Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Armin blinked. "Guide?"

He was a bit confused after realizing that the instructor was actually talking to him.

The instructor approached and nodded.

"You're Armin, aren't you? Disciple of the Shadow Immortal?"

Well, most of the students were already aware of it, so it would be normal if the Instructors were also informed by this news.

As a matter of fact, Shadow Immortal Vale might've even given them special instructions about his existence in the Academy.

"I am…" Armin replied carefully.

"Good. We're demonstrating intermediate summoning pacts today within the Spirit Arts Tower… I heard that you're serious about pursuing Spirit Arts. This is a perfect opportunity. Care to join us as an assistant?"

Armin hesitated only for a breath, then gave a small nod.

"Gladly."

And just like that, Armin stepped through the barrier of the Spirit Tower…

***

Instructor Darrion Vex was a name known to many students… After all, he was also teaching the Introductory Cursecraft Class for the first-year students…

Still, he was also known for his wisdom cultivated over 30 years of research into Spirit Arts.

He was a Dark Arts Practitioner, but he had also devoted himself to the study of the Spirit Realm and its subtle, elusive energies. With shoulder-length ashen hair, Darrion looked more like a forest sage than an instructor of a powerful academy.

He led Armin and all the other students through the barrier of the Spirit Arts Tower. Although it was considered a Trial Tower like the other towers, its first floor was still a place revered by summoners, mediums, and spiritualists alike.

The moment they crossed into the interior, the atmosphere shifted.

The temperature dropped, and there was a hint of mist around the first floor. The architecture was quite simple, almost without any decorations, but everyone could feel the strong spiritual energy within the place.

With Darrion's instructions, all the students immediately moved into the circular Summoning Platform. It was an elevated stage in the center made of translucent crystal.

The floor was inscribed with ancient language and even some runes that many could not understand.

Darrion raised a hand.

"Welcome, Initiates of the Spirit Path…"

"Today's lesson is not about power. Not about domination. Spirit Arts differ from all other branches—here, you are not masters. You are seekers of harmony."

The room quieted even further.

"You have studied Dark Arts? Then you know of binding spells, soul shackle techniques, necrotic pacts—tools to control or corrupt. Holy Arts? Divine invocation, attendant angels under vow. Even Summoning Techniques of other Paths—Elemental, Mystic, or Alchemy—they rely on arcane authority or soul resonance to the other side."

He gestured to the glowing sigils on the floor.

"But Spirit Arts… are a conversation. Not a command."

He stepped aside, with subtle amusement as he turned to Armin.

"This is Armin, disciple of the Shadow Immortal," Darrion said, confirming what most students already suspected.

"He's volunteered to assist us today. As most of you know, he's studying both Dark and Combat Arts. However, it doesn't mean that he couldn't use other Arcane Arts.. Today, he will show us a basic summoning method under the Spirit Path without using any other medium."

Several students stirred at that. Some looked surprised as they whispered to each other.

"A Dark Arcanist trying Spirit Summoning? Is this really possible without a medium?" a red-haired girl muttered. "Isn't that like oil mixing with water?"

Darrion either didn't hear or chose not to respond. He smiled at Armin and extended a hand toward the crystal platform. "Go on."

Armin nodded as he finally stepped onto the stage.

This wasn't part of his plan, but since he was only doing the most basic summoning, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

"Hu~"

His breath slowed as he recalled his practice…

He had studied the diagrams Vale had left him. He had already read and learned from various books like the Way of Resonant Paths and the Seven Harmonies of Spirit Attunement.

He took a seated position in the center of the array and began the slow, rhythmic breathing that initiated the Spirit Sense Flow.

This method was slow, but it was understandable since he was a Dark Arts Practitioner. It would take him a few moments to summon a Wraith or even a Zombie, but this was completely different…

Soon, a faint blue glow began to radiate around him. Not Aura. Not the Arcane Energy… It was the Spirit Energy.

It was gentle, supple, and warm.

The summoning chant was not loud… It was a personal mantra of stillness, sincerity, and openness, unlike the Dark Arts…

There was no forceful summoning or coercion. It was only an invitation.

As the last words fell from his lips, the air hummed…

From the mist, a small figure began to manifest.

It was a plump, round-bodied being standing barely two feet tall.

It had tiny stubby feet, two small arms, and a huge mushroom cap on its head with blue and green patterns.

Its eyes were closed, but it radiated peaceful energy.

The students stared.

"…A Mushroom Spirit?" one student said in astonishment.

They had seen Evil Spirits, Wailing Ghosts, Dark Wraiths, and other Spirits that could be summoned by Dark Arts Practitioners…

This time, however, they had just seen a Dark Magician summoning a gentle spirit!

"It's the most polite spirit… that's rare," another muttered.

The mushroom spirit opened its eyes slowly, blinking up at Armin with serene awareness. It then waddled forward, touched Armin's forehead with a glowing finger, and a tiny pulse of spiritual connection passed between them.

Darrion smiled seeing this…

"The Spirit Arts is only taught in Marshall Academy… You are all lucky since Immortal Vale has brought us all the four Lost Arcane Arts… This is only one of them, and perhaps, you'd also get the chance to learn the other three…"

His words had indeed motivated all the other students.

The Lost Arcane Arts were the Primordial Chaos Arts, the Spirit Arts, the Celestial Arts, and the Void Arts.

At this time, only the Spirit Arts were available for them. Still, this was a great chance for them to be ahead of the other students from different Academies!

Perhaps, the upcoming Academy Competition would be favorable for them!