Vale shook his head at Celina's question and shifted the topic.
"Nothing… Do you have questions regarding your task?" Vale asked.
He knows that Celina was involved with Neil's sudden procurement of high-level Mystical Items before. However, he didn't have any proof of it, so he decided not to blame her for that. In any case, he still defeated Neil at that time without even using any of his Spells.
"I'm fine… The procurement of that recording crystal would be quite difficult if I'm alone. I hope we get more first-year recruits this year." Celina replied.
Well, she was the only one in her batch, so she always had to team up with her seniors if she was assigned a task. This includes the cleaning task within their Archive.
"I see… Then tell me why you wanted to meet me. I'm sure it's not all about the Club Activities." Vale said as he looked at Celina carefully. He wasn't feeling threatened by this young girl, so he was quite fearless facing her.
Celina smiled at the question. She wasn't surprised that Vale was aware of her plans.
"I've come across something that might interest you, Vale." She whispered, her voice laced with intrigue.
Vale was uninterested as he knew that she was simply trying to win him over to become her Personal Shadow Knight.
He simply raised his brow as he allowed her to continue.
"According to the new rules, next year's Twelve Academies Competition would allow 4th-year and 5th-year students to participate... I'm sure there will be huge pressure on you once you're selected as a participant."
"Mhmm?" Vale was a bit confused. He doesn't know why he should be pressured into that competition between twelve academies.
They were only fourth-year students, so the expectation shouldn't be that high. They should just be making up for the numbers there since the real competition should still be those in the higher years.
The students who will participate there shouldn't be in a situation similar to his where they could get their shadows back once they won.
"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.
Celina smiled as she crossed her arms.
"You might feel you're great here in the Academy, but once you're in the Twelve Academies Competition, you will be in deep trouble if you're not prepared. I don't think I have to tell you that you will face against Acolytes, Runecasters, and Aura Users… Those three could already negate your Dark Energy… If you were matched against those lunatic Psychic Arts, you'd be in even greater danger."
"Hmm? I understand I might be in trouble against those young priests or acolytes, but runecasters and aura users? I don't think so…" Vale replied. As for those Mind Controllers, he wasn't too sure either whether he could resist their powers.
"Heh… You're not reading the kingdom's newspaper, are you? The Runecasters Association has already made new discoveries with their Anti-Dark Magic runes. All rogue Dark Magicians are now being hunted by the police with this new Rune they developed. You should expect them to use this Rune in the competition…"
Vale was quite speechless as he was indeed unaware of it. He wasn't reading newspapers most of the time, so he probably missed a lot of important news around the kingdom.
Celina was satisfied with Vale's reaction and continued.
"As for the Knights, you should know that they were using a unique Arcane Art that could produce a very unusual energy called Aura around their bodies. This Aura protects them from Curses and Hexes, so you'd be forced to fight them head-on… Even if you're as strong as those Slender Zombies… That won't be enough against those muscle freaks."
Vale highly doubted that, but he didn't comment about it.
"So what do you want me to do?" He asked.
Celina finally chuckled as she replied. "Since I'm your rich and kind junior, I can help you acquire the Shadow Step Spell Model, a technique that would enhance your mobility and prowess.
Celina knows that the Shadow Step Spell Model required 25 Contribution Points to obtain. Additionally, a ritual involving the Shadow Stone was necessary to successfully record the spell in Vale's Spell Light or Spell Slot.
Knowing that Vale lacked such a movement spell and the necessary Contribution Points to get its Spell Model and precious Shadow Stone, she believed that by presenting him with the opportunity to obtain such a coveted spell, she could further bend him to her will.
"Ohh…"
Vale was indeed interested in the Shadow Step's Spell Model. However, he could just wait a few years, and he could certainly get it on his own. He doesn't think he'd need it in the competition either.
Furthermore, he might not even wait that long, especially if he decided to go rogue and extract some Dark Arts Practitioners…
Professor Evans would probably be the first on his list if he wanted to extract someone.
Vale didn't speak, so Celina went on to explain the requirements for acquiring the Shadow Step, emphasizing the need for Contribution Points and the elusive Shadow Stone that may not be available in the Contribution Exchange Hall. Even if there was a Shadow Stone there, it would be worth around 10 Contribution Points!
She painted a picture of the immense power and advantage Vale would gain with this spell, hoping it would fuel his desire to possess it.
"Without the Shadow Stone, even if you have the Spell Model, you'd only have less than five percent chance of recording it successfully…"
"Mhmm… So you're saying that I'll get them from you? What's the catch? If you want me to be your Personal Shadow Knight for that Spell Model, you have to give up. I can get them someday." Vale said.
"Of course not! I know that the value of those two things would not be enough for your service… Instead, I want you to join me on a mission outside the Academy. It's arranged for the next two months, so you have plenty of time to prepare."
She then continued to explain about the mission she received and that she was willing to shoulder all the expenses.
'That's weird…'
As soon as Vale realized that Celina was trying to get him out of the Academy, he immediately knew what was happening.
He didn't immediately give a reply as he looked at her coldly, weighing the pros and cons of this mission.
'This must be a trap…'
Vale silently considered whether he was afraid of the trap or not.
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