Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1273: The Recruits

‘It’s not yet time…’

Ruth and the other four were concealing the truth from Enkrid. Well, it was all because Enkrid was still too weak… They had to guide him for now.

From her pouch, Ruth drew out a small, black mask etched with faint runes she had created.

She handed it to Enkrid.

“Wear this. It will change your face. No one will recognize you as long as you don’t remove it yourself…”

Enkrid hesitated, but when he placed it over his features, the runes glowed faintly. He had no idea that such an item could actually exist.

It seemed that these adventurers managed to find some mystical relics that bore powers he had never heard of.

“It feels nice…” Enkrid commented as he felt the cold mask seeping into his face.

Soon, his reflection in the polished steel of Jericho’s sword changed.

It even startled him! His face had shifted seamlessly, looking natural, as though he were someone else entirely.

“This…”

He couldn’t explain it. It was such a weird feeling seeing your own face differently.

However, that wasn’t important.

As soon as they confirmed that he could no longer be recognized, they immediately took him away from this isolated forest and left him to visit the nearest settlement.

“We’re here!” Ruth muttered as she looked at the palisade ahead of them.

Thanks to the mask, they were able to bring Enkrid safely into a nearby town.

Not a single trouble blocked their path.

In the town, no guards questioned them… Even some adventurers didn’t bother to give them a second glance.

Once they rented a room at a modest inn, Ruth finally handed Enkrid a small vial.

“Drink this. It’s a herbal tonic from my hometown,” she said with a calm smile.

Enkrid didn’t think much of it.

Everything was happening too fast, and since he could trust these people, he just nodded.

He was exhausted, and the trust he felt toward Ruth outweighed his doubts.

He drank it in one gulp.

Gulp!

In the next room, Darlene, Cecilia, Cielo, and Jericho waited in tense silence. Their eyes were fixed on the door, listening for any sign of distress.

Then, after a few moments, Enkrid sighed in relief.

His body felt lighter, his pain dulled, and warmth spread through his veins.

Soon, he fell asleep after feeling so comfortable!

“Haha! We did it! He didn’t die!” Cecilia said with her eyes wide.

“Yes! He can practice Arcane Arts!” Cielo added… He was so excited since young men like Enkrid were not easy to find!

Well, at the very least, he should be one in a hundred if not a thousand.

“Yes! This is the fifth time!” Darlene muttered. She was also excited now.

“I knew it,” Jericho said firmly. “We really need them fifteen and below. All those older than fifteen die from the Philosopher’s Elixir.”

Indeed, what Enkrid didn’t know was that the “tonic” he had just consumed was no ordinary medicine. It was the Philosopher’s Elixir… It was a dangerous brew for people of this world since it was designed to awaken the ability to wield Arcane Arts.

Many had perished from incompatibility, but now the Dawnblades were certain… young teens could survive it.

Jericho slumped on his chair, satisfied with the result. “Now… I’ll be teaching him Knight Arts. He’s mine.”

Darlene shrugged. “Mhmm… He’s already used to swords. I guess you can take him.”

The others didn’t argue as well. They saw Enkrid’s talent after all.

Over the next few days, they carefully planted the idea in Enkrid’s mind… that he was not alone, that he could be part of their cause. They spoke of loyalty, of friendship, of strength… and of course, the Arcane Arts…

They taught him that Arcane Energy was simply another form of Will, the inner force knights relied upon.

“Another form of Will…” Enkrid repeated.

Needless to say, it was his dream to awaken his Will and become a full Knight. However, obtaining this Arcane Energy wasn’t that bad either!

After that, Jericho began sharing sword techniques with him, guiding his stance, correcting his grip, and showing him how to channel his newfound energy into strikes.

And just like that, the Dawnblades had converted another local into an Arcanist. They now have a total of five locals who have become Arcanists!

They were now one step closer to their real plan.

***

Still, the Dawnblades had a rule… after every mission, they would take time for themselves.

A few days of rest, a short vacation, anything to keep their minds sharp and their spirits at their peak.

Ruth and Darlene followed that rule now, leaving the others behind to recover while they set out for Breeze Town.

Before departing, the two performed a ritual. In the quiet of the inn’s cellar, Ruth drew a summoning circle with precise strokes, while Darlene prepared the reagents.

The process didn’t take that long. When the ritual was complete, a stone appeared at the center… and it was still burning.

“Thank you…” Ruth whispered. She knew who had sent it.

On the other side of the arcane circle were their contacts in the human realm… Cyper, the others, perhaps even Vale himself.

According to their arrangement, requests could be made without direct contact, but the delay was always five days.

Today marked the fifth, and the fire stone they had asked for had finally arrived.

With the stone secured, Ruth and Darlene traveled to Breeze Town.

It was a modest settlement, quieter than Atrium City, but bustling enough to hide their movements. Their purpose here was simple… to check on Stella, the fourth recruit they had converted into an Arcanist.

Stella’s story was different from Enkrid’s.

She had been a victim of human trafficking, rescued by the Dawnblades during one of their earlier missions.

Then, she had accepted their offer of the Philosopher’s Elixir. Against the odds, she survived.

Her talent was remarkable… she showed affinity for Alchemy Arts, Elemental Arts, and even Holy Arts.

But Stella had chosen Alchemy.

She wanted to create, to heal, to transform… During that time, the Dawnblades had given her books and training, but until now, she lacked the fire stone necessary to awaken her Alchemist Body.

When Ruth and Darlene arrived at the small house Stella had been given, they found her surrounded by notes and vials, carefully memorizing the alchemy texts.

Soon, her eyes lit up when she saw them.

“You came back,” Stella said softly. She wanted to hug them, but realizing that she hadn’t taken a bath for several days, she quickly backed off and left to clean herself.