“Shadow Step… 17 Spirit Strands and 8 Life Strands…” Vale repeated as he nodded his head.

He can indeed learn this Tier 2 Dark Spell right now.

“How many Spell Lights are needed, Headmaster Jean? Well, the first Original Spell of the Malefic Branch merged a few of my Spell Lights before.” Vale asked remembering how the Spell Dispersion took five of his Spell Lights before…

Perhaps, if he doesn’t have a system and he can’t extract Intelligence Attribute, he would take a very long time to produce Spell Lights. Apparently, the Spell Lights are related to the level of your Intelligence and Vitality according to Master Heinz.

Vale had also noticed this before so he wasn’t really worried about lacking a Spell Light like the others. Nevertheless, he still has to know how to use them properly.

“It is quite special but it only needed 1 Spell Light if you recorded the Light Absorption so you don’t have to worry. But the Spell Model of that spell can only be exchanged in the Contribution Exchange Hall… Although we have some free Tier 2 Spell Models, the Shadow Step isn’t included.”

“There is something like that? I understand, Headmaster.” Vale answered with excitement.

“Alright… Stay here.” Headmaster Jean said with a satisfied smile before he finally entered the three-storey building leaving Vale outside alone.

Vale then took this time to enter his Phantasm State and check his Spell Lights…

As soon as he entered his Phantasm State, he first noticed his surroundings that is actually filled with Formation Circles. This is probably the thing that is hiding this building from being seen outside.

He didn’t dwell on it for too long as he shifted his focus to his body…

Currently, he can see four dark Spell Lights since there are already Spell Models recorded on them. Surroundings these four were eleven more white Spell Lights…

It means that Vale can still learn 11 more spells!

If he wasn’t mistaken, his classmates should only have 2 or 3 available spell lights after they recorded the Darkness Manipulation.

They were expecting that this number of Spell Lights would increase as they grow older or as they chose their branch specialization in their 4th year.

In any case, according to Professor Lucius of Darkness Path Class, the first graduates of this academy had 10 or 11 Spell Models recorded… There was even a special student with 12 Spell Models.

For those with low talent but diligent at studying, they would have 9 Spell Models at the very least. Of course, that would be very unlucky but it’s not completely impossible.

This means that Vale’s current situation is abnormal. As long as he learned Dark Spell which only requires 1 Spell Light, he would have a total of 15 Spells once he graduated! Furthermore, his Spell Lights can still increase as he gets stronger each year! He hasn’t reached his limit yet!

According to the professors, the Spell Lights will only stop producing once you hit 20 or 21 years old. It means that he still has plenty of time!

‘Shadow Step… I should add it to my list.’ Vale noted in his mind.

Currently, he was aiming to learn the Madness Inducement Spell, Cursed Contract Bestowal, and Heart Burst in his set of Tier 1 Dark Spells…

As for Tier 2 Dark Spells, it was reserved for his Branch Specialization.

Apparently, once you entered your 4th Year and chose a Branch, you have to reserve at least 3 Spell Lights for that specific branch… After all, no matter what branch you are in, you will need Spell Lights to record your Branch’s unique Spell Models.

Of course, you don’t need to have 3 Spell Lights immediately in your fourth year, you will only need 1 Spell Light at that time and you can just wait for another spell light to be produced in later years.

In short, the Academy requires 3 Spell Lights for the Academy-Exclusive Spells and 3 Spell Lights for your Branch-Exclusive Spells.

If you have decent talent, you will have 5 or even 6 Spell Lights for your own but if you’re terrible, you can only have 3 Spell Lights that you can use.

‘Right, there is also a fourth Academy-Exclusive Dark Spell… However, that fourth one is only optional for other students with spare Spell Lights or with talent good enough to record it.’ Vale added in his mind as he wasn’t sure whether he should learn the 4th exclusive spell.

Anyway, he will consider it as time goes by. He’s only a first-year student after all. He still has plenty of time to think about it.

***

After five more minutes, Vale suddenly heard the Headmaster’s voice inside his head.

He was being told to enter the building and it should be safe.

Vale obviously did as instructed and entered the building according to the Headmaster’s instruction.

As soon as he entered he saw a huge lobby with a chandelier illuminating the whole place…

There was no one in this reception hall so Vale remained silent as he followed the path the Headmaster mentioned.

He soon found himself walking in a hallway and this time, he saw a couple of Tier 2 Variants walking around! They were probably doing a patrol or something.

He’s quite familiar with them since Tier 2 Variants are the secret protectors of Master Heinz’s laboratory. The aura emitting in their bodies is completely different from those Tier 1 Variants.

Anyway, they didn’t react to Vale’s presence as they simply passed by. 𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Vale heaved a sigh of relief after seeing this as he continued on his way.

Soon, Vale entered a laboratory and saw dozens of cadaver bags on the floor… These bags weren’t empty as Vale immediately felt excited…

‘Ugh! No, why am I feeling excited?! Tsk… This isn’t good.’ Vale immediately controlled his emotions he knows that this kind of emotion wouldn’t be good if he gets used to it.

Getting excited in front of corpses?! This is quite unacceptable for him.

Unfortunately, two people noticed all of his reactions… From surprise, excitement, struggling expression, and finally a calm face…

The two old practitioners shook their heads as they chuckled at the student’s unusual behavior.

Updated from 𝑖𝘳.𝒸ℴ𝑚