“Ahh—”

As the suffocating Aura dissipated, Geraldine felt a wave of relief wash over her, allowing her to breathe freely once again.

The tension in the air gradually eased, and she found herself able to move, though her hand still clutched the hilt of her sword. She looked at the mysterious lady, her eyes filled with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

“I apologize… I just reacted like that after sensing your Aura. It’s my mistake.” Geraldine said as she calmed down. She then released her grip to the hilt of her sword.

“I don’t mind it. I’m sure you know some hateful Dark Arcanists… I was also like that. Ah, are you going to participate in the Competition?”

“Yes! I’m Geraldine Walsh, a fourth-year student at Kildare Academy. Are you here to participate as well?”

“Oh, so you’re a Knight! No, I’m only here to watch. I’m not a student of Vermont Academy. I’m Denise White… Good luck to your Competition…” Denise said as she waved her hand and prepared to leave.

“No, I’m not a Knight… But I will become one someday. Once again, I apologize for my actions a while ago.” Geraldine said as Denise left the place.

After Geraldine could no longer see the mysterious lady, her expression eased up as she felt that she just survived an encounter with a beast…

‘I’m sure that she was talking to a Spirit… Tsk. A rogue Dark Arts Practitioner with a Spirit I couldn’t sense… That girl is dangerous.’ Geraldine commented in her mind as she realized that Dark Arcanists are truly on a different level.

Denise White wasn’t even from the Academy, but a Knight like her was already made helpless by a summoned spirit! This would’ve never happened if she faced young practitioners of other Arcane Paths! 𝘦𝑎.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Geraldine helplessly smiled at this as she realized that avenging her sister’s death was easier said than done.

***

As the Airship of the Vermont Academy approached the Roaring Summit, the students onboard, a total of 45, felt excited while some felt nervous. Thirty-five of them were participants, while the other ten students were here to assist them in various ways.

Among them, Vale Chambers couldn’t help but notice something peculiar. 𝙡𝓪.𝒄

The students from the 8th to 10th year, who were representing their Academy were not among the top 30 in the Elite Rankings.

This realization puzzled Vale, but fortunately, Maya was there and explained that those elite students had accepted important missions for the Dark Arts Faction, which probably held greater significance than individual achievements in the Twelve Academies Competition.

Vale wasn’t sure what kind of the mission was, but he didn’t think too much of it.

“Mhmm?”

As their Airship drew closer to their destination, Vale couldn’t help but notice the attention they garnered.

“That’s a lot of Spells targeting us…” Vale muttered as he felt numerous spells scanning over their Airship.

There was even a surveillance eagle, likely part of the city’s security measures, observing their arrival. Anyway, they paid little mind to the presence of these people, as their actions were quite expected given the nature of the Competition and the chilling Aura emanating from their Airship.

Upon disembarking, they were warmly greeted by officials from the competition organizers.

The officials led them to the hotel where they would be staying until the start of the Competition. It was clear that not all academies had arrived yet, as the Competition was still two days away.

As Vale set foot on the ground, he felt a strange sensation wash over him.

It felt familiar, yet he couldn’t quite place it.

“Vale? Are you alright? Don’t be too nervous.” Philip said as he patted Vale’s shoulders.

“Ahh… It’s nothing. I probably felt uncomfortable with those Magic Zones sweeping over us.” Vale replied.

As he walked with the group, he pondered if the thing he felt had something to do with Master Heinz’s disciples or perhaps the enigmatic Creation Ring. He brought the Timepiece and the Stormbringer after all.

Vale smiled at the thought but dismissed it as the excitement of being in a new city. Unlike the industrial cities in the central part of the kingdom, this place felt fresh and invigorating, with a gentle breeze that brought a sense of tranquility. It was completely different from others, with smog covering the entire city and the noise created by trains and factories.

Just as Vale thought they would reach their hotel room without any further interruptions, a group of individuals clad in white robes abruptly blocked their path.

“Mhmm?” Vale’s eyes widened as he looked ahead.

To his surprise, two figures among them looked familiar. It was Clare and Teresa, the Untainted Sentinels he had encountered before!

‘Not good!’

Instinctively, he hid behind Philip and others as he tried not to act to gather attention.

They might be capable of using their Divine Sense, but if they have the same level of Divine Sense or if he has a higher level than them, they shouldn’t notice his presence.

“Aren’t they Untainted Sentinels? Why are they blocking our path?” Philip muttered in curiosity as he looked ahead.

Vale couldn’t help but feel curious as well.

“Are they here to cause trouble?”

He then looked at the Headmaster Jean and six other Professors who were leading their group and felt that there shouldn’t be any problems.

Headmaster Jean looked at the five people blocking them before taunting them with a smile on his face.

“Are you here to ask for help? I heard that a lot of Untainted Sentinels died in your recent operation…” He provocatively remarked, his words laced with a hint of mockery. He was well-informed about the recent events and the perilous circumstances surrounding the Sentinels.

The leader of the group, an old man, responded with a seemingly innocent smile. “That’s funny, Headmaster Jean. I’m just here to take a look at your students. You see, we want to make sure that none of them are carrying a disease…”

His words struck a nerve among the students, and their sense of pride and dignity was challenged.

“What did you say?!” A tenth-year student among them bravely conveyed everyone’s reaction.

It was evident that this treatment was not extended to students from other academies participating in the Competition. Even the more experienced students who had previously taken part in the event had never encountered such disrespect.

Updated from 𝑖𝑟𝘦.𝒸𝘰𝘮