The Nobles

'So it was like that… No wonder Sir Heinz isn't worried that I'll just suddenly flee or disappear after they've left. That missing shadow is unconsciously forcing me to attend the academy and be part of the Dark Arts Faction… That was genius…' Kyle couldn't help but be impressed at the method that the Dark Arts Factions used to retain all their members.

Of course, he still felt that it was too much since he was still quite young and should've been properly informed about it.

Celia seem to have read Kyle's mind as she immediately added.

"Don't think too much of it… However, if you're really bothered by it, you have to remember that some other factions does it worst. The Holy Arts Faction would force their graduates to work for their faction for the rest of their lives… The Alchemy Arts Faction, on the other hand, would have a 10 to 20 percent cut on their sales once they've become licensed Alchemists…"

"W-what? Isn't that a bit too much? If that's true, then the Dark Arts Faction's compelling to study and being loyal to the Faction isn't a big deal at all."

"Yes… Of course, these are only the things I know on the surface. There might be special exceptions similar to our faction."

Kyle's eyes lit up after hearing this.

"There's an exception? Can I take back my shadow someday?"

Celia only gave a gentle smile and didn't voice her answer… Nevertheless, it was enough for Kyle to know the answer.

'I guess she's not allowed to speak… but that's fine…'

"Thank you, Madam Celia… Since I'm about to attend the Academy, do you have any advice for me?" Kyle asked. He felt that he had gotten closer to the manager so he was comfortable asking for any advice.

Celia didn't expect that sudden question so she pondered for a moment.

"Mhmm… Advice? Well, I think you just need to choose the most suitable branch of Dark Arts for you… Choosing a branch that you will be specializing in will happen in your fourth year. That's a very important decision… The Academy may give you suggestions at the end of your third year but it would ultimately be your decision… The Academy won't stop you from your choice."

"There's no option to change my branch?" Kyle asked.

"There is… However, you will be repeating your fourth year. Each year is important so I would like you to avoid that if possible." Celia reminded.

The two continued chatting while they finish their task. Kyle also extracted all 18 bodies which had given another boost to his attributes. Furthermore, the lowest attribute point he got was 0.30… Although there is no vitality increase, it was still a decent improvement for him.

Kyle then looked around the laboratory and confirmed that most of the items and ingredients on the shelves has already been collected by Mr. Heinz.

The place no longer looks like a laboratory and soon, it will simply turn into an office by Manager Celia.

***

The day before the opening ceremony of the Academy, Kyle can already enter the academy to occupy his dormitory room.

Nevertheless, for the next two days, Kyle still has nothing to do so he would either visits the abandoned part of town and wait for ghosts or would spend his time in the town to avoid the noise coming from the workshop.

Although he has already gotten used to the place, he would still feel better without the banging noise of steel.

"Clear the way! Clear the way!"

Suddenly, he heard the sound of hooves from galloping horses as a lavishly designed carriage was hurrying to the Academy.

The coachman driving the carriage was continuously shouting at the pedestrian along the way…

"A noble? I wonder which family is this from…"

"Heh… Can't you see that insignia they're blatantly waving around? That's Featherstar Family…"

"Ahh? One of the founding members of the Dark Arts Faction?"

"I wonder why they're still sending a member of their family to Vermont Academy? I'm sure they have better Dark Arts teachers in their county…"

Kyle looked at the carriage as the crowd started gossiping about the Featherstar Family… Unlike these gossipers, he knows better why the nobles are sending their children to this Academy instead of sending them to normal schools or even universities.

"It was the Moontomb Family the other day… Now it was the Featherstar Family…" Kyle wryly smiled as he felt that this year's freshmen students would be filled with geniuses from various families that had brought and started the Darkness Arcane Path.

As he was about to buy a skewer being sold on the streets, a loud explosion suddenly occurred. The ground trembled as the people cried in shock.

Boom! Boom!

Two more explosions occurred causing a huge panic…

"T-the carriage of the Featherstar Family was attacked!"

Luckily, it was attacked a couple of blocks away from him so he wasn't too affected.

Nevertheless, the sudden attack on the noble family is definitely a piece of bad news.

As expected, after a few moments, the sound of battle immediately erupted…

Without any hesitation, Kyle started running away… Although he wanted to handle the corpses, he wasn't brave enough to do it while there is still a danger lurking around.

Instead, he went to a nearby Tea Parlour. The second floor of the building will allow him to see what was going on while staying in a safe spot…

Kyle greeted the waitress with a smile as he went to his seat and opened the window… He would always come here so the workers already know his tea.

The customers had also heard of the problem a couple of blocks away but they weren't too worried. After a few questions to the waitress and the security personnel, everyone started calming down.

In the meantime, Kyle was observing the situation from afar and realized that the carriage of the Featherstar Family seem to be baiting the enemies from the start!

After the carriage started burning from the series of explosions, a few masked individuals started getting closer to either confirm the kill or take something inside…

However, several black-robed people started surrounding them!

Without any doubt, these people are members of the Evanescent Vessels!