I will stay here and wait for Lisa to come out.” Vale said.

Professor Zeno frowned. ”Wait? For how long?”

”As long as it takes,” the Avatar replied firmly. ”This Tower is one of the sixteen. Itʼs still full of mysteries… If it has chosen her, then she will emerge when it is finished with her… and I need to know everything she learned inside.”

Now, the professors who realized that Lisa might indeed be trapped inside couldnʼt help but feel worried about her.

Even if she was an immortal, there was still a limit to her Divinity. This human realm was already lacking in Divinity in the first place. Because of that, Immortals like her werenʼt that almighty compared to those in the higher realm.

The Avatar knew what they were thinking, so he immediately spoke, assuring them of her safety.

”Lisa is strong. If the Tower has chosen her, it is because she has the will to endure. Do not fear for her. Fear only what this Tower may reveal when she emerges.”

He stepped closer to the sealed doors…

He would not force the Tower open. He knew better than to challenge its will. Instead, he sat cross-legged before the entrance, closing his eyes.

”I will remain here,” he said. ”Until Lisa returns.”

The professors fell silent and accepted this. Now, they needed to return to the Academy and inform the Dark Arts Students who might be thinking of taking a trial. They had to postpone that schedule for now.

The Shadow Pillars, on the other hand, lingered in the distance, watching the situation, but none dared interfere.

No one knows what would happen next, but they would be ready for it.

***

In the meantime, within Euphemia City, the Holy Arts Tower that Shane had moved there became one of the key landmarks of the region.

It was a place where Arcanists trained in the path of holy energy. Its presence alone drew steady attention from both students and citizens.

Haruo the Angel served as its guardian.

It was obvious why he was selected to guard this place… After all, his wings and appearance made him a clear choice for the role, and his station was as much practical as symbolic. To the people of Euphemia, his presence meant the Tower was secure and that Valeʼs influence reached even here.

But when word reached Euphemia that the Dark Arts Tower in Clovis City had suddenly changed, Haruoʼs calm demeanor finally changed...

He was training his disciples every day without a miss, but right now, he felt a surge of curiosity.

He wanted to cancel his personal training today and dive into the Tower immediately.

”If the Dark Arts Tower has awakened,” he murmured to himself, gazing at the radiant structure of the Holy Arts Tower, ”then what of this one? Could it also… shift?”

Without hesitation, Haruo reached out through telepathy… He immediately connected to the nearest Vale located within the city.

It was another one of his Avatars.

”Lord Vale… I wish to enter the Tower. If the Dark Arts Tower has revealed new trials, then perhaps the Holy Arts Tower will do the same. Allow me to push my limits.”

Valeʼs reply came swiftly…

”No, Haruo. Not yet. We do not know if this change is a blessing or a curse. The Dark Arts Tower expelled its occupants, but Lisa remains inside. Until we understand what is happening, I cannot allow you to risk yourself.”

Haruoʼs wings folded tightly against his back. He respected Valeʼs command, but his heart burned with the desire to test himself.

”Very well,” he answered. ”I will wait. Please let me know once Lady Lisa comes out.”

Valeʼs voice softened and he nodded.

”Yes… Just patience, Haruo. One of my Avatars is already consulting a High Immortal about this matter. Soon, we might know more.”

***

Far away, in the Millton Kingdom, Valeʼs Avatar sat across from Elder Setsuna and Elder Madoka, the two bodyguards of Kaela.

The Avatar form was different from the other Vales. This one seemed just like a businessman who had traveled to the city to invest his money.

Of course, he still had that dignified presence in front of the two Elders of the Shadow Realm.

”I need to know… What do you understand about the Arcane Towers?”

Vale had already explained the situation to them, including what he knew about these towers. Now, he believed that these two Immortals who had lived for hundreds or maybe thousands of years would know a thing or two about this.

Setsuna exchanged a glance with Madoka before answering.

”You are correct. These Towers were prisons. Their aura is too pure… It is ancient and somewhat oppressive. Each one was designed to contain entities aligned with its path. Some floors were meant to hold Immortals themselves.”

Madoka gently nodded…

”But what confuses us is this… if they were only meant to restrain, why do they now allow training? Why do they adapt to mortals and Immortals alike? That was never their purpose… maybe this wasnʼt meant to be a prison in the first place.”

The Avatar nodded slowly. ”That is what I suspected. The Dark Arts Tower expelled its occupants but kept Lisa inside. It is acting with intent. Maybe itʼs appropriate not to call it a prison at this point.”

Setsuna frowned. ”Choosing… or consuming. We cannot say. But if one Tower has begun to change, then the others may follow. What you saw in Clovis may only be the beginning.”