Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Someone from the crowd shouted, and everyone couldn't help but look up.

This was an accomplishment reserved only for the most revered and legendary geniuses. The collective gasp of amazement rippled through the onlookers, their disbelief mingling with awe and admiration.

"The Vermont Academy did it."

"They won the Ascension Tower this time."

"Is this their first time winning? They're so lucky."

"Indeed. I heard the reward this time was incredible."

"Ahh… That's right! I heard it was prepared for the Princess. Is that true?"

"What will happen now? Will they still give it up?"

"The organizers have miscalculated."

Whispers of admiration and astonishment spread like wildfire among the crowd. They marveled at Vale's skill and undeniable talent. It was a feat that few had achieved, and even fewer had witnessed firsthand.

However, some of them had also started worrying since the first-place reward was supposed to be given to the third princess.

As the murmurs of amazement echoed through the air outside the Tower, Vale arrived on the eighth floor, ready to confront the new challenge.

'This is the highest floor that has been reached… I wonder what's the challenge this time.' Vale muttered.

According to his seniors, no one knew what to expect on this floor besides those who had reached this floor many years ago. For some reason, they had never shared what they had experienced on this floor.

No one complained about it since it wasn't easy to get on this floor anyway. That information would not be helpful to many.

A magnificent sight soon greeted Vale.

The grand hall stretched before him, adorned with eight majestic pillars. The soft glow of candlelight danced in harmony with a bright chandelier suspended from above. The walls were adorned with old paintings depicting enchanting landscapes and captivating scenes from nature.

Yet amidst this grandeur, Vale's attention was drawn to a peculiar sight at the center of the hall.

A small, unassuming pavilion stood out. It was as if it was inviting him to explore further.

Peering inside, Vale was surprised to find a person seated peacefully, enjoying a cup of tea.

Confusion and intrigue filled Vale's mind as he felt that this situation was entirely unexpected. He was expecting a dragon or even a mythical creature to attack him, considering the previous floors.

Could it be an illusion? But the authenticity of the scene felt tangible, grounding his senses in reality.

"What's going on here?" He couldn't help but mutter to himself.

To his astonishment, the person in the pavilion responded to his bewilderment. A voice, weathered by time, carried through the air.

"Finally, a visitor after a long time. Come, join me…" the old voice beckoned.

Vale hesitated for a moment, but his curiosity was piqued.

Vale cast various defensive spells and readied his Spell Dispersion. After that, he cautiously approached the pavilion, his eyes fixed on the enigmatic figure before him.

After getting closer, Vale asked… "Are you the guardian of this eighth floor?"

A hint of amusement flickered in the old man's eyes as he considered Vale's question.

"You can certainly say that. I am the guardian, but on this floor, we need not engage in battle. Instead, I am more intrigued by you. Your race should've been annihilated by now. But here you are, still alive and... incomplete" The old man responded, his voice carrying a sense of curiosity.

Vale's eyes widened as soon as he heard this. The mention of his race, the Celestial Race, believed to be on the brink of extinction, sent a jolt of surprise.

'As expected, this old man is no ordinary guardian. He even recognized that I'm just a half celestial.' Vale thought to himself.

Eager to learn more about his current race, Vale respectfully addressed the guardian. "Senior, may I inquire about what you know regarding my race?"

Although Vale was still wary of him, he couldn't hide his anticipation as he prepared to unravel the mysteries of the Immortals or the Celestial Race.

Of course, he wanted to know about the old man as well. Why was he in the Tower? What should he do to clear this Tower and ascend to the ninth floor? Was he a Spirit living in the Tower? How could you even enjoy a tea if you're a ghost?

These questions also came to Vale's head, but they weren't as important as the information regarding the Celestial Race.

"I only know some superficial things, but anyway, you can have a seat and listen to my story… We have plenty of time here..." The old man said.

Vale settled himself and listened attentively as the old man.

First, he learned that his name was Sterling Carlisle, a familiar name to Vale, but he couldn't remember why.

Anyway, he began to share a tale from three hundred years ago. It was a time when the Arcane Arts had not yet reached their full potential, and the world was still shrouded in mystery.

In his youth, Sterling had stumbled upon a mystical artifact that bestowed upon him extraordinary powers, allowing him to break the limits of his potential.

He became a renowned Arcanist, revered as a Saint for his remarkable abilities.

However, he had no idea that his newfound strength came at a great cost. The artifact, known as the Arcana, slowly consumed his life force, ultimately leading to his demise.

Vale's curiosity was piqued when Sterling mentioned the Arcana. The mystical items are categorized into different ranks, such as Regular, Mortal, Noble, Royal, Sovereign, and the legendary Arcana, which had remained unseen by anyone.

"Are you referring to the Arcana?" Vale inquired, his voice filled with intrigue.

Sterling nodded, his eyes seeming to gaze at the distant past. "Indeed. Do you possess any knowledge about them?" he asked, genuinely curious about Vale's understanding.

Vale nodded in response since he already got some information from Priscilla.

Philip was even kidnapped by the Secret Organization because of this. Furthermore, the Immortal Fragment was also called Arcana Relics by the Headmaster.

"Yes, I have come across some information about them." Vale replied.

The old man's voice grew somber as he continued… "I see… Do you know that only the Immortals possess the ability to create these Arcana?"

Vale wryly smiled. "I already guessed that these Arcana can only be made by the deities or those with similar power. Ahem… What happened to the Immortals? Where did they go?"

A shroud of melancholy fell upon Sterling as he replied with a grim voice… "They ventured into the Abyss Realm and never returned."