The grand hall of the Imperial Arcane Council was silent after hearing Vale's request. The Immortal's words were certainly something they had to take seriously, but the Council members were not quick to answer.

Natasha, the youngest Grand Arcanist, broke the silence first. "Leader Seraphis… if we are to risk the Arcana, we cannot simply hand it over. Even if Lord Vale is an Immortal, the Council must gain something in return."

Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp. She was not intimidated by Vale's presence.

Seraphis Dorne, the Half‑Immortal leader, leaned back in his chair as he knew that they had to be careful when negotiating with an immortal.

After all, their attitude toward mortals wasn't really that positive in most cases.

He studied Vale carefully, then nodded. "You are right. The Arcana is not a tool to be used lightly. If we agree, we must secure the future of this Council and the Empire. After all, searching for Void Immortal carries risk… They might hold us responsible and view it as a form of hostility."

Calvus Ren crossed his arms as he realized what Seraphis and Natasha were trying to do.

"Immortal Vale, you ask us to wield an item that drains soul energy… life itself. If we agree, we want assurance. Our prodigies must be given priority in your Marshall Academy. They must receive the same privileges as your chosen disciples."

Natasha and Seraphis couldn't help but smile after confirming that the others realized what they must do in this situation.

Helena also added... "And when the Empire is threatened, you must stand with us. We cannot fight Void Immortals alone. If you want our Arcana, you must at least lend us your strength if we need it."

Nathaniel, the battle-scarred veteran, though late in the uptake, clapped his hand. "We are not bargaining for gold or land. We only want survival… I think that kind of request wasn't too difficult."

Vale listened quietly as he considered their requests. He understood their position...

It was also true that what they were requesting was not excessive.

They were simply mortals carrying the burden of protecting the strongest human empire. Their demand was not greed… it was necessity.

Finally, he spoke. "Very well. I will honor your request. Your prodigies will be given priority in the Academy… as long as they have the skills they need. And if the Empire is threatened, I will stand with you. This is my word as an Immortal."

The Council exchanged glances.

Seraphis looked at Vale carefully, searching for any hint of deception. Finding none, he nodded. "Then it is agreed."

Vale stepped forward. "Now… show me the Arcana. I have only heard of it from the Bureau. I do not know how it looks."

'So you heard it from the Arcane Bureau… Do they have a spy working within our group?'

'To think that the Bureau was able to get such information hidden from even some of the Council Members.'

They finally realized how capable this Bureau was. It was no wonder it was acknowledged throughout the whole continent.

Natasha then rose from her seat. "Then you shall see it."

She gestured, and attendants brought forth an object displayed at the corner of the room.

Apparently, she had used various restrictions on this item to appear normal… Indeed, the Arcana they have were always within this chamber and could be seen every day…

Some of the Council members watched in silence as they realized what it was.

Vale's eyes widened.

It was not a weapon, nor a jewel, nor a staff.

It was a Mirror.

He also didn't find anything abnormal about it when he entered the room… However, now that he had focused on it, he realized several seals had been placed into it.

"Interesting…" Vale muttered.

Of course, it didn't mean that he realized that it was an Arcana. He just realized that it was actually an Artifact. Just from looking at it, he could only guess that it was probably a cursed item, considering how many seals it had.

Soon, Natasha unleashed the seal, and everyone finally confirmed its power… It was a subtle, yet overwhelming aura. It wasn't oppressive, but it seemed refreshing even.

This was indeed an Arcana created by the world itself.

"This is the Arcana," Natasha said softly.

"The Mirror of Origins. It does not show what is before it… But what lies hidden. With it, we can search for the Void Immortals. But every use drains the soul of the wielder."

Seraphis nodded as he recalled the information about this Mirror.

"This Mirror has protected the Empire before. When Chaos Immortals attacked, it revealed their movement and even some of their conversations, allowing us to prepare."

"Now you understand why we guard it so closely. If you wish to use it, Vale, then prepare yourself. The Mirror does not lie… but it always demands something soul energy depending on the request."

Vale stared at the Mirror… "I have no way of finding a Void Immortal with their method of hiding… But I hope this works."

He couldn't help but feel curious about this mirror.

'So this is the item born from the world itself… Magnus said that it could work even against me…' Vale mused as the information that the Bureau provided mentioned that even the Shadow Immortal could be easily located by this Arcana as long as the caster paid the price…

Still, this Artifact wasn't truly terrifying. It could only locate targets or hear some of their conversations.

It wasn't an offensive item that could kill them at all.

Soon, Natasha stepped closer…

"If you want the Mirror to search for the Void Immortals, then I can pay the price. I will use my Soul Energy, but I will only do it once… If you want to use it again, I will add another condition. Or you can use it yourself..."

Vale wryly smiled after hearing this.

After all, he was only an Avatar with a very limited Soul Energy. He may have abundant Divinity and Force, but it was too valuable now that the real Vale was recuperating.

In short, he didn't want to use it himself.

"Very well… Please search for the Void Immortal who had rescued Lust, one of the entities of the Seven Sins, in Harake City."

***

In the meantime, while Vale was busy negotiating with the Imperial Arcane Council and preparing to use the Mirror of Origins to search for the Void Immortal and Lust, the Marshall Academy, his pride and responsibility, was suddenly thrown into chaos.

"What's going on?!" Chad was shocked as he used his Draconic Sense to observe the surroundings.

It began without warning.

Dark clouds gathered above the Academy grounds, blotting out the sun.

The air became suffocating, and a chilling wind swept through the training fields.

Then, without any sign of a summoning circle or ritual, Evil Spirits poured into the Academy.

They came out of nowhere.

"Evil Spirits?!"

"We're being attacked!"

"Gather at the Holy Grounds!"

Students screamed as shadowy figures rushed through the corridors…

Those who had no way of defending themselves felt it. They heard whispers piercing their minds and twisting their thoughts. Within moments, dozens of students collapsed as their eyes turned pitch black as possession took hold.

"It doesn't make sense…" Chad was confused. The Marshall Academy had numerous barriers, formations circles, and other protections made by Magnus, Constance, Vale, and even the Dragons who had arrived recently.

There shouldn't be any holes in their defense!

However, none of these defenses had activated.

"Help! Professor!" a third-year student who was also considered a Fourth‑Class Arcanist cried before his body convulsed as his soul was overtaken by a spirit.

He was an Alchemist, and he should be capable of defending against the Evil Spirit's possession if he used his Flame to protect his soul.

But he was clearly lacking in experience, and so, he failed.

Second‑Class and Third‑Class Arcanists also fell one after another.

The spread of the suffocating air and the suppressive aura made their defenses weaker, and now, they were no match for the sudden invasion.

Even some professors, those below Grandmaster Class, were affected… The students even saw their bodies tremble as the spirits forced their way inside.

Of course, they could normally block Evil Spirits, but if there were hundreds of them trying to take control of their bodies, it was definitely not going to be easy!

The stronger ones resisted. First‑Class Professors and Grandmasters immediately activated their protective barriers, their soul energy flaring to repel the spirits. But the damage was already done.

Within minutes, half the Academy was possessed.

Chad immediately contacted the other Immortals through his communication talisman.

"Marshall Academy is under attack! Evil Spirits are possessing the students!"

But the replies were grim.

Magnus was deep in cultivation, attempting to break through a bottleneck. Lisa was locked in an experiment involving a forbidden Vampiric Ritual. The others were also away on a mission...

None of them could come immediately.

Chad clenched his fists. "So it's just me…"

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