Piers, feeling confident after successfully performing two dark spells, attempted the hidden spell Noctis Pinion, which releases small winged spirits to disorient enemies. He began, "Noctis..."
"Stop using a hidden spell, Piers," Severin immediately cut in. Piers was surprised. "You can't move from dark spells to hidden spells so easily. You need at least five dark spells and comfort with all of them before attempting a hidden spell. However, if you still want to use it, go ahead. The risks will just be greatly increased, and you'll sleep for a few days."
"But sir, why would the risk be increased for us?" a student asked.
"Black arts risks grow stronger if the user doesn't have any defenses in place," Severin explained.
"Defenses?"
"Yes, mind defenses, body defenses, and spirit defenses. There are many defenses you need before using hidden spells, not to mention forbidden spells." The students gulped.
"Time is up," Severin said. "Next, we will learn about potions." The floor beneath them vanished, and they fell into a room full of potions. "I will be teaching this class as well."
A girl raised her hand. "Why do we require dark potions? Wouldn't we get more corrupted using it?"
"I thought you would ask that," Severin said. "Most people who first learn about potions ask just this, and the answer is always no. A potion does not corrupt us as long as it is made correctly. For example, this is a devil-breaking potion; it reduces corruption. But don't think this is all sunshine, because there is also the devil-spreading potion, which increases the corruption within the body."
Everyone listened intently as Severin discussed the potions. "Now I will show you a demonstration," he said. Severin began making the devil-breaking potion with impressive efficiency. "Pouring seven vials, crushing and mixing it, then stir one to the right, two to the left, then putting a half pinch of white gift powder, some devil energy, all while mixing..." He continued until an explosion took place, and the potion formed.
Piers raised his hand. "May I ask something?"
"Yes."
"Does everyone know about creating potions?" Piers asked. "I think some people don't."
"And why do you think some people don't know?" Severin challenged.
"Some people who have high amounts of corruption within them didn't seem to drink potions to reduce it, that's why I asked."
"You are right," Severin admitted. "Most people within this academy don't know that potions exist. Only me and my students know about it, because I was the one who discovered potions. I am this era's number one discoverer. And these potions I am teaching belong only to you, me, and the person you want to teach it to."
Faces etched with determination, the students replied, "Yes, sir!"
"Here, take this," Severin said. Books about potions emerged from a closet. "This book might look big, but it has every potion name and how to make that potion that I have discovered. If any of you are smart enough, you might just continue my legacy. Okay, time for the last lesson."
The floor disappeared again, making them fall into a room full of weapons and armor. "Despite having black arts, some people overestimate it," Severin explained. "In truth, black arts is just power you should use sparingly to avoid corruption, so you would need a weapon enchanted with black arts to protect yourself. You can take only one weapon or armor from this room."
Piers looked around. He already had the Phantom Insignia, so he didn't need any of these weapons. While walking, he noticed a shelf with two armors. He moved to the front, and suddenly a soft sound came. He turned around and saw a copy had appeared between the two armors.
"When did this come here? I was sure nothing was here," Piers murmured. He took the copy, opened it, and noticed it was completely blank. He went to Severin. "Professor, I found this book. What is this?"
Severin took the book. "It's puzzling how this came here."
"Is this yours?" Piers asked.
"No, but I know what it is. This is a Dendrogram, one that stores souls. To store a soul here, one would have to use black art and devil powers together to remove a certain part of his soul and then use a ritual to put it in. Nothing special. It's just that one could not move to the afterlife if the soul is not removed, but it also gives a chance to come back from the dead."
"Come from the dead? How?" Piers asked.
"You would require some special methods to do it. You won't understand, but it's pretty much harmless," Severin said, handing the book back to Piers. "Now, go on and choose your weapon."
Piers kept the book in his hand and chose a ring.
"Now that everyone has chosen their weapons, you are ready for a fight," Severin announced. The floor disappeared beneath them, and they fell back into the training hall.
Meanwhile, in the Principality, demons were planning an attack.
"Since they all ran in this direction, it means they are near that area," one demon said.
"No, I guess they are within this area since we knew they would try to fool us," another countered.
The demon leader raised his hand, and the chatter stopped. "We know that they don't know that we demons have found them, so we should play it safe and not make unnecessary guesses, otherwise, they would hide in their bills. For now, increase surveillance, and the news we get about them should be maximized. Then, we will dispatch a team that will slowly move to the area where they had been reported to."
"Yeah, with that, we will be able to corner both Kaiser and Rei," one of the demons said.
The leader smirked and drank his wine. "Even if we won't be able to kill Rei, killing Kaiser would be more than enough to reduce a significant workload from the Fate Demon and be awarded."
Within the fields of Astria, Daina lay on the grass and looked up at the cloudy sky. She muttered, "I would have to summon a team."