Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

After returning to the Arcanist Guild, Eustace promptly presented the signed papers, effectively completing the mission.

The process was straightforward, and the Guild Attendant swiftly confirmed the completion of the request and prepared the reward.

Although the modest compensation originated from a small-time cobbler, it still brought a sense of fulfillment to Eustace, providing insight into an alternative path as an Arcanist, distinct from the academic route he might have pursued at the Academy.

There are indeed many other jobs for Arcanists like him aside from the options that were mentioned to him in the Academy.

Eustace couldn't help but smile after recalling those possible jobs: Occult Consultant, Paranormal Investigator, Museum Curator or Artifact Expert, Ritual Designer or Event Planner, Arcane Historian or Researcher, or even an Author or Teacher.

'Well, I guess I'm sort of a Paranormal Investigator when I accept these missions.' Eustace mused as he waited for the Guild Attendant to process the reward.

Upon receiving the 2,000 zen reward, the Guild Attendant inquired.

"Are you planning to accept more missions like this one?"

"I will take a few more missions while I remain in the city. However, I'll be doing some errands for now." Eustace responded with a smile.

Departing from the Guild House, Eustace noticed several Arcanists casting curious glances in his direction as he distanced himself from the area. He simply ignored their scrutiny since none of them were showing hostility. He could only think that they were interested in how a Summoner had accomplished the cobbler's mission.

Subsequently, Eustace proceeded to a secluded area in the eastern part of the city, where he found an abandoned house at its edge.

After carefully surveying the surroundings and ensuring its safety, he made the decision to summon his Moonlight Specter, directing its attention towards a nearby pillar without hesitation.

Upon activating the spell, the ethereal entity materialized…

Whoosh~

Then, without waiting for it to complete its form, Eustace swiftly checked his Spell Light, verifying that he could summon five of them before his Spell Light became depleted.

'That's quite a lot of energy…' Eustace mused.

It was completely unlike his Ghost Hands or Spectral Hands, which had low cooldown and low energy consumption. He could basically use those Spells every 5 to 8 minutes.

Soon, an icy aura enveloped the abandoned house, heralding the Moonlight Specter's advance towards the targeted pillar.

The Moonlight Specter's appearance was both captivating and unsettling. It manifested as a translucent, humanoid figure with a shimmering, silvery glow.

Its form seemed to waver and shift as if it were comprised of liquid moonlight, and its piercing blue eyes exuded an otherworldly radiance. The creature moved with an eerie grace, leaving a faint trail of sparkling mist in its wake as it carried out Eustace's bidding.

As the Moonlight Specter touched the pillar, it didn't seem to have any significant effect aside from the blackening of the pillar as if it was burnt.

'So it's no longer suitable to carry out simple tasks, unlike my Ghost Hands.' Eustace mused as he realized that the Moonlight Specter was really an attack-type specter. Nevertheless, he didn't think too much of it since the Mastery of his Darkness Manipulation was already Level 8 and on the verge of breaking into Level 9.

It means that he could already control it, similar to his Ghost Hands. It could act like an extension of his hands, which could even be better than his Ghost Hands.

'I'll just know how strong it is if I really fought against a strong opponent—'

As Eustace reached this thought, he suddenly felt something off.

His heightened senses, sharpened by his ESP Spell, alerted him to an imminent threat.

In response, the very fabric of space around him contorted, suffusing the area with a distinct, holy aura!

It was unmistakable - someone had detected the dangerous, dark aura emanating from the Moonlight Specter and had set out to investigate the disturbance.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Eustace swiftly concealed his Grimoire, while instructing Yvaine to retrieve his Devil's Mask and Devil's Dagger, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

With a sudden and unexpected emergence from the spatial distortion, the figure who tried to step out of the cracked space was met with a swift and forceful counterattack from Eustace.

Eustace unleashed his Celestial Art, the Call of the Divine Lightning!

It caused the once serene sky above the city to darken ominously. Subsequently, twin bolts of searing lightning descended, hurtling towards the abandoned house with unrelenting force!

Boom! Boom!

The resultant detonations echoed through the city, their thunderous reverberations commanding the attention of the people in the city.

Startled onlookers emerged from their dwellings, their faces a mixture of awe, dread, and astonishment as they bore witness to the unparalleled spectacle unfolding before them.

"Is that the Heavenly Lightning I've heard so much about?"

"The city is being punished?"

"W-what's going on? This is definitely not a natural phenomenon. It happened almost without any signs!"

"A failed ritual?"

"It must be… But something must've attracted the lightning, and it could be a—"

"The Guild Leader has made an order to investigate the situation!"

"Hurry! A treasure must've been born in the place!"

As soon as someone said the word "treasure," they suddenly recalled the legends about various things like rocks, plants, flowers, or even animals that would mutate and give legendary powers to the people who had claimed it.

Though none of them could confirm whether these legends were true, they dared not miss this chance!

The Guild House was immediately emptied as everyone wanted to benefit from whatever they could see at the place where the "Heavenly Lightning" hit.

However, amidst the chaos and destruction, Eustace was compelled to retreat from the cataclysmic aftermath. He was well aware of the consequences brought by such a display of power.

"Mhmm?"

Eustace was taken aback as the holy aura, which had dissipated following the celestial lightning's strike, resurged with even greater intensity, permeating the entire vicinity with an unmistakable power that far surpassed its prior manifestation.

Eustace's face turned grave as he realized that he had met a really powerful Arcanist this time.

Before long, amidst the lingering smoke and debris, an aged voice resonated through the air…

"Hoh~ It's been a while since I got hit with such a strong Spell…" The voice intoned, carrying with it an air of authority as his figure slowly approached Eustace.