Vale felt a surge of annoyance at Leo's remark but chose to maintain his composure. He exchanged glances with Lisa and Leonore, who shared a mix of frustration and determination. They knew that Leo's words were meant to belittle them, but they were confident in the growth they had experienced during the ceremony.
Leonore, always quick to respond, retorted… "Looks like you're in a hurry to get your turn, Leo. I think you won't even survive the Potion…"
The other students beside Leo were stunned. They were indeed worrying about the effects of the Potion on them. They had barely survived their first Potion, and even if the Professors told them they were ready, they couldn't help but doubt themselves.
They gritted their teeth in frustration as they tightly held the black pearl in their hands.
Professor Lucius, observing the interaction, stepped forward to intervene.
"That's enough… Since you're all in the same batch, you'll be working together someday. Unity within the Academy is important." With a calm yet authoritative voice, he continued to emphasize the need to support and respect one another, as they were all part of a shared journey toward mastery of the Dark Arts.
Leo, realizing that his comment had provoked a response, reluctantly backed down.
"Yes, Professor." He then offered a half-hearted smirk before turning away.
As Vale and his companions walked away, they couldn't help but consider waiting for Leo's group to see if they could really improve significantly from the Potion.
However, Leo might think that Lisa was waiting for him, so they decided to leave.
***
On the following day, Vale and the other students of Class 2 were taken aback by the news that the top Class 3 students had experienced a major setback. Rumors spread throughout their batch, revealing that the Class 3 students had not only failed to complete the Darkness Possession Ceremony but also suffered injuries.
This alarmed the other students who might be scheduled to take the Potion next week!
'That guy actually failed…' Vale silently thought as he confirmed the truth.
His curiosity was piqued, so he sought out more information about what had transpired. He discovered that the Class 3 students had underestimated the intensity and power of the Darkness Possession Potion. In their eagerness to achieve quick results, they had secretly consumed a high-grade Dark Spirit Peal before drinking the Darkness Possession Potion to get a higher dosage than recommended, hoping for a greater transformation.
However, the excessive dosage brought by the Dark Spirit Pearl had backfired, causing severe side effects and complications. The students' bodies had struggled to withstand the overwhelming surge of dark energy, resulting in injuries and a failed transformation. It seemed that their impatience and disregard for caution had cost them dearly.
Vale could only shake his head.
He was previously thinking of extracting this guy to make him suffer a bit, but it seemed unnecessary at this point. Instead, he focused on studying the several Mystical Items in his possession.
The classes he was receiving weren't quite enough, so he had to do some self-studies since he wanted to hasten the recovery of his pocketwatch.
***
In the meantime, Chad Bulmung led a rather peaceful and content daily life within the halls of the Academy. While he had not been selected by Professor Zara to consume the Second Darkness Possession Potion, he harbored no resentment or impatience. Instead, he remained focused on honing his skills and patiently awaiting his next opportunity.
Each day, Chad approached his studies with unwavering determination. He did not dare to be late or skip any classes, immersing himself in the vast world of magic and knowledge.
During the weekend, however, Chad would mostly stay within his dorm.
In his room, the sun gently filtered through the window, casting a soft glow on his study desk. As he sat there, engrossed in his books, his roommate, Marcus, entered the room with a mischievous grin.
He was from Class 4 and was quite an average student.
"Hey, Chad! Still buried in those dusty tomes, I see. What incredible secrets are you uncovering today?"
Chad looked up, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I'm just trying to study for the next exam."
Marcus chuckled, plopping down on his own bed. "Well, while you're busy communing with the darkness, don't forget to have some fun too. Life in the Academy isn't all about studying, you know."
Chad nodded, appreciating Marcus's perspective. He valued the balance between academics and enjoyment and knew the importance of maintaining a well-rounded experience. However, what he was reading right now wasn't just any book.
It was a copy of a book that he brought from his home. He wasn't allowed to bring this to the Academy since it contained a family secret.
It contains the full ritual that would grant him the Ghost King Body, a specific Impure Darkness Physique. The allure of this power was undeniable, promising to enhance his talents in Dark Arts to unparalleled heights. However, Chad was acutely aware of the drawbacks that accompanied this path, so he was studying it carefully before making his decision.
Apparently, the Ghost King Body, while granting him immense strength and talent in the realm of darkness, would render him vulnerable to arcane arts that had the ability to suppress or eliminate ghosts. Holy Arts and Lightning Element Arts, for instance, would pose a significant threat to him. Chad pondered the consequences of this choice, weighing the potential benefits against the inherent risks.
"You're right, Marcus. I'll make sure to take breaks and enjoy the company of friends. Speaking of which, have you heard anything about the Class 1 students who underwent the Darkness Possession Ceremony?" Chad replied as he casually closed his book and kept it in his drawer.
Marcus's eyes lit up with excitement. He certainly heard about Maya Featherstar, Philip Hoffman, and Crystal Ravinie's success.
The two then chatted for a bit before hanging outside.
In the next few days, Chad found himself in the Advanced Magic Circle Class, surrounded by his classmates.
As Professor Morton explained the intricacies of forming complex magical patterns, Chad couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
If he wants to obtain the Ghost King Body, he would need to master a certain Magic Circle.
Luckily, Professor Morton was about to test and teach them with advanced Magic Circles today.
