The sudden appearance of countless bats surprised the group of students. They had never seen such a huge bat migration like this before.
However, it didn't take that long before they realized that they were headed to the Dark Arts Tower!
"Hmm? Is there so event going on?"
"I heard that the Dark Arts Tower had so malfunctions or sothing…"
"Well, it's not our concern. The Psychic Arts Tower is still safe to use for all students. I'm sure they'll handle it just fine."
The three students were curious about the situation, but since this matter involved the Dark Arts Tower, they knew that they didn't have to get entangled with it.
Their focus should be on gaining wealth…
To sharpen their minds, they need rare stimulants, focus talismans, and even als prepared with herbs that calm the spirit. The Academy cannot cover all of that for every student…
The expenses would be incredibly huge. Even the Farrel Academy would only cover the most basic ditation Chamber and special elixirs once a month for the top students.
"Whatever! Now, we need to get enough money starting from this mission!"
Zhang Wei reminded.
The three of them had already pooled their allowances, but it was barely enough to buy a few low-grade focus stones.
Missions, therefore, were not just about gaining experience, they were their only way to earn the money needed to sustain their training…
It was also sothing the Academy wanted to happen. After all, they would gain enough experience, money, and also Academic Points that they could use to learn specific Psychic Spells or to train inside the Psychic Arts Tower…
Professor Jamie also knew this well. That was why he allowed Zhang Wei, Mica, and Liang Chen to take on missions imdiately after they learned the foundational spells that they could use during their missions.
They had proven their discipline, and now they had the chance to earn what they needed.
As they walked through the streets of Clovis City, Liang Chen enjoyed the sight…
It had been so ti since they got out of the Academy after all.
"If we succeed in this mission, we'll finally have enough to buy a proper set of Resonance Crystals. With those, my taphysical State will last twice as long."
"Nahh… That's too much. Doubling it is impossible." Mica comnted.
taphysical State was the Psychic Arts Practitioner's Special State, where they activate their Magic Zone, similar to the Phantasm State of the Dark Arts Practitioners.
"But we'll be able to afford more Clairvoyant Incense. Our Magic Zone should increase with its help."
Zhang Wei simply nodded. "Money is a tool. If we earn it, we invest it back into our cultivation. That's how we'll rise above the rest."
For them, this mission was more than a test of skill. It was the first step toward independence…
***
Soon, the group of three students moved…
The eastern district of Clovis City was quieter than usual when Zhang Wei, Mica Sato, and Liang Chen arrived.
The streets were lined with modest townhouses with their lanterns lit up on this evening…
Then, the rchant who had requested help stood nervously outside his shop. He was wringing his hands as he spotted the three students approaching.
"Are you… from the Academy?" he asked imdiately after seeing their attire.
Zhang Wei stepped forward, producing the mission scroll stamped with the Marshall Academy's seal. "Yes. We are first-year students of the Psychic Arts Branch, sent by Professor Jamie. We're here to investigate the disturbances you reported."
The rchant's shoulders sagged with relief.
"Arcanists… thank the heavens. I was worried the Academy wouldn't take this seriously. The guards ca, but they couldn't find anything. People are leaving the district, saying that this place is cursed by the Evil Spirits… My business is suffering."
Mica gave him a reassuring nod. "We'll look into it. Tell us exactly what happened."
The rchant gestured toward the row of townhouses.
"It started a week ago. Strange noises, blinking lights, and… so scary whispers were heard. So of my neighbors swore they saw figures moving in the alleys, but when they chased them, nothing was there. A few even collapsed… I saw them clutching their heads as if sothing invaded their minds."
Liang Chen frowned. "That does sound like Evil Spirits we must handle. But if the guards found nothing, then it may be sothing else."
Zhang Wei's tone was calm and he nodded.
"We'll investigate the townhouses. Stay here. If anything happens, we'll handle it."
The rchant nodded quickly, clearly relieved to leave the matter in their hands.
The three students entered the narrow alleys between the townhouses.
The air felt normal… However, as they got closer, they imdiately felt the traces of Arcane Energy being used.
Mica closed her eyes, activating Clairvoyant Echo. Her senses stretched outward, searching for hidden presences.
"…Nothing," she whispered.
"No trace of Evil Spirits. The aura is faint, but it's not spiritual… Wait. It feels… human."
She muttered. It seed that the rchant failed to ntion this person, or perhaps, this human was the source of this trouble. Unfortunately, sensing the presence of humans and locating them was a completely different matter.
She had no way of tracing a person accurately just yet, unless they enter her Magic Zone…
Still, this information was enough.
Liang Chen smiled as he had to admit that Mica's Clairvoyant Echo was indeed the best. He actually wanted to learn this Spell as well, but it was an exclusive Spell of the Sato Family. Because of that, they couldn't obtain its Spell Model so easily.
"So the guards were wrong. This isn't a haunting."
Soon, they followed the man's traces and found the townhouse he was staying at…
Zhang Wei crouched near a doorway, examining faint scorch marks on the wood.
"Spell residue. Soone cast a defensive talisman here. Look… talisman fragnts." He picked up a torn slip of parchnt, its ink smudged but still glowing faintly.
"These aren't Spirit-banishing talismans. They're deterrents… ant to keep people away. I guess we know now who we're looking for…"
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