"We'll use our scholars to publish 'analyses' of the incident. We'll claim the Academy's formations are flawed, that Vale's reliance on the flawed Formation proves he cannot protect his students personally."

Dorian muttered as he was already considering what to tell his publishers.

Nelia nodded. "And we'll bribe the smaller academies to join our plans… If enough voices question Vale, even his reputation cannot silence them."

Just like that, the two rival headmasters were united in purpose. Their hatred of Vale had become a weapon, sharpened by the Void Immortal's guidance.

Dorian finally felt satisfied as he relaxed in his chair. "Let the world believe the Marshall Academy is crumbling. Once doubt takes root, it will spread faster than any Evil Spirit."

Nelia agreed. "Vale stole our students. Now we'll steal his future. This is only the beginning."

***

In the aftermath of the attack, the Marshall Academy moved quickly to restore order.

Professors and medics worked tirelessly, guiding students into recovery circles and reinforcing the Formation Circles and Barriers that had been strained during the battle.

Some students, though shaken, insisted on helping.

Galatea and Irene, still protected by their Sovereign Artifacts, assisted the medics by using their other Artifacts that use holy energy to help with the healing formations. Others, like the Dark Arts students who had resisted possession, volunteered to patrol the halls, ensuring no lingering spirits remained.

The Academy Council convened immediately, drafting plans to strengthen defenses.

New barrier formations were layered over the existing ones, and the Dragon Guardians were summoned to patrol the skies above the Academy.

Shadow Immortal wards were placed at the gates, and Asura battle formations were prepared in case of another siege.

Despite the chaos, the Academy was still firmly standing…

But Vale knew that strength alone was not enough… the world outside needed reassurance.

After some time, Vale's Avatar decided to meet Jody Lombarde.

One of Vale's Avatars left the Academy that night, cloaked in shadow…

His destination was another city within the Shadow Domain, where the headquarters of The New Era Chronicle towered above the streets.

At the top floor, in a chamber lined with books and glowing crystals, sat Jody Lombarde, the editor-in-chief. She was sharp-eyed, her quill moving swiftly across parchment as she reviewed reports.

When the Avatar entered, she looked up, startled for only a moment before recognition softened her expression.

"Vale… or at least one of you. It's been weeks since we last met. What brings you here in the middle of the night?"

She asked, though she was already somewhat aware of what he wanted…

The Avatar smiled faintly. "Jody, I need a favor. And I wouldn't ask if it weren't important."

Jody already had an answer and was certainly willing to help. Still, she liked how an Immortal Being was actually coming for her, asking for a favor.

This was something that would never have happened before.

Because of that, she knew that she had to play along.

"Is it important enough for the Shadow Immortal himself to send an Avatar? That's rare. Speak."

The Avatar stepped closer… At this time, he had already retracted all his Divinity, ensuring that she wouldn't get pressured by his presence at all.

"The Academy was attacked. Evil Spirits breached our defenses… We fought them off, and no lives were lost, but the damage is done… I know that rumors will spread and doubt will grow. Factions will question if the Academy is safe. I need you to help us control the narrative."

Jody raised an eyebrow. "You want me to write about it? Vale, you know my words reach far beyond this kingdom. What exactly do you want me to say?"

The Avatar's eyes glowed faintly.

"Tell them the truth… but tell it in a way that restores trust. Write that the Academy endured the attack without a single death. Write that our defenses are stronger than ever, reinforced by Dragons, Shadow Immortals, Asura Warriors, Angels, and even Time Manipulators. Let the world know that the Academy is not just protected… it is a fortress of every path of power."

Jody tapped her quill against the desk, thoughtful of the information he had just revealed.

Of course, she already knew about the existence of others, but the Time Manipulators were quite new to her.

"That's bold. You're willing to reveal all of that… and you want me to paint the Academy as the center of unity, guarded by every force imaginable. Dragons in the skies, Angels in the halls, Asura in the battlefields, Time Manipulators watching the flow of fate… It's a powerful image."

She muttered while already thinking about how she would write it on paper.

The Avatar nodded.

"Exactly. People need to believe that sending their children to us is not a risk, but a privilege. They need to see that the Academy is stronger than any faction, stronger than any kingdom. If we don't act now, I believe that we will be playing in our opponents' hands, and our rivals will spread lies. They'll say Vale attracts calamity, that Divinity draws danger. We cannot let that stand."

Vale's Avatar said as he had already realized that the Evil Spirits' attacks weren't meant to cripple them. It was meant to show the weakness of the Academy.

They had certainly succeeded. Most of their Immortals were busy at that time. Some were deep into their research, some of them were inside the Arcane Towers, and there were even those who couldn't really move from their position because of their ritual.

Jody gently needed as she found this reasonable…

"Got it… So you want me to counter the fire with light. Publish stories of resilience, of unity, of Immortal guardianship. Not just here in neighboring kingdoms, but across the continent."

"Yes," the Avatar said firmly. "Use your Chronicle to reach nobles, guilds, merchants, even foreign academies. Let them read that the Marshall Academy is still rising… and that we caught the culprit of this matter and this event will no longer happen again."

Jody chuckled softly. "You always did know how to ask for impossible favors. But… I like it. It's not too dramatic, it's inspiring, and it will silence the doubters. I think many people will buy this issue… Anyway, I'll craft the narrative myself. By dawn, the first issue will be ready. By next week, every major city will be reading about Vale's Academy standing tall."

The Avatar's expression softened. "Thank you, Jody. I knew I could count on you. Though our paths diverged, I trust your pen more than any sword."

***

Some time ago, while the Academy was under siege, and most of the immortals were missing, one of them was actually deep inside the Dark Arts Tower. She was Lisa the Vampire Immortal…

Lisa often felt she was the second weakest among Vale's circle of Immortals. She felt only slightly stronger than Magnus, the Human Immortal. Her vampiric bloodline gave her speed, resilience, and predatory instincts, but compared to Chad's draconic might, the Asura's ferocity, the Angels' divine radiance, and the Time Manipulators' mastery of fate, her powers seemed limited.

That insecurity had driven her here.

The Dark Arts Tower was a place of trial.

The first six floors were designed for students, training them from novice to Grandmaster rank. But beyond that, the Tower belonged to Immortals alone. Each floor was a crucible, testing not just strength but the very essence of one's soul.

Lisa had just conquered the 7th floor.

At this time, she sat cross-legged in the center of a chamber filled with red mist, as she recovered her strength…

She was now in hours of meditation and it had allowed her to absorb the essence of the trials… It includes illusions of despair, curses meant to unravel her bloodline, and shadow beasts that fed on fear. She had endured them all.

After a few more hours, her breathing slowed, and she opened her eyes.

"It's done… The 7th floor is mine."

But there was no time to rest. The Tower demanded progression.

Soon, she was in front of the next trial.

The door to the 8th floor appeared before her…

Lisa walked to approach it with her cloak trailing behind her. She touched the door, and the mechanism activated.

A chill ran down her spine.

She immediately knew that this was dangerous…

"I don't know what waits for me here…" she whispered.

The 7th floor had tested her endurance. The 8th, she suspected, would test something deeper… perhaps her bloodline itself, or her will to remain Immortal despite her doubts.

The door creaked open, revealing a staircase spiraling upward into darkness.

At first, she thought that the staircase was just a simple path.

However, each step seemed to become heavier and heavier… and on her fifth step, it even felt as if her vampiric essence was being stirred.

She didn't feel like she was getting stronger, but she could tell that her Divinity and Vampiric Essence were being tested!

However, it didn't last for long…

On her sixth step, the view had suddenly changed!

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