The patient's breathing steadied for a moment…

"You're safe…" Cielo whispered as he saw Daren's eyes opening. His eyes were also clear, and no hint of insanity at the very least.

However, Cielo knew that it was only temporary… His Thought Link had just anchored him to the present, and it would wear out if Daren himself failed to get himself together.

Nonetheless, the caretaker exhaled in relief and started whispering prayers under his breath.

But behind Cielo, Zhang Wei's fingers moved subtly. He brushed a talisman hidden in his sleeve, releasing a faint ripple of Arcane Energy.

It was small, almost imperceptible, but enough to destabilize the clarity rune Cielo had placed on the table.

Whom~

The talisman's glow faltered.

Daren's gaze wavered, and he started seeing things again!

"Chrono… shift… the symbols… they're everywhere…" His hands convulsed violently as if he were trying to fight something.

The caretaker gasped. "He's slipping again!"

Cielo frowned at the sight.

He felt the disruption immediately. The clarity rune hadn't failed on its own, there was definitely some form of interference just now.

'Wait…'

His strong Mental Energy was soon triggered, reinforcing his Thought Link. Although he didn't like forcing too much of his energy into someone else's mind, he had no other choice in this situation since he might fail completely.

Soon, he poured calmness into Daren's mind as he forced stability to his thoughts.

"Stay with me, Daren," Cielo said firmly while also tracing any more issues around him.

Soon, Daren's breathing slowed once more…

The clarity rune reignited, glowing brighter than before as Cielo's Mental Energy overpowered the interference just now..

Behind him, Zhang Wei's smile faded into a scowl. 'He noticed?'

Mica stepped forward, feigning concern. "Cielo, maybe you should rest and let us help. Your Thought Link might not be strong enough alone."

But Cielo shook his head.

"No. I can handle this."

Liang Chen smirked as he finally made his move.

Soon, he flicked a talisman toward the floor, inscribed with a rune of agitation.

Well, using Rune Talismans wasn't something he'd normally do, but he purchased one last night for this occasion.

Just like that, the faint wave of energy seeped into the room, stirring Daren's fractured psyche.

Instantly, Daren convulsed, his muttering rising into a scream!

His condition had gotten worse! "The shadows! They're here! They're watching me!"

The caretaker panicked. "What's happening?!"

Cielo's eyes focused. He was determined to complete this mission.

Just now, he felt the foreign energy pressing against Daren's mind, trying to amplify the chaos. His own Mental Energy surged in response. Then, a tidal wave of clarity crashing against the intrusion.

"No," Cielo whispered. "You will not break him."

He expanded his Metaphysical State, his Thought Link enveloping Daren's mind completely. His Mental Energy clashed with the agitation rune, removing its influence thread by thread.

Soon, the talisman on the floor cracked, its glow extinguished.

Daren's screams faded into sobs, then into silence.

Just like that, the man was cured!

"The voices… they're gone…"

The caretaker collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "You did it… You truly did it…"

His hands trembled as he clasped them together, and his eyes were filled with gratitude.

He actually recalled the day he had begged the Priests of the Church of the Fortune Goddess to intervene. They had come with their golden charms and blessings, chanting hymns of prosperity and fate. Yet their prayers had done nothing.

That time, Daren's mind had remained broken…

Later, he had sought the Sorcerers of the Divine Sorcerer Church, another of the five Orthodox churches. They had arrived with their dark robes and staffs, invoking divine sorcery to purge corruption in his mind. But even their spells had failed.

At this point, they had realized that Daren's condition was not a result of evil possession, curses, disease, or a natural phenomenon that they could dispel. It was madness born of his own soul, and their power could not reach it.

The caretaker's voice trembled as he remembered those days.

"Even the Orthodox failed… two of the greatest churches could not help him. Thank you!"

The caretaker said as he looked at Cielo, who had not given up. He had turned to smaller faiths, hoping that someone, anyone, might succeed.

Cielo smiled as he knew why the others failed. This kind of problem could only be solved by Psychic Arts Practitioners. Furthermore, Thought Link or other similar spells were extremely necessary…

"Interesting… Did you ask other churches for help?" Cielo asked.

The caretaker was momentarily surprised before he nodded.

Apparently, two local churches had also tried.

The Church of the Silent Moon had sent its monks, offering meditative chants and lunar blessings. They claimed the moon's serenity could calm the mind. But Daren had only screamed louder at that time.

The Church of the Green Path had come next, bringing herbal remedies and nature's blessings. They brewed potions, burned incense, and invoked the spirits of the forest. But their remedies dulled Daren's body, not his mind.

It was no wonder that Daren's mind was so chaotic… He actually went through several failed treatments.

In any case, Cielo finally wiped off the sweat beading on his forehead.

His strong Mental Energy had carried him through, but he knew that this matter wasn't over just yet.

The patient's instability wasn't the only battle he had fought.

He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto Zhang Wei, Mica, and Liang.

The three exchanged glances while hiding irritation. They had wanted Cielo to fail. Instead, he had achieved what the churches themselves could not.

Their smiles might trick him before, but Cielo wasn't an idiot. He had felt the sabotage, the deliberate interference.

"You three…" he said quietly. "You weren't trying to help."

For a moment, there was an awkward silence. The caretaker looked between them, confused.

Zhang Wei chuckled softly, masking his irritation. "You're imagining things, Cielo. We were only concerned for your safety."

Mica added sweetly, "Yes, we only wanted to support you. You're too suspicious."

Liang Chen smirked. "Besides, you succeeded, didn't you? That's all that matters."

Cielo frowned at his spineless classmates.

However, he didn't press further. At the very least, not here, not in front of the caretaker and the patient…

But inside, he had already sentenced them to death. He was kind-hearted, yes. He believed in effort, in justice, and in helping others, but he wasn't naïve.

He had seen their malice and felt their interference.

…And he would never forget it.

Odessa, watching from the shadows outside, smiled at the spiciness of the situation.

She had seen everything and liked how Cielo handled this matter.

Without a doubt, Cielo would be the one attending the Academy Competition in a few months while being Vale's disciple…

'Good… You'll grow even stronger once you become his official disciple.' Odessa mused as she watched the three naughty students leave the building.

Although she wanted to teach them a lesson, she believed that Cielo would want to do it himself instead.

Just like that, Odessa stepped away from the modest house.

***

This time, Odessa's destination was the Transformation Arts department of the Academy.

She moved swiftly through the city until she reached a quiet courtyard near the Academy's southern wing. There, she found the girl she was looking for. She was another first-year student named Darlene Arkwright.

Darlene was slender, with pale skin and hair that was long and silver‑white.

Though young, she was already envied by many.

Odessa watched as Darlene practiced in solitude.

She had already mastered the three foundational spells of the Transformation Arts:

Morph Flesh, the ability to alter minor aspects of her body, such as skin texture or hair color.

Bone Shift, a spell that allowed her to strengthen or adjust skeletal structure, granting temporary resilience or flexibility.

Essence Adaptation, the most difficult of the three, but it enables her to align her body's essence with external conditions, such as resisting heat, cold, or toxins.

"She's doing well…" Odessa muttered after seeing that Darlene's spells flowed seamlessly one after another.

But then, Odessa noticed something unusual. As Darlene paused to catch her breath, a faint movement stirred beneath her blouse.

A small, black snake slithered out just enough for its head to peek…

"Ahhh…"

Odessa's breath caught. She recognized it instantly.

It was Vale's pet snake! It was a Spirit Beast or something, and she saw it before in Vale's Immortal Tower!

Furthermore, its presence was unmistakable since she could feel divinity from that snake!

'He already sent his Spirit Beast to her?'

Seeing the snake, Darlene didn't flinch.

She simply stroked the snake gently, as if it were a trusted companion.

Odessa smiled faintly.

'So… Vale has already chosen. He didn't even mention it to me. I thought he was still observing…'

After shaking her head, Odessa turned and left the courtyard.

She did not need to test Darlene further.

Vale's will was already clear...

But as she walked away, she heard a voice inside her head!

The snake was talking to her!

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