As the end of the Academic Year drew near, Vale's anticipation for his third year at the Arcane Academy grew with each passing day. He had immersed himself in his classes, soaking up knowledge like a sponge, but it was the Magic Circle Fundamentals Class that had truly captivated him.
Yes, it was the Class that Professor Morton was teaching.
One sunny afternoon, Vale and his friends gathered in the courtyard, discussing their plans for the upcoming academic year.
Aubrey, always full of enthusiasm, exclaimed.
"I can't wait to delve into the Advanced Applications of Magic Zone! I really want to control my magic zone to any shape like how Professor Harrison does it. There's also the Enchantments… I'm sure they'll be very interesting to learn."
Lisa, known for her curiosity and love for experimentation, chimed in.
"I'm more interested in exploring Ancient Rituals. They hold the key to unlocking forgotten powers, and I want to be at the forefront of that discovery."
Chad, the practical and methodical thinker of the group, added.
"While enchantments and rituals are fascinating, I believe mastering Weapon Sealing Circles will give us an edge. Imagine being able to seal the negative aspects of our mystical items… It will be safer for us to use our Contribution Points for Mystical Items in the Exchange Hall."
Vale nodded, listening intently to his friends' aspirations. Since these things would be difficult to learn outside the Academy, he couldn't help but realize that he truly needed to stay here. Furthermore, there was also the Spell Fusion Class in the 8th-year to the 10th-year classes that he could possibly learn if he stayed here for that long.
A surge of excitement coursed through his veins, and he said with a smile… "I want to explore all of those areas."
"But I can't help but wonder if there's something even more extraordinary waiting for us in the depths of the Academy…" Vale said mysteriously as he recalled his book with Forbidden Spells and the existence of the Planar Spells and Celestials. There was also the Stormbringer, which was filled with mystery.
As his understanding of the mysterious sword deepened, he discovered that the Three Paragons may not be some sort of imagination but real beings that had once existed in this mortal world. This belief had strengthened a lot after he placed the recovering Golden Pocketwatch together with the Stormbringer together.
'I should really stay in the Academy to learn more about it…'
Vale's eyes suddenly widened as he reached this thought.
'Wait… Am I being influenced by my missing Shadow now?' Vale shuddered at this thought… For some reason, he found that his recent thoughts of staying in the Academy might have something to do with the Headmaster's subtle influence on his Shadow!
"What do you mean, Vale? Do you have something specific in mind?" Lisa asked as she raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Vale paused for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. He recalled their conversation as he carefully chose his words.
"Aren't you from the Library Committee? I've heard rumors of a hidden section in the Academy's library filled with ancient texts and forbidden knowledge. I can't help but wonder what secrets lie within those pages." He answered.
Lisa gently nodded.
"That makes sense… I haven't been to the third floor or the fourth floor. That is where they're probably keeping such knowledge."
Aubrey's eyes widened, her curiosity piqued. "Forbidden knowledge? That sounds risky but incredibly thrilling. Unfortunately, it won't be easy to learn them."
"You probably have to sell your soul to the Academy for that…" She added with a laugh.
Chad, ever the cautious one, nodded. "Indeed… Forbidden Spells or knowledge often comes with consequences."
As the group continued their animated discussion, their excitement for the future grew. They exchanged ideas, speculated on potential challenges, and shared their dreams of becoming powerful Arcanists.
It was in these conversations that their individual paths began to intertwine, forging a bond that would carry them through the trials and triumphs of their magical education.
***
Professor Evans was reading a book in her office near the Dark Soul Tower.
After a few moments, she closed the book and looked at the time.
Seeing that the time was ripe, she began her ritual.
She already gathered the necessary ingredients and materials for this attempt.
She had also learned the Shared Dream Spell Model a few days ago.
However, she still had to perform a ritual to ensure that Vale's defenses wouldn't stop her plan.
Soon, she performed the intricate incantations, channeling her own Dark Energy and Desires into the Spell Model to complete the ritual.
'I must do this in one try…' Professor Evans thought as her eyes were filled with determination.
Finally, as she felt that her ritual was enough, she cast the Shared Dream Spell, directing it towards Vale, who was at the edge of her Magic Zone, hoping he would be receptive to the shared dream experience.
It didn't take long before she lay asleep on the ground.
***
That night, as Vale lay in bed, his mind drifted into a realm of dreams.
Unbeknownst to him, Professor Evans' Spell had taken effect, forging a connection between their subconscious minds.
In the dream realm, they found themselves in a serene forest, bathed in moonlight.
Walking through the dream together, Professor Gale Evans and Vale engaged in deep conversations, exploring not only their shared passions for the Dark Arts but also their desires, fears, and the depths of their souls.
Almost all of their secrets were revealed in this dream, but the Professor wasn't satisfied with that.
'Something's wrong...' Professor Evans thought to herself as she realized that there was a huge part of Vale that she couldn't uncover no matter what she did.
Nevertheless, she decided not to do anything too suspicious, or Vale might stop cooperating.
'This is more difficult than I thought'
She could only give up unveiling Vale's deepest secrets and continued to condition his mind.
They laughed, they debated, and they discovered new facets of each other's personalities. It was a profound and intimate experience that allowed them to connect on a level beyond the boundaries of their academic roles!
As the dreamscape began to fade, Professor Evans and Vale found themselves back in their own rooms, waking up with a mix of confusion and intrigue.
The shared dream had left a lasting impression on both of them, sparking a newfound understanding and curiosity about their connection.
As Vale recalled what had happened, he shuddered in fear as his back was filled with sweat.
"That's not me..." He softly muttered.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m