“This aura… and that Dark Spirit… Vale?” Faith asked in astonishment as she recognized Vale’s presence. 𝒊𝒆.

As a Half-Spirit, she had a keen sense of the existence of Dark Spirits.

Since Vale had Yvaine, a Dark Spirit living in his Shadow, Faith could easily remember him.

“Yes, Manager Faith. It’s me, Vale. I’m surprised to see you here.” Vale answered as he got up to greet the Manager of the Contribution Points Exchange Hall, Faith.

Faith wryly smiled when she heard him and replied. “The Academy was already in ruins. It was destroyed by the Holy Arts Faction’s Alliance. I’m no longer the Manager of the Exchange Hall.”

Vale couldn’t help but feel gloomy after hearing this. Even though he already knew that the Academy was attacked and the war between the Dark Arts Faction and Holy Arts Faction was ongoing, he still hoped that the Academy had survived.

After all, he had studied at the Vermont Academy for the last four years.

“So the Dark Arts Faction really lost to them…” Vale murmured.

“Don’t worry… The Faction had endured for so long. This loss isn’t much. Furthermore, the top Arcanists of the Faction didn’t join the battle this time. It would be different if they were protecting the Academy at that time. Besides, the Dark Arts Faction isn’t alone this time. They’ll make a comeback soon…” Faith mysteriously said.

Vale wanted to ask more questions, but Faith shifted her attention to the young girl close to him. She was a striking beauty with sapphire eyes and azure hair that cascaded down her back.

She had a slender figure and a graceful posture. She wore a simple white dress that contrasted with her dark leather boots.

At this time, she was holding a book in her hand, indicating her interest in learning. She looked at Faith with curiosity and respect as she waited to be introduced.

“What’s the name of your companion?” Faith asked.

“Right… This is Pearl. She’s a friend of mine. After I was attacked by the members of the Vessels, I escaped the city, and she joined me afterward.” Vale said.

“Pearl… Are you a—Wait! Vale, are you referring to the Evanescent Vessels? Why were you attacked?”

Faith wanted to know about Pearl’s real identity, but after processing Vale’s words, she quickly asked what happened.

There, Vale told her what had happened after he obtained his complete Shadow from the Headmaster.

The Vessels tried to kill him and take the reward he got from the Ascension Tower. However, he managed to fight back and flee the scene.

The reward, or the Creation Ring, wasn’t even usable yet as it was still sealed.

Vale didn’t mind telling this story since he knew Faith wasn’t a Dark Arts Practitioner, or at the very least, she wasn’t just practicing the Dark Arts. Like him and Pearl, he knew Faith was also practicing multiple Arcane Arts.

After some time, Vale inquired about Faith’s presence in the Vampire’s Castle, prompting her to explain that she was searching for Lisa and Chad, who had been displaced to a different location following a malfunction in the teleportation circle while they were attempting to escape.

“Lisa Grayback and Chad Bulmung?” Vale asked in shock.

“Yes…”

Faith had taken it upon herself to locate the two. After all, she knew that aside from her, no one else had noticed the location where they went.

Furthermore, she could’ve accurately traced them if she hadn’t been hindered by the Third Guardian of the Transformation Arts Faction and the Vice Commander of the Prime Wisemen at the time of the incident.

Shocked by the revelation that Lisa and Chad were missing, Vale asked, “Is there anything I can help you with, Miss Faith?” 𝘳.𝑐ℴ𝓂

“During the time they were displaced, I sensed that they were transported to this region. My little knowledge about spatial disruption allowed me to sense it at that time…” Faith explained as she accepted Vale’s offer of assistance.

Vale then forgot about his plan for the Spell Fusion as the group engaged in a discussion.

Vale started sharing the events that transpired in the Vampire Castle while Faith provided insights into the current situation of the Dark Arts Faction against the Allied Factions.

Finally, Vale recounted the previous night’s events involving the Airships led by a Prince. Of course, he hid the fact that he was the Masked Devil and just mentioned how those people tried taking their items.

“You and your squads confronted the 14th Prince?!” Faith asked in astonishment.

“Y-yes… Is it really that bad?” Vale asked.

“No… You guys should’ve killed all of them instead. It would be less troublesome that way.” Faith replied while shaking her head.

“Ah.” Vale’s mouth opened, but he was unable to give a proper response. He couldn’t help but recall Heinz’s words before when he confronted the seniors of the Academy.

“Miss Faith, I don’t think we are strong enough to fight against their fleet.” Vale could only reply after some time.

“Ha! You think you can fool me? Your companion here isn’t ordinary… You as well. I’m sure that you could’ve dealt with the problem. You shouldn’t hesitate next time. Anyway, I won’t be asking about your secrets. My mission here is to find those kids.” Faith replied as she waved her hand.

Vale could not reply to that and just nodded obediently.

***

In the meantime, while Vale was immersed in his reunion with Faith, his enemy was already planning to take his revenge.

In the grand halls of a large manor, the 14th Prince had just finished his report to his father’s subordinate, the Royal Knights Commander, Gram Cromwell.

Adorned with red tattoo marks or Arcane Sigils all over his body, including his face, Grant stood tall while looking at the incompetent Prince.

He was in the middle of a celebration for acquiring another Arcane Sigil when this person chose to interrupt him in his chamber.

After learning what had happened, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed again in this Prince.

“So everything has turned into chaos because of one Arcanist, the Masked Devil Incarnate?” He inquired, his deep voice echoing through the opulent chamber.

This content is taken from 𝘳𝑎.𝗇t