Galatea felt a little nervous as she touched the necklace hidden beneath her uniform collar.

Its faint warmth was a reminder of the gift her elder sister, Saintess Claire, had entrusted to her, a Sovereign-Grade detection artifact.

Irene, seated beside her, wore a similar necklace… Of course, the two of them also received something from Saintess Teresa. On their arm, concealed beneath their sleeves, was their second artifact.

It was a Sovereign-Grade defensive armband, and it was always ready to activate if the threat was lethal enough.

These artifacts were not meant for battle. The Academy forbade highly offensive relics within its walls, like explosive fire or artifacts that could release toxic gas, and many others.

Instead, they allowed those designed for protection and awareness, or maybe tools to sharpen their senses and shield their souls.

It was thanks to these artifacts that the sisters felt it… A subtle gaze that seemed to be probing them.. Someone was watching them. Yet the detection necklace could not pinpoint the source. Whoever it was, their presence was cloaked, or perhaps, they had the power equal to or greater than their own artifacts.

Galatea and Irene exchanged glances as they knew what they had to do.

'If our Sovereign artifacts cannot pierce their defense… then the observer must also wield a Sovereign relic. Or worse…'

Irene helplessly smiled, but she also felt a little proud...

'A Half-Immortal… or even an Immortal.'

She felt a little excited after thinking that there was such a being observing her right now.

They both knew better than to react.

After all, to reveal awareness would be dangerous… Instead, they straightened their posture, kept their expressions neutral, and continued listening to Professor Yena as if nothing was amiss.

***

Beyond the classroom doors, a figure paused.

Immortal Magnus was there and had been passing through the Academy halls when his senses brushed against the Holy Arts class.

He smiled faintly as his gaze turned to those remarkable students.

"So… these are the sisters recommended to be Vale's disciples," he murmured. His eyes lingered on Galatea and Irene, noting the faint resonance of their Sovereign-Grade artifacts.

"Sovereign relics, entrusted to children… Claire and Teresa truly dote on them."

Magnus had no intention of interfering.

He was merely curious, taking a closer look at the talents gathered here. And indeed, the sisters did not disappoint. Their Spirit Strands were strong, their composure also seemed unshaken even under scrutiny.

But then his gaze shifted. Among the rows of students, another presence caught his attention.

At first glance, the child seemed ordinary. But Magnus's immortal senses detected something… off. The resonance was not purely human.

"Interesting…" Magnus muttered as he focused on her….

The aura was faintly artificial, stitched together with special arcane threads and alchemical essence. It was most likely a Homunculus.

His lips curved into a thin smile.

"The Church of the Fortune Goddess… their forbidden project. Vale should've destroyed it years ago. And yet…"

Magnus's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Did one survive? But why come here among the Holy Arts students? Did they continue it secretly?"

He wasn't sure if Vale knew about this. Still, he actually didn't mind having a Homunculus here as long as they followed the rules of the Academy.

It was also a chance for them to observe their behavior.

Just like that, Magnus turned away as he took note of her existence. After all, she had to warn the Professors about her presence.

For now, he would say nothing to the Homunculus and put her in the observation list…

'I guess it's not just the geniuses who had been attracted to the Academy…' Magnus thought…

***

Days quickly passed, and the students of the Academy were slowly getting used to their daily lives…

At this time, word reached Vale that the first-year Alchemy class would be visiting the Three Fire Stones, which were the new sacred relics that contained the essence of the Academy's most prized flames.

"This will be interesting… I need to take a look."

Intrigued, Vale decided to observe the lesson in secret…

After all, these three Flames were no longer the same. They had been blessed by the Dragons!

Yes, Dragons!

They had improved so much, and Vale believed that those who were decisive enough to change their flames to any of these three would be successful, no matter whether they went after leaving the Academy.

And that was something he wanted to happen to increase the prestige of his Academy…

Professor Zeno, a stern but respected figure in both Alchemy and Dark Arts, stood before sixty eager students.

He couldn't help but smile seeing their expression. Since they were all Alchemy Art Practitioners, they already had Fire within their bodies that they could control for Alchemy…

However, it didn't mean that they would have to live with it forever… Because of that, the Academy could give them a chance to change their flames if they were compatible with it.

"Are they legendary flames?"

"I wonder what kind of fire they are…"

"It would be amazing to get those sentient flames…"

"Idiot… Those sentient flames will kill you."

"Hahaha…"

The students couldn't help but talk about these flames as they went to their storage location.

Every one of them now carried fire within their bodies, a flame infused into their Spirit Strands. However, if there was a chance to get something better, they would certainly grab it…

But the problem would be the fire itself.

If they weren't compatible with it, they would have no choice but to let it go or train until they were allowed to infuse it.

Among the sixty, twenty-two shared the same flame… the Orange Foxfire.

The Foxfire was a unique orange flame, medium in difficulty to infuse, but safe and reliable. It was also relatively cheap compared to others…

It was also powerful enough to elevate any alchemist to First-Class tier almost without fail, as long as they don't stop training. There was no problem with it, but it was also common and quite predictable since many Alchemists use this fire already.

As soon as they arrived at the chamber, Professor Zeno gestured toward the three headsized stones at the center of the hall.

They were white, azure, and crimson.

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