Chapter 485: Infiltration

The entities that the Vessels could call would depend on their affinity with the Shadow Realm or any other Realms, so they would have different beings that would possess them.

"Hahaha!"

As Cleo felt the overwhelming power coming into his body, he couldn't help but laugh.

Reed, who was beside Cleo, noticed this as well...

"You're a daredevil! Did you call the remnant spirit of the Shadow Emperor?!" He shouted in shock. Although they were ready to die, they should at least call an entity that would not just go on a rampage. If he really called for an entity he couldn't handle, the students might be hurt in the process!

Anyway, it would still take a few seconds more before the two of them lose control over their bodies. So, at this time, they could still hold a conversation.

"Of course not! My body will explode if I dare do that... I just called for the strongest I can connect with. The Moonlight Reaper!" Cleo said, followed by a chuckle.

"Great! I called for the Ninth Shadow Guardian! I hope they'll work together." Reed said as he looked at Cleo.

Cleo did the same, as this would be the last time they'd see each other. Once they were possessed, there was no turning back.

Reed was the first one to lose consciousness as the possession reached 50%.

Cleo then glanced at the members of his squads. Some of them were still desperately fighting inside the dockyard. They were lucky that a couple of airships there had combat abilities that were helping them resist the assault.

As soon as he felt that his mind was about to collapse, he looked one last time at the enemies ahead and prayed to the Embodiment of the Darkness silently.

Crash!

A part of the black dome had soon cracked open, and the aura of the squad leaders' possession was felt by the enemies... Even the ones fighting in the dockyard felt the heavy atmosphere brought by the possession and realized that their leaders had made a decision to become a full Vessel.

Whom~

In a surge of ethereal energy, the summoning was completed. Everyone, including the fleeing students, realized that a grand battle was about to start.

The other members of the Vessels also felt a powerful presence merge with their own consciousness, granting them heightened abilities and transforming their physical forms. They also completed the possession and became full Vessels. However, the ones they called to possess them weren't as strong as the Moonlight Reaper and the Shadow Guardian.

Nevertheless, their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they became powerful vessels for these shadow entities...

The once-human members of the Order now stood as otherwordly beings, their appearances altered by the essence of the entities they had summoned.

Most of them grew larger and became shrouded with darkness. Their strength and agility increased exponentially, and they radiated an aura that belonged to either death or darkness.

Some of the leaders of the assault group who were tasked to destroy the Academy couldn't help but realize that their job here would still be deadly even without the presence of the Headmaster and the Vice Headmaster of the Academy.

The members of the Evanescent Vessel didn't hold back at all as they all decided to use their lives to protect the students of the Academy.

***

At this time, the Contribution Points Exchange Hall was silent. There were no other people aside from Manager Faith.

After sensing the situation outside, she could tell that the Academy wouldn't last for long... Perhaps the Vessel would take a lot of lives, but if the Dark Arts Faction's reinforcements didn't arrive in time, it would really be the end of the Academy.

"So this is still happening... I guess this is inevitable..." She muttered.

She was blind but perceptive, so she immediately knew what was happening. Anyway, she was a staff member known for her role in the Contribution Points Exchange Hall.

She may not always be inside the Exchange Hall, but whenever she was present, students often sought her advice on how to best utilize their Contribution Points, making her a source of guidance and mystery.

Even Vale had a fair share of encounters with her and found her really mysterious, considering how she could scare Dark Spirits.

'Mhmm... I should have enough time.'

Manager Faith muttered and remained remarkably composed even at the sudden attack on the Academy.

She quickly realized that this was a completely different situation than the previous attacks in the Academy.

Without wasting a moment, Manager Faith activated a Magic Circle, a powerful enchantment that would safeguard the valuable items stored within the Treasury Vault of the Exchange Hall. Her movements were swift, indicating that she had already prepared for this.

Whom~

It only took her less than a minute before she swiftly sealed away the precious herbs, rare ores, scrolls, mystical items, and any alchemical materials of significance into a minuscule ring.

She then carefully secured the ring, attaching it to her necklace as a pendant. This was her own decision to keep these treasures close and protected.

As she intended to leave the Academy alongside the students in the secret chamber where the Mass Shadow Gate Circle was located, Manager Faith paused at the doorway leading to the hallway.

Her heightened senses detected a presence that eluded others. Though her sightless eyes saw nothing, her perception pierced the arcane spells of concealment.

"Incredible..." She murmured, her voice carrying an air of both surprise and authority. She didn't seem afraid as she addressed the people hiding in front of her.

"I didn't expect to find the Third Guardian of the Transformation Arts Faction and the Second-in-Command of the Prime Wisemen lurking here, aiming to steal our treasures. Shouldn't you be aiding your forces outside? The Vessels mean business. They would certainly kill those Shamans and Priests."

Her words echoed through the hall, revealing her skill that went beyond her apparent disability.

After a brief pause, a weathered voice echoed through the air, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Just as I anticipated for a genuine Half-Spirit... It seems the tales circulating about you were far from the truth..."