Read Novel Full Chapter 1199: The Strongest Academy
Chapter 1199: The Strongest Academy
Vale sighed and accepted the fact that there was no one else he could ask about the mysterious Arcane Towers.
'I guess that's it… It's just a waiting game from now on.' Vale mused.
Since even the High Immortals had little to say, he just had to adapt…
These Elders of the Shadow Realm only confirmed what he already knew, that these Towers were once prisons and had other mysterious abilities...
Still, he was hopeful that Lisa would be fine. Her blood servants and thralls were all doing well. If she had perished, they would have weakened or even died, save for her Vampire Knights, who were bound differently. Their continued strength was proof enough that Lisa was still alive within the Tower.
Perhaps she was undergoing even harder tests, something that he had never experienced himself.
'I'm pretty sure I reached the highest floor… But this never happened to me... Maybe because I tried to extract its energy?' Vale chuckled as he recalled what his original body did when he previously entered the Dark Arts Tower.
Well, he had certainly obtained a lot of energy at that time, but he made sure not to do it that much since the Arcane Tower had a lot of value. He was simply curious what he could extract at that time.
After all, the Tower probably thought that he was a threat at that time…
For now, Vale issued strict orders… None of the other Immortals was to enter the remaining fifteen Arcane Towers.
The risk was too great.
However, students were permitted to continue using the first four floors for training. Those levels had been stable for years, and no changes had ever occurred there. Vale could only guess that Lisa had somehow gone beyond that threshold, triggering the Tower's transformation.
With those precautions in place, Vale returned to the Academy.
He confirmed that classes and training would resume, and the Academy slowly settled back into routine. The students, though shaken, were reassured by his presence and the professors' guidance.
But three days later, the calm was shattered.
Various publications began circulating across the Shadow Domain, criticizing the Academy.
Headlines accused them of failing to stop the Evil Spirit attack, questioning their competence and even their loyalty to the people.
"Academy's Failure: Evil Spirits Rampage Unchecked."
"Where Were the Professors When the Academy Needed Them?"
"Vale's Marshall Academy - Protector or Liability?"
The reports spread quickly… Vale even guessed that they hired bards and other Arcanists to spread the news in taverns, shout in marketplaces, and debate in council halls.
Parents of students demanded answers. Citizens who had once trusted the Academy now looked at its gates with suspicion.
***
Inside the Academy, professors gathered in tense meetings, and this included Vale's Avatar.
"This is getting out of hand…" Professor Dalton muttered while slamming a copy of the latest publication onto the table.
"They're twisting the truth." Professor Lenora said bitterly. "We contained the attack as best we could. Without us, the casualties would have been far worse."
"But perception is reality," Professor Zeno added grimly. "If the people believe we failed, then our authority weakens."
Soon, they looked at Vale.
At this point, they all knew that he was only an Avatar. However, it didn't mean that he had less authority in this matter. His words were still absolute…
He was now reading the newspaper and found what they've written quite interesting… Still, he felt that they were just using the same words as if they were all made by a single person.
He knew the timing was no coincidence…
Finally, he spoke.
"Do not waste energy on the publications. Just handle the inquiries of the parents and reassure them that the Academy is still the safest and the culprits have been handled already…"
Vale continued explaining to the professors what they must do… In any case, they would soon prove that their academy was the best once they participated six months later in the Arcane Academy Competition that would be attended by the top Academies of each nation.
The room fell silent for a moment after Vale's words. Then, slowly, the professors' expressions began to change. Their eyes lit up, one after another, as the weight of what he had just said sank in.
"Right!"
Professor Dalton tapped the table and nodded. His voice was even trembling with restrained excitement.
"That's the perfect opportunity! This is not just another tournament. This is continental. Every academy, from the neighboring nations to the farthest reaches of the continent, will be there. If we prove ourselves in front of them all…" He paused, his lips curling into a grin.
"…then no publication, no rumor, no critic will ever dare question us again."
Professor Perez of the Combat Arts Department also nodded sharply. "Exactly. The timing couldn't be better. They're trying to drag our name through the mud, but if our students dominate this competition, the world will see the truth. The Marshall Academy will stand above them all."
Professor Miriam of the Holy Arts Department adjusted her glasses and agreed to his words.
"It's fairly new, yes. The first competition was only held a few years ago, and I heard that the Marshall Academy didn't participate at that time since the Shadow Domain wasn't considered a nation yet… But it's different now."
Miriam was also a new professor, but she was aware of the Academy's background. It was a pity that the Marshall Academy wasn't invited at that time, but it has changed now…
Professor Jamie of the Psychic Arts Department didn't really think that the Academy would suffer a heavy blow over this matter. After all, he believed that the invasion of the Evil Spirits wasn't really that damaging to their reputation... Nonetheless, he liked that everyone was taking this matter seriously.
"That's true… Even if this is a new competition, it has already become the most prestigious event for academies. To win is to claim continental recognition. If we succeed, the doubters will be silenced permanently."