Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1256: The Decision

By midday, the city was no longer filled with news related to last night’s chaos.

Instead, every tavern, square, and hall was filled with speculation from various analysts, reporters, bettors, and professors…

The announcement of the battle royale had changed everything.

Reporters scrambled to gather leaks, and soon, names began to surface.

The Ruri Arcane Academy, known for teaching at least four Arcane Arts, had debated fiercely among its council. In the end, they chose an Elemental Arts student.

“Elemental spells are versatile,” one professor explained… “In a battle royale, versatility is survival.”

Of course, many Academies had similar thoughts and ultimately chose someone who was practicing Fire or Earth Elemental Spells. They were incredibly powerful in battle royale after all.

The Golden Cross Academy, famed for its dual focus on Holy Arts and Knight Arts, shocked many by selecting a squire!

“A knight in training?” Dorn muttered in disbelief as he scribbled notes.

“I guess they’re betting on discipline over raw power.”

The Azure Sky Academy of the Solstice Kingdom, which taught six Arcane Arts, decided on a Combat Arts student. This had surprised the most, especially those people who believed that the Combart Art was the weakest among all the Arcane Arts!

“This is a weird decision…”

“I hope they don’t regret… Combat Arts? Seriously…”

“They had someone amazing in their lineup. That student practitioner Dark Arts! Why choose someone from Combat Arts!”

“They want brute force,” Irene remarked when she overheard the news. “Combat Arts thrive in chaos.”

Meanwhile, the Crimson Moon Academy, also from the Solstice Kingdom, leaned toward spectacle. They selected someone from the Elemental Arts division, and it was quite understandable…

Furthermore, the student was a prodigy, one rumored to wield firestorms that could engulf entire arenas.

They should have a higher chance to win at this rate!

Nonetheless, specialized academies had far easier choices.

Featherstar Academy of Dark Arts announced their representative… a fifteen‑year‑old practitioner, the youngest allowed by the rules.

“The limit itself is a statement,” Galatea whispered, reading the headline. “They want to prove even their youngest can stand against us.”

Lakrine Academy of Summoning Arts followed suit, sending their own fifteen‑year‑old summoner. Rumors spread that the student had already bound three mid‑tier beasts!

But the most surprising leak came from Aufidius Academy of Alchemy Arts. They chose a thirteen‑year‑old prodigy.

“Thirteen?” Irene scoffed, nearly spilling her tea. “They’re either desperate or they’ve found a genius.”

Dozens of other academies made their decisions, each one feeding the frenzy of speculation.

Reporters filled the streets, with their quills writing as quickly as possible. As they tried searching for information, their voices carried across taverns.

Yet all eyes turned to one academy… Vale’s Marshall Academy.

Unlike the others, Marshall Academy taught all twelve Arcane Arts. They had brought thirty‑six students to Dravemont, three for each discipline.

But tomorrow, only one could represent them.

“Vale must be having a tough decision right now,” Dorn muttered to his colleagues in the Crimson Gazette. “Who will he choose? The dragon‑blooded boy? The demon‑blooded trio? The psychic prodigy? Or perhaps one of the rune‑bearers blessed by dragons?”

Cici of the New Era Chronicle leaned forward. “Whoever it is, the world will finally see the truth Vale has hidden. He can’t keep them cloaked forever. He’ll definitely choose his disciple!”

***

Inside Marshall Academy’s assigned dining hall, the students themselves were restless. Galatea folded her newspaper as she looked around.

“They’re all talking about us. Every headline… every rumor. They want to know who Vale will send.”

Jericho of the Knight Arts Division, seated nearby, chuckled. “Let them wonder. Whoever it is, we’ll crush them.”

Irene shook her head. “Don’t be so sure. Every academy is sending its strongest. This isn’t about prestige anymore. It’s survival.”

The others also had similar reactions…

The trio of the Transformation Arts couldn’t help but desire the position.

Amaya tossed the newspaper aside. “They’re underestimating us. Demon blood or not, Transformation Arts are perfect for a battle royale. We can adapt to anything. I hope Vale will send me instead…”

Vin smirked… “Let them speculate. The more they fear us, the better. If Vale chooses one of us, the arena will know what true shadows look like.”

Brannic cracked his knuckles and nodded. “I say we stop worrying about rumors. Tomorrow, we’ll show them. Demon blood isn’t a curse…it’s power. I’m sure that Sir Immortal Vale will choose someone from our team.”

Galatea frowned at their confidence, while Irene’s gaze lingered on them with an amused smile on her face…

The dining hall was filled with the excited voices of the students.

Every student was weighing their chances of being selected in this Battle Royale.

Soon, the professors entered the hall with their grim faces…

During this time, they had made their suggestions to Vale, but ultimately, it was up to him, the Shadow Immortal, or perhaps the Headmaster, to decide who to send.

They couldn’t wait for that to happen!

“Vale… You have to decide quickly, or they won’t have a chance to practice….”

Professor Zeno raised his hand, silencing the chatter.

“You’ve all seen the news. You know what tomorrow brings. Vale has not yet decided who will represent us. But understand this… whoever is chosen will carry the heavy responsibility of representing the Marshall Academy…”

The room fell silent.

Galatea’s heart pounded as she felt a little hopeful to be selected…

Irene’s eyes were also filled with anticipation, while Jericho already imagined himself in the arena.

Needless to say, even outside, reporters gathered at the academy gates, waiting for the latest news!

“Will it be the dragon‑blooded Combat Arts boy?”

“Or the demon‑blooded Transformation trio?”

“Perhaps the psychic girl who manipulates dreams?”

“Or one of the rune‑bearers blessed by dragons?”

Dorn stood among them, his quill ready to write whatever he heard from them…

“Tomorrow,” he whispered, “the world will know. I guess I can’t expect to be hasty on this matter.”

The anticipation grew with every passing hour.

The city of Dravemont, still damaged from last night’s battle, now braced itself for a clash unlike any before.

And within Marshall Academy, thirty‑six prodigies waited, each wondering if Vale’s shadow would fall upon them as the chosen representative!