After Isaac heard about the clue that his team found out, he couldn't help but recall Jean's plans to send Vale to the competition, specifically, the Arcane Trial Tower Contest, which was part of the Twelve Academies Competition.
It turns out that the Creation Ring might be one of the rewards to be given to the winner of this contest!
He had agreed to help Jean change the Twelve Academies Competition's requirements for a different reason. It turns out that Jean had deeper plans than him.
He couldn't help but smile at this. He didn't mind that Jean was keeping secrets from him…
He understood fully well that Jean wouldn't be the Headmaster just because of his talent as a Dark Magician. It was because of his cautious behavior, capability to read people, and connections that run deeply.
Without these skills, Jean would not become a Headmaster this early.
'I guess I should just let him continue with his plans. However, isn't this a bit too risky? Is he betting it all on Vale's talent? That boy can still lose or even die in that contest.' Isaac thought for a moment as he tried recalling Vale's skills.
Although he had to admit that Vale had great potential, he couldn't imagine that Vale would dominate that contest, especially if no other students had ever completed the Arcane Trial Tower, not even the ninth-year or tenth-year students of other Academies!
Isaac shook his head as he decided not to overthink this. Jean must have his plans. Perhaps the Dark Spells of the Malefic Branch was the key to conquering that Tower.
In the end, he just decided to continue with his job. He sat comfortably on his chair, waiting for the Secret Organization to rescue or silence the Thunder Emperor.
***
In the meantime, Vale found himself in an awkward position inside Professor Gale Evans' office.
"Professor Evans… That dream last night. Was it your doing?" Vale asked as he entered the room. His Phantasm State was active, and his Spell Dispersion was ready to release in case he found something off.
This Professor knows a way to bypass his defenses, and he couldn't be too careful when meeting her.
"Dream? Ahh… Are you fantasizing about me even in your dreams? I didn't know you'd be so naughty, Vale." Professor Evans said as if she had no idea what that dream was.
To be honest, if Vale wasn't an "observer" of that dream and was really the one chatting and laughing with her in that dream, he would probably be infatuated with her or succumbed to her charm.
Vale squinted his eyes as he tried to see if the Professor was just messing around. There was no way he would believe that Professor Evans had nothing to do with that dream. It was too suspicious, and that dream was too detailed in his memory. He never had such a vivid dream until then.
'She's playing innocent?' Vale thought to himself.
For now, he just wanted to know if she made that other 'Vale' inside the dream to mess with his mind or if that person in his dream was actually the leftover soul of the previous Kyle.
He wanted to know if there was still a "Kyle" inside him once and for all!
Of course, if the truth wasn't in any two, he would gladly take it as long as he knew what was really going on inside him.
"Vale… Are you only here to ask that question? Or do you want to continue from where we left off?" She asked with a teasing smile on her. She even started unbuttoning her coat while looking at him.
This time, Vale realized that this Professor wouldn't really admit what she had done. Perhaps she could also tell that her intention to make him submissive and closer in that dream had really failed.
That was why she was a bit surprised when she saw him enter the office calmly in the first place.
Vale's suspicions grew as Professor Gale Evans' playful demeanor shifted into something more dangerous. Her true intentions began to reveal themselves, and it became clear that she had ulterior motives.
"Vale, my dear," Professor Evans purred, her voice dripping with seduction. "You possess a power that I could use to further my own ambitions. You could also use me to get stronger. Join me, and together, we can unlock a level of Arcane Art that exceeds anything you could achieve on your own."
Vale's heart pounded in his chest as he listened to her enticing words. The idea of gaining unparalleled strength under Professor Evans' tutelage was tempting. He felt a strange attraction to her offer, his mind clouded by the promise of power.
Just as Vale was about to give in to Professor Evans' persuasion, his Enigma Amulet, the mystical item he had recently taken from the Exchange Hall, began to glow with an intense light. It pulsed with energy, clearing his mind and reminding him of the danger he was facing.
Realizing that he was being manipulated without his Spell Dispersion being triggered, Vale took a step back, his expression hardening with determination.
He couldn't allow himself to be trapped by Professor Evans' selfish desires.
'Again with that strange Charm Spell… How come I'm completely helpless on that?' Vale gritted his teeth as he held the amulet tightly. Once activated, the amulet could only last for 10 minutes. It could even be shorter, depending on the strength of the Spell it was dealing with.
He needed to get away.
"I'm sorry, Professor Evans, but I can't accept your offer," Vale said firmly as he started leaving. Since he couldn't get an answer from the Professor, staying here was no point.
'I won't allow myself to be used for your personal gain.' Vale thought to himself as he shrouded himself with his Spell.
Professor Evans' charming facade cracked, her eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and anger.
She had painstakingly used her 2 Spell Lights to use that Shared Dream Spell, but it had actually failed to make her closer to Vale!
"You dare reject me? You foolish boy! I have the power to make you great, to shape your destiny!" Professor Gale shouted.
Each of her words created a buzz inside Vale's head as he felt Gale's charm getting stronger and stronger.
Vale's grip tightened on his Enigma Amulet as he took a cautious step towards the door to escape.
"I refuse to be a pawn in your game, Professor. Find someone else to fool around…"
With that, Vale fully activated his Spell Dispersion before he turned and fled from Professor Evans' office, leaving behind the allure of power and the dangerous temptations that she represented.
As Vale raced through the corridors of the Academy, he couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of betrayal, danger… and longing for the Professor's embrace.
His body was filled with cold sweat as he realized that the Professor had still affected his mind, even with all of his preparations.
He then shifted his attention to his amulet and realized that there was already a huge crack in its middle!
Just like that, his Mystical Item worth 10 Contribution Points was destroyed!
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