935  Vale''s Mission

    Denise and Chad had already seen Armin before. At first, he didn''t seem special aside from the fact that the mysterious pocket watch was in his possession.

    However, when he started to train under Vale''s guidance and learn the Asura''s method, there were indeed some incredible improvements or changes that had happened to him.

    "Hmm... He was selected for a reason... I''m just curious whether he''s really going to be useful once the Void Arts Practitioners arrive." Denise commented.

    She knew how Vale was working hard to unite this world to some degree. He was even trying to form a relationship with the large Orthodox Churches even if some of them were a bit hostile to him.

    After all, he didn''t want to have backstabbers once those practitioners started coming here to retrieve their divine items.

    The fourth test required the use of the Mirage Band that the professor had previously shown. This activity, however, must be done outside. To be exact, within the training field.

    The groups had to navigate through a maze filled with illusions.

    This time, they decided to take the test last to see how they would go through the test and unfortunately, they didn''t learn anything because of the nature of the test.

    Anyway, Aiden, who had a knack for thinking outside the box, took the lead this time.

    "Alright, let''s create an illusion to guide us through," Aiden said, slipping the band onto his wrist. "How about... a trail of shadow scripts?"

    With a wave of his hand, Aiden conjured some shadows leading through the maze. The group followed the trail as they dodged the illusions of giant spiders and roaring lions.

    Finally, the group reached the last test, which required the use of the Mana Harmonizer Crystal. The test involved casting a series of spells in quick succession without losing focus or energy.

    This time, they had decided to go first since no one was volunteering.

    Armin took the crystal and inspected it for a bit.

    "Alright, let''s do this," he said. "Celeste, you cast the first spell. Mira, you follow. Aiden, you''re up last."

    The group worked together impeccably. Everything went smoothly because of their high Spirit Strands together crystal''s stabilizing effect. The final test was completed just like that and the other groups who saw it erupted into cheers.

    Professor Calveris clapped her hands again, a proud smile on her face. "Congratulations, You''ve completed all the tests!

    Armin, Celeste, Mira, and Aiden exchanged high-fives...

    The professor handed them the special prize—a small, intricately carved talisman shaped like a phoenix.

    "This talisman is called the Dark Phoenix''s Embrace," she explained.

    Key Intelligence: The legendary Heart of Purity is rumored to remain untouched, capable of neutralizing even the most potent curses.

    ''Note: Unable to fully explore the land unless assisted by Practitioners who can handle mind corruption or those members of the Order of the Evanescent Vessels ]

    Vale found this interesting but he simply nodded and continued reading the other reports.

    [ The Ebon Lake ]

    [ Description: A black, toxic lake that emits a maddening aura. Hallucinations are common, and the waters are said to corrupt all who come into contact with them.

    ...

    ...

    ...

    Threats: Shadow Leviathans, massive aquatic creatures capable of manipulating shadows to ensnare their prey.

    Key Intelligence: Strange lights have been observed beneath the surface, hinting at activity within the lake''s depths.

    Note: Unable to explore further unless assisted with those Master Water Elementalists or Storm Knights ]

    Vale couldn''t help but frown at this since it appeared that the forbidden lands had truly earned their reputation.

    Nonetheless, as he continued reading the reports, he finally found a report that alarmed him.

    [ The Psychic Holy Land ]

    [ Description: Once the sacred ground of the Psychic Arts practitioners, this land is now a corrupted haven for malevolent creatures. The Ancient Families of the Psychic Arts have claimed a small part of it as their stronghold.

    ...

    ...

    Threats: Mindflayers and psychic anomalies that distort reality itself.

    Key Intelligence: The Bureau reported plans for a ritual to summon an Ancient Devil. The ritual involves a Sanguine Crystal, the Essence of a Thousand Minds, and the psychic resonance of the Sanctuary of the Mind, located at the land''s heart.

    Notes: 25 Agents had already disappeared after taking this mission. ]