"Ahh…"
Vale didn't expect such a question, but he could understand what they were thinking.
He then paused for a moment, meeting Jody's gaze.
'I guess it doesn't matter if they know my plans now…'
Well, they were probably thinking that if they all attended the same branch of Dark Arts, they would constantly be compared to him.
With this in mind, he decided to address their thoughts honestly.
"No, Jody…" Vale replied calmly. "I will choose the Dark Magic Branch."
Jody and the other students exchanged surprised glances. They had expected Vale to pursue Dark Alchemy, given his exceptional skills in the activity just now.
Vale could see their shocked faces as they were probably thinking how he wasn't capable of choosing the right path.
Nevertheless, he had reasons for his decision.
Professor Alexis also looked at Vale with curiosity and asked.
"Interesting… I thought that we'd meet again in your sixth-year Alchemy Class. Why did you choose the Dark Magic Branch? Why not the others? I heard that you're quite talented in other branches... Professor Lucius even thought you'd take the Essential Corruption Branch, considering how you seemed interested in the Evil Creatures. Professor Harrison also mentioned that you'll be a great Ritual Master. You even summoned a Dark Spirit, right?" Professor Alexis asked.
It appears that these Professors would talk about him during their break times.
Vale's classmates also had the same question, so they all looked at him, waiting for an answer.
Vale wryly smiled at this and answered after some thought.
"While Dark Alchemy is fascinating, it is not the path I wish to explore. I have personal reservations about the other branches as well. Necromancy, for instance, is a branch I find rather unpleasant... I don't think I could work on this branch for the rest of my life. Then, the Essential Corruption Branch doesn't align with my unique physique… And as for the Rituals Branch, I don't believe I would excel in ceremonies or incantations."
To be honest, his second option was the Essential Corruption Branch. However, because he heard that their bodies would need to absorb a certain type of corruption to excel in this branch, he had to give up. After all, his Incorruptible Body would not allow him to absorb this type of corruption.
The class nodded at Vale's words, each of them processing their own thoughts and aspirations within the realm of Dark Arts.
Some of them started rethinking the path they planned to take.
With the discussion concluded, the class ended, and Vale's daily life at the Academy continued.
In the days that followed, Vale immersed himself in his study, especially in the Magic Circle Class and Twelve Arcane Paths Class.
The Magic Circles Class wasn't too difficult for him, thanks to the memories he extracted… But since it was only a fragmented memory, he couldn't excel in the class. At the very least, the memories allowed him to understand the principles of the Magic Circles quite easily.
On the other hand, the Twelve Arcane Paths Class was what he was really excited about. He could finally learn more about the other Arcane Paths. This would be a good preparation for him before the Twelve Academies Competition.
***
Two months had flown by, filled with intense studies and newfound friendships.
It was finally time for Vale to embark on the mission he had promised to Celina Vermont. Their objective was to search for a rare artifact in a distant town, a task that was filled with questionable details. Nevertheless, Vale was not going to back down… Especially with the current Divinity Points that he had.
'Let's see what kind of trap you've set for me.' Vale thought as he felt unafraid of what Celina was about to do.
With his current strength, he could only think of a few people who could match against him.
They were Bounty Hunter Sherman, Headmaster Jean, Alchemist Isaac Vermont, and Professor Gale Evans…
Sherman was just too unfathomable, and he couldn't even measure his strength.
Headmaster Jean, on the other hand, has a piece of his Shadow. One thing he learned in the Academy was that you should not trust a Dark Arcanist who has a part of you. Whether it was your hair, blood, or even your favorite item that has a close connection to you, it could be used to curse you or even bind your soul with it.
Perhaps, even if Vale knows he could be stronger than the Headmaster, he wouldn't dare to fight against him until he got his Shadow back.
As for Alchemist Isaac Vermont, Vale knew that he could get in trouble going against this man. He was a walking biological weapon, after all.
Perhaps if he wasn't restricted from using his poison and many other alchemical products, he would be able to deal with Sherman. Unfortunately, he was inside the Academy and had to limit what he could bring out in the battle.
Soon, Vale and Celina completed their preparations as they also signed their Binding Magic Contract.
To expedite their journey, they boarded an Airship that would swiftly carry them to their destination.
As the Airship glided through the clouds, Celina skillfully maintained her facade, ensuring that Vale remained oblivious to her true intentions.
'Let's see what will you do… I know you're not an idiot. You've probably prepared some things and thought you'd be safe with that contract and that Dark Spirit of yours…' Celina contained her laugh as she looked at the sky.
Unbeknownst to Vale, Celina had secretly assembled a team of Arcanists from her family posing as innocent passengers and mercenaries on the Airship.
Their mission was to capture Vale and bring him under Celina's control, to mold him into her Personal Shadow Knight, as they had discussed in their previous conversation.
"Hmm?" Vale suddenly felt something was off as he realized that the atmosphere within the Airship had changed.
'A Magic Circle was activated?' Vale thought to himself as he spread his Magic Zone. Then, he activated his Divine Sense and realized that the Airship was actually filled with Arcanists from various Arcane Paths!
'So her surprise isn't in the town. It's actually in the sky. It seems that this girl can't wait, huh…'
Suddenly, without warning, the calm air was shattered as the disguised mercenaries or Arcanists sprang into action, revealing their true colors.
Soon, Vale and the unsuspecting passengers found themselves caught in the midst of a ferocious surprise attack.
"Vale! Help me!" Celina shouted as Vale saw a couple of mercenaries was about to capture her.
