I Can Extract Game Items

"For the third and final trial..." the NPC mage began. "You will create a spell from scratch, using the mana streams provided at your stations. You have three hours. Only those who succeed will ascend to Tier 2."

System Notification:

[ Trial 3: Spell Creation Initiated ]

[ Time Limit: 3 Hours. ]

August approached his workstation watching the glowing mana streams flow gently like liquid light. He placed his hands over the streams, immediately feeling the raw, unrefined energy coursing through his fingertips. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

"This is going to be… interesting," he muttered.

---

The trial began in earnest, and the arena buzzed with concentration. Mana flickered and sparked as players shaped and reshaped uncompleted spells.

"Done," a voice rang out less than an hour into the trial. The players turned, eyes wide with disbelief.

A young woman with fiery red hair and a confident smirk stood with her arms crossed. Her workstation shimmered with the aftermath of her completed spell. "I call it Flamewave Cascade. It combines fire and water mana streams for an unpredictable chain of destruction."

The NPC mage inspected her work with a flicker of approval. "Impressive. Step aside and await the others."

The rest of the aspirants groaned collectively.

"Show-off," someone muttered under their breath.

August shook his head, chuckling. "Well, that's one way to set the bar."

---

For August, the process was anything but smooth. He focused on the mana streams, trying to shape them into something cohesive, but every attempt fizzled out.

His first idea—a defensive barrier—collapsed before it could stabilize. His second—a chain of green lightning sparks—resulted in a minor explosion that sent him stumbling back.

"Damn it," he muttered while wiping sweat from his brow. "This is harder than I thought."

The NPC mage's voice echoed across the arena. "Do not rush. Mana is a living force. Respect it, and it will respond to you."

"Respect it," August repeated under his breath. "Right. Easier said than done."

Despite his frustration, he couldn't deny the strange exhilaration coursing through him. For the first time, he felt truly connected to mana, as though it were an extension of himself rather than a tool to be wielded. He let out a breath, refocusing his efforts.

---

The second hour passed, and failure remained the theme for most of the aspirants. Sparks, bursts, and fizzling spells littered the arena as players struggled to create something viable.

August frowned. "What if I'm thinking about this wrong? Instead of forcing the mana, maybe I should guide it."

Closing his eyes, he placed his hands over the streams again. This time, he focused on a concept rather than a specific form—a spell rooted in something that could manipulate objects with pure mana.

Slowly, the streams began to coalesce under his guidance, forming an orb of faintly glowing energy.

"Come on," he whispered with his fingers swirling. "Hold together."

The orb wavered, threatening to collapse, but August's focus never faltered. Bit by bit, he refined it, shaping the spell into something stable. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the mana settled into a perfect sphere.

"Got it," he breathed with a tone of disbelief.

---

[ System Notification: Spell Created - Telekinetic Surge | Custom Spell Registered. ]

---

August tested the spell on the dummy provided at his station. The orb of mana extended outward, gripping the dummy and lifting it into the air before slamming it back down with force.

"Not bad," he muttered with a grin.

---Nôv(el)B\\jnn

By the time the trial ended, only three players—including August—had succeeded.

The NPC mage addressed them with a tone of reverence. "You have proven yourselves worthy. Through ingenuity, patience, and mastery, you have created spells unique to yourselves. Step forward and receive the power of Tier 2."

The NPC raised their staff and a golden light flooded the arena as the successful players were enveloped in its glow. The energy coursed through August, a rush unlike anything he had ever felt. His body felt lighter and his mana reserves became vast and untamed.

---

System Notification:

[ Congratulations! You have ascended to Tier 2. ]

[ All spells have been reset and evolved. MP increased by 150%. New tier 2 abilities unlocked. ]

---

As the light faded, August opened his spell menu to check the changes.

Each of his familiar spells had transformed. Their descriptions now reflected a heightened power.

He raised his hand, summoning Lightning Bolt which was now an evolved version called Thunder Spear.

The energy coalesced into a crackling spear of lightning. Its intensity was now far greater than before.

"Let's test this out," he said with a grin.

He hurled the spear at a mountain in the distance causing the lightning to streak through the air with a deafening crack. The impact obliterated a part of the mountain, leaving a scorched hole in its middle.

"That is insane..." he voiced in disbelief.

'I wonder if this will have the same effect in the real world...' August recalled how he was already capable of using his lightning.

The NPC mage approached with a calm voice. "You have all earned your place among the Tier 2 mages. Use your power wisely, for the challenges ahead will demand nothing less."

As August stepped out, he couldn't help but smile. "One down, one to go," he said to himself, already preparing for the Assassin qualification test.

...

...

Out in the real world, a warehouse echoed with the sound of crashing debris as a masked man delivered a brutal punch to the robed figure.

His fist glowed faintly with an eerie, bluish energy that radiated power. The impact sent the robed figure flying through a stack of crates and into the brick wall, leaving a large hole as the figure slumped unconscious to the ground.

Kyle straightened, dusting off his gloved hands with an aloof look under the mask. "I'm not letting anyone get away," he muttered while stepping over the debris.

He reached down and grabbed a phone, thumbing through the screen until he found the emergency dial.

Find your next read at empire

He was about to call 911 when a slow clap echoed through the warehouse, followed by a familiar voice.

"Impressive, Kyle. Very clean. Very efficient. As always."