Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

"Who is this brave Arcanist?" The lady under Lust's control muttered with a frown.

A single figure moving through the city, cleansing her pawns one by one. It was ridiculous. However, every time her Apostles come, this figure would disappear and leave faint traces of unfamiliar energy.

It was an energy that she wasn't familiar with… She could only think that this person possessed an Arcana or perhaps, protected by another entity that rivals her power.

She then recalled the three mysterious entities who had entered the city a few days ago… Those three were quite strong, and she knew that her apostles would be no match against them.

Because of that, she'd always hide from them whenever she felt their presence… If she wasn't mistaken, they must be Half-Immortals who had a little bit of Divinity within their bodies or maybe even stronger.

She couldn't help but connect those three to this new mysterious person…

'This place is starting to get suffocating…' Lust frowned.

She had worked really hard to create this paradise filled with corrupted souls. However, it seemed that she really had to consider her options.

Lust closed her eyes as she felt the power she had gathered for a long time… After realizing that she had gotten back most of her previous strength before transferring to this realm, she smiled.

'I guess I'm strong enough now… I should start being aggressive.'

She stood and walked to the balcony, gazing at the streets below. The people laughed and drank, unaware that their desires were being twisted into her web.

"This city was mine," she whispered. "And now… someone dares to steal it from me."

Her lips curved into a smile. "I won't let that happen…"

She had already regained more than eighty percent of her true power. That was already a lot.

Soon, she would no longer need Harake City. She could move to another place, another empire, and spread her influence again.

But before she left, she had to deal with the one who was interfering.

***

Later that night, she gathered her apostles in the manor hall. Dozens of men and women knelt before her, their eyes glazed, their bodies trembling with devotion.

"My children," Lust said, her voice dripping with allure. "There is a thief among us. A false savior who dares to erase your souls. He is stealing your freedom, your desires. He must be eliminated."

The crowd shuddered, their voices rising in unison. "Yes, Mistress!"

Lust raised her hand, crimson light appeared around her palm… "Find him. Hunt him. Bring him to me. I will show him what true desire means."

Since that figure was strong, she believed that once she was able to corrupt that person, she'd earn a lot of energy…

As her apostles dispersed into the streets, Lust finally relaxed on her throne.

"This mysterious purifier… whoever you are… you will not last long. You may cleanse a few souls, but you cannot stop me. I am Lust. I am eternal... and you will be mine."

Lust muttered as she licked her lips.

She had already decided. Once she crushed this mysterious figure, she would leave Harake City behind. Another city awaited, another population ready to fall into her grasp.

But first, she would enjoy the hunt.

***

The Apostles of Lust moved through Harake City like shadows.

Their eyes glowed faintly red as if they were no longer hiding their corruption…

Even their movements stopped being human-like… Their bodies would tremble slightly as if they couldn't handle the energy coming out of them. They were no longer ordinary men and women. They were puppets, driven by desire and bound to Lust's will.

That night, Desmund walked the streets as usual, disguised as a commoner.

He felt the pulse of corruption in the air and stronger than ever. His chest tightened as he knew that the time had come…

He had been warned by his 'masters' about this and didn't panic… He wasn't alone in this.

He just needed to force the Evil Entity from coming…

Once he did so, the three mysterious masters he had would deal with it directly, and his job would be done.

"Alright, bring it on…" he muttered.

The faint movement of corrupted souls reached his ears. His gift allowed him to sense them, and tonight, the city was crawling with them.

The first Apostle appeared in the marketplace.

It was a merchant he once knew… This time, however, he already looked so twisted… His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with madness…

"The blasphemer…" the man hissed as he saw Desmund... "The Mistress wants you."

Desmund raised his hand as he released his power… He knew that reasoning out with him was pointless.

He had already tried numerous times with other victims.

"You're too far gone. I'll give you peace."

The Apostle charged at him without any weapons.

However, Desmund could tell that their physique had already transformed! He couldn't let himself get captured.

'But you only know how to use brute force… I learned a few techniques from my master's…'

Desmund thought as he moved faster and pressed his palm against the man's chest, releasing the cleansing energy.

The merchant screamed with his body convulsing as the corruption burned away.

For a moment, his eyes cleared… then his body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Desmund clenched his fist. "Another soul lost… but at least freed."

Then, more Apostles came.

From the alleys, from the taverns, from the noble district… dozens of them, all hunting him.

Desmund ran as he couldn't deal with too many of them at the same time… He moved through the streets he had mastered, drawing them away from the innocent people...

Soon, he ducked into a courtyard as he found an opportunity…

"They won't stop… I have to finish this." Desmund muttered as he knew that he was now surrounded.

The Apostles had encircled his position, and their leader seemed to enjoy the pleasure of hunting him…

"You've done well up until now… But Mistress commands… You will be hers!"

Desmund smirked as he heard this…

"Not tonight."