Teresa chuckled as she responded to Vale with confidence.
"Don't play ignorant. We are aware that you are a Dual Arts Practitioner, likely a Half-Spirit or something similar. You have abilities in both Holy and Dark Arts, whether you fully embrace them or not. Anyway, your Skeleton Knights are about to be defeated. So you better make your move."
As she said this, the three Skeleton Knights had indeed crumbled into many pieces as the Failed Vessel sucked out their energy!
This Failed Vessel had indeed come prepared!
"Alright, I'll deal with this. However, this guy didn't come here alone. He's being supported by hidden individuals located at an abandoned building on the eastern gate's side. Just take care of them if you don't want to help me directly." Vale said as he shifted his focus to the Failed Vessel.
In the meantime, Teresa was a bit surprised as she immediately shared the information with Clare.
Together, they swiftly used their movement Spells and arrived at a distance where they could use their Magic Zone to inspect the area.
"Ahh… It's true." Teresa muttered after realizing that there was something off with the abandoned house.
Well, they couldn't really see the individuals that Vale was referring to. However, they could easily tell that there was a Formation Art placed in the area, and it could be hiding the people that Vale mentioned.
"How did he notice them?" Clare asked as she put on her Magic Artifacts. She was ready to enter the place and arrest the people hiding there.
"It doesn't matter. We have to secure Clovis later and bring him to our Faction. All questions will be answered if he's with us… You have to help me convince him later. It would be a pity if he dies later once he leaves the city." Teresa muttered as she also started preparing her Artifacts.
"Why don't you just tell him that the Dark Arts Faction is about to be destroyed? That way, he'll know that we don't have a bad intention and were only trying to save him." Clare asked.
"If we were to disclose this information to him now, there's a possibility that he would immediately return to the Academy, given his current loyalty. However, once the Headmaster has been eliminated, we can be certain that Vale's shadow will have returned to him. At that point, he will be able to make a fair and unbiased decision." Teresa explained, which only made Clare gently nod.
Clare didn't think too deeply about it, so Teresa's explanation made her realize how crafty her partner was.
"Well, that's good. I know he will embrace his identity as Clovis once again." Clare said with a laugh as she vanished from her spot and appeared in front of the abandoned house.
In the meantime, Vale finally took over the battle against the Failed Vessel.
"Hey, before I kill you, let me know your name…" Vale said as he approached the Failed Vessel slowly. At this time, it already finished devouring the essence of the Skeleton Knights and had gotten a lot stronger.
However, this creature was still not as strong as the Dragon he killed before. He was just a bit tricky to deal with since Dark Arts doesn't work effectively.
"Kehehe… So you don't remember me, Vale! You already forgot about me after you killed me a few years ago?! I will get my revenge today! I'll take your soul and make you live inside a frog's body!" The Failed Vessel spoke with a chilling laugh.
At the same time, Vale somehow saw a familiar face overlapping the Failed Vessel's face.
"Wilfred? Is that you?"
Memories of a young student who had met an unfortunate end at his hands resurfaced in his mind.
Vale felt a bit of pity for this guy since he had most likely done it because of the influence of the Headmaster.
Vale could only think that Jean had probably used his shadow that time, so he didn't think too much of killing a young student!
"That Headmaster is indeed quite devious."
However, despite any feelings of pity, Vale understood that he had no choice but to eliminate Wilfred, who had become a mere Failed Vessel.
After all, he had no desire to live trapped inside the body of a frog.
With this decision in mind, Vale summoned Yvaine, his Dark Spirit. As soon as she materialized, the surrounding area grew colder, and her mere presence sent a shiver down the spines of onlookers.
"Is that an Evil Spirit?!"
"How terrifying... We should leave this place."
"Indeed, let's not get caught up in their battle."
"Move away! It's becoming dangerous!"
The spectators quickly assessed the situation and started to retreat. While the prospect of witnessing a battle between Arcanists might have seemed entertaining under normal circumstances, the potential risks of getting caught in the crossfire or being affected by random curses or spells made them think twice.
Meanwhile, Vale remained focused on the task at hand.
He deliberately refrained from using his powerful Mystical Items such as the Stormbringer, Devil's Face, or Devil's Dagger, as well as his recognizable Celestial Arts.
After all, his other identities would be revealed, and his Celestial Arts would also be questioned by many. These were his trump cards, and he wouldn't use them unless necessary.
The presence of onlookers limited his options, but anyway, he already thought of a plan to deal with this without revealing too much to the public and individuals like Clyde and the others.
"Haha! Good timing! She's mine!" Wilfred shouted in delight, undeterred by the appearance of the Dark Spirit.
However, Vale simply smirked as soon as he saw the Failed Vessel charging forward "Heh... Do you really think you can devour her? Dream on!"
Vale said as he commanded Yvaine to suppress the Failed Vessel.
Yvaine didn't waste any time as she unleashed her formidable powers. It was as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Dark tendrils emerged from the ground, snaking their way toward the Failed Vessel, seeking to entangle and restrict its movements.
Then, the air around them grew colder as a chilling aura enveloped the battlefield, further suppressing the Failed Vessel's mobility.