Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1246: Vale's Decision

The crowd gasped as they saw Neja's Sentient Sword being covered in fire… The heat actually started affecting the people in the stands!

Still, Cecilia moved quickly as she raised her grimoire… The pages moved as she knew her water wolf could not withstand this blade any longer.

"Return," she whispered.

Just like that, the wolf dissolved into streams, fading back into the grimoire. The hall fell silent for a moment, confused by her choice…

Neja laughed. "You recalled your beast? Then you're finished!"

But Cecilia's eyes remained steady. She pressed her palm against the grimoire, forcing its pages open. Dark aura suddenly spilled out, forming a new circle beneath her feet.

From it rose another Spirit Beast!

This one was different. Its body was humanoid. However, it had horns curved back like a demon's crown. Furthermore, its eyes glowed red, and its claws dug into the floor, leaving cracks!

"What?!" The crowd was shocked as they also saw the faint mist of shadow and fire surrounding!

"That's humanoid summon?!"

"Another Sentient Beast… It must be another Forbidden Summon."

"But wait… Isn't that a Demon?!"

"How can she summon something like that?!"

"Impossible… that's not a normal grimoire summon!"

"I've never heard a grimoire that can call out a Demon."

"This will blow up if the news spread."

The journalists scrambled to capture the moment, their devices flashing as the demonic figure stood tall. Some spectators felt a little worried as they planned to back away, while the others even started leaning forward, unable to look away.

They wanted a closer look since Demons weren't that easy to find!

Just like that, the duel hall was filled with murmurs, disbelief, and awe mixed together.

Cecilia's gaze hardened. She remembered the day she had received this summons.

It wasn't Vale who had given it to her directly. It was Denise who had seen Cecilia's potential to wield this demon.

Of course, she knew that Denise had also helped many other students but she received a lot from her… Denise showed her how to channel her spirit into the grimoire, how to endure the pain of binding something that most summoners would never dare attempt.

She recalled Denise's words clearly…

"This summon will test you. It will not obey weakness. But if you stand firm, it will become your greatest ally."

That memory gave Cecilia strength now.

The demonic beast lowered its head and soon, its eyes locked on the forbidden sword.

The sword then spoke. "So… you bring me a beast of shadow. Do you think this will subdue me?"

The demon growled as its claws dug deeper into the floor. Then it moved forward.

Bam!

Steel clashed against claw as the forbidden sword actually moved faster! However, the demon just caught it in time and actually forced it down.

The crowd roared in disbelief.

"It's holding the sword back!"

"Unbelievable!"

"That's definitely a Forbidden Summon!"

Cecilia's grimoire glowed faintly as she whispered another spell. Her voice was weak, but that didn't matter.

"Blessing of Strength…"

Then, the beast's body surged with power… Then, its claws pressed harder, forcing the sword back.

The sword screamed. "You dare resist me?!"

It ignited further with flames wrapping around its blade. The demonic creature then roared as its horns started glowing, and slammed the sword into the ground.

Boom!

The impact shook the hall as cracks spread across the floor.

Neja staggered and this time, he was already pale and sweating. He tried to command the sword, but it ignored him completely.

The battle became a contest of force. The sword rose again, slashing wildly, but the beast countered each strike, pushing it back step by step.

Cecilia's spells continued… There was a healing chant when the demonic creature's arm was cut, a barrier when the sword tried to break through, a boost when its strength began to falter.

Her voice grew weaker each time… But she did not stop.

The creature roared once more and soon, it struck the sword with all its strength, pinning it against the floor. The forbidden blade screeched as it fought back!

"No… I will not be bound!"

But the creature just pressed harder! Then, with a final surge of strength, it forced the sword down until its form cracked.

Soon, the blade shattered and fragments dissolved into smoke!

Silence filled the hall.

Cecilia almost fell as she felt her knees go weak.

"Finally…" She muttered as she clutched her grimoire.

At this point, the demonic creature suddenly appeared beside Neja!

"Stop!"

Thankfully, Cecilia was quick enough to cancel the summoning!

Realizing what had just happened, the announcer's voice rang out…

"Victory! Cecilia of Marshall Academy!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, astonished by her triumph.

Vale also exhaled slowly, a faint smile forming.

'Well done, Cecilia… Since Neja is one of the strongest opponents out there… There, this should be another win for us.'

Cecilia then raised her head as she looked for the professors and her classmates.

She had won, and her body felt drained… Still, she stood tall and gave them a thumbs up!

Seeing this, Vale chuckled…

'Yes. A summoner is definitely a good choice. Cecilia will be one of the three I send to Valor Realm.'

The Valor Realm was not a place for ordinary students. It was a frontier, a human realm waiting to be claimed.

To establish a foundation there, Vale needed strength, discipline, and diversity.

Having a Summoner like Cecilia was definitely a good choice…

Summoning Arts practitioners were versatile… They could literally adapt to any situation, call forth beasts or spirits to fight, depending on their situation. Cecilia had proven that she could remain calm under pressure, and her victory against Neja's forbidden sword showed that she had the resolve to face the unexpected.

But Vale knew that it would be better not to send three summoners.

Right now, he was considering the Knights Path since they were easier to disguise as natives since their Arcane Energy was almost undetectable.

Lastly, he was also considering an Alchemist to be sent instead. Alchemists were not warriors in the traditional sense, but their craft was indispensable. Pills, potions, and mixtures could heal wounds, restore spirit, and even enhance strength in critical moments.

In a new realm where resources were uncertain, an alchemist would ensure survival. Their knowledge could turn raw materials into weapons or sustenance, giving the team an edge no ordinary fighter could provide after all…

"This should be a good arrangement, right?" Vale muttered to himself.