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nAs Kyle was looking for a suitable book, he found something different that attracted his attention.

nHistory of Vermont, Academy of Dark Arts.

nIt was only a thin book perhaps because this academy doesn’t have a deep history yet. Dark Arts were only legalized about ten or so years ago so it’s already impressive that they have developed an organized education system for their enthusiast.

n‘I guess learning the Academy’s history should be the first thing…’

nKyle inwardly said as he flipped the book open with interest. He first saw the emblem of the Vermont Academy which wasn’t too embellished but quite weird.

nIt was easily recognizable because it was only in red and black. They have chosen a design with a shield with a symmetrical squared top and pointed bottom supported by a pillar on either side. There’s a fairly large open book with a symbol of an eye at its center and surrounded by a red flame in a figure of a snake.

n‘They should’ve chosen a better one. Even just a normal one would be enough. It really shows how creepy the academy is.’ Kyle commented with a sigh as he flipped the page.

nHe then read the significance of the design of the emblem.… He only skimmed through it and realized that the book in the design represents the Book of Mysteries that allowed the pioneers to tread on this Arcane Path.

nThe next page explains the establishment of the Academy… 𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ𝓂

nOn June 12, 882, the Vermont Academy of Dark Arts was founded through Act. No 1412 after the Treaty of Keslore was signed by the Millton Assembly. It was the result of the recommendation of the Chairman of Dark Sorcery Refuge, Morgan Vermont, to the Millton Commission, the upper house of the Millton Assembly. It was meant to fill the need of the practitioners of the Dark Arts to meet the increasing demands for instruction in the higher levels of learning…

nKyle skimmed through the introduction but noted a few things in his mind.

n‘Morgan Vermont… Dark Sorcery Refuge.’ He ruminated.

nHe then learned that the land where the Academy was built was previously a battlefield. It was the Battle of Violated Karma that happened 30 years ago and had supposedly made this land barren. It seems that it was taken by the Dark Arts Practitioners as it has plenty of negative energy, spirit, or something similar.

nThe book then stated the early years of the academy, the expansion, and development which made the academy and its surrounding land beautiful.

nIt also stated the changing paradigms and constant values of the academy…

n“Hmm… Sounds like a normal academy except for the things they’re teaching here.” Kyle muttered as he appreciated the realistic sketches of the Academy and a few important people in it.

nSince he didn’t read the entire book and only skimmed through it, it only lasted for about 30 minutes or so…

nAfter closing the book, he returned it to the shelf and was planning to find another book. He had already forgotten to count the money in his pocket…

nAs Kyle was finding the books with the keywords he was looking for, he heard footsteps approaching the laboratory.

n“Another delivery of corpses?” Kyle muttered.

nHe was looking forward to that… Although the increase in Attributes was abysmally low, it is still an increase and he wouldn’t complain about it. 𝙡.𝙘𝒎

nHe didn’t move away from the shelf and just looked at the door patiently.

nWith a creaking noise, the door slightly opened and Kyle saw the thin and pale hands like that of a girl so he immediately realized that the visitor isn’t a Variant.

nAs expected, as soon as the door fully opened, he witnessed a frail young girl similar to his age hugging a couple of thick books.

n‘Another worker? Maybe an assistant… Mr. Heinz didn’t mention any visitors… He also didn’t tell me when will he return…’ Kyle was thinking of what to say when the young girl also noticed Kyle in front of the shelf…

nShe was shocked at the appearance of an unknown young man that was browsing the books on Mr. Heinz’s shelf.

nA while ago, she saw that Mr. Heinz had left the building heading towards the Academy. So she was expecting that there’s no other person here and she’s planning to return the books she borrowed.

nShe was always doing this and had permission from Mr. Heinz. In exchange, she would clean the laboratory from time to time and run some errands for him.

nSeeing the strange person inside the room, exactly when Mr. Heinz was out, she immediately realized what was going on.

n“A thief!” The young girl shouted to get the attention of other people…

n“W-wait—I’m not…”

nThe young man wanted to explain but she knows that giving him time to prepare will be dangerous for her. She had only learned a couple of Dark Spells and the person in front of her might have more. She can’t underestimate the young man who dared to trespass on the laboratory.

nIn short, she needed to act first while the man was caught unprepared.

n‘I can do this…’

nShe finally found an opportunity to use what she learned from the books against a real person!

nWith a hint of madness and excitement in her eyes, she cast the second spell she had been studying for several months.

n“Dusk Imprisonment.”

nHer voice triggered a sudden phenomenon as Kyle felt the restriction in his movement. It was uncomfortable and he felt suddenly sleepy. His vision was slowly being covered by darkness. It was scary at first but there was also a comfortable sensation that made him want to sleep…

n‘No!’

nKyle shouted in his mind. He felt that once he fell asleep, he would no longer wake up… or at the very least, he would be at her mercy once he passed out.

nHe can’t let that happen…

nAs he felt his body being shrouded with darkness bit by bit, he mustered all his strength to resist the imprisonment and uttered in a weak and desperate voice…

n“I… student… Heinz…”

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