Chapter 483: Under Attack

"Merely hiding your presence is not enough. Odessa and the skilled experts from various Orders would not be so easily deceived. We must exercise caution. Wait until the end of the day, and once I have returned Vale's shadow to him, you will have the opportunity to target him. Choose your moment wisely, perhaps in the midst of the bustling city streets." Jean said as he explained the situation.

'I can't believe they spent a lot of money to get his soul back, but they're just sending him to death once again.' Jean silently thought as he recalled how he earned a lot of money after Vale ended Wilfred's life.

After some time, Wilfred's anger gradually subsided as he met Jean's gaze... With a simple nod, he sat crosslegged at the Formation Circle and closed his eyes.

Seeing how Wilfred acted, Jean couldn't help but smile as he decided to inspect this young man.

Dark Aura appeared around him, and they slowly went into Wilfred's body.

'Oh~ So it was like that. No wonder he's confident. He actually obtained a Demihuman's body.' Jean thought as he continued observing Wilfred's body.

'But as expected of a failure, his soul was being rejected. He's not compatible at all. If not for the Moontomb Clan's special seal, he would barely last a week inside this body. That's also probably the reason why he was hurrying to see Vale.' Jean concluded, observing the young man.

He then shifted his attention to Vessels, who had intercepted Wilfred.

"Good work... Your job will be completed once I return Vale's shadow. Wilfred can act on his own. If he gets captured, it's no longer related to us. Don't bother saving him. Even if the Moontomb Clan asks, just tell them that it was my decision."

The Vessel nodded in understanding, as they also didn't wish to get accused of causing trouble in the city where a royal family member was staying.

After this matter was settled, Jean returned to the Roaring Summit, hoping that Vale's meeting with Odessa and the others had ended.

***

Vermont Academy.

After completing her duties in the Library, Lisa Grayback wasted no time and hurried to the Training Hall.

While on her duty, she started sensing that she was on the verge of a breakthrough.

As a student of the Essential Corruption Branch, she had recently begun taking a special drug designed to acclimate her body to the power of corruption. This was a normal practice for students in her Branch, as the power of corruption had the potential to affect the skin, flesh, and bones of those who were not suited for it.

Even for selected students like Lisa, taking medication was necessary.

The drug not only helped them master the power of corruption but also aided in strengthening their physique and enhancing their control over Darkness Possession. This was why the students of this Branch were known to be capable of resisting the madness brought by the Possession.

After spending several hours in the Training Hall, Lisa couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "I did it!"

She exclaimed joyfully, confirming that she had gained another Spell Light!

With a total of 8 Spell Lights, 3 of which were currently blank without any spells recorded, Lisa's progress was impressive for a fourth-year student.

Once she had calmed down, Lisa decided to celebrate her achievement with her friends from the Branch. Emily, a classmate from previous years, and Kayla, a student from Class 4 during the last year, joined her. They gathered at the cafeteria as usual.

As Lisa shared her accomplishment, Emily softly asked "You now have three free Spell Lights. Are you considering recording a high-level Dark Spell?"

Kayla, munching on the cold pudding served to them, chimed in... "Oh, are you thinking of a Spell that requires two Spell Lights? That's quite daring. I've heard they can be quite expensive. Do you have enough contribution points?"

She asked while taking another spoon of pudding. She could probably eat eight servings of this, but she was trying to control herself as she still had to eat dinner later. She heard that there would be a beef stew and lamb steak, so she had to leave some space in her stomach for later.

Suppressing her excitement, Lisa smiled at her friends and nodded.

"I currently have 7 contribution points, and with the discount I received for working diligently in the library without any absences for two whole years, I can purchase a spell worth ten contribution points."

Her answer was met with admiration as they didn't think that it was possible like that. Of course, the two of them had also received benefits from the clubs they entered, but it wasn't related to Contribution Points. They could be mystical items, knowledge, permission to leave the Academy, guidance from the Top Professors, or even special connections to the organizations working for the Dark Arts Faction.

As their celebration continued, an unexpected turn of events suddenly disrupted the joyous atmosphere. The once serene halls of the Academy began to tremble violently, sending shockwaves of fear through the students and staff.

Then, a dangerous aura permeated the air, causing their hearts to race and adrenaline to surge. Many of them didn't know where this danger was coming from.

Amidst the chaos, a 10th-year student who happened to be in the cafeteria shouted in alarm...

"It's a Holy Smite! No, something even more powerful than that! We're under attack!"

The realization of the imminent danger sent a wave of panic to some new students.

"Calm down! We are inside the Academy! We'll be safe!" An Assistant Professor suddenly said as he felt embarrassed that he had to be woken up by the 10th-year student.

The students, now on high alert, could feel the impact of the Holy Spell striking the Academy. Fortunately, the past events related to the attack of the Secret Organization had led to the reinforcement of the Academy's Formation Barrier, providing some level of protection against the assault.

However, the onslaught did not cease there.

A Mystic Spell followed suit, known as Reality Shift, which twisted and strained the Barrier, threatening to dismantle the painstaking work of the specialized Evanescent Vessel Division responsible for its creation.

Amidst the chaos, two Squad Leaders of the Vessel faction finally arrived at the gates of the Academy, bearing witness to the dire situation unfolding outside.