After three minutes of concentration, Vale finally got the result he wanted.

[ Energy Source has been discovered. Would you like to start the Extraction? ]

'Energy Source? Interesting It didn't recognize the Formation Circle as an Arcane Art but as a source of energy?' Vale mused as he didn't expect this notification to appear.

Nevertheless, it made a lot of sense since his Divine Extraction Energy was not an Appraisal Tool. It only recognizes 'extractable' targets. From the system's perspective, perhaps this complex Trap Formation was nothing more than a huge gathering of Arcane Energy.

Without any more hesitation, Vale started with his Extraction.

[ Extraction Successful. Energy +1120

Fiend Essence +1000

Vampire Essence +1000

Elf Essence +1000 ]

[ Extraction Failed ]

[ Extraction Failed ]

[ Extraction Successful. Energy +1200

Fiend Essence +1100

Vampire Essence +1100

Elf Essence +1100 ]

[ Extraction Failed ]

"Incredible Isn't this a bit too much?" Vale muttered as he saw the results of his Extraction. He was getting thousands of them at once!

This was such an incredible experience.

'I guess this Trap Formation had other creatures it could materialize aside from the Blood Specters.'

Vale concluded after seeing some essence of the Vampire and Elf. Perhaps, once they eliminated the Blood Specters, the Trap Formation would summon other creatures like Vampire and Elf to deal with them.

***

On the other hand, as Vale continued with the Extraction of the Trap Formation, Magnus focused on preparing his Slave Contract Talisman.

"Go on Waste your energy." He muttered.

He was fully aware of the difficulty of escaping from the Trap Formation. If they couldn't find its weakness or they failed to understand the Formation's rule, it would be impossible to survive in it.

Furthermore, he understood the futility of attempting to overpower the Trap Formation, given the castle's abundance of Energy Cores and Spirit Stones that fueled its potency.

Even if it were him, he would fail to destroy this Formation Art with just brute force.

Any attempt by Vale and his companions to dismantle the Formation or eliminate the Blood Specters would only result in a wasteful expenditure of their energy. It would hasten their demise since the Formation Arts also had another effect, which could stop their Arcane Energy's regeneration.

Crack

Amidst the preparation of the Slave Contract Talismans, an unforeseen development transpiredthe Trap Formation began to dim, accompanied by the emergence of numerous cracks, leaving Magnus bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.

'An invisible spell? What's going on?' Magnus was alarmed as he didn't see where the attack came from.

Perplexed by the unanticipated damage to the Formation, his focus shifted to Vale, who remained at the heart of the Formation.

"It's you!"

Sensing a connection between Vale's actions and the Formation's deterioration, Magnus swiftly directed his Staff toward the young man, invoking a spell in a desperate attempt to thwart his efforts.

Petrification!

This Spell would normally require an incantation, but thanks to his Staff, such action was no longer needed.

Faith, foreseeing the impending threat, swiftly countered Magnus's Spell with defensive magic.

Arcane Force Field!

It was a potent barrier that remained invisible to the naked eye but resonated profoundly within their Phantasm State.

Even Pearl felt impressed by this unusual Spell

Within moments, a protective dome materialized, enveloping the group.

Boom!

As the Petrification Spell didn't reach its target, it suddenly created an explosive reaction, which reverberated through the air, unsettling even the Blood Specters that were suppressed by Pearl's domain.

"So you're hiding there..."

Seizing the opportune distraction, Pearl directed her Energy Spear towards Magnus!

Whoosh~

The Spear made of her Spiritual Energy rushed through air... However, it encountered an unexpected obstruction!

Boom!

It was impeded by the Trap Formation Art itself!

"What? Isn't that cheating? He can attack us from the outside, but we can't do the same?" Pearl muttered as she realized the other effect of the Formation Art.

This continued several times as Magnus started casting a few more Petrification Spells while Pearl and Faith would defend against it.

'Is he planning to waste our energy through this action?'

"Vale... Are you not finished yet?" Pearl suddenly asked as Magnus persistently launched successive attempts to trap them in petrification.

"I'm almost done... The Formation Art will collapse soon. Please deal with that old Arcanist once it's broken." Vale replied.

"Very well... I'll take care of that old man!" Pearl said as she was already annoyed by the fact that she couldn't kill the Blood Specters. Although she didn't mind holding them in her Spiritual Domain, she

She was itching for a real battle!

***

In the alchemy laboratory nestled within the labyrinthine corridors of the Magnus' Castle, an atmosphere of mystery and innovation permeated the air.

The room was adorned with an array of shelves, each meticulously laden with glass jars containing a menagerie of preserved specimensethereal creatures suspended in amber liquids, arcane botanical specimens, and anatomical curiosities, all bathed in a soft, eerie glow that lent an otherworldly aura to the laboratory.

Within this captivating environment, Lisa and Chad engaged in their alchemical pursuits, immersed in the art of potioncraft and the enigmatic machinations of their experiments.

Well, if they weren't afraid of dying, they wouldn't be this focused on their tasks.

Boom!

The ground suddenly started shaking, and the ceiling started making some noise. They couldn't help but feel worried that the walls would collapse on them.

"Lisa... Is the castle being attacked?" Chad asked as he stopped what he was doing. He was ready to escape from the laboratory.

"It could be... But I think Sir Magnus might be doing an experiment in the third laboratory You know that he's handing explosive items there." Lisa said with a helpless smile.

She was making a potion using moonflower extract and starlight essence. It's known to enhance perception and mystical energy attunement. It's a delicate process, but the results can be quite extraordinary.

It had a very complicated brewing process, and now that she missed the timing, she had to restart once again.

However, as she was thinking of continuing with her experiment, a beautiful Dark Spirit appeared before them.

The female Dark Spirit had a mesmerizing presence, with flowing ebony hair that seemed to dance around her like wisps of smoke. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and her elegant, ethereal form exuded an aura of mystery and power.

Lisa's eyes lit up after seeing her

"Are you Vale's Dark Spirit?!"