Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy-Chapter 908: The Clovis City

Now that he thinks about it, his luck has truly started after being able to obtain the pocket watch.

'Great grandpa... Please help me...' Armin prayed silently.

As he felt the activation of the Arcane Circle, Armin felt incredibly powerful for a moment as his body was filled with Arcane Energy. Soon, however, he felt a cold, creeping sensation enveloped him.

In an instant, he was no longer in the tent.

He stood alone in a dark, silent forest where the trees twisted as if they were alive.

'So this is the test of courage, huh...' Armin reminded himself. The fact that this test could help determine whether he could practice Forbidden Arts actually excited him.

He hadn't considered it before, but now, he was already thinking about what Forbidden Arts could he possibly be learned.

After all, who doesn't want to have a trump card? Anyone would want to have at least a powerful spell as a backup, even if it was a forbidden one. In any case, he would only use it if his life was being threatened.

'Right... If I can learn one someday, I want a Forbidden Art that could make me super strong and kill anyone I wanted.' Armin thought as he wanted to keep his mind busy.

If he wasn't mistaken, there were Forbidden Arts that could help him recover to full health, stay alive in any situation, or even escape from any danger. However, instead of such Forbidden Arts, he wanted something that could make him unstoppable.

Thud...

As he was trying to keep thinking of random things, the Formation Art started disturbing his mind.

Shadows danced around him, and he also started hearing whispers in harsh, taunting tones.

He couldn't understand them, but he kept reminding himself that it was just a test. After some time, something emerged from the shadows... It was a figure-one of the overseers from the orphanage where he had spent his childhood.

"Ahh... What are you doing here?"

The figure then approached him in a hurry. He knew this person really well and one of the strictest people he knew in the orphanage... Nonetheless, this person triggered memories within him..

As this figure started getting closer, its face suddenly contorted with a cruel smile, reminding him of all his shortcomings every time he'd been told he wasn't enough.

"You..."

Armin clenched his fists, anger and fear mixing within him.

He knew it wasn't real, but the intensity of the illusion made his skin crawl. With a deep breath, he forced himself to meet the figure's eyes, focusing on the knowledge that it was only a test. Summoning his courage, he took a step forward and then another, each one dispelling the illusion bit by bit. The forest dissolved into mist, and the mocking voice faded into silence. All this time, he was unconsciously holding the pocket watch on his chest.

Thud...

Suddenly, he was back in the tent. The examiner's gaze relaxed, seeing how Armin handled the test. There was also a faint smile of approval on everyone's lips.

"You've done well, Armin. Not everyone can face their fear so directly. You ended that test with yourself instead of waiting for the test to be over. Impressive."

Armin let out a long breath after hearing this. Apparently, his heart was still pounding from that strange experience.

However, what was important was the fact that he'd passed.

All tests were completed.

The examiners exchanged glances, making notes on their parchments and muttering in low tones. Armin knew that the final placements wouldn't be revealed until the first day of classes, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph at completing the trials.

Then, he was given a student token that he could use to prove his identity as an enrolee of the Marshall Academy.

As he turned to leave, the first examiner spoke...

"Welcome to Marshall Academy, Armin. In two weeks, you'll discover your class placement. Until then, take this time to prepare yourself. Get yourself familiar in the city.

"Thank you..."

Armin nodded, grateful, and walked out of the tent. He was surely proud of himself.

Just a while ago, he was simply an ordinary orphan... But right now, he was one step closer to becoming a full-pledge Arcanist.

***

Outside, Armin then felt the student token for a moment before he tucked it safely in his pocket...

After walking around, Armin found Zeno's suggestion as he arrived at the Rosewood Inn, just a short walk from the Academy grounds.

The innkeeper noticed his age and was soon asked whether he had the student token...

He was pleasantly surprised when the innkeeper, upon checking his token, offered him a generous discount.

'So there's something like that... Incredible...' Armin thought.

The innkeeper was a friendly man named Jorn. He seemed genuinely pleased to host a new Marshall Academy student.

'I guess they have some benefits I'm not aware of...' Armin thought.

"Anything you need, you let me know, lad," Jorn had said, clapping him on the shoulder. "A student token from the Shadow Immortal's Academy goes a long way in Clovis City."

"Thank you, Mr. Jorn..."

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Armin decided to explore Clovis City.

Clovis was bustling with its paved streets and was certainly alive with numerous merchants, street performers, and travelers.

'Street performers... They've been long gone in Melthorn City...' Armin commented in his

mind as his attention was turned to the shops.

There were Alchemist shops lined the roads, each with names as enchanting as the items they sold: The Cauldron's Dream, Arcane Essence, The Talon's Talisman.

Of course, Armin started looking at these shops...

They have shelves displaying vials of elixirs with all shades of color, alongside bins filled with

herbs, rare crystals, and peculiar trinkets.

Some stores even had small, intricately crafted golems-tiny automatons designed to perform specific tasks, like carrying a small bag or lighting candles with the flick of a

matchstick.

'This is incredible...'

Armin's eyes were particularly drawn to a store called Mystic Machinations, where rows of odd devices crafted by skilled magic artisans were displayed in the window.

Small orbs that radiated light on command, brass compasses that pointed not north but toward the source of arcane energy, and others he couldn't explain...

'Right... I should be able to find an appraiser here...' Armin thought as he held his pocket

watch.