Evelyn Miller, Edward Clark, and Odell Taylor strode confidently through the grand entrance of Vermont Academy. After about three years of training under the tutelage of the Master, they were finally allowed to enter the Academy.

“Let’s not waste this opportunity given by Master…” Evelyn said to her fellow disciples.

Edward and Odell nodded in agreement. This was their only way to pay back the kindness they had received.

They were here to expand the influence of their Master, Heinz Becker, and his Malefic Branch, an unexplored and powerful branch of the Dark Arts.

“Uhmm… But should we really meet the first disciple? Vale was it?” Odell asked.

“I don’t really want to since he barely received training and advanced potions from Master Heinz. He only learned from Master for about a year. At that time, Master Heinz hadn’t perfected his potions yet. I guess he won’t be as great as the three of us.” Edward commented.

Evelyn nodded at his friends as she was also thinking the same thing. However, they have to listen to their Master. “Let’s just greet him like what Master told us. We don’t have to bother getting close to him. It will be embarrassing if he doesn’t perform well in the Academy and will disgrace our Malefic Branch.”

Odell nodded in agreement. “That’s true… Our names will soon be known in the Academy and the Dark Arts Faction. It would be shameful if our senior wasn’t as powerful as the three of us.” 𝙖.𝒄𝙢

They looked down upon Vale, considering him merely the first experimental subject of Heinz, lacking the proper care and attention they believed they had received.

On the first day of their class, their Spirit Strands were measured and turned out to be 14 Spirit Strands. Their names were immediately spread throughout their batch.

In this batch, with only an average of 6 Spirit Strands, it is indeed considered higher. Furthermore, the first-year students of the previous year only had 12 Spirit Strands as the highest, so the Professors couldn’t help but praise the three.

“Right… Let’s meet with him after a few weeks. Let’s first familiarize ourselves in the Academy.” Evelyn suggested as she couldn’t find the Energy she needed to meet with their senior. She felt too lazy to do it.

Edward and Odell were also not interested in their senior, so they immediately agreed.

***

Evelyn, Odell, and Edward settled into their daily routine at Vermont Academy, eager to prove themselves and expand their knowledge of the Dark Arts.

Although they received some education from Master Heinz, the experts in the Academy are still on a different level.

Their days were filled with a multitude of classes, each designed to hone their skills and deepen their understanding of not just the Dark Arts but also the world of mysticism. It was different from the training or education when they were still at the manor.

In the mornings, they attended the Elementary Spirit Law Class, led by a seasoned professor who delved into the intricacies of spirit manipulation and the fundamental laws governing the spiritual realm. They learned several methods to channel their energies, establish connections with the Dark Energy, and harness their powers precisely.

“It’s indeed all basic, just like what Master Heinz had mentioned…” Evelyn muttered as she continued her study.

Next on their schedule was the Darkness Path Class, a subject close to their hearts as disciples of Heinz Becker. Under the guidance of a renowned Dark Arts expert, Professor Lucius, they explored the depths of the Realm of Darkness, one of the Twelve Arcane Paths in the world. They also studied the Darkness Possession, allowing them to realize how great it was for them to consume the second potion before even entering the Academy.

“We’ve really benefited a lot from Master Heinz.” Evelyn commented as she realized that other students who had enrolled had only consumed the Darkness Possession Potion once!

“Indeed. The Second Darkness Possession here can only be claimed if selected by a Professor. It could even last for two or three years long.” Odell added as he felt grateful that he already consumed his second potion.

In the afternoons, they attended the Fundamentals of Magic Zone Class, where they delved into the understanding and manipulation of the Phantasm State.

They learned to control their Magic Zone better, manipulate the flow of the Energy, and cast spells with precision within their Zone. This was something they had learned from their Master, and took this subject quite easily.

Their schedule also included sessions in the Rudimentary Usage of Mystical Artifacts, where they honed knowledge about objects with magical properties. They even learned to infuse mundane items with spells, enhancing their power and utility. Unfortunately, this type of enhancement couldn’t be easily done in their first year.

Nevertheless, this class allowed them to explore the practical applications of various artifacts circulating in the kingdom.

Finally, after two weeks in the Academy, the three of them decided that it was time to meet their senior in his clubroom. They had already heard that a student named Vale Chambers was a member of the Club, so they didn’t hesitate to visit him.

“He’s already fourth year… I heard that the Twelve Academies Competition will now accept fourth-year students. Do you think that he’ll be selected as a participant?” Evelyn asked as they headed to the clubroom’s building.

“Ugh… I hope so. That would sound great, but let’s not hope too much.” Odell replied.

“Haha… I guess his Spell Dispersion is still at the early stage… Since we’re already in the middle stage, we could probably replace him in the competition.” Edward added with a laugh.

“Oh? Aren’t you the Fantastic Three? Ahem… I’m sorry, I’m Nadine, a member of the Battle Arena Committee… Are you thinking of joining our Club?” 𝙡𝒃𝙖.𝙘𝒎

Nadine asked as she saw the three first-year students in the Hallway.

Seeing the number of eight-angled stars in her uniform, the trio immediately recognized that she was a ninth-year student.

“Ah… Senior Nadine, we’re looking for our Senior Disciple, Vale Chambers. Is he in the clubroom right now?”

‘Senior Disciple?’ Nadine repeated in her mind, but she didn’t think too much of it.

Her eyes lit up as she felt that it was a good thing that there would be more juniors in their Club. They were really lacking some personnel right now. Furthermore, most of their officers had already graduated.

“He’s inside the clubroom now… I will give you some private time. We don’t have activities today anyway.” Nadine said as she gestured for the three to enter the clubroom.

The three accepted it as they thanked the senior.

With their heads held high, the trio approached Vale’s clubroom…

They entered the room with a dismissive air, barely acknowledging Vale’s presence.

𝘪𝘳.𝒸𝑜𝑚