"What is going on there?" Vale muttered as he felt the energy being gathered.

He could tell right now that it was only starting... It was unlike before, when he could only notice the summoning circle once the ritual was completed.

After some time, he realized that the amount of Arcane Energy being gathered wasn’t actually that strong.

Perhaps, they were only summoning a creature with a strength close to Half-Immortal.

’Hmm... I guess it’s not that important...’ Vale mused.

Although they could be doing something evil, it wasn’t a threat that he had to intervene just yet. The officials or the organizers should be able to handle this kind of small setback.

For now, he turned his attention to the competition that was still going on.

The announcer called out, "Skye of Marshall Academy!"

The hall fell silent. Everyone remembered her devastating strike against the Imp. Now they wondered... could she excel in a test that demanded endurance and care rather than destruction?

Skye walked calmly into the circle.

Just like how she acted before, her steps were unhurried...

She looked around the circle and the effigies before nodding her head.

After the test was triggered, numerous wraiths materialized around her, shrieking and clawing at her first line of defense.

Then, she closed her eyes and raised her hand slowly...

Her aura was subtle like always, but as soon as she released her spell, everyone understood why she was taking her time!

She invoked Divine Sanctuary!

It was a Holy Art Spell, but it was close to a Celestial Spell as it requires Divinity to release it!

This was really something unexpected.

Immediately, the circle burst in brilliance, far brighter than any before.

The wraiths shrieked as they tried to enter, but the sanctuary repelled them effortlessly. The effigies glowed with renewed vitality, their cracks or injuries vanished completely.

Seconds passed. Ten... twenty... thirty... forty...

The sanctuary did not falter at all...

Fifty... sixty... seventy...

The crowd rose to their feet, shouting in disbelief.

"She’s holding them back without effort!"

"The effigies are completely healed!"

"This is beyond student level!"

The wraiths clawed desperately, but the sanctuary’s light was absolute. The effigies shone as if reborn, their glow brighter than when they had first been placed inside the circle.

Finally, after eighty seconds, the sanctuary dimmed.

The wraiths dissolved into smoke, unable to breach her light.

The judges exchanged stunned glances. "Extraordinary... her sanctification is unmatched. This is the highest score recorded."

The hall erupted in chaos once more.

Vale’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Although it wasn’t really the Academy’s professors who had taught her this Spell, it was still the Academy’s achievement since Skye was representing them.

Soon, Professors from rival academies whispered urgently as they needed something or someone who could stop their domination for the next day of the competition.

Of course, all of this wasn’t missed by the Journalists around who were trying to capture every detail of the event.

Meanwhile, Skye lowered her hand, and she didn’t even look tired at all. Her expression was unchanged. She just bowed lightly, then stepped back...

Then, a few more students tried the test, but they were lackluster compared to the first batch...

Soon, the announcer raised his voice once more.

"The Sanctification Test is complete! The first day of the Holy Arts Competition has ended!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the hall. Marshall Academy had dominated every trial, leaving no doubt about their strength.

However, there were more events to come...

***

"It’s finally done..." Skye muttered.

After the announcement, the crowd slowly dispersed. Many people were still buzzing about the Marshall Academy’s dominance.

However, Skye just left the stage and joined Irene and Galatea in the waiting area. The three of them exchanged quick smiles, though Irene looked more excited while Galatea kept her usual calm expression.

Skye, on the other hand, remained quiet.

Still, they didn’t have to wait long before one of the Marshall Academy’s officers or coordinator arrived.

He was carrying a tray with food and drinks, setting them down on the table prepared for the students.

"You did well today," the officer said with a nod. "This is for you. Eat, drink, and rest. You have free time now. You can watch the other competitions if you want, but remember... you must return to your accommodation before six."

Irene immediately reached for the juice, laughing softly. "Finally, something refreshing. I thought I’d faint after that last spell."

Galatea picked up a sandwich and nodded. "We should pace ourselves. Tomorrow will be harder."

Skye sat down with them, taking a cup of water. She listened quietly, nodding when needed. Inside, she reminded herself of her situation. No one here should know she was a Homunculus.

She had to act like a normal student, like any other Arcanist. That meant eating, drinking, and chatting casually, even if she didn’t need it the same way her classmates did.

She took a small bite of bread, careful to appear natural.

Irene then leaned closer. "You were amazing, Skye. Divine Sanctuary... I’ve never seen anything like it."

Skye smiled faintly. "It was just the right spell for the test. The drop of Divinity I obtained wasn’t even mine. "

Galatea added, "Still, you made it look easy. The others could barely last twenty seconds."

The officer heard this and chuckled. "That’s why Marshall Academy will be making headlines. Journalists are already writing about you three. Enjoy the attention while it lasts."

"Of course!"

Just like that, the three of them spent the next hour talking lightly, watching the other competitions from the viewing area.

As soon as their time was coming up, they packed up and returned to their accommodation together.

SSkye thought she could finally rest after the long day, but just as she entered her room, a sudden tremor shook the ground...

"Hmm? Earthquake?" She mused....

But soon, her eyes widened as she sensed something off... Evil entities were being summoned nearby! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Ordinary Arcanists may have missed it, but she knew that this could only be done by some Rogue Dark Arcanists!